Лето

           Royallheardhergohemadenomotiontodetainher:hissuddenragesprobablymadehimunderstandtheuselessnessofreasoningwithhers.

           Shereachedthebricktemple,unlockedthedoorandenteredintotheglacialtwilight.“I’mgladI’llneverhavetositinthisoldvaultagainwhenotherfolksareoutinthesun!”shesaidaloudasthefamiliarchilltookher.Shelookedwithabhorrenceatthelongdingyrowsofbooks,thesheep-nosedMinervaonherblackpedestal,andthemild-facedyoungmaninahighstockwhoseeffigypinedaboveherdesk.Shemeanttotakeoutofthedrawerherrolloflaceandthelibraryregister,andgostraighttoMissHatchardtoannounceherresignation.Butsuddenlyagreatdesolationovercameher,andshesatdownandlaidherfaceagainstthedesk.Herheartwasravagedbylife’scruelestdiscovery:thefirstcreaturewhohadcometowardheroutofthewildernesshadbroughtheranguishinsteadofjoy.Shedidnotcry;tearscamehardtoher,andthestormsofherheartspentthemselvesinwardly.Butasshesatthereinherdumbwoeshefeltherlifetobetoodesolate,toouglyandintolerable.

           “WhathaveIeverdonetoit,thatitshouldhurtmeso?”shegroaned,andpressedherfistsagainstherlids,whichwerebeginningtoswellwithweeping.

           “Iwon’t—Iwon’tgotherelookinglikeahorror!”shemuttered,springingupandpushingbackherhairasifitstifledher.Sheopenedthedrawer,draggedouttheregister,andturnedtowardthedoor.Asshedidsoitopened,andtheyoungmanfromMissHatchard’scameinwhistling.