The Moon And Sixpence 10.7

"It can'tgo on at his age, " she said. "After all, he's forty. I couldunderstand it in a young man, but I think it's horrible in a man of his years,with children who are nearly grown up. His health will never stand it. "Anger struggledin her breast with misery."Tell himthat our home cries out for him. Everything is just the same, and yeteverything is different. I can't live without him. I'd sooner kill myself. Talkto him about the past, and all we've gone through together. What am I to say tothe children when they ask for him? His room is exactly as it was when he leftit. It's waiting for him. We're all waiting for him. "Now she told meexactly what I should say. She gave me elaborate answers to every possibleobservation of his."You willdo everything you can for me?" she said pitifully. "Tell him what astate I'm in. "I saw that shewished me to appeal to his sympathies by every means in my power. She wasweeping freely. I was extraordinarily touched. I felt indignant at Strickland'scold cruelty, and I promised to do all I could to bring him back. I agreed togo over on the next day but one, and to stay in Paris till I had achievedsomething. Then, as it was growing late and we were both exhausted by so muchemotion, I left her.“象他这样的年龄，不能老过这种生活，”她说，“他到底是四十岁的人了。如果是一个年轻人，我是能够理解的。可是他这种年纪就太可怕了，他的孩子都快长大成人了。再说他的身体也受不住。”愤怒同痛苦在她胸中搏斗着。“告诉他，他的家在召唤他回来。家里什么都同过去一样，但是也都同过去不一样了。没有他我无法生活下去。我宁可杀死自己。同他谈谈往事，谈谈我们的共同经历。如果孩子们问起来，我该对他们说什么呢？他的屋子还同他走的时候一模一样。他的屋子在等着他呢。我们都在等着他呢。”我到那里该谈什么，她句句都告诉我了。她甚至想到思特里克兰德可能说什么话。教给我怎样答对。“你会尽一切力量替我把这件事办好吧？”她可怜巴巴地说，“把我现在的处境告诉他。”我看出来，她希望我施展一切手段打动他的怜悯心。她的眼泪一个劲儿往下落。我心里难过极了。我对思特里克兰德的冷酷、残忍非常气愤，我答应她我要尽一切力量把他弄回来。我同意再过一天就启程，不把事情办出个眉目决不回来。这时天色已晚，我们两人也都由于感情激动而疲惫不堪，我就向她告辞了。