The Buyer from Cactus City

It is well that hay fever and colds do not obtain in the healthful vicinity of Cactus City, Texas, for the dry goods emporium of Navarro & Platt, situated there, is not to be sneezed at.

Untunglah demam alergi dan flu tak terjadi di lingkungan yang sehat di Cactus City, Texas, sebab toko serba ada Navarro & Platt yang berlokasi di sana, bukanlah sesuatu yang bisa dipandang remeh.

Twenty thousand people in Cactus City scatter their silver coin with liberal hands for the things that their hearts desire. The bulk of this semiprecious metal goes to Navarro & Platt. Their huge brick building covers enough ground to graze a dozen head of sheep. You can buy of them a rattlesnake-skin necktie, an automobile or an eighty-five dollar, latest style, ladies’ tan coat in twenty different shades. Navarro & Platt first introduced pennies west of the Colorado River. They had been ranchmen with business heads, who saw that the world did not necessarily have to cease its revolutions after free grass went out.

Dua puluh ribu penduduk Cactus City menghamburkan koin perak mereka dengan tangan yang murah hati untuk hal-hal yang diinginkan hati mereka. Sebagian besar logam setengah berharga ini mengalir ke Navarro & Platt. Bangunan bata besar mereka menutupi tanah yang cukup luas untuk menggembalakan selusin ekor domba. Kau bisa membeli dari mereka sebuah dasi kulit ular derik, sebuah mobil, atau sebuah mantel wanita cokelat muda gaya terbaru seharga delapan puluh lima dolar dalam dua puluh corak berbeda. Navarro & Platt adalah yang pertama memperkenalkan uang receh di sebelah barat Sungai Colorado. Mereka dulunya peternak dengan kepala bisnis, yang melihat bahwa dunia tak harus berhenti berputar setelah padang rumput gratis lenyap.

Every Spring, Navarro, senior partner, fifty-five, half Spanish, cosmopolitan, able, polished, had “gone on” to New York to buy goods. This year he shied at taking up the long trail. He was undoubtedly growing older; and he looked at his watch several times a day before the hour came for his siesta.

Setiap musim semi, Navarro, mitra senior, lima puluh lima tahun, setengah Spanyol, kosmopolitan, cakap, terpelajar, telah “berangkat” ke New York untuk membeli barang. Tahun ini ia enggan menempuh perjalanan panjang itu. Ia tak diragukan lagi semakin menua; dan ia melihat jam tangannya beberapa kali sehari sebelum tiba waktu untuk tidur siangnya.

“John,” he said, to his junior partner, “you shall go on this year to buy the goods.”

“John,” katanya kepada mitra juniornya, “tahun ini kau yang akan berangkat untuk membeli barang.”

Platt looked tired.

Platt tampak lelah.

“I’m told,” said he, “that New York is a plumb dead town; but I’ll go. I can take a whirl in San Antone for a few days on my way and have some fun.”

“Kudengar,” katanya, “New York itu kota yang benar-benar mati; tapi aku akan pergi. Aku bisa mampir dulu di San Antone selama beberapa hari dalam perjalanan dan bersenang-senang.”

Two weeks later a man in a Texas full dress suit—black frock coat, broad-brimmed soft white hat, and lay-down collar 3-4 inch high, with black, wrought iron necktie—entered the wholesale cloak and suit establishment of Zizzbaum & Son, on lower Broadway.

Dua minggu kemudian seorang pria berpakaian resmi khas Texas—jas hitam panjang, topi lembut putih berpinggir lebar, dan kerah rebah setinggi 3-4 inci, dengan dasi hitam berbentuk besi tempa—memasuki toko grosir mantel dan setelan Zizzbaum & Son, di Broadway bagian bawah.

Old Zizzbaum had the eye of an osprey, the memory of an elephant and a mind that unfolded from him in three movements like the puzzle of the carpenter’s rule. He rolled to the front like a brunette polar bear, and shook Platt’s hand.

Zizzbaum tua memiliki mata seekor elang laut, ingatan seekor gajah, dan pikiran yang terbuka darinya dalam tiga gerakan seperti teka-teki penggaris lipat tukang kayu. Ia menggelinding ke depan seperti seekor beruang kutub berbulu gelap, dan menjabat tangan Platt.

“And how is the good Mr. Navarro in Texas?” he said. “The trip was too long for him this year, so? We welcome Mr. Platt instead.”

“Dan bagaimana kabar Tuan Navarro yang baik di Texas?” katanya. “Perjalanan terlalu jauh baginya tahun ini, begitu? Kami menyambut Tuan Platt sebagai gantinya.”

“A bull’s eye,” said Platt, “and I’d give forty acres of unirrigated Pecos County land to know how you did it.”

“Tepat sekali,” kata Platt, “dan aku akan menyerahkan empat puluh ekar tanah tak berpengairan di Pecos County untuk tahu bagaimana kau bisa tahu itu.”

“I knew,” grinned Zizzbaum, “just as I know that the rainfall in El Paso for the year was 28.5 inches, or an increase of 15 inches, and that therefore Navarro & Platt will buy a $15,000 stock of suits this spring instead of $10,000, as in a dry year. But that will be to-morrow. There is first a cigar in my private office that will remove from your mouth the taste of the ones you smuggle across the Rio Grande and like—because they are smuggled.”

“Aku tahu,” Zizzbaum menyeringai, “sama seperti aku tahu bahwa curah hujan di El Paso tahun ini adalah 28,5 inci, atau kenaikan 15 inci, dan bahwa karena itu Navarro & Platt akan membeli stok setelan senilai $15.000 musim semi ini, bukan $10.000, seperti pada tahun kering. Tapi itu urusan besok. Ada dulu sebatang cerutu di kantor pribadiku yang akan menghilangkan dari mulutmu rasa dari cerutu yang kau selundupkan melintasi Rio Grande dan kausukai—karena itu diselundupkan.”

It was late in the afternoon and business for the day had ended, Zizzbaum left Platt with a half-smoked cigar, and came out of the private office to Son, who was arranging his diamond scarfpin before a mirror, ready to leave.

Hari sudah sore dan urusan bisnis hari itu telah berakhir, Zizzbaum meninggalkan Platt dengan cerutu yang setengah terbakar, dan keluar dari kantor pribadinya menuju putranya, yang sedang merapikan peniti dasi berliannya di depan cermin, siap untuk pergi.

“Abey,” he said, “you will have to take Mr. Platt around to-night and show him things. They are customers for ten years. Mr. Navarro and I we played chess every moment of spare time when he came. That is good, but Mr. Platt is a young man and this is his first visit to New York. He should amuse easily.”

“Abey,” katanya, “kau harus mengajak Tuan Platt keliling malam ini dan menunjukkan hal-hal padanya. Mereka pelanggan selama sepuluh tahun. Tuan Navarro dan aku, kami bermain catur setiap waktu luang saat ia datang. Itu bagus, tapi Tuan Platt masih muda dan ini kunjungan pertamanya ke New York. Ia harus mudah terhibur.”

“All right,” said Abey, screwing the guard tightly on his pin. “I’ll take him on. After he’s seen the Flatiron and the head waiter at the Hotel Astor and heard the phonograph play ‘Under the Old Apple Tree’ it’ll be half past ten, and Mr. Texas will be ready to roll up in his blanket. I’ve got a supper engagement at 11:30, but he’ll be all to the Mrs. Winslow before then.”

“Baiklah,” kata Abey, memutar pengaman pada peniti dasinya dengan kencang. “Aku yang urus dia. Setelah ia melihat Flatiron dan kepala pelayan di Hotel Astor dan mendengar gramofon memainkan ‘Under the Old Apple Tree,’ akan jadi pukul setengah sebelas, dan Tuan Texas akan siap menggulung diri dalam selimutnya. Aku ada janji makan malam pukul 11:30, tapi dia pasti sudah tertidur pulas sebelum itu.”

The next morning at 10 Platt walked into the store ready to do business. He had a bunch of hyacinths pinned on his lapel. Zizzbaum himself waited on him. Navarro & Platt were good customers, and never failed to take their discount for cash.

Keesokan paginya pukul 10, Platt masuk ke toko itu siap untuk berbisnis. Ia mengenakan seikat bunga eceng gondok tersemat di kerah jasnya. Zizzbaum sendiri yang melayaninya. Navarro & Platt adalah pelanggan yang baik, dan tak pernah gagal mengambil diskon untuk pembayaran tunai.

“And what did you think of our little town?” asked Zizzbaum, with the fatuous smile of the Manhattanite.

“Dan bagaimana pendapatmu tentang kota kecil kami?” tanya Zizzbaum, dengan senyum puas diri khas warga Manhattan.

“I shouldn’t care to live in it,” said the Texan. “Your son and I knocked around quite a little last night. You’ve got good water, but Cactus City is better lit up.”

“Aku tak berminat tinggal di sini,” kata orang Texas itu. “Putramu dan aku berkeliling cukup banyak semalam. Kalian punya air yang bagus, tapi Cactus City lebih terang lampunya.”

“We’ve got a few lights on Broadway, don’t you think, Mr. Platt?”

“Kami punya beberapa lampu di Broadway, bukankah begitu, Tuan Platt?”

“And a good many shadows,” said Platt. “I think I like your horses best. I haven’t seen a crow-bait since I’ve been in town.”

“Dan banyak sekali bayangan,” kata Platt. “Kurasa aku lebih suka kuda-kuda kalian. Aku belum melihat seekor kuda tua pun sejak aku di kota ini.”

Zizzbaum led him up stairs to show the samples of suits.

Zizzbaum membawanya naik ke atas untuk menunjukkan contoh-contoh setelan.

“Ask Miss Asher to come,” he said to a clerk.

“Panggil Nona Asher untuk datang,” katanya kepada seorang pegawai.

Miss Asher came, and Platt, of Navarro & Platt, felt for the first time the wonderful bright light of romance and glory descend upon him. He stood still as a granite cliff above the cañon of the Colorado, with his wide-open eyes fixed upon her. She noticed his look and flushed a little, which was contrary to her custom.

Nona Asher datang, dan Platt, dari Navarro & Platt, untuk pertama kalinya merasakan cahaya cemerlang romansa dan kemuliaan turun menaunginya. Ia berdiri diam seperti tebing granit di atas ngarai Colorado, dengan matanya yang terbuka lebar terpaku padanya. Ia menyadari tatapan Platt dan sedikit tersipu, yang bertentangan dengan kebiasaannya.

Miss Asher was the crack model of Zizzbaum & Son. She was of the blond type known as “medium,” and her measurements even went the required 38-25-42 standard a little better. She had been at Zizzbaum’s two years, and knew her business. Her eye was bright, but cool; and had she chosen to match her gaze against the optic of the famed basilisk, that fabulous monster’s gaze would have wavered and softened first. Incidentally, she knew buyers.

Nona Asher adalah model andalan Zizzbaum & Son. Ia berjenis pirang yang dikenal sebagai “sedang,” dan ukuran tubuhnya bahkan sedikit melampaui standar 38-25-42 yang disyaratkan. Ia telah bekerja di Zizzbaum selama dua tahun, dan menguasai pekerjaannya. Matanya cerah, tetapi dingin; dan andai ia memilih untuk mengadu tatapannya dengan mata basilisk yang termasyhur, tatapan monster fabel itu sendirilah yang akan goyah dan melunak lebih dulu. Kebetulan, ia mengenal betul para pembeli.

“Now, Mr. Platt,” said Zizzbaum, “I want you to see these princess gowns in the light shades. They will be the thing in your climate. This first, if you please, Miss Asher.”

“Nah, Tuan Platt,” kata Zizzbaum, “aku ingin kau melihat gaun-gaun putri ini dalam corak-corak terang. Ini akan cocok untuk iklimmu. Yang ini dulu, silakan, Nona Asher.”

Swiftly in and out of the dressing-room the prize model flew, each time wearing a new costume and looking more stunning with every change. She posed with absolute self-possession before the stricken buyer, who stood, tongue-tied and motionless, while Zizzbaum orated oilily of the styles. On the model’s face was her faint, impersonal professional smile that seemed to cover something like weariness or contempt.

Dengan cekatan, sang model andalan itu keluar masuk dari kamar ganti, setiap kali mengenakan busana baru dan tampak lebih memukau dengan setiap pergantian. Ia berpose dengan ketenangan diri yang mutlak di hadapan sang pembeli yang tercengang, yang berdiri, lidah kelu dan tak bergerak, sementara Zizzbaum berpidato dengan lancarnya tentang berbagai gaya. Di wajah sang model ada senyum profesional yang samar dan tak personal yang tampak menutupi sesuatu seperti kelelahan atau penghinaan.

When the display was over Platt seemed to hesitate. Zizzbaum was a little anxious, thinking that his customer might be inclined to try elsewhere. But Platt was only looking over in his mind the best building sites in Cactus City, trying to select one on which to build a house for his wife-to-be—who was just then in the dressing-room taking off an evening gown of lavender and tulle.

Ketika pertunjukan itu selesai, Platt tampak ragu-ragu. Zizzbaum sedikit cemas, mengira pelanggannya mungkin cenderung mencoba di tempat lain. Namun Platt hanya sedang meninjau dalam pikirannya lokasi-lokasi bangunan terbaik di Cactus City, mencoba memilih satu tempat untuk membangun rumah bagi calon istrinya—yang saat itu sedang berada di kamar ganti melepaskan sebuah gaun malam berwarna lavender dan tule.

“Take your time, Mr. Platt,” said Zizzbaum. “Think it over to-night. You won’t find anybody else meet our prices on goods like these. I’m afraid you’re having a dull time in New York, Mr. Platt. A young man like you—of course, you miss the society of the ladies. Wouldn’t you like a nice young lady to take out to dinner this evening? Miss Asher, now, is a very nice young lady; she will make it agreeable for you.”

“Ambil waktumu, Tuan Platt,” kata Zizzbaum. “Pikirkan malam ini. Kau takkan menemukan orang lain yang menyamai harga kami untuk barang seperti ini. Aku khawatir kau bosan di New York, Tuan Platt. Pemuda sepertimu—tentu saja, kau merindukan pergaulan dengan para wanita. Bukankah kau mau seorang wanita muda yang baik untuk kauajak makan malam malam ini? Nona Asher, misalnya, adalah wanita muda yang sangat baik; ia akan membuatnya menyenangkan untukmu.”

“Why, she doesn’t know me,” said Platt, wonderingly. “She doesn’t know anything about me. Would she go? I’m not acquainted with her.”

“Tapi, dia tak mengenalku,” kata Platt, keheranan. “Dia tak tahu apa pun tentangku. Apakah dia mau ikut? Aku tak kenal dengannya.”

“Would she go?” repeated Zizzbaum, with uplifted eyebrows. “Sure, she would go. I will introduce you. Sure, she would go.”

“Apakah ia mau ikut?” ulang Zizzbaum, dengan alis terangkat. “Tentu saja, ia mau ikut. Akan kuperkenalkan kalian. Tentu, ia mau ikut.”

He called Miss Asher loudly.

Ia memanggil Nona Asher dengan lantang.

She came, calm and slightly contemptuous, in her white shirt waist and plain black skirt.

Ia datang, tenang dan sedikit merendahkan, dalam blus putihnya dan rok hitam polos.

“Mr. Platt would like the pleasure of your company to dinner this evening,” said Zizzbaum, walking away.

“Tuan Platt ingin senang hati ditemani olehmu untuk makan malam nanti,” kata Zizzbaum, sambil berjalan pergi.

“Sure,” said Miss Asher, looking at the ceiling. “I’d be much pleased. Nine-eleven West Twentieth street. What time?”

“Tentu,” kata Nona Asher, menatap ke langit-langit. “Aku akan senang sekali. Sembilan sebelas Jalan Twentieth Barat. Jam berapa?”

“Say seven o’clock.”

“Katakanlah jam tujuh.”

“All right, but please don’t come ahead of time. I room with a school teacher, and she doesn’t allow any gentlemen to call in the room. There isn’t any parlor, so you’ll have to wait in the hall. I’ll be ready.”

“Baiklah, tapi tolong jangan datang lebih awal dari jam itu. Aku sekamar dengan seorang guru sekolah, dan dia tak mengizinkan pria mana pun berkunjung ke kamar itu. Tak ada ruang tamu, jadi kau harus menunggu di lorong. Aku akan siap.”

At half past seven Platt and Miss Asher sat at a table in a Broadway restaurant. She was dressed in a plain, filmy black. Platt didn’t know that it was all a part of her day’s work.

Pada pukul setengah delapan, Platt dan Nona Asher duduk di sebuah meja di sebuah restoran Broadway. Ia mengenakan gaun hitam tipis yang sederhana. Platt tak tahu bahwa itu semua adalah bagian dari pekerjaannya sehari-hari.

With the unobtrusive aid of a good waiter he managed to order a respectable dinner, minus the usual Broadway preliminaries.

Dengan bantuan tak mencolok dari seorang pelayan yang baik, ia berhasil memesan makan malam yang layak, tanpa basa-basi khas Broadway.

Miss Asher flashed upon him a dazzling smile.

Nona Asher melemparkan sebuah senyum yang memukau kepadanya.

“Mayn’t I have something to drink?” she asked.

“Bolehkah aku minta sesuatu untuk diminum?” tanyanya.

“Why, certainly,” said Platt. “Anything you want.”

“Wah, tentu saja,” kata Platt. “Apa saja yang kauinginkan.”

“A dry Martini,” she said to the waiter.

“Martini kering,” katanya kepada pelayan.

When it was brought and set before her Platt reached over and took it away.

Ketika minuman itu dibawa dan diletakkan di depannya, Platt mengulurkan tangan dan mengambilnya.

“What is this?” he asked.

“Apa ini?” tanyanya.

“A cocktail, of course.”

“Koktail, tentu saja.”

“I thought it was some kind of tea you ordered. This is liquor. You can’t drink this. What is your first name?”

“Kukira itu semacam teh yang kaupesan. Ini minuman keras. Kau tak boleh minum ini. Siapa nama depanmu?”

“To my intimate friends,” said Miss Asher, freezingly, “it is ‘Helen.’”

“Bagi teman-teman dekatku,” kata Nona Asher, dengan dingin, “namaku ‘Helen.’”

“Listen, Helen,” said Platt, leaning over the table. “For many years every time the spring flowers blossomed out on the prairies I got to thinking of somebody that I’d never seen or heard of. I knew it was you the minute I saw you yesterday. I’m going back home to-morrow, and you’re going with me. I know it, for I saw it in your eyes when you first looked at me. You needn’t kick, for you’ve got to fall into line. Here’s a little trick I picked out for you on my way over.”

“Dengar, Helen,” kata Platt, condong di atas meja. “Selama bertahun-tahun setiap kali bunga-bunga musim semi bermekaran di padang rumput, aku mulai memikirkan seseorang yang belum pernah kulihat atau kudengar. Aku tahu itu adalah kau begitu aku melihatmu kemarin. Aku akan pulang besok, dan kau ikut denganku. Aku tahu itu, sebab kulihat itu di matamu ketika kau pertama kali menatapku. Kau tak perlu menolak, sebab kau harus ikut sejalan. Ini sedikit kejutan yang kupilih untukmu dalam perjalananku ke sini.”

He flicked a two-carat diamond solitaire ring across the table. Miss Asher flipped it back to him with her fork.

Ia menyentilkan sebuah cincin solitaire berlian dua karat melintasi meja. Nona Asher menyentilkannya kembali kepadanya dengan garpunya.

“Don’t get fresh,” she said, severely.

“Jangan lancang,” katanya, dengan tegas.

“I’m worth a hundred thousand dollars,” said Platt. “I’ll build you the finest house in West Texas.”

“Aku bernilai seratus ribu dolar,” kata Platt. “Aku akan membangunkanmu rumah terbaik di Texas Barat.”

“You can’t buy me, Mr. Buyer,” said Miss Asher, “if you had a hundred million. I didn’t think I’d have to call you down. You didn’t look like the others to me at first, but I see you’re all alike.”

“Kau tak bisa membeliku, Tuan Pembeli,” kata Nona Asher, “sekalipun kau punya seratus juta dolar. Kukira aku tak perlu menegurmu. Kau tak tampak seperti yang lain bagiku pada awalnya, tapi kulihat kau sama saja dengan mereka.”

“All who?” asked Platt.

“Semua siapa?” tanya Platt.

“All you buyers. You think because we girls have to go out to dinner with you or lose our jobs that you’re privileged to say what you please. Well, forget it. I thought you were different from the others, but I see I was mistaken.”

“Kalian semua pembeli. Kalian pikir karena kami para gadis harus keluar makan malam denganmu atau kehilangan pekerjaan kami, kalian berhak mengatakan apa pun yang kalian mau. Nah, lupakan itu. Kukira kau berbeda dari yang lain, tapi kulihat aku salah.”

Platt struck his fingers on the table with a gesture of sudden, illuminating satisfaction.

Platt mengetuk jarinya di meja dengan gestur kepuasan yang tiba-tiba dan mencerahkan.

“I’ve got it!” he exclaimed, almost hilariously—“the Nicholson place, over on the north side. There’s a big grove of live oaks and a natural lake. The old house can be pulled down and the new one set further back.”

“Aku dapat idenya!” serunya, hampir dengan gembira—“tempat Nicholson, di sisi utara. Ada sebuah kebun besar pohon ek hidup dan sebuah danau alami. Rumah lama itu bisa dirobohkan dan yang baru dibangun lebih jauh ke belakang.”

“Put out your pipe,” said Miss Asher. “I’m sorry to wake you up, but you fellows might as well get wise, once for all, to where you stand. I’m supposed to go to dinner with you and help jolly you along so you’ll trade with old Zizzy, but don’t expect to find me in any of the suits you buy.”

“Padamkan pipamu itu,” kata Nona Asher. “Maaf membangunkanmu, tapi kalian orang-orang sebaiknya sadar, sekali untuk selamanya, di mana posisi kalian. Aku diharapkan makan malam denganmu dan membantu membuatmu senang agar kau berbisnis dengan Zizzy tua, tapi jangan berharap menemukanku di dalam setelan mana pun yang kaubeli.”

“Do you mean to tell me,” said Platt, “that you go out this way with customers, and they all—they all talk to you like I have?”

“Maksudmu,” kata Platt, “kau keluar seperti ini dengan para pelanggan, dan mereka semua—mereka semua bicara padamu seperti yang kulakukan?”

“They all make plays,” said Miss Asher. “But I must say that you’ve got ’em beat in one respect. They generally talk diamonds, while you’ve actually dug one up.”

“Mereka semua membuat rayuan,” kata Nona Asher. “Tapi harus kuakui kau mengalahkan mereka dalam satu hal. Mereka biasanya hanya bicara tentang berlian, sedangkan kau benar-benar menggali satu.”

“How long have you been working, Helen?”

“Sudah berapa lama kau bekerja, Helen?”

“Got my name pat, haven’t you? I’ve been supporting myself for eight years. I was a cash girl and a wrapper and then a shop girl until I was grown, and then I got to be a suit model. Mr. Texas Man, don’t you think a little wine would make this dinner a little less dry?”

“Sudah hafal namaku, ya? Aku sudah menghidupi diriku sendiri selama delapan tahun. Aku pernah jadi gadis kasir dan pembungkus lalu gadis toko sampai aku dewasa, dan kemudian aku jadi model setelan. Tuan Pria Texas, tidakkah menurutmu sedikit anggur akan membuat makan malam ini sedikit kurang membosankan?”

“You’re not going to drink wine any more, dear. It’s awful to think how— I’ll come to the store to-morrow and get you. I want you to pick out an automobile before we leave. That’s all we need to buy here.”

“Kau takkan minum anggur lagi, sayang. Mengerikan memikirkan betapa— Aku akan datang ke toko besok dan menjemputmu. Aku ingin kau memilih sebuah mobil sebelum kita berangkat. Itu saja yang perlu kita beli di sini.”

“Oh, cut that out. If you knew how sick I am of hearing such talk.”

“Oh, hentikan itu. Kalau kau tahu betapa muaknya aku mendengar omongan semacam itu.”

After the dinner they walked down Broadway and came upon Diana’s little wooded park. The trees caught Platt’s eye at once, and he must turn along under the winding walk beneath them. The lights shone upon two bright tears in the model’s eyes.

Setelah makan malam mereka berjalan menyusuri Broadway dan tiba di taman kecil berhutan milik Diana. Pepohonan itu langsung menarik perhatian Platt, dan ia harus berbelok menyusuri jalan berkelok di bawahnya. Cahaya lampu menyinari dua air mata cerah di mata sang model.

“I don’t like that,” said Platt. “What’s the matter?”

“Aku tak suka itu,” kata Platt. “Ada apa?”

“Don’t you mind,” said Miss Asher. “Well, it’s because—well, I didn’t think you were that kind when I first saw you. But you are all like. And now will you take me home, or will I have to call a cop?”

“Jangan pedulikan aku,” kata Nona Asher. “Yah, itu karena—yah, aku tak menyangka kau orang semacam itu ketika pertama kali melihatmu. Tapi kalian semua sama saja. Dan sekarang apakah kau akan mengantarku pulang, atau haruskah aku memanggil polisi?”

Platt took her to the door of her boarding-house. They stood for a minute in the vestibule. She looked at him with such scorn in her eyes that even his heart of oak began to waver. His arm was half way around her waist, when she struck him a stinging blow on the face with her open hand.

Platt mengantarnya ke pintu rumah kosnya. Mereka berdiri sejenak di beranda. Ia menatapnya dengan begitu banyak penghinaan di matanya sehingga bahkan hatinya yang teguh bagai kayu ek mulai goyah. Lengannya sudah setengah melingkari pinggangnya, ketika ia menampar wajahnya dengan telapak tangannya yang terbuka.

As he stepped back a ring fell from somewhere and bounded on the tiled floor. Platt groped for it and found it.

Saat ia melangkah mundur, sebuah cincin jatuh dari suatu tempat dan memantul di lantai berubin. Platt meraba-raba mencarinya dan menemukannya.

“Now, take your useless diamond and go, Mr. Buyer,” she said.

“Nah, ambil berlianmu yang tak berguna itu dan pergilah, Tuan Pembeli,” katanya.

“This was the other one—the wedding ring,” said the Texan, holding the smooth gold band on the palm of his hand.

“Ini yang satunya lagi—cincin pernikahan,” kata orang Texas itu, memegang lingkaran emas yang halus di telapak tangannya.

Miss Asher’s eyes blazed upon him in the half darkness.

Mata Nona Asher berkobar menatapnya dalam kegelapan setengah malam itu.

“Was that what you meant?—did you”—

“Apakah itu yang kaumaksud?—apakah kau”—

Somebody opened the door from inside the house.

Seseorang membuka pintu dari dalam rumah.

“Good-night,” said Platt. “I’ll see you at the store to-morrow.”

“Selamat malam,” kata Platt. “Aku akan menemuimu di toko besok.”

Miss Asher ran up to her room and shook the school teacher until she sat up in bed ready to scream “Fire!”

Nona Asher berlari naik ke kamarnya dan mengguncang sang guru sekolah hingga ia bangun duduk di ranjang siap berteriak “Kebakaran!”

“Where is it?” she cried.

“Di mana itu?” serunya.

“That’s what I want to know,” said the model. “You’ve studied geography, Emma, and you ought to know. Where is a town called Cac—Cac—Carac—Caracas City, I think, they called it?”

“Itu yang ingin kutahu,” kata sang model. “Kau sudah belajar geografi, Emma, dan kau pasti tahu. Di mana sebuah kota bernama Cac—Cac—Carac—Caracas City, kurasa, begitu mereka menyebutnya?”

“How dare you wake me up for that?” said the school teacher. “Caracas is in Venezuela, of course.”

“Beraninya kau membangunkanku untuk itu?” kata sang guru sekolah. “Caracas ada di Venezuela, tentu saja.”

“What’s it like?”

“Seperti apa tempat itu?”

“Why, it’s principally earthquakes and negroes and monkeys and malarial fever and volcanoes.”

“Yah, di sana kebanyakan gempa bumi dan orang kulit hitam dan monyet dan demam malaria dan gunung berapi.”

“I don’t care,” said Miss Asher, blithely; “I’m going there to-morrow.”

“Aku tak peduli,” kata Nona Asher, dengan riang; “aku akan pergi ke sana besok.”