Лето
XV
“Whydoyourunoffinsuchahurry?Youcanstretchoutrighthereonmysofa....”Shepaused,andhersmilegrewmoremotherly.“Afterwards—ifthere’sbeenanytalkathome,andyouwanttogetawayforawhile...IhavealadyfriendinBostonwho’slookingforacompanion...you’retheveryonetosuither,mydear....”
Charityhadreachedthedoor.“Idon’twanttostay.Idon’twanttocomebackhere,”shestammered,herhandontheknob;butwithaswiftmovement,Dr.Merkleedgedherfromthethreshold.
“Oh,verywell.Fivedollars,please.”
Charitylookedhelplesslyatthedoctor’stightlipsandrigidface.HerlastsavingshadgoneinrepayingAllyforthecostofMissBalch’sruinedblouse,andshehadhadtoborrowfourdollarsfromherfriendtopayforherrailwayticketandcoverthedoctor’sfee.Ithadneveroccurredtoherthatmedicaladvicecouldcostmorethantwodollars.
“Ididn’tknow...Ihaven’tgotthatmuch...”shefaltered,burstingintotears.
Dr.Merklegaveashortlaughwhichdidnotshowherteeth,andinquiredwithconcisionifCharitysupposedsherantheestablishmentforherownamusement?Sheleanedherfirmshouldersagainstthedoorasshespoke,likeagrimgaolermakingtermswithhercaptive.
“Yousayyou’llcomeroundandsettlelater?I’veheardthatprettyoftentoo.Givemeyouraddress,andifyoucan’tpaymeI’llsendthebilltoyourfolks....What?Ican’tunderstandwhatyousay....Thatdon’tsuityoueither?My,you’reprettyparticularforagirlthatain’tgotenoughtosettleherownbills....
