Лето

           ”TolayhandsontheHatchardarkwasagravematter,andMissHatchard,alwaysfullofscruplesaboutherscruples(itwasHarney’sphrase),wishedtohaveMr.Miles’sopinionbeforedeciding.

           “Icouldn’t,”Mr.Milesexplained,“quitemakeoutfromyourcousinwhatchangesyouwantedtomake,andastheothertrusteesdidnotunderstandeitherIthoughtIhadbetterdriveoverandtakealook—thoughI’msure,”headded,turninghisfriendlyspectaclesontheyoungman,“thatnoonecouldbemorecompetent—butofcoursethisspothasitspeculiarsanctity!”

           “Ihopealittlefreshairwon’tdesecrateit,”Harneylaughinglyrejoined;andtheywalkedtotheotherendofthelibrarywhilehesetforthhisideatotheRector.

           Mr.Mileshadgreetedthetwogirlswithhisusualfriendliness,butCharitysawthathewasoccupiedwithotherthings,andshepresentlybecameaware,bythescrapsofconversationdriftingovertoher,thathewasstillunderthecharmofhisvisittoSpringfield,whichappearedtohavebeenfullofagreeableincidents.

           “Ah,theCoopersons...yes,youknowthem,ofcourse,”sheheard.“That’safineoldhouse!AndNedCoopersonhascollectedsomereallyremarkableimpressionistpictures....”ThenameshecitedwereunknowntoCharity.“Yes;yes;theSchaeferquartetteplayedatLyricHallonSaturdayevening;andonMondayIhadtheprivilegeofhearingthemagainattheTowers.Beautifullydone...BachandBeethoven...alawn-partyfirst...IsawMissBalchseveraltimes,bytheway...lookingextremelyhandsome....