Эпоха невинности

           Whatifthemessengerhadbeenmisinformed,andshewerestillthere?HestartedtowalkacrosstheCommon;andonthefirstbench,underatree,hesawhersitting.Shehadagreysilksunshadeoverherhead—howcouldheeverhaveimaginedherwithapinkone?Asheapproachedhewasstruckbyherlistlessattitude:shesatthereasifshehadnothingelsetodo.Hesawherdroopingprofile,andtheknotofhairfastenedlowintheneckunderherdarkhat,andthelongwrinkledgloveonthehandthatheldthesunshade.Hecameasteportwonearer,andsheturnedandlookedathim."Oh"—shesaid;andforthefirsttimehenoticedastartledlookonherface;butinanothermomentitgavewaytoaslowsmileofwonderandcontentment."Oh"—shemurmuredagain,onadifferentnote,ashestoodlookingdownather;andwithoutrisingshemadeaplaceforhimonthebench."I’mhereonbusiness—justgothere,"Archerexplained;and,withoutknowingwhy,hesuddenlybegantofeignastonishmentatseeingher."Butwhatonearthareyoudoinginthiswilderness?"Hehadreallynoideawhathewassaying:hefeltasifhewereshoutingatheracrossendlessdistances,andshemightvanishagainbeforehecouldovertakeher."I?Oh,I’mhereonbusinesstoo,"sheanswered,turningherheadtowardhimsothattheywerefacetoface.Thewordshardlyreachedhim:hewasawareonlyofhervoice,andofthestartlingfactthatnotanechoofithadremainedinhismemory.Hehadnotevenrememberedthatitwaslow-pitched,withafaintroughnessontheconsonants.