ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
¾ÅÉ«Êé¼® ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

a waif of the plains(²ÝÔ­Á÷À˶ù)-µÚ26ÕÂ

°´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£¡




exhibition¡¡of¡¡his¡¡quality¡¡prevented¡¡any¡¡repetition¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cause£»¡¡the¡¡episode¡¡

was¡¡soon¡¡forgotten¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡his¡¡school¡­fellows¡¡had¡¡never¡¡been¡¡his¡¡associates¡¡

or¡¡¡¡¡¡confidants£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡mattered¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡feared¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡respected¡¡

him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡hypocritically¡¡¡¡¡¡obsequious£»¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fashion¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡weaker¡£¡¡

His¡¡studies£»¡¡at¡¡all¡¡events£»¡¡profited¡¡by¡¡this¡¡lack¡¡of¡¡distraction¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Already¡¡his¡¡

two¡¡¡¡¡¡years¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡desultory¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡omnivorous¡¡¡¡¡¡reading¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡facile¡¡

familiarity¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡¡¡things£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡him¡¡¡¡utterly¡¡¡¡free¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡timidity£»¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡87¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡88¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡



awkwardness£»¡¡or¡¡non¡­interest¡¡of¡¡a¡¡beginner¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡usually¡¡reserved¡¡manner£»¡¡

which¡¡had¡¡been¡¡lack¡¡of¡¡expression¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡of¡¡conviction£»¡¡had¡¡deceived¡¡

his¡¡¡¡¡¡tutors¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡audacity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡dominated¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡

others£»¡¡and¡¡owed¡¡no¡¡allegiance¡¡to¡¡precedent£»¡¡made¡¡his¡¡merely¡¡superficial¡¡

progress¡¡something¡¡marvelous¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡first¡¡year¡¡he¡¡was¡¡a¡¡phenomenal¡¡scholar£»¡¡who¡¡seemed¡¡

capable¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡anything¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Father¡¡¡¡¡¡Sobriente¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡interview¡¡

with¡¡¡¡¡¡Don¡¡¡¡¡¡Juan£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡result¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡slightly¡¡¡¡¡¡kept¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

studies£»¡¡a¡¡little¡¡more¡¡freedom¡¡from¡¡the¡¡rules¡¡was¡¡conceded¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡

was¡¡even¡¡encouraged¡¡to¡¡take¡¡some¡¡diversion¡£¡¡Of¡¡such¡¡was¡¡the¡¡privilege¡¡to¡¡

visit¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡neighboring¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Santa¡¡¡¡¡¡Clara¡¡¡¡¡¡unrestricted¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡unattended¡£¡¡

He¡¡had¡¡always¡¡been¡¡liberally¡¡furnished¡¡with¡¡pocket¡­money£»¡¡for¡¡which£»¡¡in¡¡

his¡¡companionless¡¡state¡¡and¡¡Spartan¡¡habits£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡a¡¡singular¡¡and¡¡unboyish¡¡

contempt¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡appeared¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dressed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡scrupulous¡¡

neatness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡rather¡¡¡¡¡¡distinguished¡­looking¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡older¡¡¡¡¡¡reserve¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

melancholy¡¡self¡­reliance¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lounging¡¡one¡¡afternoon¡¡along¡¡the¡¡Alameda£»¡¡a¡¡leafy¡¡avenue¡¡set¡¡out¡¡by¡¡

the¡¡early¡¡Mission¡¡Fathers¡¡between¡¡the¡¡village¡¡of¡¡San¡¡Jose¡¡and¡¡the¡¡convent¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡Santa¡¡¡¡¡¡Clara£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡double¡¡¡¡¡¡file¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡girls¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡convent¡¡

approaching£»¡¡on¡¡their¡¡usual¡¡promenade¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡view¡¡of¡¡this¡¡procession¡¡being¡¡

the¡¡fondest¡¡ambition¡¡of¡¡the¡¡San¡¡Jose¡¡collegian£»¡¡and¡¡especially¡¡interdicted¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡circumvented¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡Fathers¡¡¡¡¡¡attending¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡college¡¡¡¡¡¡excursions£»¡¡

Clarence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡profound¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡indifference¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡

intermediate¡¡¡¡¡¡temperate¡¡¡¡¡¡zone¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡fifteen¡¡¡¡¡¡years£»¡¡¡¡¡¡thinks¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡longer¡¡

young¡¡and¡¡romantic£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡passing¡¡them¡¡with¡¡a¡¡careless¡¡glance£»¡¡when¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡pair¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡deep¡¡¡¡¡¡violet¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡caught¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡broad¡¡¡¡¡¡shade¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

coquettishly¡¡beribboned¡¡hat£»¡¡even¡¡as¡¡it¡¡had¡¡once¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡him¡¡from¡¡the¡¡

depths¡¡of¡¡a¡¡calico¡¡sunbonnet¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Susy£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡started£»¡¡and¡¡would¡¡have¡¡spoken£»¡¡

but¡¡with¡¡a¡¡quick¡¡little¡¡gesture¡¡of¡¡caution¡¡and¡¡a¡¡meaning¡¡glance¡¡at¡¡the¡¡two¡¡

nuns¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡foot¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡file£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡indicated¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

follow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡respectful¡¡¡¡¡¡distance£»¡¡¡¡¡¡albeit¡¡¡¡¡¡wondering¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡little¡¡

further¡¡on¡¡Susy¡¡dropped¡¡her¡¡handkerchief£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡obliged¡¡to¡¡dart¡¡out¡¡and¡¡

run¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡file¡¡to¡¡recover¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡she¡¡gave¡¡another¡¡swift¡¡

glance¡¡of¡¡her¡¡blue¡¡eyes¡¡as¡¡she¡¡snatched¡¡it¡¡up¡¡and¡¡demurely¡¡ran¡¡back¡¡to¡¡her¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡88¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡89¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡



place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡procession¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡on£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spot¡¡

where¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡paused¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡­cornered¡¡¡¡¡¡bit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡paper¡¡¡¡¡¡lying¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

grass¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡too¡¡discreet¡¡to¡¡pick¡¡it¡¡up¡¡while¡¡the¡¡girls¡¡were¡¡still¡¡in¡¡sight£»¡¡

but¡¡¡¡¡¡continued¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on£»¡¡¡¡¡¡returning¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡later¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡contained¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡words¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡

schoolgirl's¡¡hand£»¡¡hastily¡¡scrawled¡¡in¡¡pencil£º¡¡¡¨Come¡¡to¡¡the¡¡south¡¡wall¡¡near¡¡

the¡¡big¡¡pear¡­tree¡¡at¡¡six¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Delighted¡¡as¡¡Clarence¡¡felt£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡at¡¡the¡¡same¡¡time¡¡embarrassed¡£¡¡He¡¡

could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡understand¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡necessity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡mysterious¡¡¡¡¡¡rendezvous¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡

knew¡¡that¡¡if¡¡she¡¡was¡¡a¡¡scholar¡¡she¡¡was¡¡under¡¡certain¡¡conventual¡¡restraints£»¡¡

but¡¡with¡¡the¡¡privileges¡¡of¡¡his¡¡position¡¡and¡¡friendship¡¡with¡¡his¡¡teachers£»¡¡he¡¡

believed¡¡that¡¡Father¡¡Sobriente¡¡would¡¡easily¡¡procure¡¡him¡¡an¡¡interview¡¡with¡¡

this¡¡old¡¡play¡­¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow£»¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡often¡¡¡¡¡¡spoken£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡was£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡

himself£»¡¡the¡¡sole¡¡survivor¡¡of¡¡his¡¡tragical¡¡past¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡trusted¡¡as¡¡he¡¡was¡¡by¡¡

Sobriente£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡clandestine¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡innocent¡¡

rendezvous¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡loyalty¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡kept¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

appointment£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡the¡¡stated¡¡time¡¡was¡¡at¡¡the¡¡south¡¡wall¡¡of¡¡the¡¡convent£»¡¡

over¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡gnarled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡boughs¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡distinguishing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pear¡­tree¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hung¡£¡¡

Hard¡¡by¡¡in¡¡the¡¡wall¡¡was¡¡a¡¡grated¡¡wicket¡¡door¡¡that¡¡seemed¡¡unused¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Would¡¡she¡¡appear¡¡among¡¡the¡¡boughs¡¡or¡¡on¡¡the¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wall£¿¡¡Either¡¡

would¡¡be¡¡like¡¡the¡¡old¡¡Susy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡to¡¡his¡¡surprise¡¡he¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

key¡¡turning¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lock¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡grated¡¡door¡¡suddenly¡¡swung¡¡on¡¡its¡¡hinges£»¡¡

and¡¡Susy¡¡slipped¡¡out¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Grasping¡¡his¡¡hand£»¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨Let's¡¡run£»¡¡Clarence£»¡¨¡¡

and¡¡before¡¡he¡¡could¡¡reply¡¡she¡¡started¡¡off¡¡with¡¡him¡¡at¡¡a¡¡rapid¡¡pace¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Down¡¡

the¡¡lane¡¡they¡¡flewvery¡¡¡¡much£»¡¡as¡¡it¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡Clarence's¡¡fancy£»¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡

had¡¡flown¡¡from¡¡the¡¡old¡¡emigrant¡¡wagon¡¡on¡¡the¡¡prairie£»¡¡four¡¡years¡¡before¡£¡¡

He¡¡glanced¡¡at¡¡the¡¡fluttering£»¡¡fairy¡­like¡¡figure¡¡beside¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡had¡¡grown¡¡

taller¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡graceful£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dressed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡exquisite¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡taste£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

minuteness¡¡of¡¡luxurious¡¡detail¡¡that¡¡bespoke¡¡the¡¡spoilt¡¡child£»¡¡but¡¡there¡¡was¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡prodigal¡¡¡¡¡¡outburst¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡rippling£»¡¡¡¡¡¡golden¡¡¡¡¡¡hair¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

shoulders£»¡¡violet¡¡eyes£»¡¡capricious¡¡little¡¡mouth£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡same¡¡delicate¡¡hands¡¡

and¡¡feet¡¡he¡¡had¡¡remembered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡have¡¡preferred¡¡a¡¡more¡¡deliberate¡¡

survey£»¡¡but¡¡with¡¡a¡¡shake¡¡of¡¡her¡¡head¡¡and¡¡an¡¡hysteric¡¡little¡¡laugh¡¡she¡¡only¡¡

said£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Run£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡run£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡darted¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Arriving¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

cross¡­street£»¡¡they¡¡turned¡¡the¡¡corner£»¡¡and¡¡halted¡¡breathlessly¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡89¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡90¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you're¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡running¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡school£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Susy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡

Clarence¡¡anxiously¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Only¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡bit¡£¡¡Just¡¡¡¡¡¡enough¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡ahead¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡girls£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡

said£»¡¡rearranging¡¡her¡¡brown¡¡curls¡¡and¡¡tilted¡¡hat¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡see£»¡¡Clarence£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡

condescended¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡explain£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡sudden¡¡¡¡¡¡assumption¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡older¡¡¡¡superiority£»¡¡

¡¨mother's¡¡here¡¡at¡¡the¡¡hotel¡¡all¡¡this¡¡week£»¡¡and¡¡I'm¡¡allowed¡¡to¡¡go¡¡home¡¡every¡¡

night£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡day¡¡scholar¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Only¡¡there's¡¡three¡¡or¡¡four¡¡other¡¡girls¡¡that¡¡go¡¡out¡¡

at¡¡the¡¡same¡¡time¡¡with¡¡me£»¡¡and¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Sisters£»¡¡and¡¡to¡­day¡¡I¡¡got¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡

'em¡¡just¡¡to¡¡see¡¡YOU¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¨¡¡began¡¡Clarence¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡it's¡¡all¡¡right£»¡¡the¡¡other¡¡girls¡¡knew¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡helped¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡don't¡¡

start¡¡out¡¡for¡¡half¡¡an¡¡hour¡¡yet£»¡¡and¡¡they'll¡¡say¡¡I've¡¡just¡¡run¡¡ahead£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡

they¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Sister¡¡get¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hotel¡¡I'll¡¡be¡¡there¡¡alreadydon't¡¡you¡¡see£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Clarence¡¡dubiously¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡we'll¡¡go¡¡to¡¡an¡¡ice¡­cream¡¡saloon¡¡now£»¡¡shan't¡¡we£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There's¡¡a¡¡nice¡¡

one¡¡near¡¡the¡¡hotel¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡got¡¡some¡¡money£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡added¡¡quickly£»¡¡as¡¡Clarence¡¡

looked¡¡embarrassed¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨So¡¡have¡¡I£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Clarence£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡faint¡¡accession¡¡of¡¡color¡£¡¡¡¨Let's¡¡go£¡¡¨¡¡

She¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡relinquished¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡smooth¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡frock£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

walking¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡moderate¡¡¡¡¡¡pace¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡continued£»¡¡

clinging¡¡to¡¡his¡¡first¡¡idea¡¡with¡¡masculine¡¡persistence£»¡¡and¡¡anxious¡¡to¡¡assure¡¡

his¡¡companion¡¡of¡¡his¡¡power£»¡¡of¡¡his¡¡position£»¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡in¡¡the¡¡college£»¡¡and¡¡Father¡¡

Sobriente£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡knows¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡lady¡¡¡¡¡¡superior£»¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡friend¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡mine¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

gives¡¡me¡¡privileges£»¡¡andandwhen¡¡he¡¡knows¡¡that¡¡you¡¡and¡¡I¡¡used¡¡to¡¡play¡¡

togetherwhy£»¡¡he'll¡¡fix¡¡it¡¡that¡¡we¡¡may¡¡see¡¡each¡¡other¡¡whenever¡¡we¡¡want¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡you¡¡silly£¡¡¨¡¡said¡¡Susy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨WHAT£¡when¡¡you're¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨When¡¡I'm¡¡WHAT£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡young¡¡girl¡¡shot¡¡a¡¡violet¡¡blue¡¡ray¡¡from¡¡under¡¡her¡¡broad¡¡hat¡£¡¡¡¨Why¡¡

when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we're¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡grown¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡now£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡certain¡¡¡¡¡¡precision£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡

they're¡¡VERY¡¡particular¡¡about¡¡young¡¡gentlemen£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Why£»¡¡Clarence£»¡¡if¡¡they¡¡

suspected¡¡that¡¡you¡¡and¡¡I¡¡were¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Another¡¡violet¡¡ray¡¡from¡¡under¡¡the¡¡hat¡¡

completed¡¡this¡¡unfinished¡¡sentence¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Pleased¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡confused£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡straight¡¡¡¡¡¡ahead¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

deepening¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡color¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡contin
·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԭ´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡