第58部分(第3/7 頁)

her　heart。　And　the　scents　of　autumn　were　like　a　summer　madness

to　her。　She　fled　away　from　the　little；　purple…red

button…chrysanthemums　like　a　frightened　dryad；　the　bright　yellow

little　chrysanthemums　smelled　so　strong；　her　feet　seemed　to

dither　in　a　drunken　dance。

Then　her　Uncle　Tom　appeared；　always　like　the　cynical　Bacchus

in　the　picture。　He　would　have　a　jolly　wedding；　a　harvest　supper

and　a　wedding　feast　in　one：　a　tent　in　the　home　close；　and　a　band

for　dancing；　and　a　great　feast　out　of　doors。

Fred　demurred；　but　Tom　must　be　satisfied。　Also　Laura；　a

handsome；　clever　girl；　the　bride；　she　also　must　have　a　great　and

jolly　feast。　It　appealed　to　her　educated　sense。　She　had　been　to

Salisbury　Training　College；　knew　folk…songs　and

morris…dancing。

So　the　preparations　were　begun；　directed　by　Tom　Brangwen。　A

marquee　was　set　up　on　the　home　close；　two　large　bonfires　were

prepared。　Musicians　were　hired；　feast　made　ready。

Skrebensky　was　to　e；　arriving　in　the　morning。　Ursula　had　a

new　white　dress　of　soft　crepe；　and　a　white　hat。　She　liked　to

wear　white。　With　her　black　hair　and　clear　golden　skin；　she

looked　southern；　or　rather　tropical；　like　a　Creole。　She　wore　no

colour　whatsoever。

She　trembled　that　day　as　she　appeared　to　go　down　to　the

wedding。　She　was　to　be　a　bridesmaid。　Skrebensky　would　not　arrive

till　afternoon。　The　wedding　was　at　two　o'clock。

As　the　wedding…party　returned　home；　Skrebensky　stood　in　the

parlour　at　the　Marsh。　Through　the　window　he　saw　Tom　Brangwen；

who　was　best　man；　ing　up　the　garden　path　most　elegant　in

cut…away　coat　and　white　slip　and　spats；　with　Ursula　laughing　on