gs.earthabides-第42部分
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e stiffness of old age in his legs。 Getting the dogs together and making everything ready always took some time。 At moments like these； Ish regretted that horse…taming had e to be a lost art。 There were no wild horses left in the immediate vicinity； but he was sure that they could find plenty of them farther east in the open plains country of die San Joaquin Valley。 But the trouble really was that all three men had been city…people who were used to driving automobiles； not one of them really knew； anything about horse…keeping or horse…managing； and so they had never made the effort to keep horses。 Actually； the dogs were in many ways more convenient because they demanded little care； and fed on the less choice cuts of the many cattle which could be killed easily in the surrounding country。 But to have horses； you would have had to see that they were kept on good pasture； and protected from wolves and lions。 So on the whole； now that automobiles were difficult to keep running； the dog…teams were probably the simplest answer to their modest requirements for transportation； and George was very happy to make the little wagons and keep them in repair。 It had taken Ish years to get over the feeling； when he was driving in one of the wagons behind four dogs； that he was acting in some kind of ridiculous pageant； and made a ludicrous spectacle。 But； of course； no one else felt the same； and he had gradually e to accept the situation。 After all； people had thought it natural to have dogs pull sleds。 Why not wagons？
They left the dog…teams at the foot of the final slope； and climbed up along the old path； breaking their way through thick blackberry bushes。 They stood at the edge of the reservoir； and looked across its empty expanse。 There was a little skim of water in two or three low spots； but the outlet…pipe stood up into the air。 They took a long look； and it was Ezra who spoke at last：
〃That's that！〃
They discussed the possibilities a little； but without much interest or conviction。 They were already half way through the rainy season； so that there was little possibility that rainfall would put water into the reservoir again。 They went down the path； picked up the dog…teams； and started home。
As they neared the houses； the dogs began to bark； and the house…dogs barked back at them。 Everyone had time to assemble at Ish's house to hear the news。 When they had heard it； the older people looked so glum that the children caught the infection； and one little fellow； who was probably too young to understand anything actually； began to cry。 In the babble of conversation it soon became evident that no one was much worried about actual thirst； but that the women were greatly concerned that the toilets would no longer work。 They did not mind this one day； but it was the thought that they would never work again！ It seemed that all life had taken a step backward。
Only Maurine accepted the situation philosophically。 〃I growed up my first eighteen years on the old farm in South Dakota；〃 she said。 〃I run out to the outhouse； all kinds of weather； and I never seen a flusher except maybe when we was in town on Saturdays。 That was one of the things I liked best when pappy piled us into the old Chevy and we went to California。 But I always felt it wouldn't last； and I'd end up； a…runnin' out in all weathers； way I began。 Rushers was nice。 But it's all over now； and I say； 'Thank the good Lord the weather ain't so cold here as in South Dakota。'〃
The older men were more concerned with the problem of drinking…water。 At first； like the confirmed city…dwellers that they had been； they thought in terms of finding where supplies of bottled water had been left in the stores and warehouses。 But soon they saw that even in the approaching dry season； there could be no real lack of water。 In spite of the long rainless summer； the area was not a desert； and the little streams in the gullies； though no one had ever paid much attention to them； must actually be supplying the water for all the cattle and the other animals which wandered in the region。
Just at this point； a distinction between the older generation and the younger began to show itself。 Ish； in spite of having been a geographer； could not have told off…hand where there was a single spring or dependable stream in the neighborhood； although he could still locate positions by names of streets and intersections。 The youngsters； on the other hand； could quickly tell him where there was a stream of running water at this season of the year； or where there would be pools of water； or where there were springs。 They could not locate these places by reference to streets； but they could tell in general where they were； and could go to them without hesitation。 Ish suddenly found himself being instructed by his own son Walt； who assured him that at this season of year there would be running water in a little gully which Ish had scarcely ever noticed because it flowed through under San Lupo Drive by means of a storm drain。
Before long； the original consternation changed to a kind of warm excitement。 Some of the youngsters were sent off with the dog…teams and some five…gallon cans to bring back water from the nearest spring。 The older ones began to dig holes vigorously； and to set up outhouses。
The enthusiasm lasted for several hours； and resulted in a noticeable amount of work。 Steady pick…and…shovel labor； however； was something to which no one was accustomed； and by noon there was widespread plaint about blisters and weariness。 When they separated for lunch； Ish suddenly became aware that no one was ing back for work。 It was amazing how many important matters seemed to be planned for that afternoon…such as going fishing； and wiping out an ugly…acting bull who might prove dangerous； and shooting a mess of quail for dinner。 Besides； by now the enthusiastic youngsters had brought in a supply of water which was plentiful for all immediate needs of drinking and cooking。 The difference between having a small water…supply and no water at all was tremendous； psychologically。 A five…gallon can sitting in the kitchen…sink took away all sense of strain。
After lunch Ish again relaxed with a cigarette。 He was not going to go out and dig by himself。 As the story…books told things； this would have been setting a noble example。 Practically； it would make him look ridiculous。
Little Joey came； and stood nervously for a moment on his left foot with his right leg bent at the knee； and then reversed。 〃What's the matter； Joey？〃 said Ish。
〃Don't we want to go out and work some more？〃
〃No； Joey。 Not this afternoon。〃
Joey continued balancing； letting his gaze wander around the room and then e back to his father。
〃Go along； Joey；〃 said Ish gently。 〃Everything's fine！ We'll have the lesson at the regular time。〃
Joey went off； but Ish was touched； even if a little humiliated； by the wordless sympathy which his youngest son was offering。 Joey scarcely could understand the larger issues； but his quick mind had sensed that his father was unhappy； even though there had been no argument between him and the others。 Yes； Joey was the one！
Since that idea had first e to Ish on New Years Day； he had been pressing the lessons； and Joey had been absorbing them eagerly。 There was even danger that he might turn out to be a learned pedant。 He showed little ability at leadership among the other children； and sometimes Ish had begun to doubt。
This small incident just now； for instance！ It might show intelligence and thought for the future； and it might show a tendency to escape from contacts with those of his own age； who were better at games than he； and to seek security in the presence of his father； by whom he felt himself appreciated。 Ish hoped that the other children did not feel how strongly Joey had bee his favorite。 It was not right for a father to play favorites； but this situation had arisen suddenly and involuntarily； that New Years Day。
〃Oh；〃 he thought； 〃don't worry about it！〃 And suddenly he felt as if he were explaining it all to Em。 〃There on New Years Day； I was suddenly sure that Joey was the Chosen One。 Now of course it's all blurred。 Maybe this is only the feeling a father gets for a small son。 Later we may squabble； just the way I do with Walt now。 Yet； I hope！ The other boys were never like this…bright； I mean； lightning…quick at lessons。 I don't know。 I wish I knew。 I'll keep on trying。〃
Then； as he lit another cigarette； he was suddenly angry。 He himself had not been so very bright！ He had missed the opportunity。 During the years he had been saying； 〃Something is going to happen！〃 It had not happened； and they had smiled at him for a gloomy and not…to…be…regarded prophet。 Now this morning it had happened！ It had been a shock！ He could remember the scared faces when he and Ezra and George had first e back with the news。 Then was the time to have made his I…told…you…so speech。 He should have rubbed it in。 He should have painted the future with disaster。 That might have got something done。
As it was…perhaps he himself had been a little scared at the moment…everyone had made as light as possible of the matter； searched for the
