第35部分(第2/7 頁)

it；　then　suddenly；　it　buckled；　I　felt　a　rib　snap　on　my　forehead；　I　tried　to　grab　the　top　that　was　bending　with　the　wind　and　the　whole　thing　buckled　and　went　inside　out　and　I　was　astride　the　handle　of　an　inside…out；　ripped　umbrella；　where　I　had　been　holding　a　wind…filled　pulling　sail。　I　unhooked　the　handle　from　the　seat；　laid　the　umbrella　in　the　bow　and　went　back　to　Catherine　for　the　oar。　She　was　laughing。　She　took　my　hand　and　kept　on　laughing。

〃What's　the　matter？〃　I　took　the　oar。

〃You　looked　so　funny　holding　that　thing。〃

〃I　suppose　so。〃

〃Don't　be　cross；　darling。　It　was　awfully　funny。　You　looked　about　twenty　feet　broad　and　very　affectionate　holding　the　umbrella　by　the　edges……〃　she　choked。

〃I'll　row。〃

〃Take　a　rest　and　a　drink。　It's　a　grand　night　and　we've　e　a　long　way。〃

〃I　have　to　keep　the　boat　out　of　the　trough　of　the　waves。〃

〃I'll　get　you　a　drink。　Then　rest　a　little　while；　darling。〃

I　held　the　oars　up　and　we　sailed　with　them。　Catherine　was　opening　the　bag。　She　handed　me　the　brandy　bottle。　I　pulled　the　cork　with　my　pocket…knife　and　took　a　long　drink。　It　was　smooth　and　hot　and　the　heat　went　all　through　me　and　I　felt　warmed　and　cheerful。　〃It's　lovely　brandy；〃　I　said。　The　moon　was　under　again　but　I　could　see　the　shore。　There　seemed　to　be　another　point　going　out　a　long　way　ahead　into　the　lake。

〃Are　you　warm　enough；　Cat？〃

〃I'm　splendid。　I'm　a　little　stiff。〃

〃Bail　out　that　water　and　you　can　put　your　feet　down。〃

Then　I　rowed　and　listened　to　the　oarlocks　and　the　dip　and　scrape　of　the　bailing　tin　under　the　stern　seat。

〃Would　you　give　me　the　bailer？〃　I　said。　〃I　want　a　drink。〃

〃It's　awful　dirty。〃

〃That's　all　right。　I'll　rinse　it。〃

I　heard　Catherine　rinsing　it　over