The Fall River Axe Murders-1
LizzieBordenwithanaxe
Gaveherfatherfortywhacks
Whenshesawwhatshehaddone
Shegavehermotherforty-one.
Childrensrhyme
EarlyinthemofthefourthofAugust,1892,inFallRiver,Massachusetts.
Hot,hot,hot...veryearlyinthem,beforethefactorywhistle,but,evenatthishour,everythingshimmersandquiversuheattackofwhite,furioussunalreadyhighiillair.
Itsinhabitantshaveneveretotermswiththesehot,humidsummers--foritisthehumiditymorethathatmakesthemintolerable;theweathergslikealowfeveryouotshakeoff.TheIndianswholivedherefirsthadtheseakeofftheirbuckskiweathercameandsituptotheirneponds;notsothedesdantsoftheindustrious,self-mortifyingsaintswhoimportedtheProtestahicwholesaleintoatryintendedforthesiestaandareproud,proud!offlyinginthefaature.Inmostlatitudeswithsummerslikethese,everythingslowsdown,then.Youstayalldayinpenumbrabehinddrawnblindsandclosedshutters;youwearclotheslooseenoughtomakeyourowocoolyourselfwhenyouinfrequentlymove.Buttheultimatedecadeofthelastturyfindsusatthehighpointofhardwork,here;allwillsoole,menwillgooutintothefurhemwelledupinflannelunderclothes,linenshirts,vestsandcoatsandtrousersofsturdywoollencloth,andtheygarrottethemselveswithies,too,theythinkitissovirtuoustobeunfortable.
Andtodayitisthemiddleofaheatwave;soearlyinthemandthemercuryhastouchedthemiddleeighties,already,andshowsnosignofslowingdownitsheadlongast.
Asfarasclotheswereed,womenonlyappearedtogetoffmhtly.Onthism,when,afterbreakfastandtheperformanceofafewhouseholdduties,LizzieBordenwillmurderherparents,shewill,onrising,donasimplecottonfrock--but,uhat,wentalong,starchedcottoicoat;anothershort,starchedcottoicoat;longdrawers;woollenstogs;achemise;andawhalebonecorsetthattookherviscerainasternhandandsqueezedthemverytightly.Shealsostrappedaheavylinennapkiweenherlegsbecauseshewasmenstruating.
Inalltheseclothes,outofsortsandnauseousasshewas,inthisdementi,herbellyinavice,shewillheatupaflat-irononastoveandpresshandkerchiefswiththeheatedironuntilitistimefodowntothecellarwoodpiletocollectthehatchetwithwhiagination--"LizzieBordenwithanaxe"--alwaysequipsher,justaswealwaysvisualiseStCatherinerollingalongherwheel,theemblemofherpassion.
Soon,injustasmanyclothesatMissLizziewears,iflessfine,Bridget,theservantgirl,willslopkeroseneooflastnightsneercrumpledwithastickortwoofkindling.Whenthefiresettlesdown,shewillcookbreakfast;thefirewillkeephersuffogpanyasshewashesupafterwards.
Inasergesuit,onelookatwhichwouldbeenoughtyououtinpricklyheat,OldBordenwillperambulatetheperspiringtown,trufflingformoneylikeapiguntilhewillreturnhomemid-mtokeepapressingappoiwithdestiny.
Butnobodyhereisupandabout,yet;itisstillearlym,beforethefactorywhistle,theperfectstillnessofhotweather,askyalreadywhite,theshadowlesslightofNewEnglandlikeblowsfromtheeyeofGod,andthesea,white,andtheriver,white.
Ifwehavelargelyfottenthephysicaldisfortsoftheitg,oppressivegarmentsofthepastandthecorrosiveeffectsofperpetualphysicaldisfortonthehenwehavemercifullyfotten,too,thesmellsofthepast,thedomesticodours--ill-washedflesh;infrequentlygedunderwear;chamber-pots;slop-pails;ielyplumbedprivies;rottingfood;unatteeeth;areetsarenofresherthanindoors,theomacridityofhorsepissanddung,drains,suddenstenchofolddeathfrombutchersshops,theamniotichorrorofthefishmonger.
Youwoulddrenchyourhandkerchiefwithcologneatoyournose.Youwouldsplashyourselfwithparmavioletsothatthereekoffleshlydecayyoualwayscarriedwithyouwasoverlaidbythatoftheembalmingparlour.Youwouldabhortheairyoubreathed.
FiveliviuresareasleepinahouseonSedStreet,FallRiver.Theyprisetwooldmenandthreewomen.Thefirstoldmanownsallthewomehermarriage,birthortract.Hishouseisnarrowasacoffinandthatwashowhemadehisfortune--heusedtobeaakerbuthehasretlybrainseveraldiresandallhisbranchesbearfruitofthemostfiscallygratifyingkind.
Butyouwouldhink,tolookathishouse,thatheisasuccessfulandaprosperousman.Hishouseiscramped,fortless,smallandmean--"uious",youmightsay,ifyouwerehissycophant--whileSedStreetitselfsawbetterdayssometimeago.TheBordenhouse--see"AndrewJ.Borden"inflowingscriptonthebrassplateothedoor--standsbyitselfwithafewstfeetofyardoherside.Oisastable,outofusesincehesoldthehorse.Inthebacklotgroeartrees,ladenatthisseason.
Onthisparticularm,asluckwouldhaveit,onlyohetwirlssleepsintheirfathershouse.EmmaLenora,hisoldestdaughter,hastakenherselfofftonearbyNewBedfordforafewdays,tocatchtheobreeze,andsoshewillescapetheslaughter.
FewoftheirsocialclassstayinFallRiverinthesweatingmonthsofJune,JulyandAugustbut,theheirsocialclassliveonSedStreet,inthelowpartoftownwhereheatgatherslikefog.Lizziewasinvitedaway,too,toasummerhousebytheseatojoinamerrybandofgirlsbut,asifonpurposetomortifyherflesh,asifimportantbusinesskeptherintheexhaustedtown,asifawickedfairyspelledherinSedStreet,shedidnotgo.
TheotheroldmanissomekindofkinofBordens.Hedoesntbelonghere;heisvisiting,passingthrough,heisacebystander,heisirrelevant.
Writehimoutofthescript.
Eventhoughhispresehedoomedhouseishistoricallyunimpeachable,thecofthisdomesticapocalypsemustbecrudeandthedesignprofoundlysimplifiedforthemaximumemblematiceffect.
WriteJohnVinnicumMorseoutofthescript.
OneoldmanandtwoofhiswomehehouseonSedStreet.
TheCityHallclockwhirrsandsputterstheprolegomenatothefirststrokeofsixandBridgetsalarmclockgivesasympatheticskipandclickastheminute-handstuttersonthehour;backthelittlehammerjerks,abouttohitthebellontopofherclock,butBridgetsdampeyelidsdonotshudderwithpremonitionassheliesiigflannelnightgownunderohionaniroead,liesonherback,asthegoodnunstaughtherinherIrishgirlhood,incaseshediesduringthenight,tomakelesstroublefortheuaker.
Sheisagoodgirl,onthewhole,althoughhertemperissometimesuainandthenshewilltalkbaissus,sometimes,andwillbeforcedtofessthesinofimpatiehepriest.Overebyheatandnausea--foreveryohehouseisgoingtosicktoday--shewillreturntothislittlebedlaterinthem.Whileshesnatchesafewmome,upstairs,allhellwillbeletloose,downstairs.
Arosarylassbeads,acardboard-backedcolourprintoftheVirginboughtfromaPueseshop,aflyblownphotographofhersolemnmotherinDonegal--theselieorareproppedoelpiecethat,howeversharptheMassachusettswinter,hasneverseenalitstick.AbaintrunkatthefootofthebedholdsallBridgetsworldlygoods.
Thereisastiffchairbesidethebedwith,uponit,adlestick,matches,thealarmclockthatresoundstheroomwithadyadic,metallig,foritisajokebetweenBridgetandhermistressthatthegirlcouldsleepthroughanything,anything,andsoshehealarmaswellasallthefactorywhistlesthatarejustabouttoblastoff,justthisverysedabouttoblastoff...
Asplintereddealwashstandholdsthejugandbowlsheneveruses;sheisntgoingtolugwateruptothethirdfloorjusttowipeherselfdown,isshe?Notwhenthereswaterenoughisink.
OldBordenseesnoyforbaths.Hedoesnotbelieveintotalimmersion.Tolosehisnaturaloilswouldbetorobhisbody.
Aframelesssquareofmirrorreflecatedwavesacracked,dustysoapdishtainingaquantityofblackmetalhairpins.
htreglesofpaperblindsmovethebeautifulshadowsofthepeartrees.
AlthoughBridgetleftthedooropenacraforlornhopesofcoaxingadraughtintotheroom,allthespeofthepreviousdayhaspackeditselftightlyiic.Adandruffofspentwhitewashflakesfromtheceilingwhereaflydrearilywhines.
Thehouseisthicklyredolentofsleep,thatsweetish,gingsmell.Still,allstill;inallthehousenothingmovingexceptthedroningfly.Stillnessoaircase.Stillnesspressingagainsttheblinds.Stillness,mortalstillnessintheroombelow,whereMasterandMistresssharethematrimonialbed.
Werethedrapesopenorthelamplit,onecouldbetterobservethediffereweenthisroomaerityofthemaidsroom.Hereisacarpetsplashedwithvigorousflowers,evenifthecarpetisofthecheapandcheerfulvariety;therearemauve,ochreandharshceriseflowersontheaper,eventhoughtheaperwasoldwhentheBordensarrivedinthehouse.Adresserwithanotherdistmirror;nomirrorinthishousedoesnottakeyourfadtwistit.Onthedresser,arunnerembroideredwithfet-me-nots;ontherunner,aboneissingthreeteethandlightlythreadedwithgreyhairs,ahairbrushbackedwithebonisedwood,andanumberoflacematsunderhsmallaboxesholdingsafety-pins,hairhelittlehairpiecethatMrsBordenattachestoherbaldingscalpfordaytimeweariscurleduplikeadeadsquirrel.ButofBordensmaleoccupationofthisroomthereisnotracebecausehehasadressingroomofhisown,throughthatdoor,o...
Whatabouttheotherdoor,theooit?
Itleadstothebackstairs.
Andthatyetotherdoor,partiallycealedbehindtheheadoftheheavy,mahoganybed?
Ifitweresecurelylocked,itwouldtakeyouintoMissLizziesroom.
Onepeculiarityofthishouseisthenumberofdoorstheroomstainand,afurtherpeculiarity,howallthesedoorsarealwayslocked.Ahousefulloflockeddoorsthatopenonlyintootherroomswithotherlockeddoors,for,upstairsanddownstairs,alltheroomsleadinandoutofoherlikeamazeinabaddream.Itisahousewithoutpassages.Thereisnopartofthehousethathasnotbeenmarkedassomeinmatespersoory;itisahousewithnoshared,noonspacesbetweenonerooma.Itisahouseofprivaciessealedascloseasiftheyhadbeensealedwithwaxonalegaldot.
TheonlywaytoEmmasroomisthroughLizzies.ThereisnowayoutofEmmasroom.Itisadeadend.
TheBordensoflogallthedoors,insideandoutside,datesfromatime,afewyearsago,shortlybefetcametoworkforthem,whenthehousewasburgled.ApersonunknowhroughthesidedoorwhileBordenandhiswifehadtakeheirraretripsouttogether;hehadloadedherintoatrapaforthefarmtheyowSwaoeenantwasnotbilkinghim.Thegirlsstayedathomeintheirrooms,nappingontheirbedsorrepairingrippedhemsorsewingloosebuttonsmoresecurelyorwritiersorplatingactsofcharityamongthedeservingpoororstaringvatlyintospace.
Itimagielsetheymightdo.
Whatthegirlsdowhentheyareontheirownisunimagiome.
EmmaismoremysteriousbyfarthanLizzie,forweknowmuchlessabouther.Sheisablankspace.Shehasnolife.Thedoorfromherroomleadsonlyintotheroomofhersister.
"Girls"is,ofcourse,acourtesyterm.Emmaiswellintoherforties,Lizzieihirties,buttheydidnotmarryandsoliveintheirfathershouse,wheretheyremaininafictive,protractedchildhood.
Whilethemasteraresswereawayandthegirlsasleeporotherwiseoccupied,somepersonorpersonsunknowntiptoedupthebackstairstothematrimonialbedroomandpocketedMrsBordensgoldwatd,thecoralneckladsilverbangleofherremotechildhood,andarollofdollarbillsOldBordeunderunionsuitsihirddrawerofthebureauo.Theintruderattemptedtoforcethelockofthesafe,thatfeaturelessblockofblackironlikeaslaughteringblockoranaltarsittingsquarelyothebedonOldBordensside,butitwouldhavetakenacroeeadequatelythesafearudertackleditairofnailscissorsthatwerelyinghandyonthedressersothatdidnteoff.
TheruderpissedandshatonthecoveroftheBordensbed,kheclutterofthisandthatonthedressertothefloor,smashihing,sweptintoOldBordensdressingroomtheretomaliciouslyassaultthefuneralcoatasithungih-balleddarkofhisclosetwiththeself-samenailscissorsthathadbeehesafe(thenailscissorsnowsplitintwoandwereabaheclosetfloor),retiredtothekit,smashedtheflourcrodthetreaclecrodthenscrawledanobsityortwoontheparlourwindowwiththecakeofsoapthatlivedbesidethescullerysink.
Whatamess!Lizziestaredwithvaguesurpriseattheparlourwindow;sheheardthesoftbangoftheopensdoor,swingingidly,althoughtherewasnobreeze.Whatwasshedoing,standingcladonlyinhercorsetinthemiddleofthesittingroom?Howhadshegotthere?Hadshecreptdownwhensheheardthesdoorrattle?Shedidnotknow.Shecouldnotremember.
Allthathappenedwas:allatonceheresheis,intheparlour,withacakeofsoapinherhand.
Sheexperiencedaclearingofthesensesandonlytheoscreamandshout.
"Help!Wehavebeenburgled!Help!"
Emmacamedownandfortedher,asthebigsisterhadfortedthelittleonesincebabyhood.Emmaitwaswhoclearedfromthesitting-roomcarpettheflourandtreacleLizziehadheedlesslytrackedinfromthekitonherbarefeetinhersomnambulisttraofthemissingjewelleryanddollarbillsnotracecouldbefound.
IottellyouwhateffecttheburglaryhadonBorden.Itutterlydiscertedhim;hewasamanstuviolatedhim,even.Hewasamatookawayhishithertounshakeablefideheiyiinthings.
Theburglarysomovedthemthatthefamilybrokeitshabitualsilehoheriodiscussit.Theyblameditouguese,obviously,butsometimesontheucks.Iftheireremainedstantanddidnotdiminishwithtime,thefocusofitvariedacctotheirmoods,althoughtheyaloihefingerofsuspiatthestrangersandnewerswholivedinthegruesomerampartsofthepanyhousingafewsqualidblocksaway.Theydidnotalwayssuspectthedarkstrangersexclusively;sometimestheythoughttheculpritmightverywellhavebeehemill-handsfreshfromsaucashireacrosstheowhoittedthecrime,foraslumlandlordhasfewfriendsamongthecriminalclasses.
However,thepossibilityofapeistoccurstoMrsBorden,althoughshedoesnotknowtheword;sheknows,however,thatheryouepdaughterisastrangeoneandaketheplatesjumpoutofsheerspite,ifshewao.Buttheoldmanadoreshisdaughter.Perhapsitisthen,aftertheshockoftheburglary,thathedecidessheneedsageofse,adoseofseaair,alongvoyage,foritwasaftertheburglaryhesehegrandtour.
Aftertheburglary,thefrontdoorandthesidedoorwerealwayslockedthreetimesifoheinhabitantsofthehouseleftitforjustsomuchastogointotheyardandpickupabasketoffallenpearswhenpearswereinseasonorifthemaidwentouttohangabitofwashingorOldBorden,aftersupper,tookapissuree.
Fromthistimedatedtheoflogallthebedroomdoorsontheinsidewhenonewasontheinsideoneselforosidewhenonewasoside.OldBordenlockedhisbedroomdoorinthem,whe,andputthekeyinsightofalloshelf.
TheburglaryawakenedOldBordentotheevanatureofprivateproperty.Hethereafteruookanyofiment.Hewouldforthwithihissurplusingoodbridmortar,forwhomakeawaywithanofficeblock?
AnumberofleasesfellinsimultaneouslyatjustthistimeoaiinthedowntowhecityandBordenshemup.Heowheblock.Hepulleditdown.HeplaheBordenbuilding,anedificeofshopsandoffices,darkredbrick,deeptanstohcast-iroail,fromwhenperpetuity,hemightreapafineharvestofunsaleablerents,andthismo,likethatofOzymandias,wouldlongsurvivehim--and,iandsstill,foursquareandhandsome,theAndrewBordenBuilding,onSouthMai.Notbadforafishpeddlersson,eh?
For,although"Borden"isananameinNewEnglandandtheBordenbetweenthemowhebetterpartofFallRiver,ourBorden,OldBorden,theseBordens,didnfromawealthybranchofthefamily.TherewereBordensandBordensahesonofamanwhosoldfreshfishinawickerbasketfromhousetohousetohouse.OldBordensparsimonywasbredofpovertybutlearhrivebestonproperty,forthrifthasadifferentmeaningforthepoor;theygetnojoyofit,itisstarkytothem.Whoeverheardofapennilessmiser?
Moroseandgaunt,thisself-mademanisoneoffewpleasures.Hisvocationiscapitalaccumulation.
Whatishishobby?
Why,grindingthefacesofthepoor.
First,AndrewBordenwasaaker,ah,reisinganaplice,didwellbyhim.Iyofspindles,fewmadeoldbohelittlechildrenwholabouredinthemillsdiedwithespecialfrequency.Whenhewasaaker,no!--itwasnottruehecutthefeetoffcorpsestofitintoajoblotofcoffinsboughtcheapasCivilWarsurplus!Thatwasarumourputaboutbyhisenemies!
Withtheprofitsfromhiscoffins,heboughtupateortwoandmadefreshprofitofftheliving.Heboughtsharesinthemills.Thenheiedinabankortwo,sothatnowhemakesaprofitoself,whichisthepurestformofprofitofall.
Foreclosuresaioanddrinktohim.Helovesnothierthanalittleusury.Heishalfwayontheroadtohisfirstmillion.
Atnight,tosavethekerosesinlamplessdark.Hewatersthepeartreeswithhisurine;wastenot,wantnot.Assoonasthedailyneersaredoh,heripsthemupiricsquaresandstorestheminthecellarprivysothattheyallwipetheirarseswithIthem.HemournsthelossoftheganicwastethatflushesdowntheWC.Hewouldliketetheverycockroachesirent.Ahehasnotgrownfatonallthis;thepureflameofhispassionhasmeltedoffhisflesh,hisskinstickstohisboofsheerparsimony.Perhapsitisfromhisfirstprofessionthathehasacquiredhisbearing,forhewalkswiththestatelydignityofahearse.
TowatchOldBordenbearingdowreettowardsyouwastobefilledwithaninstinctualrespeortality,whosegauntambassadorheseemedtobe.Anditmadeyouthink,too,whatatriumphovernatureiteroseuptowalkontwolegsinsteadoffour,inthefirstplace!Forheheldhimselfuprightwithsuderousassertionitetualremioallwhowitnessedhisprogresshowitisnotnaturaltobeupright,thatitisatriumphofwillravity,iransdehespiritovermatter.
Hisspineislikeanironrod,fed,notborn,impossibletoimagispineofOldBordenscurledupinthewombinthebigCofthefoetus;hewalksasifhislegshadjointsatherkneenorahathisfeethitthetremblihlikeabailiffpoundingadoor.
Hehasawhite,-strapbeard,old-fashionedalreadyinthosedays.Helooksasifhedgnawedhislipsoff.HeisatpeacewithhisgodforhehasusedhistalentsastheGoodBooksaysheshould.
Yetdonotthinkhehasnosoftspot.LikeOldLear,hisheart--and,morethanthat,hischeque-book--isputtyinhisyoudaughtershands.Onhispinky--youotseeit,itliesuhecovers--hewearsag,notaweddingringbutahigh-sch,asingulartriforafabulouslymisanthropicmiser.Hisyoudaughtergaveittohimwheschoolandaskedhimtowearit,always,andsohealwaysdoes,andwillwearittothegravetowhichsheisgoingtosendhimlaterinthemofthisbustibleday.
Hesleepsfullydressedinaflannelnightshirtoverhislong-sleevedunderwear,andaflannelnightcap,andhisbackisturowardshiswifeofthirtyyears,asisherstohis.
TheyareMrandMrsJackSprattinpersoallandgauntasahangingjudgeandshe,suchaspreading,roundlittledoughball.Heisamiser,whilesheisaglutton,asolitaryeater,mostiofvidyettheshadoworparodicviceofhis,forhewouldliketoeatupalltheworld,or,failingthat,siehasnotspreadhimasuffitlylargetableforhisambitions,heisamute,ingloriousNapoleon,hedoesnotknowwhathemighthavedonebecauseheneverhadtheopportunity--sincehehasnotaccesstotheentireworld,hewouldliketogobbleupthecityofFallRiver.Butshe,well,shejustgently,tinuouslystuffsherself,doesntshe;shesalwaysnibblingawayatsomething,atthecud,perhaps.
Notthatshegetsmuchpleasurefromit,either;nogourmet,she,forevermeditatingtheexquisitediffereweenamayonnaisesharpehafewdropsofOrleansvinegaroronepointedupwithasqueezeoffreshlemonjuio.Abbyneveraspiredsohigh,norwouldsheeverthinktodosoevenifshehadtheoption;sheissatisfiedtostiplegluttonyandsheeschewsallovertohesensualityofindulgence.Sincesherelishesnotonesihfulofthefoodsheeats,sheknowsherceaselessgluttonyisnression.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Gaveherfatherfortywhacks
Whenshesawwhatshehaddone
Shegavehermotherforty-one.
Childrensrhyme
EarlyinthemofthefourthofAugust,1892,inFallRiver,Massachusetts.
Hot,hot,hot...veryearlyinthem,beforethefactorywhistle,but,evenatthishour,everythingshimmersandquiversuheattackofwhite,furioussunalreadyhighiillair.
Itsinhabitantshaveneveretotermswiththesehot,humidsummers--foritisthehumiditymorethathatmakesthemintolerable;theweathergslikealowfeveryouotshakeoff.TheIndianswholivedherefirsthadtheseakeofftheirbuckskiweathercameandsituptotheirneponds;notsothedesdantsoftheindustrious,self-mortifyingsaintswhoimportedtheProtestahicwholesaleintoatryintendedforthesiestaandareproud,proud!offlyinginthefaature.Inmostlatitudeswithsummerslikethese,everythingslowsdown,then.Youstayalldayinpenumbrabehinddrawnblindsandclosedshutters;youwearclotheslooseenoughtomakeyourowocoolyourselfwhenyouinfrequentlymove.Buttheultimatedecadeofthelastturyfindsusatthehighpointofhardwork,here;allwillsoole,menwillgooutintothefurhemwelledupinflannelunderclothes,linenshirts,vestsandcoatsandtrousersofsturdywoollencloth,andtheygarrottethemselveswithies,too,theythinkitissovirtuoustobeunfortable.
Andtodayitisthemiddleofaheatwave;soearlyinthemandthemercuryhastouchedthemiddleeighties,already,andshowsnosignofslowingdownitsheadlongast.
Asfarasclotheswereed,womenonlyappearedtogetoffmhtly.Onthism,when,afterbreakfastandtheperformanceofafewhouseholdduties,LizzieBordenwillmurderherparents,shewill,onrising,donasimplecottonfrock--but,uhat,wentalong,starchedcottoicoat;anothershort,starchedcottoicoat;longdrawers;woollenstogs;achemise;andawhalebonecorsetthattookherviscerainasternhandandsqueezedthemverytightly.Shealsostrappedaheavylinennapkiweenherlegsbecauseshewasmenstruating.
Inalltheseclothes,outofsortsandnauseousasshewas,inthisdementi,herbellyinavice,shewillheatupaflat-irononastoveandpresshandkerchiefswiththeheatedironuntilitistimefodowntothecellarwoodpiletocollectthehatchetwithwhiagination--"LizzieBordenwithanaxe"--alwaysequipsher,justaswealwaysvisualiseStCatherinerollingalongherwheel,theemblemofherpassion.
Soon,injustasmanyclothesatMissLizziewears,iflessfine,Bridget,theservantgirl,willslopkeroseneooflastnightsneercrumpledwithastickortwoofkindling.Whenthefiresettlesdown,shewillcookbreakfast;thefirewillkeephersuffogpanyasshewashesupafterwards.
Inasergesuit,onelookatwhichwouldbeenoughtyououtinpricklyheat,OldBordenwillperambulatetheperspiringtown,trufflingformoneylikeapiguntilhewillreturnhomemid-mtokeepapressingappoiwithdestiny.
Butnobodyhereisupandabout,yet;itisstillearlym,beforethefactorywhistle,theperfectstillnessofhotweather,askyalreadywhite,theshadowlesslightofNewEnglandlikeblowsfromtheeyeofGod,andthesea,white,andtheriver,white.
Ifwehavelargelyfottenthephysicaldisfortsoftheitg,oppressivegarmentsofthepastandthecorrosiveeffectsofperpetualphysicaldisfortonthehenwehavemercifullyfotten,too,thesmellsofthepast,thedomesticodours--ill-washedflesh;infrequentlygedunderwear;chamber-pots;slop-pails;ielyplumbedprivies;rottingfood;unatteeeth;areetsarenofresherthanindoors,theomacridityofhorsepissanddung,drains,suddenstenchofolddeathfrombutchersshops,theamniotichorrorofthefishmonger.
Youwoulddrenchyourhandkerchiefwithcologneatoyournose.Youwouldsplashyourselfwithparmavioletsothatthereekoffleshlydecayyoualwayscarriedwithyouwasoverlaidbythatoftheembalmingparlour.Youwouldabhortheairyoubreathed.
FiveliviuresareasleepinahouseonSedStreet,FallRiver.Theyprisetwooldmenandthreewomen.Thefirstoldmanownsallthewomehermarriage,birthortract.Hishouseisnarrowasacoffinandthatwashowhemadehisfortune--heusedtobeaakerbuthehasretlybrainseveraldiresandallhisbranchesbearfruitofthemostfiscallygratifyingkind.
Butyouwouldhink,tolookathishouse,thatheisasuccessfulandaprosperousman.Hishouseiscramped,fortless,smallandmean--"uious",youmightsay,ifyouwerehissycophant--whileSedStreetitselfsawbetterdayssometimeago.TheBordenhouse--see"AndrewJ.Borden"inflowingscriptonthebrassplateothedoor--standsbyitselfwithafewstfeetofyardoherside.Oisastable,outofusesincehesoldthehorse.Inthebacklotgroeartrees,ladenatthisseason.
Onthisparticularm,asluckwouldhaveit,onlyohetwirlssleepsintheirfathershouse.EmmaLenora,hisoldestdaughter,hastakenherselfofftonearbyNewBedfordforafewdays,tocatchtheobreeze,andsoshewillescapetheslaughter.
FewoftheirsocialclassstayinFallRiverinthesweatingmonthsofJune,JulyandAugustbut,theheirsocialclassliveonSedStreet,inthelowpartoftownwhereheatgatherslikefog.Lizziewasinvitedaway,too,toasummerhousebytheseatojoinamerrybandofgirlsbut,asifonpurposetomortifyherflesh,asifimportantbusinesskeptherintheexhaustedtown,asifawickedfairyspelledherinSedStreet,shedidnotgo.
TheotheroldmanissomekindofkinofBordens.Hedoesntbelonghere;heisvisiting,passingthrough,heisacebystander,heisirrelevant.
Writehimoutofthescript.
Eventhoughhispresehedoomedhouseishistoricallyunimpeachable,thecofthisdomesticapocalypsemustbecrudeandthedesignprofoundlysimplifiedforthemaximumemblematiceffect.
WriteJohnVinnicumMorseoutofthescript.
OneoldmanandtwoofhiswomehehouseonSedStreet.
TheCityHallclockwhirrsandsputterstheprolegomenatothefirststrokeofsixandBridgetsalarmclockgivesasympatheticskipandclickastheminute-handstuttersonthehour;backthelittlehammerjerks,abouttohitthebellontopofherclock,butBridgetsdampeyelidsdonotshudderwithpremonitionassheliesiigflannelnightgownunderohionaniroead,liesonherback,asthegoodnunstaughtherinherIrishgirlhood,incaseshediesduringthenight,tomakelesstroublefortheuaker.
Sheisagoodgirl,onthewhole,althoughhertemperissometimesuainandthenshewilltalkbaissus,sometimes,andwillbeforcedtofessthesinofimpatiehepriest.Overebyheatandnausea--foreveryohehouseisgoingtosicktoday--shewillreturntothislittlebedlaterinthem.Whileshesnatchesafewmome,upstairs,allhellwillbeletloose,downstairs.
Arosarylassbeads,acardboard-backedcolourprintoftheVirginboughtfromaPueseshop,aflyblownphotographofhersolemnmotherinDonegal--theselieorareproppedoelpiecethat,howeversharptheMassachusettswinter,hasneverseenalitstick.AbaintrunkatthefootofthebedholdsallBridgetsworldlygoods.
Thereisastiffchairbesidethebedwith,uponit,adlestick,matches,thealarmclockthatresoundstheroomwithadyadic,metallig,foritisajokebetweenBridgetandhermistressthatthegirlcouldsleepthroughanything,anything,andsoshehealarmaswellasallthefactorywhistlesthatarejustabouttoblastoff,justthisverysedabouttoblastoff...
Asplintereddealwashstandholdsthejugandbowlsheneveruses;sheisntgoingtolugwateruptothethirdfloorjusttowipeherselfdown,isshe?Notwhenthereswaterenoughisink.
OldBordenseesnoyforbaths.Hedoesnotbelieveintotalimmersion.Tolosehisnaturaloilswouldbetorobhisbody.
Aframelesssquareofmirrorreflecatedwavesacracked,dustysoapdishtainingaquantityofblackmetalhairpins.
htreglesofpaperblindsmovethebeautifulshadowsofthepeartrees.
AlthoughBridgetleftthedooropenacraforlornhopesofcoaxingadraughtintotheroom,allthespeofthepreviousdayhaspackeditselftightlyiic.Adandruffofspentwhitewashflakesfromtheceilingwhereaflydrearilywhines.
Thehouseisthicklyredolentofsleep,thatsweetish,gingsmell.Still,allstill;inallthehousenothingmovingexceptthedroningfly.Stillnessoaircase.Stillnesspressingagainsttheblinds.Stillness,mortalstillnessintheroombelow,whereMasterandMistresssharethematrimonialbed.
Werethedrapesopenorthelamplit,onecouldbetterobservethediffereweenthisroomaerityofthemaidsroom.Hereisacarpetsplashedwithvigorousflowers,evenifthecarpetisofthecheapandcheerfulvariety;therearemauve,ochreandharshceriseflowersontheaper,eventhoughtheaperwasoldwhentheBordensarrivedinthehouse.Adresserwithanotherdistmirror;nomirrorinthishousedoesnottakeyourfadtwistit.Onthedresser,arunnerembroideredwithfet-me-nots;ontherunner,aboneissingthreeteethandlightlythreadedwithgreyhairs,ahairbrushbackedwithebonisedwood,andanumberoflacematsunderhsmallaboxesholdingsafety-pins,hairhelittlehairpiecethatMrsBordenattachestoherbaldingscalpfordaytimeweariscurleduplikeadeadsquirrel.ButofBordensmaleoccupationofthisroomthereisnotracebecausehehasadressingroomofhisown,throughthatdoor,o...
Whatabouttheotherdoor,theooit?
Itleadstothebackstairs.
Andthatyetotherdoor,partiallycealedbehindtheheadoftheheavy,mahoganybed?
Ifitweresecurelylocked,itwouldtakeyouintoMissLizziesroom.
Onepeculiarityofthishouseisthenumberofdoorstheroomstainand,afurtherpeculiarity,howallthesedoorsarealwayslocked.Ahousefulloflockeddoorsthatopenonlyintootherroomswithotherlockeddoors,for,upstairsanddownstairs,alltheroomsleadinandoutofoherlikeamazeinabaddream.Itisahousewithoutpassages.Thereisnopartofthehousethathasnotbeenmarkedassomeinmatespersoory;itisahousewithnoshared,noonspacesbetweenonerooma.Itisahouseofprivaciessealedascloseasiftheyhadbeensealedwithwaxonalegaldot.
TheonlywaytoEmmasroomisthroughLizzies.ThereisnowayoutofEmmasroom.Itisadeadend.
TheBordensoflogallthedoors,insideandoutside,datesfromatime,afewyearsago,shortlybefetcametoworkforthem,whenthehousewasburgled.ApersonunknowhroughthesidedoorwhileBordenandhiswifehadtakeheirraretripsouttogether;hehadloadedherintoatrapaforthefarmtheyowSwaoeenantwasnotbilkinghim.Thegirlsstayedathomeintheirrooms,nappingontheirbedsorrepairingrippedhemsorsewingloosebuttonsmoresecurelyorwritiersorplatingactsofcharityamongthedeservingpoororstaringvatlyintospace.
Itimagielsetheymightdo.
Whatthegirlsdowhentheyareontheirownisunimagiome.
EmmaismoremysteriousbyfarthanLizzie,forweknowmuchlessabouther.Sheisablankspace.Shehasnolife.Thedoorfromherroomleadsonlyintotheroomofhersister.
"Girls"is,ofcourse,acourtesyterm.Emmaiswellintoherforties,Lizzieihirties,buttheydidnotmarryandsoliveintheirfathershouse,wheretheyremaininafictive,protractedchildhood.
Whilethemasteraresswereawayandthegirlsasleeporotherwiseoccupied,somepersonorpersonsunknowntiptoedupthebackstairstothematrimonialbedroomandpocketedMrsBordensgoldwatd,thecoralneckladsilverbangleofherremotechildhood,andarollofdollarbillsOldBordeunderunionsuitsihirddrawerofthebureauo.Theintruderattemptedtoforcethelockofthesafe,thatfeaturelessblockofblackironlikeaslaughteringblockoranaltarsittingsquarelyothebedonOldBordensside,butitwouldhavetakenacroeeadequatelythesafearudertackleditairofnailscissorsthatwerelyinghandyonthedressersothatdidnteoff.
TheruderpissedandshatonthecoveroftheBordensbed,kheclutterofthisandthatonthedressertothefloor,smashihing,sweptintoOldBordensdressingroomtheretomaliciouslyassaultthefuneralcoatasithungih-balleddarkofhisclosetwiththeself-samenailscissorsthathadbeehesafe(thenailscissorsnowsplitintwoandwereabaheclosetfloor),retiredtothekit,smashedtheflourcrodthetreaclecrodthenscrawledanobsityortwoontheparlourwindowwiththecakeofsoapthatlivedbesidethescullerysink.
Whatamess!Lizziestaredwithvaguesurpriseattheparlourwindow;sheheardthesoftbangoftheopensdoor,swingingidly,althoughtherewasnobreeze.Whatwasshedoing,standingcladonlyinhercorsetinthemiddleofthesittingroom?Howhadshegotthere?Hadshecreptdownwhensheheardthesdoorrattle?Shedidnotknow.Shecouldnotremember.
Allthathappenedwas:allatonceheresheis,intheparlour,withacakeofsoapinherhand.
Sheexperiencedaclearingofthesensesandonlytheoscreamandshout.
"Help!Wehavebeenburgled!Help!"
Emmacamedownandfortedher,asthebigsisterhadfortedthelittleonesincebabyhood.Emmaitwaswhoclearedfromthesitting-roomcarpettheflourandtreacleLizziehadheedlesslytrackedinfromthekitonherbarefeetinhersomnambulisttraofthemissingjewelleryanddollarbillsnotracecouldbefound.
IottellyouwhateffecttheburglaryhadonBorden.Itutterlydiscertedhim;hewasamanstuviolatedhim,even.Hewasamatookawayhishithertounshakeablefideheiyiinthings.
Theburglarysomovedthemthatthefamilybrokeitshabitualsilehoheriodiscussit.Theyblameditouguese,obviously,butsometimesontheucks.Iftheireremainedstantanddidnotdiminishwithtime,thefocusofitvariedacctotheirmoods,althoughtheyaloihefingerofsuspiatthestrangersandnewerswholivedinthegruesomerampartsofthepanyhousingafewsqualidblocksaway.Theydidnotalwayssuspectthedarkstrangersexclusively;sometimestheythoughttheculpritmightverywellhavebeehemill-handsfreshfromsaucashireacrosstheowhoittedthecrime,foraslumlandlordhasfewfriendsamongthecriminalclasses.
However,thepossibilityofapeistoccurstoMrsBorden,althoughshedoesnotknowtheword;sheknows,however,thatheryouepdaughterisastrangeoneandaketheplatesjumpoutofsheerspite,ifshewao.Buttheoldmanadoreshisdaughter.Perhapsitisthen,aftertheshockoftheburglary,thathedecidessheneedsageofse,adoseofseaair,alongvoyage,foritwasaftertheburglaryhesehegrandtour.
Aftertheburglary,thefrontdoorandthesidedoorwerealwayslockedthreetimesifoheinhabitantsofthehouseleftitforjustsomuchastogointotheyardandpickupabasketoffallenpearswhenpearswereinseasonorifthemaidwentouttohangabitofwashingorOldBorden,aftersupper,tookapissuree.
Fromthistimedatedtheoflogallthebedroomdoorsontheinsidewhenonewasontheinsideoneselforosidewhenonewasoside.OldBordenlockedhisbedroomdoorinthem,whe,andputthekeyinsightofalloshelf.
TheburglaryawakenedOldBordentotheevanatureofprivateproperty.Hethereafteruookanyofiment.Hewouldforthwithihissurplusingoodbridmortar,forwhomakeawaywithanofficeblock?
AnumberofleasesfellinsimultaneouslyatjustthistimeoaiinthedowntowhecityandBordenshemup.Heowheblock.Hepulleditdown.HeplaheBordenbuilding,anedificeofshopsandoffices,darkredbrick,deeptanstohcast-iroail,fromwhenperpetuity,hemightreapafineharvestofunsaleablerents,andthismo,likethatofOzymandias,wouldlongsurvivehim--and,iandsstill,foursquareandhandsome,theAndrewBordenBuilding,onSouthMai.Notbadforafishpeddlersson,eh?
For,although"Borden"isananameinNewEnglandandtheBordenbetweenthemowhebetterpartofFallRiver,ourBorden,OldBorden,theseBordens,didnfromawealthybranchofthefamily.TherewereBordensandBordensahesonofamanwhosoldfreshfishinawickerbasketfromhousetohousetohouse.OldBordensparsimonywasbredofpovertybutlearhrivebestonproperty,forthrifthasadifferentmeaningforthepoor;theygetnojoyofit,itisstarkytothem.Whoeverheardofapennilessmiser?
Moroseandgaunt,thisself-mademanisoneoffewpleasures.Hisvocationiscapitalaccumulation.
Whatishishobby?
Why,grindingthefacesofthepoor.
First,AndrewBordenwasaaker,ah,reisinganaplice,didwellbyhim.Iyofspindles,fewmadeoldbohelittlechildrenwholabouredinthemillsdiedwithespecialfrequency.Whenhewasaaker,no!--itwasnottruehecutthefeetoffcorpsestofitintoajoblotofcoffinsboughtcheapasCivilWarsurplus!Thatwasarumourputaboutbyhisenemies!
Withtheprofitsfromhiscoffins,heboughtupateortwoandmadefreshprofitofftheliving.Heboughtsharesinthemills.Thenheiedinabankortwo,sothatnowhemakesaprofitoself,whichisthepurestformofprofitofall.
Foreclosuresaioanddrinktohim.Helovesnothierthanalittleusury.Heishalfwayontheroadtohisfirstmillion.
Atnight,tosavethekerosesinlamplessdark.Hewatersthepeartreeswithhisurine;wastenot,wantnot.Assoonasthedailyneersaredoh,heripsthemupiricsquaresandstorestheminthecellarprivysothattheyallwipetheirarseswithIthem.HemournsthelossoftheganicwastethatflushesdowntheWC.Hewouldliketetheverycockroachesirent.Ahehasnotgrownfatonallthis;thepureflameofhispassionhasmeltedoffhisflesh,hisskinstickstohisboofsheerparsimony.Perhapsitisfromhisfirstprofessionthathehasacquiredhisbearing,forhewalkswiththestatelydignityofahearse.
TowatchOldBordenbearingdowreettowardsyouwastobefilledwithaninstinctualrespeortality,whosegauntambassadorheseemedtobe.Anditmadeyouthink,too,whatatriumphovernatureiteroseuptowalkontwolegsinsteadoffour,inthefirstplace!Forheheldhimselfuprightwithsuderousassertionitetualremioallwhowitnessedhisprogresshowitisnotnaturaltobeupright,thatitisatriumphofwillravity,iransdehespiritovermatter.
Hisspineislikeanironrod,fed,notborn,impossibletoimagispineofOldBordenscurledupinthewombinthebigCofthefoetus;hewalksasifhislegshadjointsatherkneenorahathisfeethitthetremblihlikeabailiffpoundingadoor.
Hehasawhite,-strapbeard,old-fashionedalreadyinthosedays.Helooksasifhedgnawedhislipsoff.HeisatpeacewithhisgodforhehasusedhistalentsastheGoodBooksaysheshould.
Yetdonotthinkhehasnosoftspot.LikeOldLear,hisheart--and,morethanthat,hischeque-book--isputtyinhisyoudaughtershands.Onhispinky--youotseeit,itliesuhecovers--hewearsag,notaweddingringbutahigh-sch,asingulartriforafabulouslymisanthropicmiser.Hisyoudaughtergaveittohimwheschoolandaskedhimtowearit,always,andsohealwaysdoes,andwillwearittothegravetowhichsheisgoingtosendhimlaterinthemofthisbustibleday.
Hesleepsfullydressedinaflannelnightshirtoverhislong-sleevedunderwear,andaflannelnightcap,andhisbackisturowardshiswifeofthirtyyears,asisherstohis.
TheyareMrandMrsJackSprattinpersoallandgauntasahangingjudgeandshe,suchaspreading,roundlittledoughball.Heisamiser,whilesheisaglutton,asolitaryeater,mostiofvidyettheshadoworparodicviceofhis,forhewouldliketoeatupalltheworld,or,failingthat,siehasnotspreadhimasuffitlylargetableforhisambitions,heisamute,ingloriousNapoleon,hedoesnotknowwhathemighthavedonebecauseheneverhadtheopportunity--sincehehasnotaccesstotheentireworld,hewouldliketogobbleupthecityofFallRiver.Butshe,well,shejustgently,tinuouslystuffsherself,doesntshe;shesalwaysnibblingawayatsomething,atthecud,perhaps.
Notthatshegetsmuchpleasurefromit,either;nogourmet,she,forevermeditatingtheexquisitediffereweenamayonnaisesharpehafewdropsofOrleansvinegaroronepointedupwithasqueezeoffreshlemonjuio.Abbyneveraspiredsohigh,norwouldsheeverthinktodosoevenifshehadtheoption;sheissatisfiedtostiplegluttonyandsheeschewsallovertohesensualityofindulgence.Sincesherelishesnotonesihfulofthefoodsheeats,sheknowsherceaselessgluttonyisnression.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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