herland(她乡)-第13节
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But just as we stretched out our hands； the distance between us
widened； they had got their pace apparently； and then； though we ran at
our utmost speed； and much farther than I thought wise； they kept just out
of reach all the time。
We stopped breathless； at last； at my repeated admonitions。
〃This is stark foolishness；〃 I urged。 〃They are doing it on
purposecome back or you'll be sorry。〃
We went back； much slower than we came； and in truth we were
sorry。
As we reached our swaddled machine； and sought again to tear
loose its covering； there rose up from all around the sturdy forms； the quiet
determined faces we knew so well。
〃Oh Lord！〃 groaned Terry。 〃The Colonels！ It's all upthey're
forty to one。〃
It was no use to fight。 These women evidently relied on
numbers； not so much as a drilled force but as a multitude actuated by a
common impulse。 They showed no sign of fear； and since we had no
weapons whatever and there were at least a hundred of them； standing ten
deep about us； we gave in as gracefully as we might。
Of course we looked for punishmenta closer imprisonment；
solitary confinement maybebut nothing of the kind happened。 They
treated us as truants only； and as if they quite understood our truancy。
Back we went； not under an anesthetic this time but skimming
along in electric motors enough like ours to be quite recognizable； each of
us in a separate vehicle with one able…bodied lady on either side and three
facing him。
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They were all pleasant enough； and talked to us as much as was
possible with our limited powers。 And though Terry was keenly
mortified； and at first we all rather dreaded harsh treatment； I for one soon
began to feel a sort of pleasant confidence and to enjoy the trip。
Here were my five familiar companions； all good…natured as
could be； seeming to have no worse feeling than a mild triumph as of
winning some simple game； and even that they politely suppressed。
This was a good opportunity to see the country； too； and the
more I saw of it； the better I liked it。 We went too swiftly for close
observation； but I could appreciate perfect roads； as dustless as a swept
floor； the shade of endless lines of trees； the ribbon of flowers that
unrolled beneath them； and the rich comfortable country that stretched off
and away； full of varied charm。
We rolled through many villages and towns； and I soon saw that
the parklike beauty of our first…seen city was no exception。 Our swift high…
sweeping view from the 'plane had been most attractive； but lacked detail；
and in that first day of struggle and capture； we noticed little。 But now
we were swept along at an easy rate of some thirty miles an hour and
covered quite a good deal of ground。
We stopped for lunch in quite a sizable town； and here； rolling
slowly through the streets； we saw more of the population。 They had come
out to look at us everywhere we had passed； but here were more； and
when we went in to eat； in a big garden place with little shaded tables
among the trees and flowers； many eyes were upon us。 And everywhere；
open country； village； or city only women。 Old women and young
women and a great majority who seemed neither young nor old； but just
women； young girls； also； though these； and the children； seeming to be in
groups by themselves generally； were less in evidence。 We caught many
glimpses of girls and children in what seemed to be schools or in
playgrounds； and so far as we could judge there were no boys。 We all
looked； carefully。 Everyone gazed at us politely； kindly； and with eager
interest。 No one was impertinent。 We could catch quite a bit of the talk
now； and all they said seemed pleasant enough。
Wellbefore nightfall we were all safely back in our big room。
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The damage we had done was quite ignored； the beds as smooth and
comfortable as before； new clothing and towels supplied。 The only thing
those women did was to illuminate the gardens at night； and to set an extra
watch。 But they called us to account next day。 Our three tutors； who had
not joined in the recapturing expedition； had been quite busy in preparing
for us； and now made explanation。
They knew well we would make for our machine； and also that
there was no other way of getting downalive。 So our flight had
troubled no one； all they did was to call the inhabitants to keep an eye on
our movements all along the edge of the forest between the two points。 It
appeared that many of those nights we had been seen； by careful ladies
sitting snugly in big trees by the riverbed； or up among the rocks。
Terry looked immensely disgusted； but it struck me as extremely
funny。 Here we had been risking our lives； hiding and prowling like
outlaws； living on nuts and fruit； getting wet and cold at night； and dry and
hot by day； and all the while these estimable women had just been waiting
for us to come out。
Now they began to explain； carefully using such words as we
could understand。 It appeared that we were considered as guests of the
countrysort of public wards。 Our first violence had made it necessary
to keep us safeguarded for a while； but as soon as we learned the
languageand would agree to do no harmthey would show us all about
the land。
Jeff was eager to reassure them。 Of course he did not tell on
Terry； but he made it clear that he was ashamed of himself； and that he
would now conform。 As to the languagewe all fell upon it with
redoubled energy。 They brought us books； in greater numbers； and I
began to study them seriously。
〃Pretty punk literature；〃 Terry burst forth one day； when we
were in the privacy of our own room。 〃Of course one expects to begin on
child…stories； but I would like something more interesting now。〃
〃Can't expect stirring romance and wild adventure without men；
can you？〃 I asked。 Nothing irritated Terry more than to have us assume
that there were no men； but there were no signs of them in the books they
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gave us； or the pictures。
〃Shut up！〃 he growled。 〃What infernal nonsense you talk！ I'm
going to ask 'em outrightwe know enough now。〃
In truth we had been using our best efforts to master the
language； and were able to read fluently and to discuss what we read with
considerable ease。
That afternoon we were all sitting together on the roofwe three
and the tutors gathered about a table； no guards about。 We had been
made to understand some time earlier that if we would agree to do no
violence they would withdraw their constant attendance； and we promised
most willingly。
So there we sat； at ease； all in similar dress； our hair； by now； as
long as theirs； only our beards to distinguish us。 We did not want those
beards； but had so far been unable to induce them to give us any cutting
instruments。
〃Ladies；〃 Terry began； out of a clear sky； as it were； 〃are there
no men in this country？〃
〃Men？〃 Somel answered。 〃Like you？〃
〃Yes； men；〃 Terry indicated his beard； and threw back his broad
shoulders。 〃Men； real men。〃
〃No；〃 she answered quietly。 〃There are no men in this country。
There has not been a man among us for two thousand years。〃
Her look was clear and truthful and she did not advance this
astonishing statement as
