Лето
XV
Shebentabovetheblouse,andbeganpickingoutabastingthreadwiththepointofthescissors.
“WhyshouldIknow?”Charityrepeatedharshly.
“Ididn’tknowbutwhat...folksheresayshe’sengagedtoMr.Harney.”
Charitystoodupwithalaugh,andstretchedherarmslazilyaboveherhead.
“Ifallthepeoplegotmarriedthatfolkssayaregoingtoyou’dhaveyourtimefullmakingwedding-dresses,”shesaidironically.
“Why—don’tyoubelieveit?”Allyventured.
“ItwouldnotmakeittrueifIdid—norpreventitifIdidn’t.”
“That’sso....IonlyknowIseenhercryingthenightofthepartybecauseherdressdidn’tsetright.Thatwaswhyshewouldn’tdanceany....”
CharitystoodabsentlygazingdownatthelacygarmentonAlly’sknee.Abruptlyshestoopedandsnatcheditup.
“Well,Iguessshewon’tdanceinthiseither,”shesaidwithsuddenviolence;andgraspingtheblouseinherstrongyounghandsshetoreitintwoandflungthetatteredbitstothefloor.
“Oh,Charity——”Allycried,springingup.Foralongintervalthetwogirlsfacedeachotheracrosstheruinedgarment.Allyburstintotears.
“Oh,what’llIsaytoher?What’llIdo?Itwasreallace!”shewailedbetweenherpipingsobs.
Charityglaredatherunrelentingly.“You’doughtn’ttohavebroughtithere,”shesaid,breathingquickly.“Ihateotherpeople’sclothes—it’sjustasiftheywastherethemselves.”Thetwostaredateachotheragainoverthisavowal,tillCharitybroughtout,inagaspofanguish:“Oh,go—go—go—orI’llhateyoutoo....
