奇书网

Text B The Story of an Hour（第1页）

TextBTheStoryofanHour

Kate

KnowingthatMrs。Mallardwasafflictedwithahearttrouble，greatcarewastakeentlyaspossiblethenewsofherhusbah。

ItwashersisterJosephioldher，iesthatrevealedinhalfg。Herhusband’sfriendRichardswasthere，too，washewhohadbeenintheneeroffitelligeherailroaddisasterwasreceived，withBrentlyMallard’shelistof“killed”。Hehadoimetoassurehimselfofitstruthbyasedtelegram，andhadhasteoforestallanylesscareful，lesstenderfriehesadmessage。

&hearthestoryasmanywomehesame，aralyzedinabilitytoacceptitssignifice。Sheweptatohsudden，wildaba，ier’sarms。Wheriefhadspentitselfshewentawaytoherroomalone。Shewouldhavenoonefollowher。

&ood，fagtheopenwindow，afortable，roomyarmtothisshesank，presseddohysicalexhaustionthathauntedherbodyaoreatohersoul。

Shecouldseeintheopensquarebeforeherhousethetopsoftreesthatwereallaquiverwiththenewsprihedeliciousbreathofrainwasintheair。Ibeloeddlerwasghiswares。Thenotesofadistantsongwhieonewassingingreachedherfaintly，andtlesssparroitteringintheeaves。

&chesofblueskyshowiherethroughthecloudsthathadmetandpiledoherifagherwindow。

&hherheadthroontheofthechair，quitemotiowhenasobtoherthroatandshookher，asachildwhohascrieditselftosleepuestosobinitsdreams。

Shewasyoung，withafair，calmface，whoselinesbespokerepressioainowtherewasadullstareinhereyes，whosegazewasfixedawayoffyonderohosepatchesofbluesky。Itwasnotaglaion，butratherindicatedasuspensiohought。

Therewassomethingingtoheraingforit，fearfully。Whatwasit?Shedidnotknow;itwastoosubtleaoshefeltit，goutofthesky，reagththesous，thecolorthatfilledtheair。

Nowherbosomroseauously。Shewasbeginhisthingthatroagtopossessher，arivibackwithherowerlessashertwowhiteslenderhandswouldhavebeen。Whensheabandolewhisperededherslightlypartedlips。Shesaiditoverahebreath:“free，free，free!”Thevatstareandthelookofterrorthathadfolloweditweheystayedkeenandbright。Herpulsesbeatfast，andthegbloodwarmedandrelaxedeveryinchofherbody。

&stoptoaskifitwereorwerenotamonstrousjoythatheldher。Adexaltedperabledhertodismissthesuggestionastrivial。Shekshewouldweepagaihekind，tenderhah;thefacethathadneverlookedsavewithloveuponher，fixedandgrayashesawbeyondthatbittermomentalongproofyearstoethatwouldbeloely。Andsheopenedandspreadherarmsouttotheminwele。

Therewouldbethoseingyears;shewouldliveforherself。Therewouldbenopowerfulwillbehatbliehwhidwomeheyhavearighttoimposeaprivatewilluponafellow-creature。Akiionorateseemnolessacrimeasshelookeduponitinthatbriefmomentofillumination。

Ashehadlovedhim—sometimes。Ofte。Whatdiditmatter!Whatcouldlove，theuery，tforihispossessioionwhichshesuddenlyreizedasthestroimpulse!

“Free!Bodyandsoulfree!”shekeptwhispering。

Josephinewaskhecloseddoorwithherlipstothekeyhole，implforadmissiohed;openthedoor—youwillmakeyourselfill。Whatareyoudoing，Louise?Forheavehedoor。”

“Goaway。Iamnotmakingmyselfill。”No;shewasdrinkinginaveryelixiroflifethroughthatopenwindow。

Herfanningriotalongthosedaysaheaddays，andsummerdays，andallsortsofdaysthatwouldbeherowhedaquickprayerthatlifemightbelong。Itwasoerdayshehadthoughtwithashudderthatlifemightbelong。

&lengthahedoortohersister’simportuherewasafeverishtriumphinhereyes，andshecarriedherselfunwittinglylikeagoddessofVictory。Sheclaspedhersister’swaist，aheydesdedthestairs。Richardsstoodwaitihebottom。