the silver box-第5部分

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　　　　　half…dressed；　his　coat　is　thrown　across　his　feet；　and　muddy
　　　　　boots　are　lying　on　the　floor　close　by。　　He　is　asleep。　　The　door
　　　　　is　opened　and　MRS。　JONES　comes　in；　dressed　in　a　pinched　black
　　　　　jacket　and　old　black　sailor　hat；　she　carries　a　parcel　wrapped
　　　　　up　in　the　〃Times。〃　　She　puts　her　parcel　down；　unwraps　an　apron；
　　　　　half　a　loaf；　two　onions；　three　potatoes；　and　a　tiny　piece　of
　　　　　bacon。　　Taking　a　teapot　from　the　cupboard；　she　rinses　it；
　　　　　shakes　into　it　some　powdered　tea　out　of　a　screw　of　paper；　puts
　　　　　it　on　the　hearth；　and　sitting　in　a　wooden　chair　quietly　begins
　　　　　to　cry。

JONES。　　＇Stirring　and　yawning。＇　　That　you？　　What's　the　time？

MRS。　JONES。　　＇Drying　her　eyes；　and　in　her　usual　voice。＇　　Half…past
two。

JONES。　　What　you　back　so　soon　for？

MRS。　JONES。　　I　only　had　the　half　day　to…day；　Jem。

JONES。　　＇On　his　back；　and　in　a　drowsy　voice。＇　　Got　anything　for
dinner？

MRS。　JONES。　　Mrs。　BARTHWICK's　cook　gave　me　a　little　bit　of　bacon。
I'm　going　to　make　a　stew。　　＇She　prepares　for　cooking。＇　　There's
fourteen　shillings　owing　for　rent；　James；　and　of　course　I　've　only
got　two　and　fourpence。　　They'll　be　coming　for　it　to…day。

JONES。　　＇Turning　towards　her　on　his　elbow。＇　　Let　'em　come　and　find
my　surprise　packet。　　I've　had　enough　o'　this　tryin'　for　work。　　Why
should　I　go　round　and　round　after　a　job　like　a　bloomin'　squirrel　in
a　cage。　　〃Give　us　a　job；　sir〃〃Take　a　man　on〃〃Got　a　wife　and
three　children。〃　　Sick　of　it　I　am！　I　'd　sooner　lie　here　and　rot。
〃Jones；　you　come　and　join　the　demonstration；　come　and　'old　a　flag；
and　listen　to　the　ruddy　orators；　and　go　'ome　as　empty　as　you　came。〃
There's　some　that　seems　to　like　thatthe　sheep！　　When　I　go　seekin'
for　a　job　now；　and　see　the　brutes　lookin'　me　up　an'　down；　it's　like
a　thousand　serpents　in　me。　　I　'm　not　arskin'　for　any　treat。　　A　man
wants　to　sweat　hisself　silly　and　not　allowed　that's　a　rum　start；
ain't　it？　　A　man　wants　to　sweat　his　soul　out　to　keep　the　breath　in
him　and　ain't　allowedthat's　justice　that's　freedom　and　all　the
rest　of　it！　　＇He　turns　his　face　towards　the　wall。＇　　You're　so　milky
mild；　you　don't　know　what　goes　on　inside　o'　me。　　I'm　done　with　the
silly　game。　　If　they　want　me；　let　'em　come　for　me！

　　　　　＇MRS。　JONES　stops　cooking　and　stands　unmoving　at　the　table。＇

I've　tried　and　done　with　it；　I　tell　you。　　I've　never　been　afraid　of
what　's　before　me。　　You　mark　my　wordsif　you　think　they've　broke　my
spirit；　you're　mistook。　　I　'll　lie　and　rot　sooner　than　arsk　'em
again。　　What　makes　you　stand　like　thatyou　long…sufferin'；　Gawd…
forsaken　imagethat's　why　I　can't　keep　my　hands　off　you。　　So　now
you　know。　　Work！　　You　can　work；　but　you　have　n't　the　spirit　of　a
louse！

MRS。　JONES。　　＇Quietly。＇　　You　talk　more　wild　sometimes　when　you're
yourself；　James；　than　when　you　're　not。　　If　you　don't　get　work；　how
are　we　to　go　on？　　They　won't　let　us　stay　here；　they're　looking　to
their　money　to…day；　I　know。

JONES。　　I　see　this　BARTHWICK　o'　yours　every　day　goin'　down　to
Pawlyment　snug　and　comfortable　to　talk　his　silly　soul　out；　an'　I　see
that　young　calf；　his　son；　swellin'　it　about；　and　goin'　on　the
razzle…dazzle。　　Wot　'ave　they　done　that　makes　'em　any　better　than
wot　I　am？　　They　never　did　a　day's　work　in　their　lives。　　I　see　'em
day　after　day。

MRS。　JONES。　　And　I　wish　you　wouldn't　come　after　me　like　that；　and
hang　about　the　house。　　You　don't　seem　able　to　keep　away　at　all；　and
whatever　you　do　it　for　I　can't　think；　because　of　course　they　notice
it。

JONES。　　I　suppose　I　may　go　where　I　like。　　Where　may　I　go？　　The　other
day　I　went　to　a　place　in　the　Edgware　Road。　　〃Gov'nor；〃　I　says　to　the
boss；　〃take　me　on；〃　I　says。　　〃I　'aven't　done　a　stroke　o'　work　not
these　two　months；　it　takes　the　heart　out　of　a　man；〃　I　says；　〃I　'm
one　to　work；　I　'm　not　afraid　of　anything　you　can　give　me！〃　　〃My　good
man；〃　'e　says；　〃I　've　had　thirty　of　you　here　this　morning。　　I　took
the　first　two；〃　he　says；　〃and　that's　all　I　want。〃　　〃Thank　you；　then
rot　the　world！〃　I　says。　　〃Blasphemin'；〃　he　says；　〃is　not　the　way　to
get　a　job。　　Out　you　go；　my　lad！〃　　＇He　laughs　sardonically。＇　　Don't
you　raise　your　voice　because　you're　starvin'；　don't　yer　even　think
of　it；　take　it　lyin'　down！　　Take　it　like　a　sensible　man；　carn't　you？
And　a　little　way　down　the　street　a　lady　says　to　me：　＇Pinching　his
voice＇　　〃D'　you　want　to　earn　a　few　pence；　my　man？〃　and　gives　me　her
dog　to　'old　outside　a　shop…fat　as　a　butler　'e　wastons　o'　meat　had
gone　to　the　makin'　of　him。　　It　did　'er　good；　it　did；　made　'er　feel
'erself　that　charitable；　but　I　see　'er　lookin'　at　the　copper
standin'　alongside　o'　me；　for　fear　I　should　make　off　with　'er
bloomin'　fat　dog。　　＇He　sits　on　the　edge　of　the　bed　and　puts　a　boot
on。　　Then　looking　up。＇　　What's　in　that　head　o'　yours？　　＇Almost
pathetically。＇　　Carn't　you　speak　for　once？

　　　　　＇There　is　a　knock；　and　MRS。　SEDDON；　the　landlady；　appears；　an
　　　　　anxious；　harassed；　shabby　woman　in　working　clothes。＇

MRS。　SEDDON。　　I　thought　I　'eard　you　come　in；　Mrs。　Jones。　　I　've
spoke　to　my　'usband；　but　he　says　he　really　can't　afford　to　wait
another　day。

JONES。　　＇With　scowling　jocularity。＇　　Never　you　mind　what　your
'usband　says；　you　go　your　own　way　like　a　proper　independent　woman。
Here；　jenny；　chuck　her　that。

　　　　　＇Producing　a　sovereign　from　his　trousers　pocket；　he　throws　it
　　　　　to　his　wife；　who　catches　it　in　her　apron　with　a　gasp。　　JONES
　　　　　resumes　the　lacing　of　his　boots。＇

MRS。　JONES。　　＇Rubbing　the　sovereign　stealthily。＇　　I'm　very　sorry
we're　so　late　with　it；　and　of　course　it's　fourteen　shillings；　so　if
you've　got　six　that　will　be　right。

　　　　　＇MRS。　SEDDON　takes　the　sovereign　and　fumbles　for　the　change。＇

JONES。　　＇With　his　eyes　fixed　on　his　boots。＇　　Bit　of　a　surprise　for
yer；　ain't　it？

MRS。　SEDDON。　　Thank　you；　and　I'm　sure　I'm　very　much　obliged。　　＇She
does　indeed　appear　surprised。＇　　I　'll　bring　you　the　change。

JONES。　　＇Mockingly。＇　　Don't　mention　it。

MRS。　SEDDON。　　Thank　you；　and　I'm　sure　I'm　very　much　obliged。　　＇She
slides　away。＇

　　　　　＇MRS。　JONES　gazes　at　JONES　who　is　still　lacing　up　his　boots。＇

JONES。　　I　've　had　a　bit　of　luck。　　＇Pulling　out　the　crimson　purse　and
some　loose　coins。＇　　Picked　up　a　purseseven　pound　and　more。

MRS。　JONES。　　Oh；　James！

JONES。　　Oh；　James！　　What　about　Oh；　James！　　I　picked　it　up　I　tell
you。　　This　is　lost　property；　this　is！

MRS。　JONES。　　But　is　n't　there　a　name　in　it；　or　something？

JONES。　　Name？　　No；　there　ain't　no　name。　　This　don't　belong　to　such
as　'ave　visitin'　cards。　　This　belongs　to　a　perfec'　lidy。　　Tike　an'
smell　it。　　＇He　pitches　her　the　purse；　which　she　puts　gently　to　her
nose。＇　　Now；　you　tell　me　what　I　ought　to　have　done。　　You　tell　me
that。　　You　can　always　tell　me　what　I　ought　to　ha'　done；　can't　yer？

MRS。　JONES。　　＇Laying　down　the　purse。＇　　I　can't　say　what　you　ought　to
have　done；　James。　　Of　course　the　money　was　n't　yours；　you've　taken
somebody　else's　money。

JONES。　　Finding's　keeping。　　I　'll　take　it　as　wages　for　the　time　I
've　gone　about　the　streets　asking　for　what's　my　rights。　　I'll　take
it　for　what's　overdue；　d'　ye　hear？　　＇With　strange　triumph。＇　　I've
got　money　in　my　pocket；　my　girl。

　　　　　＇MRS。　JONES　goes　on　again　with　the　preparation　of　the　meal；
　　　　　JONES　looking　at　her　furtively。＇

Money　in　my　pocket！　　And　I　'm　not　goin'　to　waste　it。　　With　this　'ere
money　I'm　goin'　to　Canada。　　I'll　let　you　have　a　pound。

　　　　　＇A　silence。＇

You've　often　talked　of　leavin'　me。　　You　've　often　told　me　I　treat
you　badlywell　I　'ope　you　'll　be　glad　when　I　'm　gone。

MRS。　　JONES。　＇Impassively。＇　You　have；　treated　me　very　badly；　James；
and　of　course　I　can't　prevent　your　going；　but　I　can't　tell　whether　I
shall　be　glad　when　you're　gone。

JONES。　　It'll　change　my　luck。　　I　've　'ad　nothing　but　bad　luck　since
I　first　took　up　with　you。　　＇More　softly。＇　　And　you've　'ad　no
bloomin'　picnic。

MRS。　JONES。　　Of　course　it　would　have　been　better　for　us　if　we　had
never　met。　　We　were　n't　meant　for　each　other。　　But　you're　set
against　me；　that's　what　you　are；　and　you　have　been　for　a　long　time。
And　you　treat　me　so　badly；　James；　going　after　that　Rosie　and　all。
You　don't　ever　seem　to　think　of　the　children　that　I　've　had　to　bring
into　the　world；　and　of　all　the　trouble　I　've　had　to　keep　them；　and
what　'll　become　of　them　when　you're　gone。

JONES。　＇Crossing　the　room　gloomily。＇　If　you　think　I　want　to　leave
the　little　beggars　you're　bloomin'　well　mistaken。

MRS。　JONES。　Of　course　I　know　you're　fond　of　them。

JONES。　　＇Fingering　the　purse；　half　angrily。＇　　Well；　then；　you　stow
it；　old　girl。　　The　kids　'll　get　along　better　with　you　than　when　I　'm
here。　　If　I　'd　ha'　known　as　much　as　I　do　now；　I　'd　never　ha'　had　one
o'　them。　　What's　the　use　o'　bringin'　'em　into　a　state　o'　things　like
this？　It's　a　crime；　that's　what　it　is；　but　you　find　it　out　too　late；
that's　what's　the　matter　with　this　'ere　world。

　　　　　＇He　puts　the　purse　back　in　his　pocket。＇

MRS。　JONES。　　Of　course　it　would　have　been　better　for　them；　poor
little　things；　but　they're　your　own　children；　and　I　wonder　at　you
talkin'　like　that。　　I　should　miss　them　dreadfully　if　I　was　to　lose
them。

JONES。　　＇Sullenly。＇　　An'　you　ain't　the　only　one。　　If　I　make　money
out　there＇Looking　up；　he　sees　her　shaking　out　his　coatin　a
changed　voice。＇　Leave　that　coat　alone！

　　　　　＇The　silver　box　drops　from　the　pocket；　scattering　the
　　　　　cigarettes　upon　the　bed。　　Taking　up　the　box　she　stares　at　it；
　　　　　he　rushes　at　her　and　snatches　the　box　away。＇

MRS。　JONES。　　＇Cowering　back　against　the　bed。＇　Oh；　Jem！　oh；　Jem！

JONES。　　＇Dropping　the　box　onto　the　table。＇　　You　mind　what　you're
sayin'！　　When　I　go　out　I　'll　take　and　chuck　it　in　the　water　along
with　that　there　purse。　　I　'ad　it　when　I　was　in　liquor；　and　for　what
you　do　when　you　're　in　liquor　you're　not　responsible…and　that's
Gawd's　truth　as　you　ought　to　know。　　I　don't　want　the　thingI　won't
have　it。　　I　took　it　out　o'　spite。　　I　'm　no　thief；　I　tell　you；　and
don't　you　call　me　one；　or　it'll　be　the　worse　for　you。

MRS。　JONES。　　＇Twisting　her　apron　strings。＇　　It's　Mr。　Barthwick's！
You've　taken　away　my　reputation。　　Oh；　Jem；　whatever　made　you？

JONES。　　What　d'　you　mean？

MRS。　JONES。　　It's　been　missed；　they　think　it's　me。　　Oh！　whatever
made　you　do　it；　Jem？

JONES。　　I　tell　you　I　was　in　liquor