欧亨利短篇小说集(28)

"Now,therewasawomanthatwouldhavetemptedananchovytoforgethisvows.Shewasnotsosmallasshewaslarge;andakindofwelcomeairseemedtomitigatehervicinity.Thepinkofherfacewastheinhocsignoofaculinarytemperandawarmdisposition,andhersmilewouldhavebroughtoutthedogwoodblossomsinDecember.
"WidowJessuptalkstousalotofgarrulousnessabouttheclimateandhistoryandTennysonandprunesandthescarcityofmutton,andfinallywantstoknowwherewecamefrom.
""SpringValley,"saysI.
""BigSpringValley,"chipsinPaisley,outofalotofpotatoesandknuckle-boneofhaminhismouth.
"ThatwasthefirstsignInoticedthattheoldfidusDiogenesbusinessbetweenmeandPaisleyFishwasendedforever.HeknewhowIhatedatalkativeperson,andyethestampedesintotheconversationwithhisamendmentsandaddendumsofsyntax.OnthemapitwasBigSpringValley;butIhadheardPaisleyhimselfcallitSpringValleyathousandtimes.
"Withoutsayinganymore,wewentoutaftersupperandsetontherailroadtrack.Wehadbeenpardnerstoolongnottoknowwhatwasgoingonineachother"smind.