Лето
XIII
Sheforcedherselftolookawayfromherguardian,andbecameawarethattheoratoryoftheHatchardcousinhadceased,andthatMr.Mileswasagainflappinghiswings.Fragmentsofhisperorationfloatedthroughherbewilderedbrain....“Arichharvestofhallowedmemories....Asanctifiedhourtowhich,inmomentsoftrial,yourthoughtswillprayerfullyreturn....Andnow,OLord,letushumblyandferventlygivethanksforthisblesseddayofreunion,hereintheoldhometowhichwehavecomebackfromsofar.Preserveittous,OLord,intimestocome,inallitshomelysweetness—inthekindlinessandwisdomofitsoldpeople,inthecourageandindustryofitsyoungmen,inthepietyandpurityofthisgroupofinnocentgirls——”Heflappedawhitewingintheirdirection,andatthesamemomentLambertSollas,withhisfiercenod,strucktheopeningbarsof“AuldLangSyne.”...Charitystaredstraightaheadofherandthen,droppingherflowers,fellfacedownwardatMr.Royall’sfeet.
