Лето

II

           Butshemusthavefeltavaguereliefathavingherexplanationcutshort,forsheconcluded,againinvokingthedaguerreotypes:“OfcourseIshallalwaysdowhatIcanforyou;andincase...incase...youknowyoucanalwayscometome....”

           LawyerRoyallwaswaitingforCharityintheporchwhenshereturnedfromthisvisit.Hehadshaved,andbrushedhisblackcoat,andlookedamagnificentmonumentofaman;atsuchmomentsshereallyadmiredhim.

           “Well,”hesaid,“isitsettled?”

           “Yes,it’ssettled.Iain’tgoing.”

           “NottotheNettletonschool?”

           “Notanywhere.”

           Heclearedhisthroatandaskedsternly:“Why?”

           “I’drathernot,”shesaid,swingingpasthimonherwaytoherroom.ItwasthefollowingweekthathebroughtheruptheCrimsonRambleranditsfanfromHepburn.Hehadnevergivenheranythingbefore.

           Thenextoutstandingincidentofherlifehadhappenedtwoyearslater,whenshewasseventeen.LawyerRoyall,whohatedtogotoNettleton,hadbeencalledthereinconnectionwithacase.Hestillexercisedhisprofession,thoughlitigationlanguishedinNorthDormeranditsoutlyinghamlets;andforoncehehadhadanopportunitythathecouldnotaffordtorefuse.HespentthreedaysinNettleton,wonhiscase,andcamebackinhighgood-humour.Itwasararemoodwithhim,andmanifesteditselfonthisoccasionbyhistalkingimpressivelyatthesupper-tableofthe“rousingwelcome”hisoldfriendshadgivenhim.Hewoundupconfidentially:“IwasadamnfoolevertoleaveNettleton.ItwasMrs.Royallthatmademedoit.

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