Chapter 17 Section 6

Mrs. Trixilian received Mr. Quvis with joy. He and she quickly opened up the conversation box, speculatively kept telling the past and some friends who knew each other. After half an hour Mrs Tricilian gave a deep sigh of satisfaction. "Ah," she said, "I'm so glad! There's nothing like a chat, and a talk of the scandalous past." "A little eccentric talk now and then," agreed Mr. Travis, "will spice up life." "By the way," said Mrs. Tricilian, "what do you think of our 'triangular relationship' example?" Mr. Traves put on a cautiously puzzled face.

"Er - what 'triangle relationship'?" "Don't say you didn't notice! Neville and his two wives." "Oh, that! Mrs. Schunji is a very attractive woman now." "So is Audrey," said Mrs. Tricilian. Mr. Traves admits: "She's attractive—yes." Mrs Tricilian exclaimed: "You mean you can understand a man leaving Audrey for--for Kay--a--a woman of precious character?" Mr. Traves replied calmly: "Full understanding. It happens a lot." "It's disgusting. If I were a man I'd get tired of Kay pretty quickly and regret how stupid I was!"

"It happens quite often, too. Such sudden passions," said Mr. Traves, with a very calm expression, "rarely last." "Then what happened next?" asked Mrs. Tricilian. "Usually," said Mr. Traves, "er—the parties adjust themselves. A second divorce is common. Then the man marries a third—some woman who has a sympathetic nature." "Ridiculous! Neville is not a Mormon - some of your clients might be!" "Occasionally the original couple remarries." Mrs. Trixilian shook her head. "That's impossible! Audrey's self-esteem is so strong."

"You think so?" "I don't just think, I'm sure. Don't you just shake your head there!" "From my experience," said Mr. Traves, "when it comes to love, women have little or no dignity. They talk about it more than they act." "You don't know Audrey. She was madly in love with Neville. Maybe too much, after he left her for that girl (although I don't blame him at all - the girl was chasing him everywhere She, you know what a man is like!), she never wanted to see him again." Mr. Travis coughed lightly. "And yet," said he, "she is here!"

"Oh, this," said Mrs. Tricilian troubledly, "I don't understand these modern ideas. I think Audrey came here just to show that she doesn't care, that it doesn't matter!" "Very likely," said Mr. Traves, touching his chin. "Of course, she might think so herself." "You mean," said Lady Tricilian, "that you think she's still in love with Neville, and—oh no! I don't believe it!" "It's possible," Mr Traves said. "No," said Mrs. Tricilian, "it can't be done in my house." "You're already troubled, aren't you?" asked Mr. Travis shrewdly. "It's tense. I can already feel the tension."

"So you felt it too?" Mrs. Trixilian said sharply. "Well, I have to admit, I'm confused. It's still unclear how the two sides really feel, but it seems to me that there's a lot of tension. It could explode at any moment." "Stop being a fool, and tell me what to do," said Mrs. Tricilian. Mr. Travis held up his hands. "Really, I don't know what to suggest. I feel like there's a focus. If only we could isolate that focus—but it's not clear." "I don't want Audrey to go," said Mrs. Tricilian. "From what I have observed, she has behaved perfectly in a very difficult situation. She has always maintained appropriate civility. I do not think there is anything to blame for her behaviour." .”

"Oh, indeed," said Mr. Traves, "it is. But it has played a considerable part in young Neville Schunkie." "Nevill," said Mrs. Tricilian, "has been behaving badly. I'll talk to him. But I can't get him out. Marceau treats him like a foster son." "I know." Mrs. Trixilian sighed.She said in a lower voice: "You know that Marceau drowned here?" "Know." "I stay here and many people are amazed, here I always feel that Masuo is near me. There are traces of him all over the house. I will feel alone and strange in other places." She paused, and then continued . "At first I wished I could go with him soon, especially as my health started to go downhill. But it seems like I've lived a long life as a sick person - bedridden but not dying," she raged. Hitting the pillow, continued:

"I'm not happy about it, I can tell you! I've always wished I'd died sooner rather than later—hoped to meet Death face to face—and not feel him creeping around me all the time— —Forcing me step by step to experience the humiliation of illness. I became more and more helpless—more and more dependent on others!” "But you depend on very loyal men, I'm sure. You have a loyal maid, don't you?" "Barrett? The one who brought you up? She's been a great comfort to me! A tough old woman, loyal, and she's been with me for years." "And I should say, you are very lucky to have Miss Odin."

"Yes, I am lucky to have Mary." "Is she a relative of yours?" "A distant cousin. A person who had spent her life sacrificing for others and not for herself. She served her father—a wise man—but was terribly strict and demanding. After he died I asked her to live with me, and she always I thank god the day I got here. You don't know how horrible most of the companions are, tedious annoying useless stuff. Their stupidity drives people crazy. They only serve as companions because they can't do anything else. It's great to have a well-educated intellectual woman like Mary. She's got a really first-rate mind--a man's mind--and she reads a lot, deep and wide, and you can talk to her about everything. As clever as she is. She manages the house perfectly and keeps every servant happy--she keeps all quarrels, jealousies out of the way--I don't know what method she uses--tact, I think Sophisticated approach."

"Has she been with you for a long time?" "Twelve years—no, more than twelve years. Thirteen years—fourteen years—probably. She's been a great comfort to me." Mr. Travis nodded. Mrs. Tricilian looked at him with half-closed eyelids.suddenly said: "What's the matter? What do you seem to be worried about?" "Little things," said Mr. Traves, "just little things. You have a very good eye." "I like to study people," said Mrs. Tricilian. "I always know what's going on in Marceau's head." She sighed and leaned back on the pillow. "And now I have to say good night to you—" Queen's eviction—without being rude, "I'm tired. But it's been a pleasure to see you. Come and see me sooner."

"Since you say that, don't worry, I will take the opportunity to come here more, I just hope I haven't talked for too long." "Oh no. I always get suddenly tired. Pull the bell for me before you go." Mr. Travis deliberately pulled down an old-fashioned bell-pull with a large knot at the end. "It's not easy to keep this old thing." "You mean my bells, eh. I don't use electric bells. They always go out of order and make you bang! This thing never fails. It goes upstairs to Barrett's room—the bell goes up On her bed. So she comes over as soon as she hears. If she doesn't come I'll pull again right away." As Mr. Travis came out of the room, he heard the bell ringing again, tinkling somewhere above his head.He looked up to see the bell wire on the ceiling. Barrett hurried downstairs, passed him, and made her way to her mistress' room. Mr. Quvis abandoned the small elevator and walked slowly down the stairs step by step. An inexplicable sadness appeared on his face.He found everyone gathered in the living room.Mary Odin proposed a game of bridge as soon as she saw him, but Mr. Quvis declined, on the grounds that he would have to go back soon. "The hotel I'm staying in," he said, "is old-fashioned. They don't want people coming back after twelve o'clock." "It's still early—it's only half past ten," said Neville. "They're not going to lock you out, are they?" "Oh, not really. In fact, I doubt they lock the door at night. It closes at nine, but it's unlocked, and you can walk in with a twist of the handle. People seem to be very casual here, but I think they It is right to trust the locals in this way.” "Of course no one locks the door here during the day," said Mary. "Our door is open during the day—but it's locked at night." "What kind of hotel is the Court?" asked Ted Latimer. "It looks like a queer Victorian building from the outside." "It lives up to its name," said Mr. Traves, "and it has a down-to-earth comfort about being immersed in the Victorian era. Good comfy bed, good cooking—big Victorian wardrobe. Huge Tub, all mahogany all around." "Didn't you say you were a little troubled at first?" Mary asked. "Ah, yes. I wrote discreetly to book a first-floor suite. I have a bad heart and, you know, can't climb the stairs. I was a little bit annoyed when I arrived to find no room available downstairs. I was assigned the top floor A suite (very nice room, I must admit). I protested, but it seems that an old guest who was supposed to be in Scotland this month fell ill and the room couldn't be vacated." "Mrs. Lucan, I think," said Mary. "That's the name, I think. In that case, I'd have to make do with it. Luckily they have an escalator there—so I'm not really inconvenient." kay said: "Ted, why don't you stay at the 'Court' Hotel? It will be more convenient for you to come here." "Oh, that kind of place doesn't seem to suit me," "Yes, Mr. Latimer," said Mr. Traves, "that is by no means your field." Ted Latimer blushed for some reason. "I don't know what you mean by that," he said. Feeling nervous, Mary Odin hastily changed the subject to offer her opinion of a case that had been published in the paper. "I know they've got another man in that big Kent case—" she said. "This is the second person they've seized," Neville said. "I hope they've got the right person this time." "Even if he was the killer, there was nothing they could do about him," Mr Travis said. "Not enough evidence?" Roidy asked. "Ok." "However," Kaye said, "I think they'll always find evidence eventually." "Not always found, Mr. Shi Chunji, if you knew how many people committed crimes and got away with it, you would be surprised." "You mean they've never been discovered?" "Not only that. There was a man"—he referred to a famous case two years ago—"that the police knew he was responsible for some murders of children—there was no suspicion—but they couldn't do anything about it. There were two He was provided with an alibi which, although false, could not be proven. The murderer was therefore released." "It's terrible," said Mary. Thomas Lloyd tapped the ashes in his pipe and said in his calm, thoughtful voice, "This confirms what I've always thought - that sometimes a man is right to take the law into his own hands." "What do you mean, Mr. Rloyd?" Thomas began to load the tobacco.He looked down at his hands, and said in a sudden, incoherent sentence: "Suppose you know--a vile thing--know that there is nothing the law can do to the man who kills--know that he will not be punished. Then I think--it is right to carry out the execution yourself." Mr. Traves said kindly: "Very bad theory, Mr. Roydy! Such behavior is quite improper!" "I don't think so. You know, I'm assuming that the facts have proven—it's just that the law can't do anything!" "Actions taken by private individuals remain inexcusable." Thomas smiled -- a very gentle smile. "I don't agree," he said, "if a man deserves to be hanged, I don't care to take responsibility for hanging him!" "Then it will be your turn to be punished by the law!" Still smiling, Thomas said, "Of course, I'll be careful... In fact, one has to play dirty tricks more or less..." Audrey said in her crisp voice: "You will be found, Thomas." "Honestly," Thomas said, "I don't think I will." "I once knew a case," said Mr. Traves, stopping again.He said apologetically, "Criminology is a bit of a hobby of mine, you know." "Please go on," Kay said. "I know of a wide range of crimes," said Mr. Traves, "of which only a few are really interesting. Most of the murderers are uninteresting and very short-sighted. However, I can tell you one interesting case." .” "Oh, come on," Kay said, "I like murder." Mr. Travis spoke slowly, apparently weighing his words and choosing his phrases carefully. "The case concerns a small child. I will not mention the child's age or sex. The facts are as follows: Two children were playing with a bow and arrow. One of them shot the other in the heart and died. The court of inquiry was called and the surviving The child's utterly unhinged appearance inspired compassion in the court, and the case ended in unfortunate accident." He paused. "That's it?" asked Ted Latimer. "That's it. A regrettable accident. But, you know, there's another side to the story. Shortly before it happened, a farmer happened to be walking a path in the woods near the scene. Through a gap in the woods , he noticed a kid practicing archery there." He pauses—for the audience to ponder what he means. "You mean," said Mary Odin in disbelief, "that it wasn't an accident—it was deliberate?" "I don't know," said Mr. Traves, "I never knew. But it's recorded in the court of inquiry that children don't know how to use bows and arrows, and they shoot blindly." "And that's not the case?" "That's really not the case for one of the kids!" "So what did the farmer do?" Audrey said breathlessly. "He didn't do anything. I've never been sure whether it's right for him to do this. It's related to the child's future. He felt that for a child, it would be better to misplace him once, and the suspicion of the child should be treated as kindness." explanation of." Audrey says: "But you yourself have no doubt that the child did it on purpose?" Mr. Traves said gravely: "A purely personal opinion. I think it was a very clever murder—a murder well planned in advance by a child." Ted Latimer asked: "Is there a reason?" "Oh, yes, there was a motive, and the child's quizzing and harsh remarks—enough to incite hatred. Children are prone to hatred—" Mary said aloud: "But why are you so thoughtful?" Mr. Travis nodded. "Yes, it is a dreadful thing to think so deeply. A little child, with murderous intent hidden in his heart, practiced quietly day by day, and then the final stage came--pretended clumsy ejaculation--tragedy, feigned remorse, Heartbroken and hopeless. It's so unbelievable - so unbelievable that the case may not be accepted in court." "The kid—what happened?" Kay asked curiously. "The name change, I believe," said Mr. Travis, "was absolutely advisable to do so after the Court of Inquiry made it public. That child is grown up now--somewhere in the world. The question is, is that Is there still a murderous heart?" He went on thoughtfully: "It was a long time ago, but I know this little murderer wherever he goes." "Of course not," Rowdy protested. "Oh, I recognize it. There's a bodily peculiarity—oh, I'm not going to go on with that, it's not a pleasant subject, and I'd better start back." He stood up. Mary said, "Shall I have a drink first?" The wine was on a table at the other end of the living room.Thomas Lloyd came closer and moved forward to uncap the whiskey bottle. "How about whiskey and soda, Mr. Travis, Latimer, and you?" Neville whispered to Audrey: "The night is lovely, let's go for a walk?" She had been standing by the window door, looking at the balcony under the moonlight.He passed her and went outside to wait. She shook her head quickly and turned back into the living room. "No, I'm tired. I—I want to go to bed." She crossed the living room and went out.Kay yawned big. "I'm sleepy too. How about you, Mary?" "Well, I think I'm sleepy too. Good night, Mr. Traves, take care of Mr. Traves, Thomas." "Good night, Miss Odin. Good night, Mrs. Schunk." "We'll have lunch tomorrow, Tad," said Kay, "and if it's as nice as it is today, we'll go swimming." "Okay. I'll go out and find you. Good night, Miss Odin." The two women left the living room. Ted Latimer said kindly to Mr. Travis, "I'll drop by, sir. I'm going to catch the ferry, so I'll pass your hotel." "Thank you, Mr. Latimer. I am glad to have you as an escort." Mr. Traves, though he had announced his intention to go, seemed to be taking his time.He sipped his wine happily, eager to ask Thomas Lloyd about life in Malaya. Roydy's answer was very brief.To ask him about these daily trifles is as difficult as asking him about any major state secrets.He seemed to be caught up in his own thoughts, and it was difficult to distract himself from answering questions. Ted Latimer was embarrassed, impatient, and anxious to get away. Suddenly he broke in and exclaimed, "I almost forgot. I brought some records that Kay wanted to hear, and they're in the hall. I'll get them. Will you give them to Kay tomorrow, Roy?" Dee?" Roydie nodded.Ted leaves the living room. "That young man is frizzy," muttered Mr. Travis. Roydy snorted and didn't answer. "I think it's Mrs. Shi Chunji's friend?" the old lawyer continued. "Kay Schunkie's friend," Thomas said. Mr. Travis smiled. "Well," said he, "I mean her. It's almost impossible that he was--the first Mrs. Schunji's friend." Roydy emphasized: "Yes, he can't be." Then, meeting the other's strange gaze, he blushed a little and said, "I mean—" "Oh, I quite understand what you mean, Mr. Lloyd. You're a friend of Mrs. Audrey Schunkie yourself, aren't you?" Thomas Lloyd slowly filled the pipe with tobacco.He looked down at the movement of his hands, a little bit as if holding the words in his mouth. He said: "Well—yes. It can be said that they grew up together." "She must have been an attractive girl all along?" Tomato Lloyd seemed to say "Uh-hmm." "Isn't it embarrassing for two Mrs. Shi Chunji to be in the same room at the same time?" "Oh, yes—yes, sort of." "It was a difficult situation for the original Mrs. Schunji." Thomas Lloyd blushed. "Extremely difficult." Mr. Traves stepped forward.His question popped up suddenly. "Why did she come, Mr. Rloyd?" "It's—I think it's—" the voice of the person being asked was slurred, "she—doesn't like to say no." "Reject who?" Roydy shifted awkwardly. "Oh, as a matter of fact, I believe she always comes at this time of year—early September." "And Mrs. Tricilian wants Neville Springer and his new wife to come at the same time?" The old gentleman's tone was subtly politically unbelievable. "As for that, I believe Neville himself asked for it." "So, is he longing for this—the reunion?" Roydie shifted restlessly.He avoided the other party's eyes and replied: "I think so." "Strange," said Mr. Traves. "To do such a foolish thing," Thomas Lloyd said agitatedly. "It was a little awkward," Mr Traves said. "Oh, well, that's what people do these days," said Thomas Lloyd vaguely. "I doubt," said Mr. Traves, "that it was someone else's idea?" Roydie's eyes widened. "Who else could it be?" Mr. Travis sighed. "There are plenty of well-meaning friends in the world - always anxious to arrange life for others - to suggest some inappropriate course of action -" he broke off, as Neville Schunkie stepped across the French doors Come in.At the same moment Ted Latimer came in through the hall door. "Hey Ted, what have you got?" Neville asked. "Gramophone records for Kay. She asked me to bring them." "Oh yeah, she didn't tell me," there was a momentary standoff between the two, before Neville went to the liquor shelf and poured himself a whiskey and soda.He looked agitated, sullen, and breathing heavily. Mr Traves had heard Neville be said to be "a lucky fellow - he has everything anyone in the world could want".Yet he didn't look like a happy man at all at this moment. Thomas Lloyd seemed to feel, after Neville's entry, that his duties as master were over.He left the living room without saying good night, and his steps were a little hurried than usual, almost as if he was fleeing. "Enjoyable evening," said Mr. Traves politely, putting down his glass. "Very—ah—instructive." "Educational?" Neville said, frowning slightly. "Getting knowledge about Malaya," Thad suggested with a grin, "is a tough job to get out of Thomas who doesn't talk much." "Strange fellow, Rloyd," said Neville, "I'm sure he's always been the same. Smoking his horrible old pipe, listening quietly, grunting now and then, and looking as wise as an owl." .” "Maybe he's overthinking it," said Mr. Traves. "Now I really should go." "Come and see Mrs Tricilian sooner, when you have time," said Neville, as he accompanied the other two gentlemen into the hall. "You make her very happy. She has very little contact with the outside world these days. She is very nice, isn't she?" "Well, indeed. A very motivating talker." Mr. Travis put on his overcoat and scarf very carefully, and after saying good night again, he left with Ted Latimer. The "Palace" hotel was actually only a hundred yards away, at the corner of a main road.It was an outpost of a sparse rural street that loomed solemnly and impersonally in the moonlight. The ferry to which Ted Latimer was going was two or three hundred yards away, at the narrowest point of the river. Mr. Traves stopped at the door of the hotel and held out his hand. "Good night, Mr. Latimer. Are you going to be here long?" Ted smiled, showing his gleaming white teeth. "It depends, Mr. Traves. I don't have time to be bored yet." "Yes—yes, I think so. I suppose like most young people these days, the worst thing in the world is to be bored, but I can assure you there are worse things than that. " "For example?" Ted Latimer's voice was soft and cheerful, but there was something else hidden in it--something not so easy to explain. "Oh, I'll leave that to you, Mr. Latimer. You know, I don't take the liberty of giving you advice. Old advice like mine always gets sniffed at. Perhaps that's right, who Know? But we old guys like to think that experience teaches us something, and we notice a lot over the course of our lives, you know." A dark cloud hid the moonlight, and the street looked very dark.In the darkness, a figure walked uphill toward them. It was Thomas Lloyd. "Just a walk to the ferry," he said vaguely, for his pipe was in his mouth. "This is your hotel?" he asked Mr. Traves. "It looks as if you are locked out." "Oh, I don't think so," said Mr. Traves. He turned the huge brass handle, and the door swung open. "We'll walk you in," Roidy said. The three of them entered the hotel lobby.Only one electric light was on, and it was dark.Didn't see anyone, there was a left over dinner smell in the air, the sofa was a bit dirty and there was a strong smell of furniture cleaner. Suddenly, Mr. Traves gave a cry of distress. There was a sign hanging on the elevator in front of them: "My God," said Mr. Traves, "what a pain. I have to climb so many stairs." "Too bad," said Roidy. "Any elevators for cargo—special elevators for luggage or something?" "I'm afraid not. This lift is very useful. Oh, I have to climb slowly, so I shall. Good night, both of you." He climbed slowly up the wide stairs.Lloyd and Latimer said good night to him and went out into the dark street. There was a silence, and then suddenly Roydie said: "OK, goodnight." "good night, see you tomorrow." "it is good." Ted Latimer walked briskly down the hill toward the ferry.Thomas Lloyd stood watching him for a moment, then walked slowly in the opposite direction, towards Gull Point. The moon emerged from behind the dark clouds, and Yanpu Town was once again bathed in silver light. "It's like summer," murmured Mary Odin. She and Audrey were sitting on the beach below the imposing building of the East Head Inn.In a white swimsuit, Audrey looked like a finely carved ivory statue.Mary didn't go swimming.Not far from them, Kay lay on her stomach, her copper-colored limbs exposed, her back to the sun. "Well," she sat up. "The water is freezing," she said reproachfully. "Oh, it's September," said Mary. "England is always cold," said Kay disapprovingly. "I wish we were in the south of France. It's so warm there." Ted Latimer murmured a little past her: "This sun is not a real sun at all." "Aren't you going into the water, Mr. Latimer?" asked Mary. Kay laughed out loud. "Ted never goes in the water, just basks in the sun like a lizard." She stretched out a leg and poked him with her toe.He jumped up. "Get up and walk, Kay. I'm freezing." They walked along the beach together. "Like a lizard (loafer)? That's an unfortunate metaphor," murmured Mary Odin, watching their backs. "Do you think he looks like it?" Audrey asked. Mary Odin frowned. "Not much. Lizards are pretty docile animals. I don't think he's docile." "Well," said Audrey thoughtfully, "I don't think so either." "They look so good together," said Mary, looking at the departing couple. "They kind of match, don't they?" "I think so." "They like the same things," continued Mary, "and agree—talk the same way. It's a pity—" She stopped. Audrey said sharply: "What a pity?" Mary said slowly: "I would say it's a shame that Neville got to know her." Audrey sat up unnaturally.What Mary called "Audrey's frozen face" appeared.Mary said quickly: "I'm sorry, Audrey. I shouldn't have said that." "I don't really want to--talk about it, if you don't mind." "Of course, of course. I'm stupid, I—I hope you've made it through, I think." Audrey turned her head slowly, and she said calmly and expressionlessly: "I can assure you there's nothing to get over. I - I don't feel anything about that. I hope - I sincerely hope that Kay and Neville will always be very happy together," "You have a good heart, Audrey." "It's not in my good heart, it's--just the truth, but I do think--er--it's no good to hang on to the past. 'It's a pity that this--or that-has happened,' said It's no good. It's all in the past. Why bring it up again? We have to move on, live in reality." "I think," said Mary monotonously, "that people like Kay and Ted excite me because—oh, they're so different from anyone I've ever met." "Well, I guess they're different." "Even," said Mary suddenly bitterly, "you have lived and lived through lives I may never have lived through. I know you have been unhappy—very unhappy—but I can't help feeling that even that Better than - oh - than nothing. Nothing!" She uttered the last four words emphatically. Audrey's big eyes looked a little startled. "I never thought you'd feel this way." "Didn't you think of that?" Mary Odin laughed apologetically. "Oh, it's just a momentary dissatisfaction, my dear, I don't mean it." "It can't be very interesting to you," Audrey said slowly, "just living here with Carmela—even though she's a lovely person. Reading to her, managing the servants, never away on vacation." "I'm well fed and comfortable," said Mary, "and there are too many women for that. And, really, Audrey, I'm quite content. I have—" Her lips parted for a moment smile—"my private pastime." "Secret business?" Audrey also asked with a smile. "Oh, I plan something," Mary said vaguely, "in my head, you know. And sometimes I like to experiment—with people. You know, just to see if I can call them React as I wish." "Sounds like you're on the verge of becoming a sadist, Mary. How little I really know about you!" "Oh, it's no harm, just a little child's amusement," Audrey asked curiously: "Have you tried it on me?" "No. You're the only one who makes me feel pretty unpredictable all the time. You know, I never know what you're thinking." "Perhaps," Audrey said heavily, "that's fine." She shuddered, and Mary exclaimed: "You caught a cold." "Yeah. I want to get dressed, after all, it's September." Mary Odin came down alone and gazed at the waves.The tide is ebbing.She closed her eyes and lay sprawled on the sand. They had a delicious lunch at the hotel.Although the peak season has passed, there are still quite a lot of hotel guests.A group of strange and varied people.Oh, it's a day out, a break from the monotony of day after day.It's also a relief, from that tension, the kind of tension that's been on "Gull Cape" lately.It wasn't Audrey's fault, it was Neville-- Ted Latimer sat down abruptly beside her; interrupting her thoughts. "What did you do to Kay?" Mary asked. Ted replied curtly: "She was called away by her legal owner." Something in his words made Mary sit up straight.She looked across the glistening stretch of golden sand and saw Neville and Kay walking along where the water met the sand.Then she glanced quickly at the man next to her. She had always thought of him as vulgar, strange, even dangerous.Now she glimpses a young, wounded heart for the first time.She thought to herself: "He fell in love with Kay - really in love with her - and then Neville showed up and took her..." She said softly: "I hope you enjoy your time here." It's an old saying.Mary Odin seldom said anything but corny—it was her language.But there was--for the first time--friendliness in her tone.Ted Latimer reacted to that. "Perhaps, as pleasantly as I've had anywhere else!" Mary says: "I am very depressed……" "You don't give a damn! I'm an outsider—what does it matter how an outsider feels?" She turned to look at the distressed, handsome young man. He looked back at her with contempt. She said slowly as if she had discovered something: "I understand, you don't like us." He let out a short laugh. "You expect me to like you?" She said thoughtfully: “我想，你知道，我的确这样指望——当然，人把太多事情都看成是理所当然的。人应该更谦虚一点。是的，我没想到你会不喜欢我们，我们一直尽量让你感到受欢迎——把你当凯伊的朋友看待。” “是的——当做凯伊的朋友看待！” 这句话来得快速而且怀有恶意。 玛丽诚恳地说： “我希望你会告诉我——我真的希望——到底为什么你不喜欢我们？我们怎么啦？我们有什么不对？” 泰德·拉提莫重重地说： “自以为是！” “自以为是？”玛丽毫无恨意地说，她公正地思量他的这项指控。 “嗯，”她承认说，“我知道我们可能让人有这种感觉。” “你们就是这样。你们把生活中一切美好的事物视为理所当然。你们快快乐乐，高高在上，把自己跟一般人隔绝起来。你们把像我一样的人看作是动物一样！” “我很难过，”玛丽说。 “我说的是事实，不是吗？” “不，不怎么是。也许，我们是愚蠢，不知人间疾苦——可是毫无恶意。表面上看起来，我自己恐怕就是你所谓的腐朽、肤浅、自以为是的人。可是你知道，真的，我骨子里相当富有人性。我现在听你这么一说就感到非常难过。因为你不快乐，而我真希望我能帮上忙。” “这——如果是这样——那你真好。” 一阵停顿。然后玛丽柔声说： “你一直爱着凯伊？” “爱得相当深。” “那她呢？” “我想也是——直到史春吉出现。” 玛丽柔声说： “你还爱着她？” “我想这是显而易见的事。” 过了一会儿，玛丽平静他说： “你离开这里不是比较好吗？” “为什么我该这样做？” “因为你在这里只有让自己更不快乐。” 他看着她，笑出声来。 “你是个好人，'他说，“可是你对在你圈子外彷徨的动物不太了解，不久就会有不少事情发生。 " “什么样的事情？”玛丽厉声说。 他笑了起来。 “等着瞧。”