Лето
IV
”
ItwaswonderfultohearhimspeakofMissHatchardasifshewereaquerulousbaby:inspiteofhisshynesshehadtheairofpowerthattheexperienceofcitiesprobablygave.ItwasthefactofhavinglivedinNettletonthatmadelawyerRoyall,inspiteofhisinfirmities,thestrongestmaninNorthDormer;andCharitywassurethatthisyoungmanhadlivedinbiggerplacesthanNettleton.
ShefeltthatifshekeptupherdenunciatorytonehewouldsecretlyclassherwithMissHatchard;andthethoughtmadehersuddenlysimple.
“Itdon’tmattertoMissHatchardhowItakeher.Mr.Royallsaysshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian;andI’dsoonerresignthanhavethevillagesayshesentmeaway.”
“Naturallyyouwould.ButI’msureshedoesn’tmeantosendyouaway.Atanyrate,won’tyougivemethechancetofindoutfirstandletyouknow?ItwillbetimeenoughtoresignifI’mmistaken.”
Herprideflamedintohercheeksatthesuggestionofhisintervening.“Idon’twantanybodyshouldcoaxhertokeepmeifIdon’tsuit.”
Hecolouredtoo.“IgiveyoumywordIwon’tdothat.Onlywaittilltomorrow,willyou?”Helookedstraightintohereyeswithhisshygreyglance.“Youcantrustme,youknow—youreallycan.”
Alltheoldfrozenwoesseemedtomeltinher,andshemurmuredawkwardly,lookingawayfromhim:“Oh,I’llwait.”
