Beatrice haar schepen en de klojo Bellarminus (3 en slot)

Ships That Pass in the Night is een kostelijk boek. Indien het al niet een klein meesterwerk is, dan is het daar toch niet ver vandaan. Pakkend verhaal, briljant geschreven, overvloeiend van de typisch Engelse aloofness, die mijns inziens wortelt in een fijne kijk op de betrekkelijkheid van het ondermaanse.
De Amerikaanse Jeannette L. Gilder (zij leefde van 1849 tot 1916, was journaliste, critica, schrijfster van romans en toneelstukken, samenstelster van bloemlezingen en literair agente) zag het zo: 'Ships That Pass in the Night' has made its success by purely legitimate methods... The author has a story to tell, a theory to work out, a belief to impart, and that is all--except the important item that she is a good writer, keen and wise in observation and style, liberal and sympathetic in temperament... I sat up half the night to finish the book.
Hier een typische proeve van Miss Harradens proza. Ter inleiding: de roman speelt in een Zwitsers sanatorium, waar behalve lijders aan tuberculose overspannen figuren en dames met een dipje kuren. De mondaine Mrs. Reffold, die slechts bedacht is op vertier en zich van haar terminale man geen zier aantrekt, wil uit nieuwsgierigheid kennismaken met de grijze muis Bernardine Holme. De haar omringende aanbidders raden haar dat af, want Miss Mouse kon zich wel eens aan haar vastklampen, what a bore! Mrs. Reffold acht dat gevaar niet aanwezig; zij kan, zegt zij, moeiteloos onverschillig wie op zijn nummer zetten.

'I had not a chance of speaking to you last night, Miss Holme,' she said. 'You retired so early. I hope you have rested after your journey. You seemed quite worn out.'
'Thank you,' said Bernardine, looking admiringly at the beautiful women, and envying her, just as all plain women envy their handsome sisters.
'You are not alone, I suppose?' continued Mrs. Reffold.
'Yes, quite alone,' answered Bernardine.
'But you are evidently acquainted with Mr. Allitsen, your neighbour at table,' said Mrs. Reffold; so you will not feel quite lonely here. It is a great advantage to have a friend at a place like this.'
'I never saw him before last night,' said Bernardine.
'Is it possible?' said Mrs. Reffold, in her pleasantest voice. 'Then you have made a triumph of the Disagreeable Man. He very rarely deigns to speak with any of us. He does not even appear to see us. He sits quietly and reads. It would be interesting to hear what his conversation is like. I should be quite amused to know what you did talk about.'
'I dare say you would,' said Bernartdine quietly.
Mrs. Reffold... ventured to begin once more taking soundings. But somehow or other, those bright eyes of Bernardine, which looked at her so searchingly, made her a little nervous, and, perhaps, a little indiscreet.
'Your father will miss you,' she said tentatively.
'I should think probably not,' answered Bernardine. 'One is not easily missed, you know.' There was a twinkle in Bernardine's eye as she added, 'He is probably occupied with other things.'
'What is your father?' asked Mrs. Reffold, in her most coaxing tones.
'I don't know what he is now,' answered Bernardine placidly. 'But he was a genius. He is dead.'
Mrs. Reffold gave a slight start, for she began to feel that this insignificant little person was making fun of her. This would never do, and before witnesses too. ...
Bernardine smiled a little viciously; looked first at Mrs. Reffold's two companions with an amused sort of indulgence, and then at the lady herself. She paused a moment, and then said: 'Have you asked all the questions you wish to ask? And, if so, may I ask one of you? Where does one get the best tea?'

Foto: Het boek is in het Nederlands vertaald onder de titel Voorbijgaande schepen in donkeren nacht. Ik heb niet kunnen achterhalen wie het heeft vertaald en wie de uitgever was.

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