the house behind the cedars(雪松后的房子)-第44节
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town； where she took the teacher's examination。 She was given a seat in
a room with a number of other candidates for certificates； but the fact
leaking out from some remark of Wain's that she was a colored girl；
objection was quietly made by several of the would…be teachers to her
presence in the room； and she was requested to retire until the white
teachers should have been examined。 An hour or two later she was given
a separate examination； which she passed without difficulty。 The
examiner； a gentleman of local standing； was dimly conscious that she
might not have found her exclusion pleasant； and was especially polite。
It would have been strange； indeed； if he had not been impressed by her
sweet face and air of modest dignity； which were all the more striking
because of her social disability。 He fell into conversation with her；
became interested in her hopes and aims； and very cordially offered to be
of service； if at any time he might； in connection with her school。
〃You have the satisfaction；〃 he said； 〃of receiving the only first…grade
certificate issued to…day。 You might teach a higher grade of pupils than
you will find at Sandy Run； but let us hope that you may in time raise
them to your own level。〃
〃Which I doubt very much；〃 he muttered to himself； as she went away
with Wain。 〃What a pity that such a woman should be a nigger！ If she
were anything to me； though； I should hate to trust her anywhere near that
saddle…colored scoundrel。 He's a thoroughly bad lot； and will bear
watching。〃
Rena； however； was serenely ignorant of any danger from the
accommodating Wain。 Absorbed in her own thoughts and plans； she had
not sought to look beneath the surface of his somewhat overdone
politeness。 In a few days she began her work as teacher； and sought to
forget in the service of others the dull sorrow that still gnawed at her heart。
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
XXVI
THE SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE WOODS
Blanche Leary； closely observant of Tryon's moods； marked a
decided change in his manner after his return from his trip to Patesville。
His former moroseness had given way to a certain defiant lightness；
broken now and then by an involuntary sigh； but maintained so well； on
the whole； that his mother detected no lapses whatever。 The change was
characterized by another feature agreeable to both the women： Tryon
showed decidedly more interest than ever before in Miss Leary's society。
Within a week he asked her several times to play a selection on the piano；
displaying； as she noticed； a decided preference for gay and cheerful
music； and several times suggesting a change when she chose pieces of a
sentimental cast。 More than once； during the second week after his
return； he went out riding with her； she was a graceful horsewoman；
perfectly at home in the saddle； and appearing to advantage in a riding…
habit。 She was aware that Tryon watched her now and then； with an eye
rather critical than indulgent。
〃He is comparing me with some other girl；〃 she surmised。 〃I seem to
stand the test very well。 I wonder who the other is； and what was the
trouble？〃
Miss Leary exerted all her powers to interest and amuse the man she
had set out to win； and who seemed nearer than ever before。 Tryon； to
his pleased surprise； discovered in her mind depths that he had never
suspected。 She displayed a singular affinity for the tastes that were his
he could not； of course； know how carefully she had studied them。 The
old wound； recently reopened； seemed to be healing rapidly； under
conditions more conducive than before to perfect recovery。 No longer；
indeed； was he pursued by the picture of Rena discovered and unmasked
this he had definitely banished from the realm of sentiment to that of
reason。 The haunting image of Rena loving and beloved； amid the
harmonious surroundings of her brother's home； was not so readily
displaced。 Nevertheless； he reached in several weeks a point from which
he could consider her as one thinks of a dear one removed by the hand of
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
death； or smitten by some incurable ailment of mind or body。 Erelong；
he fondly believed； the recovery would be so far complete that he could
consign to the tomb of pleasant memories even the most thrilling episodes
of his ill…starred courtship。
〃George；〃 said Mrs。 Tryon one morning while her son was in this
cheerful mood； 〃I'm sending Blanche over to Major McLeod's to do an
errand for me。 Would you mind driving her over？ The road may be
rough after the storm last night； and Blanche has an idea that no one drives
so well as you。〃
〃Why； yes； mother； I'll be glad to drive Blanche over。 I want to see
the major myself。〃
They were soon bowling along between the pines； behind the
handsome mare that had carried Tryon so well at the Clarence tournament。
Presently he drew up sharply。
〃A tree has fallen squarely across the road；〃 he exclaimed。 〃We shall
have to turn back a little way and go around。〃
They drove back a quarter of a mile and turned into a by…road leading
to the right through the woods。 The solemn silence of the pine forest is
soothing or oppressive； according to one's mood。 Beneath the cool
arcade of the tall； overarching trees a deep peace stole over Tryon's heart。
He had put aside indefinitely and forever an unhappy and impossible love。
The pretty and affectionate girl beside him would make an ideal wife。 Of
her family and blood he was sure。 She was his mother's choice； and his
mother had set her heart upon their marriage。 Why not speak to her now；
and thus give himself the best possible protection against stray flames of
love？
〃Blanche；〃 he said； looking at her kindly。
〃Yes； George？〃 Her voice was very gentle； and slightly tremulous。
Could she have divined his thought？ Love is a great clairvoyant。
〃Blanche； dear； I〃
A clatter of voices broke upon the stillness of the forest and interrupted
Tryon's speech。 A sudden turn to the left brought the buggy to a little
clearing； in the midst of which stood a small log schoolhouse。 Out of the
schoolhouse a swarm of colored children were emerging； the suppressed
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energy of the school hour finding vent in vocal exercise of various sorts。
A group had already formed a ring； and were singing with great volume
and vigor：
〃Miss Jane； she loves sugar an' tea； Miss Jane； she
loves candy。 Miss Jane； she can whirl all around An'
kiss her love quite handy。
〃De oak grows tall； De pine grows
slim； So rise you up； my true love；
An' let me come in。〃
〃What a funny little darkey！〃 exclaimed Miss Leary； pointing to a
diminutive lad who was walking on his hands； with his feet balanced in
the air。 At sight of the buggy and its occupants this sable acrobat； still
retaining his inverted position； moved toward the newcomers； and；
reversing himself with a sudden spring； brought up standing beside the
buggy。
〃Hoddy； Mars Geo'ge！〃 he exclaimed； bobbing his head and kicking
his heel out behind in approved plantation style。
〃Hello； Plato；〃 replied the young man； 〃what
