【英文文学】The Forfeit.docx
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1、【英文文学】The ForfeitChapter 1 At Rainbow Hill Valley A companionable silence prevailed in the room. At intervals it was broken, but only by the rustle of paper or the striking of a match. The heavy breathing, almost amounting to a snore, of one of the two men, and the inarticulate protests of a laborin
2、g rocker chair-these things were only a part of it. The man at the table was deeply immersed in a miniature sea of calculations. His fair brows were drawn in deep concentration. Frequently he was at great pains to relight a pipe which contained nothing but charred remnants of tobacco and a moist, un
3、smokable mixture which afforded only a somewhat offensive taste and aroma. The partner in this companionship overflowed an undersized rocker, which withstood, with supreme heroism, the overwhelming forces of its invader. But its sufferings, under the rhythmic rise and fall imposed upon it, found exp
4、ression at intervals, although they failed to inspire the least sympathy. The heedless giants whole attention seemed to be absorbed in the personality and effort of his friend. Finally the latter raised a pair of deep blue eyes. Following upon a sigh, he thrust his papers aside with a brusque moveme
5、nt of relief. Then he raised a hand to his broad forehead and smoothed his disheveled fair hair, which seemed to have undergone some upheaval as a result of the mental disturbance his efforts had inspired in the brain beneath. The handsome eyes smiled a reassuring smile into the rugged face of his f
6、riend. Well? he enquired, without seeming to desire a reply. Wal? echoed the gruff voice of the man in the rocker. Its done. So-I guessed. The patient amusement in the twinkling eyes of the man in the rocker was good to see. There was confidence, too, in his regard of the younger man. Can we do it-s
7、ure? he enquired, as the other remained silent. Without a worry. Then dope it out, boy. The easiest thing in the world is handin out dollars on a right enterprise. I dont know nothin better-except it is takin em in on the same sort o play. Jeffrey Masters smiled more broadly into his friends good-hu
8、mored face. Five years back, handing out twenty thousand dollars would have given us a nightmare, even on a right proposition, he said. It isnt that way now. Guess well sleep on this thing like new-born babes with our tanks filled right. Nat Williams is out to sell quick, and if were bright, its up
9、to us to buy quick. For twenty thousand dollars, he proceeded, referring to his figures, we get his house, barns, corrals, and all his rolling stock. His growing crops and machinery. The bunch of old cows and calves hes pleased to call his herds. Also three teams of Shire-bred heavy draft horses, an
10、d six hundred and forty acres of first-class wheat land and grazing that only needs capital and hustle to set right on top. I dont guess itll worry us any to hand it all it needs that way. This buy will join up my O- territory with your T.T. grazing, and will turn the combination into one of the fin
11、est ranching propositions west of Calthorpe, and one which even Montana needs to be proud of. He leaned back in his chair with a certain air of satisfaction. But there was just a shade of anxiety, too, in the glance with which he favored his friend. However, he need have felt no misgivings. Bud Tris
12、tram had none. He understood the keen business brain underlying his friends tumbled fair hair. Moreover, Jeff, who was only half the older mans age, was regarded with something like parental affection. They had fought their way up together from obscure beginnings to their present affluence, as the o
13、wners of the T.T. ranch and the O- ranch respectively. They had been partners in all but name. Now they contemplated a definite deed of that nature. It was a consummation which the older man had looked forward to ever since he first lent a hand to his new and youthful neighbor. It was a consummation
14、 which Jeffrey, with acute foresight and honest purpose, had set himself to achieve. If the older man regarded him with almost parental affection, that regard was fully reciprocated. The business conference between them had for its purpose their mutual advantage, and both men were perfectly aware of
15、 the fact. But the thought that slightly worried the younger man was the ease, the unconcern of his future partners attitude. It disquieted him because it increased his responsibility. But long ago he had learned the generous nature of the Great Bud. Long ago he had realized his trusting simplicity.
16、 Now he would have preferred a keen cross-examination of his statement. But none was forthcoming, and he was forced to continue in face of the silent acceptance. Bud, old friend, I wish I could get you interested in-figures. And I guess they surely are interesting, when you apply them to our own con
17、cerns. But Bud remained unmoved. He stretched himself in an ecstasy of ease, raising his great arms above his grizzled head in profound enjoyment of his bodily comfort. He shook his head. Guess I know a steer. Guess I know grass when I see it. I wouldnt say theres a brand in Montana I aint familiar
18、with. But figgers-sums-theyre hell. An I dont guess Im yearning for hell anyway. Figgers is a sort o paradise to you. Youre built that way. Say, I dont calclate to rob you of a thing-not even paradise. Well take your figgers as they stand. Jeffrey Masters shook his head. Theyre right, sure. But its
19、no sort of way to talk business. Business talk always makes me sweat. It was quite impossible. Jeffrey was growing impatient. A frown settled upon his broad brow, and the man in the rocker watched it with amused eyes. Quite suddenly the younger mans impatience broke forth into verbal protest. Say, y
20、ou make me mad. Was there ever such a feller looking for sharps to play him? How do you know Im not out to beat you? Why, I could roll you for every dollar you possess without lying awake five minutes at night. Its not fair, Bud. Its not fair to me-to you-to your little Nan- Whats not fair to Nan? B
21、uds twinkling eyes shot round upon the open French window with an alertness scarcely to be expected in a man of such apparent mental indolence. Jeffreys eyes cleared of their hot impatience as they sought a similar direction. The gaze of both men encountered the picture of a brown-eyed, brown-haired
22、 girl of exquisite proportions, standing framed in the open window. She was clad in a riding suit of light material, with a long-skirted coat which obviously concealed the divided skirt beneath. Her long, brown top boots were white with dust of the trail, and her vicious-looking Mexican spurs hung l
23、oosely upon her heels. Her eyes were bright with intelligence and good humor, and her pretty oval face smiled out from under the wide brim of an ample prairie hat. Jeff began to laugh. Its your crazy old father, Nan, he cried. Say, just look at him. Feast your eyes on him. Can you beat it? Here we a
24、re right up to our necks in an epoch-making business proposition and he dont concern himself two whoops. Was there ever such a bunch of simple trusting folly as is rolled up in that six feet three of good-hearted honesty? Thats whats not fair to-Nan. The girl came and laid a protecting hand upon the
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