The Moon And Sixpence 34.2

He mademovements with his lips as though he were speaking, but no sound issued fromthem. He gibbered like an idiot. My heart thumped against my ribs, and, I donot know why, I flew into a temper.

"For God'ssake, collect yourself, man, " I said. "What on earth are you talkingabout?"

He madedespairing gestures with his hands, but still no words came from his mouth. Hemight have been struck dumb. I do not know what came over me; I took him by theshoulders and shook him. Looking back, I am vexed that I made such a fool ofmyself; I suppose the last restless nights had shaken my nerves more than Iknew.

"Let mesit down, " he gasped at length.

I filled aglass with St. Galmier, and gave it to him to drink. I held it to his mouth asthough he were a child. He gulped down a mouthful, and some of it was spilt onhis shirt-front.

"Who'skilled herself?"

I do not knowwhy I asked, for I knew whom he meant. He made an effort to collect himself.

"They hada row last night. He went away. "

"Is shedead?"

"No;they've taken her to the hospital. "

"Then whatare you talking about?" I cried impatiently. "Why did you say she'dkilled herself?"

"Don't becross with me. I can't tell you anything if you talk to me like that. "

他的嘴唇动了动，好象在说什么，但是什么声音也没有发出来。他象个白痴似地胡乱地说了一些没有意义的话。我的一颗心在胸腔里扑腾腾地乱跳，不知为什么，我突然发起火来。

“看在上帝面上，你镇定点儿好不好？”我说，“你究竟在说些什么？”

他的两只手做了几个绝望的姿势，仍然说不出一句整话来。他好象突然受到巨大的惊吓，变成哑巴了。我不知道自己为什么火冒三丈，我抓着他的肩膀拼命地摇撼。我猜想前几夜我一直休息不好，叫我的神经也崩溃了。

“让我坐一会儿，”最后他上气不接下气地说。

我给他倒了一杯圣加米叶酒。我把杯子端到他的嘴边好象在喂一个孩子。他咕咚一声喝了一口，有好些洒在衬衫前襟上。

“谁死了？”

我不懂为什么我还要问这句话，因为我完全知道他说的是谁。他挣扎着想使自己平静下来。

“昨天夜里他们吵嘴了。他离开家了。”

“她已经死了吗？”

“没有，他们把她送到医院去了。”

“那么你说的是什么？”我不耐烦地喊起来。“为什么你说她死了？”

“别生我的气。你要是这样同我讲话，我就什么也告诉不了你了。”