American Tragedy 美国悲剧 chapter 18

The climax ¹ of the afternoon was reached, however, when after several more dances and drinks, the small riverand its possibilities was again brought to the attention of all by Hegglund, who, looking out of one of thewindows, suddenly exclaimed: "What's de matter wit de ice down dere? Look at de swell ² ice. I dare dis crowd togo down dere and slide."They were off pell-mell -- Ratterer and Tina Kogel, running hand in hand, Sparser ³ and Lucille Nickolas, withwhom he had just been dancing, Higby and Laura Sipe, whom he was finding interesting enough for a change,and Clyde and Hortense. But once on the ice, which was nothing more than a narrow, winding ⁴ stream, blownclean in places by the wind, and curving among thickets ⁶ of leafless trees, the company were more like youngsatyrs and nymphs of an older day. They ran here and there, slipping and sliding -- Higby, Lucille and Maidaimmediately falling down, but scrambling ⁷ to their feet with bursts of laughter., ,And Hortense, aided by Clyde at first, minced ⁸ here and there. But soon she began to run and slide, squealing ⁹ inpretended fear. And now, not only Sparser but Higby, and this in spite of Clyde, began to show Hortense attention. They joined her in sliding, ran after her and pretended to try to trip her up, but caught her as she fell., ,And Sparser, taking her by the hand, dragged her, seemingly in spite of herself and the others, far upstream and about a curve where they could not be seen. Determined ¹¹ not to show further watchfulness ¹² or jealousy ¹³ Clyderemained behind. But he could not help feeling that Sparser might be taking this occasion to make a date, even to kiss her. She was not incapable ¹⁴ of letting him, even though she might pretend to him that she did not want himto. It was agonizing ¹⁵., , ,And Higby and Laura Sipe were about to make up the tail when Sparser and Hortense came gliding ¹⁷ back -- he holding her by the hand. And they now tacked ¹⁸ on at the foot. Then Hegglund and the others began running and doubling back and forth ¹⁹ until all beyond Maida had fallen and let go. And, as Clyde noted ²⁰, Hortense and Sparser,in falling, skidded ²¹ and rolled against each other to the edge of the shore where were snow and leaves and twigs ²²., ,And Hortense's skirts, becoming awry ²³ in some way, moved up to above her knees. But instead of showing any embarrassment ²⁴, as Clyde thought and wished she might, she sat there for a few moments without shame and even laughing heartily ²⁵ -- and Sparser with her and still holding her hand. And Laura Sipe, having fallen in such a wayas to trip Higby, who had fallen across her, they also lay there laughing and yet in a most suggestive position, asClyde thought. He noted, too, that Laura Sipe's skirts had been worked above her knees. And Sparser, now sitting up, was pointing to her pretty legs and laughing loudly, showing most of his teeth. And all the others wereemitting peals ²⁶ and squeals ²⁷ of laughter., ,His quarrel with his father brought matters to a climax.他与他父亲的争吵使得事态发展到了顶点。,The waves had taken on a deep swell.海浪汹涌 。