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the story of an african farm-第11部分
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in my place; if it〃
〃My friend;〃 said Bonaparte; 〃it would give me the profoundest felicity;
the most unbounded satisfaction; but in these worn…out habiliments; in
these deteriorated garments; it would not be possible; it would not be
fitting that I should officiate in service of One whom; for respect; we
shall not name。 No; my friend; I will remain here; and; while you are
assembling yourselves together in the presence of the Lord; I; in my
solitude; will think of and pray for you。 No; I will remain here!〃
It was a touching picturethe solitary man there praying for them。 The
German cleared his hands from the meal; and went to the chest from which he
had taken the black hat。 After a little careful feeling about; he produced
a black cloth coat; trousers; and waistcoat; which he laid on the table;
smiling knowingly。 They were of new shining cloth; worn twice a year; when
he went to the town to nachtmaal。 He looked with great pride at the coat
as he unfolded it and held it up。
〃It's not the latest fashion; perhaps; not a West End cut; not exactly; but
it might do; it might serve at a push。 Try it on; try it on!〃 he said; his
old grey eyes twinkling with pride。
Bonaparte stood up and tried on the coat。 It fitted admirably; the
waistcoat could be made to button by ripping up the back; and the trousers
were perfect; but below were the ragged boots。 The German was not
disconcerted。 Going to the beam where a pair of top…boots hung; he took
them off; dusted them carefully; and put them down before Bonaparte。 The
old eyes now fairly brimmed over with sparkling enjoyment。
〃I have only worn them once。 They might serve; they might be endured。〃
Bonaparte drew them on and stood upright; his head almost touching the
beams。 The German looked at him with profound admiration。 It was
wonderful what a difference feathers made in the bird。
Chapter 1。V。 Sunday Services。
Service No。 I。
The boy Waldo kissed the pages of his book and looked up。 Far over the
flat lay the kopje; a mere speck; the sheep wandered quietly from bush to
bush; the stillness of the early Sunday rested everywhere; and the air was
fresh。
He looked down at his book。 On its page a black insect crept。 He lifted
it off with his finger。 Then he leaned on his elbow; watching its
quivering antennae and strange movements; smiling。
〃Even you;〃 he whispered; 〃shall not die。 Even you He loves。 Even you He
will fold in His arms when He takes everything and makes it perfect and
happy。〃
When the thing had gone he smoothed the leaves of his Bible somewhat
caressingly。 The leaves of that book had dropped blood for him once; they
had taken the brightness out of his childhood; from between them had sprung
the visions that had clung about him and made night horrible。 Adder…like
thoughts had lifted their heads; had shot out forked tongues at him; asking
mockingly strange; trivial questions that he could not answer; miserable
child:
Why did the women in Mark see only one angel and the women in Luke two?
Could a story be told in opposite ways and both ways be true? Could it?
could it? Then again: Is there nothing always right; and nothing always
wrong? Could Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite 〃put her hand to the nail;
and her right hand to the workman's hammer?〃 and could the Spirit of the
Lord chant paeans over her; loud paeans; high paeans; set in the book of
the Lord; and no voice cry out it was a mean and dastardly sin to lie; and
kill the trusting in their sleep? Could the friend of God marry his own
sister; and be beloved; and the man who does it today goes to hell; to
hell? Was there nothing always right or always wrong?
Those leaves had dropped blood for him once: they had made his heart heavy
and cold; they had robbed his childhood of its gladness; now his fingers
moved over them caressingly。
〃My father God knows; my father knows;〃 he said; 〃we cannot understand; He
knows。〃 After a while he whispered; smiling〃I heard your voice this
morning when my eyes were not yet open; I felt you near me; my Father。 Why
do you love me so? His face was illuminated。 〃In the last four months the
old question has gone from me。 I know you are good; I know you love
everything; I know; I know; I know! I could not have borne it any more;
not any more。〃 He laughed softly。 〃And all the while I was so miserable
you were looking at me and loving me; and I never knew it。 But I know it
now。 I feel it;〃 said the boy; and he laughed low; 〃I feel it!〃 he laughed。
After a while he began partly to sing; partly to chant the disconnected
verses of hymns; those which spoke his gladness; many times over。 The
sheep with their senseless eyes turned to look at him as he sang。
At last he lapsed into quiet。 Then as the boy lay there staring at bush
and sand; he saw a vision。
He had crossed the river of Death; and walked on the other bank in the
Lord's land of Beulah。 His feet sank into the dark grass; and he walked
alone。 Then; far over the fields; he saw a figure coming across the dark
green grass。 At first he thought it must be one of the angels; but as it
came nearer he began to feel what it was。 And it came closer; closer to
him; and then the voice said; 〃Come;〃 and he knew surely Who it was。 He
ran to the dear feet and touched them with his hands; yes; he held them
fast! He lay down beside them。 When he looked up the face was over him;
and the glorious eyes were loving him; and they two were there alone
together。
He laughed a deep laugh; then started up like one suddenly awakened from
sleep。
〃Oh; God! He cried; 〃I cannot wait; I cannot wait! I want to die; I want
to see Him; I want to touch him。 Let me die!〃 He folded his hands;
trembling。 〃How can I wait so longfor long; long years perhaps? I want
to dieto see Him。 I will die any death。 Oh; let me come!〃
Weeping he bowed himself; and quivered from head to foot。 After a long
while he lifted his head。
〃Yes; I will wait; I will wait。 But not long; do not let it be very long;
Jesus King。 I want you; oh; I want yousoon; soon!〃 He sat still;
staring across the plain with his tearful eyes。
Service No。 II。
In the front room of the farmhouse sat Tant Sannie in her elbow…chair。 In
her hand was her great brass…clasped hymn…book; round her neck was a clean
white handkerchief; under her feet was a wooden stove。 There too sat Em
and Lyndall; in clean pinafores and new shoes。 There too was the spruce
Hottentot in a starched white kapje; and her husband on the other side of
the door; with his wool oiled and very much combed out; and staring at his
new leather boots。 The Kaffer servants were not there because Tant Sannie
held they were descended from apes; and needed no salvation。 But the rest
were gathered for the Sunday service; and waited the officiator。
Meanwhile Bonaparte and the German approached arm in armBonapar
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