Now, Longfellow she was saying.
Yes, Ive read m, he interrupted, wishing to show her that he was not wholly a stupid clod. The Psalm of Life , Excelsior , an I guess thats all.
She nodded and smiled, and he felt somehow that her smile was tolerant pitifully tolerant.
Excuse me, miss, I guess the real fact is that I dont know nothin much about such things. How did you learn all this youve ben talkin?
By going to school, I fancy, and by studying, she answered.
I went to school when I was a kid, he began.
Yes; but I mean high school, and lectures, and the University.
Youve gone to the University? he demanded, in frank amazement. He felt that she had become remoter from him by at least a million miles.
Im going there now. Im taking special courses in English.
How long would I have to study before I could go to the University? he asked.
That depends upon how much studying you have already done, she answered. You have never attended high school? Of course not. But did you finish grammar-school?
I had two years to run when I left, he answered. But I was always honourably promoted at school.
The next moment he felt angry with himself for the boast. At the same moment he became aware that a woman was entering the room. He saw the girl leave her chair and trip swiftly across the floor to the new-comer. That must be her mother, he thought. She was a tall, blonde woman, slender, and stately, and beautiful. He knew that he must stand up to be introduced, and he struggled painfully to his feet, his face set hard for the impending ordeal.
He glanced around the table. Opposite him was Arthur, and Arthurs brother, Norman. They were her brothers, he reminded himself and his heart warmed toward them. How they loved each other, the members of this family! He had starved for love all his life. His nature craved love. It was an organic demand of his being.
He was glad that Mr. Morse was not there. It was difficult enough getting acquainted with her and her mother, and her brother Norman. Arthur he already knew somewhat. The father would have been too much for him, he felt sure. It seemed to him that he had never worked so hard in his life. He had to eat as he had never eaten before, to glance about and learn just what knife or fork was to be used in any particular occasion. Then he had to talk, to hear what was said to him, to answer, when it was necessary.
During the first part of the dinner he was very quiet. He kept himself in the background, listening, observing, replying in reticent monosyllables, saying, Yes, miss, and No, miss, to her; and Yes, maam, and No, maam, to her mother. He curbed the impulse to say, Yes, sir, and No, sir, to her brother. He felt that it would be a confession of inferiority on his part.
By God! he cried to himself once, Im just as good as they are, and if they do know many things that I dont, I could teach them a few myself, all the same! And the next moment, when she or her mother addressed him as Mr. Eden, his aggressive pride was forgotten. He was a civilized man, shoulder to shoulder, at dinner, with people he had read about in books.
It was brave of you to help Arthur the way you did
and you a stranger, Ruth said tactfully, aware of his discomfiture.
It wasnt nothin at all, he said. Any guy ud do it for another. He paused, and Arthur took up the tale,for the twentieth time, of his adventure with the drunken hoodlums on the ferry-boat, and of how Martin Eden had rushed in and rescued him.
Later, at the piano, Ruth played for him. He did not understand the music she played. It was different from the dance-hall pianobanging bands he had heard, but he was remarkably susceptible to music.
Glancing at him across her shoulder Ruth saw that his face was a transfigured face, with great shining eyes that gazed beyond the veil of sound. She was startled. The raw, stumbling lout was gone. The ill-fitting clothes, battered hands, and sunburned face remained; but these seemed to be prison bars through which she saw a great soul looking forth.
The greatest time of my life. You see, I aint used to things He looked about him helplessly. To people and houses like this. Its all new to me, and I like it.
I hope youll call again, she said, as he was saying good night to her brothers.
He pulled on his cap, pushed clumsily through the doorway, and was gone.
Exercises
1. Listen to the chapter with books closed and mark the sentences T(true), F (false), NI (no information).1. Martin felt rather embarrassed.2. Learn the words from the text:2. Martin was very surprised when he saw piles of books on the table.
3. Martin was not thrilled having heard his name Mr. Eden.
4. The girl looked very common.
5. Ruth was looking forward to meeting Eden.
6. Martin felt lost alone with Ruth.
7. Martin did not comprehend Ruths ideas about poetry.
8. Martin understood poetry very well.
9. Martin was upset that Mr. Morse had not come.
10. Martin liked the music Ruth played for him.
awkward, appreciate, momentary, reassure, glance, betray, irresistible, astonishment, stare, forgetful, mutter, faint, embarrassment, comprehension, tolerant, fancy, promote, ordeal, confession, rescue.