绿里奇迹(英文版)-第42章

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still　mornings　back　then；　cruising　down　through　the　misty　cuts　with　their　wings　stiffly　spread。　
Outside；　the　wind　gusted　hard　enough　to　give　the　house　a　second　shake　…　and　that　was　strange；　you　know；　because　until　then　there　had　been　no　wind　to　speak　of　at　all。　
John　Coffey　pulled　away　from　her；　and　I　saw　that　her　face　had　smoothed　out。　The　right　side　of　her　mouth　no　longer　drooped。　Her　eyes　had　regained　their　normal　shape；　and　she　looked　ten　years　younger。　He　regarded　her　raptly　for　a　moment　or　two；　and　then　he　began　to　cough。　He　turned　his　head　so　as　not　to　cough　in　her　face；　lost　his　balance　（which　wasn't　hard；　big　as　he　was；　he'd　been　sitting　with　his　butt　halfway　off　the　side　of　the　bed　to　start　with）；　and　went　down　onto　the　floor。　There　was　enough　of　him　to　give　the　house　a　third　shake。　He　landed　on　his　knees　and　hung　his　head　over；　coughing　like　a　man　in　the　last　stages　of　TB。　
I　thought；　Now　the　bugs。　He's　going　to　cough　them　out；　and　what　a　lot　there'll　be　this　time。　
But　he　didn't。　He　only　went　on　coughing　in　deep　retching　barks；　hardly　finding　time　between　fits　to　snatch　in　the　next　breath　of　air。　His　dark；　chocolatey　skin　was　graying　out。　Alarmed；　Brutal　went　to　him；　dropped　to　one　knee　beside　him；　and　put　an　arm　across　his　broad；　spasming　back。　As　if　Brutal's　moving　had　broken　a　spell；　Moores　went　to　his　wife's　bed　and　sat　where　Coffey　had　sat。　He　hardly　seemed　to　register　the　coughing；　choking　giant's　presence　at　all。　Although　Coffey　was　kneeling　at　his　very　feet；　Moores　had　eyes　only　for　his　wife；　who　was　gazing　at　him　with　amazement。　Looking　at　her　was　like　looking　at　a　dirty　mirror　which　has　been　wiped　clean。　
〃John！〃　Brutal　shouted。　〃Sick　it　up！　Sick　it　up　like　you　done　before！〃　
John　went　on　barking　those　choked　coughs。　His　eyes　were　wet；　not　with　tears　but　with　strain。　Spit　flew　from　his　mouth　in　a　fine　spray；　but　nothing　else　came　out。　
Brutal　whammed　him　on　the　back　a　couple　of　times；　then　looked　around　at　me。　〃He's　choking！　Whatever　he　sucked　out　of　her；　he's　choking　on　it！〃　
I　started　forward。　Before　I　got　two　steps；　John　knee…walked　away　from　me　and　into　the　corner　of　the　room；　still　coughing　harshly　and　dragging　for　each　breath。　He　laid　his　forehead　against　the　wallpaper　…　wild　red　roses　overspreading　a　garden　wall　…　and　made　a　gruesome　deep　hacking　sound；　as　if　he　were　trying　to　vomit　up　the　lining　of　his　own　throat。　That'll　bring　the　bugs　if　anything　can；　I　remember　thinking；　but　there　was　no　sign　of　them。　All　the　same；　his　coughing　fit　seemed　to　ease　a　little。　
〃I'm　all　right；　boss；〃　he　said；　still　leaning　with　his　forehead　against　the　wild　roses。　His　eyes　remained　closed。　I'm　not　sure　how　he　knew　I　was　there；　but　he　clearly　did。　〃Honest　I　am。　See　to　the　lady。〃　
I　looked　at　him　doubtfully；　then　turned　to　the　bed。　Hal　was　stroking　Melly's　brow；　and　I　saw　an　amazing　thing　above　it：　some　of　her　hair　…　not　very　much；　but　some　…　had　gone　back　to　black。　
〃What's　happened？〃　she　asked　him。　As　I　watched；　color　began　to　blush　into　her　cheeks。　It　was　as　if　she　had　stolen　a　couple　of　roses　right　out　of　the　wallpaper。　〃How　did　I　get　here？　We　were　going　to　the　hospital　up　in　Indianola；　weren't　we？　A　doctor　was　going　to　shoot　X…rays　into　my　head　and　take　pictures　of　my　brain。〃　
〃Shhh；〃　Hal　said。　〃Shhh；　dearie；　none　of　that　matters　now。〃　
〃But　I　don't　understand！〃　she　nearly　wailed；　〃We　stopped　at　a　roadside　stand　。。。　you　bought　me　a　dime　packet　of　posies　。。。　and　then　。。。　I'm　here。　It's　dark！　Have　you　had　your　supper；　Hal？　Why　am　I　in　the　guest　room？　Did　I　have　the　X…ray？〃　Her　eyes　moved　across　Harry　almost　without　seeing　him　…　that　was　shock；　I　imagine　…　and　fixed　on　me。　〃Paul？　Did　I　have　the　X…ray？〃　
〃Yes；〃　I　said。　〃It　was　clear。〃　
〃They　didn't　find　a　tumor？〃　
〃No；〃　I　said。　〃They　say　the　headaches　will　likely　stop　now。〃　
Beside　her；　Hal　burst　into　tears。　
She　sat　forward　and　kissed　his　temple。　Then　her　eyes　moved　to　the　er。　〃Who　is　that　Negro　man？　Why　is　he　in　the　corner？〃　
I　turned　and　saw　John　trying　to　get　up　on　his　feet。　Brutal　helped　him　and　John　made　it　with　a　final　lunge。　He　stood　facing　the　wall；　though；　like　a　child　who　has　been　bad。　He　was　still　coughing　in　spasms；　but　these　seemed　to　be　weakening　now。　
〃John；〃　I　said。　〃Turn　around；　big　boy；　and　see　this　lady。〃　
He　slowly　turned。　His　face　was　still　the　color　of　ashes；　and　he　looked　ten　years　older；　like　a　once　powerful　man　at　last　losing　a　long　battle　with　consumption。　His　eyes　were　cast　down　on　his　prison　slippers；　and　he　looked　as　if　he　wished　for　a　hat　to　wring。　
〃Who　are　you？〃　she　asked　again。　〃What's　your　name？〃　
〃John　Coffey；　ma'am；〃　he　said；　to　which　she　immediately　replied；　〃But　not　spelled　like　the　drink。〃　
Hal　started　beside　her。　She　felt　it；　and　patted　his　hand　reassuringly　without　taking　her　eyes　from　the　black　man。　
〃I　dreamed　of　you；〃　she　said　in　a　soft；　wondering　voice。　〃I　dreamed　you　were　wandering　in　the　dark；　and　so　was　I。　We　found　each　other。〃　
John　Coffey　said　nothing。　
〃We　found　each　other　in　the　dark；〃　she　said。　〃Stand　up；　Hal；　you're　pinning　me　in　here。〃　
He　got　up　and　watched　with　disbelief　as　she　turned　back　the　counterpane。　〃Melly；　you　can't…〃　
〃Don't　be　silly；〃　she　said；　and　swung　her　legs　out。　〃Of　course　I　can。〃　She　smoothed　her　nightgown；　stretched；　then　got　to　her　feet。　
〃My　God；〃　Hal　whispered。　〃My　dear　God　in　heaven；　look　at　her。〃　
She　went　to　John　Coffey。　Brutal　stood　away　from　her；　an　awed　expression　on　his　face。　She　limped　with　the　first　step；　did　no　more　than　favor　her　right　leg　a　bit　with　the　second；　and　then　even　that　was　gone。　I　remembered　Brutal　handing　the　colored　spool　to　Delacroix　and　saying；　〃Toss　it　…　I　want　to　see　how　he　runs。〃　Mr。　Jingles　had　limped　then；　but　on　the　next　night；　the　night　Del　walked　the　Mile；　he　had　been　fine。　
Melly　put　her　arms　around　John　and　hugged　him。　Coffey　stood　there　for　a　moment；　letting　himself　be　hugged；　and　then　he　raised　one　hand　and　stroked　the　top　of　her　head。　This　he　did　with　infinite　gentleness。　His　face　was　still　gray。　I　thought　he　looked　dreadfully　sick。　
She　stood　away　from　him；　her　face　turned　up　to　his。　〃Thank　you。〃　
〃Right　wele；　ma'am。〃　
She　turned　to　Hal　and　walked　back　to　him。　He　put　his　arms　around　her。　
〃Paul…〃　It　was　Harry。　He　held　his　right　wrist　out　to　me　and　tapped　the　face　of　his　watch。　It　was　pressing　on　to　three　o'clock。　Light　would　start　showing　by　four…thirty。　If　we　wanted　to　get　Coffey　back　to　Cold　Mountain　before　that　happened；　we　would　have　to　go　soon。　And　I　wanted　to　get　him　back。　Partly　because　the　longer　this　went　on　the　worse　our　chances　of　getting　away　with　it　became；　yes；　of　course。　But　I　also　wanted　John　in　a　place　where　I　could　legitimately　call　a　doctor　for　him；　if　the　need　arose。　Looking　at　him；　I　thought　it　might。　
The　Mooreses　were　sitting　on　the　edge　of　the　bed；　arms　around　each　other。　I　thought　of　asking　Hal　out　into　the　living　room　for　a　private　word；　then　realized　I　could　ask　until　the　cows　came　home　and　he　wouldn't　budge　from　where　he　was　right　then。　He　might　be　able　to　take　his　eyes　off　her　…　for　a　few　seconds；　at　least　…　by　the　time　the　sun　came　up；　but　not　now。　
〃Hal；〃　I　said。　〃We　have　to　go　now。〃　
He　nodded；　not　looking　at　me。　He　was　studying　the　color　in　his　wife's　cheeks；　the　natural　unstrained　curve　of　his　wife's　lips；　the　new　black　in　his　wife's　hair。　
I　tapped　him　on　the　shoulder；　hard　enough　to　get　his　attention　for　a　moment；　at　least。　
〃Hal；　we　never　came　here。〃　
〃What　…　？〃　
〃We　never　came　here；〃　I　said。　〃Later　on　we'll　talk；　but　for　now　that's　all　you　need　to　know。　We　were　never　here。…〃　
〃Yes；　all　right　He　forced　himself　to　focus　on　me　for　a　moment；　with　what　was　clearly　an　effort。　〃You　got　him　out。　Can　you　get　him　back　in？〃　
〃I　think　so。　Maybe。　But　we　need　to　go。〃　
〃How　did　you　know　he　could　do　this？〃　Then　he　shook　his　head；　as　if　realizing　for　himself　that　this　wasn't　the　time。　〃Paul　。。。　thank　you。〃　
〃Don't　thank　me；〃　I　said。　〃Thank　John。〃　
He　looked　at　John　Coffey；　then　put　out　one　hand　…　just　as　I　had　done　on　the　day　Harry　and　Percy　escorted　John　onto　the　block。　〃Thank　you。　Thank　you　so　much。〃　
John　looked　at　the　hand。　Brutal　threw　a　none…too…subtle　elbow　into　his　side。　John　started；　then　took　the　hand　and　gave　it　a　shake。　Up；　down；　back　to　center；　release。　〃Wele；〃　he　said　in　a　hoarse　voice。　It　sounded　to　me　like　Melly's　when　she　had　clapped　her　hands　and　told　John　to　pull　down　his　pants。　〃Wele；〃　he　said　to　the　man　who　would；　in　the　ordinary　course　of　things；　grasp　a　pen　with　that　hand　and　then　sign　John　Coffey's　execution　order　with　it。　
Harry　tapped　the　face　of　his　watch；　more　urgently　this　time。　
〃Brute？〃　I　said。　〃Ready？〃　
〃Hello；　Brutus；〃　Melinda　said　in　a　cheerful　voice；　as　if　noticing　him　for　the　first　time。　〃It's　good　to　see　you。　Would　you　gentlemen　like　tea？　Would　you；　Hal？　I　could　make　it。〃　She　got　up　again。　〃I've　been　ill；　but　I　feel　fine　now。　Better　than　I　have　in　years。〃　
〃Thank　you；　Missus　Moores；　but　we　have　to　go；〃　Brutal　said。　〃It's　past　John's　bedtime。〃　He　smiled　to　show　it　was　a　joke；　but　the　look　he　gave　John　was　as　anxious　as　I　felt。　
〃Well　。。。　if　you're　sure　
〃Yes；　ma'am。　e　on；　John　Coffey。〃　He　tugged　John's　arm　to　get　him　going；　and　John　went。　
〃Just　a　minute！〃　Melinda　shook　free　of　Hal's　hand　and　ran　as　lightly　as　a　girl　to　where　John　stood。　She　put　her　arms　around　him　and　gave　him　another　hug。　Then　she　reached　around　to　the　nape　of　her　neck　and　pulled　a　fine…link　chain　out　of　her　bodice。　At　the　end　of　it　was　a　silver　medallion。　She　held　it　out　to　John；　who　looked　at　it　unprehendingly。　
〃It's　St。　Christopher；〃　she　said。　〃I　want　you　to　have　it；　Mr。　Coffey；　and　wear　it。　He'll　keep　you　safe。　Please　wear　it。　For　me。〃　
John　looked　at　me；　troubled；　and　I　looked　at　Hal；　who　first　spread　his　hands　and　then　nodded。　
〃Take　it；　John；〃　I　said。　〃It's　a　present。〃　
John　took　it；　slipped　the　chain　around　his　bullneck；　and　dropped　the　St。　Christopher　medallion　into　the　front　of　his　shirt。　He　had　pletely　stopped　coughing　now；　but　I　thought　he　looked　grayer　and　sicker　than　ever。　
〃Thank　you；　ma'am；〃　he　said。　
〃No；〃　she　replied。　〃Thank　you。　Thank　you；　John　Coffey。〃　
9。　
I　rode　up　in　the　cab　with　Harry　going　back；　and　was　damned　glad　to　be　there。　The　heater　was　broken；　but　we　were　out　of　the　open　air；　at　least。　We　had　gone　about　ten　miles　when　Harry　spotted　a　little　turnout　and　veered　the　truck　into　it。　
〃What　is　it？〃　I　asked。　〃Is　it　a　bearing？〃　To　my　mind；　the　problem　could　have　been　that　or　anything；　every　ponent　of　the　Farmall's　engine　and　transmission　sounded　on　the　verge　of　going　cataclysmically　wrong　or　giving　up　the　ghost　entirely。　
〃Nope；〃　Harry　said；　sounding　apologetic。　〃I　got　to　take　a　leak；　is　all。　My　back　teeth　are　floatin。〃　
It　turned　out　that　we　all　did；　except　for　John。　When　Brutal　asked　if　he　wouldn't　like　to　step　down　and　help　us　water　the　bushes；　he　just　shook　his　head　without　looking　up。　He　was　leaning　against　the　back　of　the　cab　and　wearing　one　of　the　Army　blankets　over　his　shoulders　like　a　serape。　I　couldn't　get　any　kind　of　read　on　his　plexion；　but　I　could　hear　his　breathing　…　dry　and　raspy；　like　wind　blowing　through　straw。　I　didn't　like　it。　
I　walked　into　a　clump　of　willows；　unbuttoned；　and　let　go。　I　was　still　dose　enough　to　my　urinary　infection　so　that　the　body's　amnesia　had　not　taken　full　hold；　and　I　could　be　grateful　simply　to　be　able　to　pee　without　needing　to　scream。　I　stood　there；　emptying　out　and　looking　up　at　the　moon；　I　was　hardly　aware　of　Brutal　standing　next　to　me　and　doing　the　same　thing　until　he　said　in　a　low　voice；　〃Hell　never　sit　in　Old　Sparky。〃　
I　looked　around　at　him；　surprised　and　a　little　frightened　by　the　low　certainty　in　his　tone。　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　
〃I　mean　he　swallered　that　stuff　instead　of　spitting　out　like　he　done　before　for　a　reason。　It　might　take　a　week…he's　awful　big　and　strong　…　but　I　bet　it's　quicker。　One　of　us'll　do　a　check…tour　and　there　he'll　be；　lying　dead　as　stone　on　his　bunk。〃　
I'd　thought　I　was　done　peeing；　but　at　that　a　little　shiver　twisted　up　my　back　and　a　little　more　squirted　out。　As　I　rebuttoned　my　fly；　I　thought　that　what　Brutal　was　saying　made　perfect　sense。　And　I　hoped；　all　in　all；　that　he　was　right。　John　Coffey　didn't　deserve　to　die　at　all；　if　I　was　right　in　my　reasoning　about　the　Detterick　girls；　but　if　he　did　die；　I　didn't　want　it　to　be　by　my　hand。　I　wasn't　sure　I　could　lift　my　hand　to　do　it；　if　it　came　to　that。　
〃e　on；〃　Harry　murmured　out　of　the　dark。　〃It's　gettin　late。　Let's　get　this　done。〃　
As　we　walked　back　to　the　truck；　I　realized　we　had　left　John　entirely　alone　…　stupidity　on　the　Percy　Wetmore　level。　I　thought　that　he　would　be　gone；　that　he'd　spat　out　the　bugs　as　soon　as　he　saw　he　was　unguarded；　and　had　then　just　lit　out　for　the　territories；　like　Huck　and　Jim　on　the　Big　Muddy。　All　we　would　find　was　the　blanket　he　had　been　wearing　around　his　shoulders。　
But　he　was　there；　still　sitting　with　his　back　against　the　cab　and　his　forearms　propped　on　his　knees。　He　looked　up　at　the　sound　of　our　approach　and　tried　to　give　us　a　smile。　It　hung　there　for　a　moment　on　his　haggard　face　and　then　slipped　off。　
〃How　you　doing；　Big　John？〃　Brutal　asked；　climbing　into　the　back　of　the　truck　again　and　retrieving　his　own　blanket。　
〃Fine；　boss；〃　John　said　listlessly。　〃I's　fine。〃　
Brutal　patted　his　knee。　〃We'll　be　back　soon。　And　when　we　get　squa