Ì«×ÓүС˵Íø > Ó¢Óïµç×ÓÊé > the house behind the cedars(Ñ©ËɺóµÄ·¿×Ó) >

µÚ53½Ú

the house behind the cedars(Ñ©ËɺóµÄ·¿×Ó)-µÚ53½Ú

С˵£º the house behind the cedars(Ñ©ËɺóµÄ·¿×Ó) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ4000×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




tedium¡¡of¡¡the¡¡journey¡¡by¡¡occasional¡¡potations£»¡¡which¡¡probably¡¡accounted¡¡

for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡incoherency¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡speech¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡several¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡met¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

observed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡Tryon¡¡drew¡¡near£»¡¡she¡¡tendered¡¡him¡¡the¡¡bottle¡¡with¡¡tipsy¡¡

cordiality¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡disgust¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡retraced¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡steps¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Patesville¡¡

road£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡reach¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡nightfall¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡dark¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

prosecute¡¡the¡¡search¡¡with¡¡any¡¡chance¡¡of¡¡success£»¡¡he¡¡secured¡¡lodging¡¡for¡¡

the¡¡night£»¡¡intending¡¡to¡¡resume¡¡his¡¡quest¡¡early¡¡in¡¡the¡¡morning¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡185¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡186¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡HOUSE¡¡BEHIND¡¡THE¡¡CEDARS¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡XXXIII¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡MULE¡¡AND¡¡A¡¡CART¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank¡¡Fowler's¡¡heart¡¡was¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡longing¡¡for¡¡a¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡Rena's¡¡face¡£¡¡

When¡¡she¡¡had¡¡gone¡¡away¡¡first£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ill¡­fated¡¡trip¡¡to¡¡South¡¡Carolina£»¡¡her¡¡

absence¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡aching¡¡¡¡¡¡void¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡missed¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡cheerful¡¡

smile£»¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡pleasant¡¡¡¡¡¡words£»¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡graceful¡¡¡¡¡¡figure¡¡¡¡¡¡moving¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

narrow¡¡street¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡work¡¡had¡¡grown¡¡monotonous¡¡during¡¡her¡¡absence£»¡¡the¡¡

clatter¡¡of¡¡hammer¡¡and¡¡mallet£»¡¡that¡¡had¡¡seemed¡¡so¡¡merry¡¡when¡¡punctuated¡¡

now¡¡and¡¡then¡¡by¡¡the¡¡strains¡¡of¡¡her¡¡voice£»¡¡became¡¡a¡¡mere¡¡humdrum¡¡rapping¡¡

of¡¡wood¡¡upon¡¡wood¡¡and¡¡iron¡¡upon¡¡iron¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡sought¡¡work¡¡in¡¡South¡¡

Carolina¡¡with¡¡the¡¡hope¡¡that¡¡be¡¡might¡¡see¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡satisfied¡¡this¡¡hope£»¡¡

and¡¡had¡¡tried¡¡in¡¡vain¡¡to¡¡do¡¡her¡¡a¡¡service£»¡¡but¡¡Fate¡¡had¡¡been¡¡against¡¡her£»¡¡her¡¡

castle¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡cards¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡tumbling¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡sorrow¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

brought¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡nearer¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡distance¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡depended¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡

much¡¡upon¡¡their¡¡way¡¡of¡¡looking¡¡at¡¡things¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡her¡¡experience¡¡

had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dragged¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡valley¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡humiliation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unselfish¡¡

devotion¡¡had¡¡reacted¡¡to¡¡refine¡¡and¡¡elevate¡¡his¡¡own¡¡spirit¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡heard¡¡

the¡¡suggestion£»¡¡after¡¡her¡¡second¡¡departure£»¡¡that¡¡she¡¡might¡¡marry¡¡Wain£»¡¡he¡¡

could¡¡not¡¡but¡¡compare¡¡himself¡¡with¡¡this¡¡new¡¡aspirant¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He£»¡¡Frank£»¡¡was¡¡a¡¡

man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡honest¡¡¡¡¡¡mana¡¡¡¡¡¡better¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shifty¡¡¡¡scoundrel¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡

she¡¡had¡¡ridden¡¡away¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡was¡¡but¡¡a¡¡woman£»¡¡the¡¡best¡¡and¡¡sweetest¡¡and¡¡

loveliest¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡women£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡£¡¡¡¡After¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡short¡¡¡¡¡¡years¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

happiness¡¡or¡¡sorrow£»¡¡little¡¡of¡¡joy£»¡¡perhaps£»¡¡and¡¡much¡¡of¡¡sadness£»¡¡which¡¡

had¡¡begun¡¡already£»they¡¡would¡¡both¡¡be¡¡food¡¡for¡¡worms¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡White¡¡people£»¡¡

with¡¡a¡¡deeper¡¡wisdom¡¡perhaps¡¡than¡¡they¡¡used¡¡in¡¡their¡¡own¡¡case£»¡¡regarded¡¡

Rena¡¡and¡¡himself¡¡as¡¡very¡¡much¡¡alike¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡were¡¡certainly¡¡both¡¡made¡¡by¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡God£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡physical¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡mental¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mould£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡

breathed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡air£»¡¡¡¡¡¡ate¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡food£»¡¡¡¡¡¡spoke¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡speech£»¡¡¡¡¡¡loved¡¡

and¡¡hated£»¡¡laughed¡¡and¡¡cried£»¡¡lived¡¡and¡¡would¡¡die£»¡¡the¡¡same¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡God¡¡had¡¡

meant¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡rear¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡impassable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡barrier¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡contrasting¡¡

complexions£»¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡express¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡prohibition¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡¡

between¡¡other¡¡orders¡¡of¡¡creation£¿¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡Rena¡¡had¡¡departed¡¡for¡¡Sampson¡¡County£»¡¡Frank¡¡had¡¡reconciled¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡186¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡187¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡HOUSE¡¡BEHIND¡¡THE¡¡CEDARS¡¡



himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡absence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hope¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡speedy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡return¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡often¡¡

stepped¡¡across¡¡the¡¡street¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡to¡¡Mis'¡¡Molly¡¡about¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Several¡¡letters¡¡

had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mother¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡daughter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡response¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank's¡¡

inquiries¡¡his¡¡neighbor¡¡uniformly¡¡stated¡¡that¡¡Rena¡¡was¡¡well¡¡and¡¡doing¡¡well£»¡¡

and¡¡sent¡¡her¡¡love¡¡to¡¡all¡¡inquiring¡¡friends¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡Frank¡¡observed¡¡that¡¡Mis'¡¡

Molly£»¡¡when¡¡pressed¡¡as¡¡to¡¡the¡¡date¡¡of¡¡Rena's¡¡return£»¡¡grew¡¡more¡¡and¡¡more¡¡

indefinite£»¡¡and¡¡finally¡¡the¡¡mother£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡burst¡¡of¡¡confidential¡¡friendship£»¡¡told¡¡

Frank¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡hopes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡reference¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stranger¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

country¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yas£»¡¡Frank£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡concluded£»¡¡¡¨it'll¡¡be¡¡her¡¡own¡¡fault¡¡ef¡¡she¡¡don't¡¡become¡¡

a¡¡lady¡¡of¡¡proputty£»¡¡fer¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Wain¡¡is¡¡rich£»¡¡an'¡¡owns¡¡a¡¡big¡¡plantation£»¡¡an'¡¡hires¡¡

a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡hands£»¡¡and¡¡is¡¡a¡¡big¡¡man¡¡in¡¡the¡¡county¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He's¡¡crazy¡¡to¡¡git¡¡her£»¡¡an'¡¡it¡¡

all¡¡lays¡¡in¡¡her¡¡own¡¡han's¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank¡¡did¡¡not¡¡find¡¡this¡¡news¡¡reassuring¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡believed¡¡that¡¡Wain¡¡was¡¡a¡¡

liar¡¡and¡¡a¡¡scoundrel¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡nothing¡¡more¡¡than¡¡his¡¡intuitions¡¡upon¡¡which¡¡

to¡¡found¡¡this¡¡belief£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡none¡¡the¡¡less¡¡firm¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡his¡¡estimate¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

man's¡¡character¡¡were¡¡correct£»¡¡then¡¡his¡¡wealth¡¡might¡¡be¡¡a¡¡fiction£»¡¡pure¡¡and¡¡

simple¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡so£»¡¡the¡¡truth¡¡should¡¡be¡¡known¡¡to¡¡Mis'¡¡Molly£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡

encouraging¡¡a¡¡marriage¡¡with¡¡Wain£»¡¡she¡¡would¡¡see¡¡him¡¡in¡¡his¡¡true¡¡light£»¡¡and¡¡

interpose¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡rescue¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡daughter¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡importunities¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡

after¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡conversation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank¡¡¡¡¡¡met¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡negro¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡Sampson¡¡

County£»¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡acquaintance£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡inquired¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

name¡¡of¡¡Jeff¡¡Wain¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡¡¡Jeff¡¡Wain£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡returned¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡countryman¡¡¡¡¡¡slightingly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨yas£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡knows¡¡

'im£»¡¡¡¡¡¡an'¡¡¡¡¡¡don'¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡'im¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡¡¡¡¡er¡¡¡¡¡¡dese¡¡¡¡¡¡yer¡¡¡¡¡¡biggity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡braggin'¡¡

niggerstalks¡¡lack¡¡he¡¡own¡¡de¡¡whole¡¡county£»¡¡an'¡¡ain't¡¡wuth¡¡no¡¡mo'¡¡d'n¡¡I¡¡is¡¡

jes'¡¡a¡¡big¡¡bladder¡¡wid¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡handful¡¡¡¡¡¡er¡¡shot¡¡rattlin'¡¡¡¡¡¡roun'¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Had¡¡a¡¡¡¡wife£»¡¡

when¡¡I¡¡wuz¡¡dere£»¡¡an'¡¡beat¡¡her¡¡an'¡¡'bused¡¡her¡¡so¡¡she¡¡had¡¡ter¡¡run¡¡away¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡alarming¡¡¡¡¡¡information¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Wain¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

single¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡hint¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡married¡£¡¡

There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wrong¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhere¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡determined¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡

would¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡truth¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡possible£»¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡protect¡¡¡¡¡¡Rena¡¡

against¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡obviously¡¡¡¡¡¡evil¡¡¡¡¡¡designs¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡£¡¡

The¡¡barrel¡¡factory¡¡had¡¡so¡¡affected¡¡the¡¡cooper's¡¡trade¡¡that¡¡Peter¡¡and¡¡Frank¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡187¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡188¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡HOUSE¡¡BEHIND¡¡THE¡¡CEDARS¡¡



had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡attention¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡less¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡manufacture¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡small¡¡

woodenware¡¡for¡¡domestic¡¡use¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank's¡¡mule¡¡was¡¡eating¡¡off¡¡its¡¡own¡¡head£»¡¡

as¡¡the¡¡saying¡¡goes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡required¡¡but¡¡little¡¡effort¡¡to¡¡persuade¡¡Peter¡¡that¡¡his¡¡

son¡¡might¡¡take¡¡a¡¡load¡¡of¡¡buckets¡¡and¡¡tubs¡¡and¡¡piggins¡¡into¡¡the¡¡country¡¡and¡¡

sell¡¡them¡¡or¡¡trade¡¡them¡¡for¡¡country¡¡produce¡¡at¡¡a¡¡profit¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡a¡¡few¡¡days¡¡Frank¡¡had¡¡his¡¡stock¡¡prepared£»¡¡and¡¡set¡¡out¡¡on¡¡the¡¡road¡¡to¡¡

Sampson¡¡County¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡went¡¡about¡¡thirty¡¡miles¡¡the¡¡first¡¡day£»¡¡and¡¡camped¡¡

by¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡roadside¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡night£»¡¡¡¡¡¡resuming¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡journey¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡dawn¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡

driving¡¡for¡¡an¡¡hour¡¡through¡¡the¡¡tall¡¡pines¡¡that¡¡overhung¡¡the¡¡road¡¡like¡¡the¡¡

stately¡¡arch¡¡of¡¡a¡¡cathedral¡¡aisle£»¡¡weaving¡¡a¡¡carpet¡¡for¡¡the¡¡earth¡¡with¡¡their¡¡

brown¡¡spines¡¡and¡¡cones£»¡¡and¡¡soothing¡¡the¡¡ear¡¡with¡¡their¡¡ceaseless¡¡murmur£»¡¡

Frank¡¡stopped¡¡to¡¡water¡¡his¡¡mule¡¡at¡¡a¡¡point¡¡where¡¡the¡¡white£»¡¡sandy¡¡road£»¡¡

widening¡¡as¡¡it¡¡went£»¡¡sloped¡¡downward¡¡to¡¡a¡¡clear¡­running¡¡branch¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡the¡¡

right¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bay¡­tree¡¡¡¡¡¡bending¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stream¡¡¡¡¡¡mingled¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡¡¡¡¡odor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡

flowers¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡delicate¡¡¡¡¡¡perfume¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡yellow¡¡¡¡¡¡jessamine¡¡¡¡¡¡vine¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

overrun¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡clump¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡saplings¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡From¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡neighboring¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡tree¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

silver¡­throated¡¡¡¡¡¡mocking¡­bird¡¡¡¡¡¡poured¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡flood¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡riotous¡¡¡¡¡¡melody¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡

group¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡minnows£»¡¡¡¡¡¡startled¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡splashing¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mule's¡¡¡¡¡¡feet£»¡¡¡¡¡¡darted¡¡

away¡¡into¡¡the¡¡shadow¡¡of¡¡the¡¡thicket£»¡¡their¡¡quick¡¡passage¡¡leaving¡¡the¡¡amber¡¡

water¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡laughing¡¡light¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡mule¡¡¡¡¡¡drank¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡lazily£»¡¡¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡Frank¡¡¡¡¡¡stole¡¡¡¡¡¡thoughts¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

harmony¡¡with¡¡the¡¡peaceful¡¡scene£»thoughts¡¡of¡¡Rena£»¡¡young¡¡and¡¡beautiful£»¡¡

her¡¡friendly¡¡smile£»¡¡her¡¡pensive¡¡dark¡¡eyes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡soon¡¡see¡¡her¡¡now£»¡¡

and¡¡if¡¡she¡¡had¡¡any¡¡cause¡¡for¡¡fear¡¡or¡¡unhappiness£»¡¡he¡¡would¡¡place¡¡himself¡¡

at¡¡her¡¡servicefor¡¡a¡¡day£»¡¡a¡¡week£»¡¡a¡¡month£»¡¡a¡¡year£»¡¡a¡¡lifetime£»¡¡if¡¡need¡¡be¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡reverie¡¡was¡¡broken¡¡by¡¡¡¡a¡¡slight¡¡noise¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡thicket¡¡at¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡£¡¡

¡¨I¡¡wonder¡¡who¡¡dat¡¡is£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡muttered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡soun's¡¡mighty¡¡quare£»¡¡ter¡¡say¡¡de¡¡

leas'¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡listened¡¡intently¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡but¡¡heard¡¡nothing¡¡further¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡must¡¡

'a'¡¡¡¡¡¡be'n¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡rabbit¡¡¡¡¡¡er¡¡¡¡¡¡somethin'¡¡¡¡¡¡scamp'in'¡¡¡¡¡¡th'ough¡¡¡¡¡¡de¡¡¡¡¡¡woods¡£¡¡¡¡G'long¡¡¡¡¡¡dere£»¡¡

Caesar£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡the¡¡mule¡¡stepped¡¡forward£»¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡was¡¡repeated¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡time¡¡it¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡distinctly¡¡¡¡¡¡audible£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡long£»¡¡¡¡¡¡low¡¡¡¡¡¡moan¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨1£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ