Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

XXIV

           Iwentupthestepsandfoundtheroomempty;buttwochairshadbeenmovedoutfromthewallandwerestandingnearthetable;andoneoftheChinesescreensthatlieonithaddroppedtothefloor.”

           Annasoundedafaintnoteofirony.“Really?Sophy’dgonethereforshelter,andshedroppedascreenandmovedachair?”

           “Isaidtwochairs——”

           “Two?Whatdamningevidence—ofIdon’tknowwhat!”

           “SimplyofthefactthatDarrow’dbeentherewithher.AsIlookedoutofthewindowIsawhimcloseby,walkingaway.Hemusthaveturnedthecornerofthespring-housejustasIgottothedoor.”

           Therewasanothersilence,duringwhichAnnapaused,notonlytocollectherownwordsbuttowaitforSophyViner’s;then,asthegirlmadenosign,sheturnedtoher.

           “I’veabsolutelynothingtosaytoallthis;butperhapsyou’dlikemetowaitandhearyouranswer?”

           Sophyraisedherheadwithaquickflashofcolour.“I’venoanswereither—exceptthatOwenmustbemad.”

           Intheintervalsinceshehadlastspokensheseemedtohaveregainedherself-control,andhervoicerangclear,withacoldedgeofanger.

           Annalookedatherstep-son.Hehadgrownextremelypale,andhishandfellfromthedoorwithadiscouragedgesture.“That’sallthen?Youwon’tgivemeanyreason?”

           “Ididn’tsupposeitwasnecessarytogiveyouoranyoneelseareasonfortalkingwithafriendofMrs.Leath’sunderMrs.Leath’sownroof.”

           Owenhardlyseemedtofeeltheretort:hekepthisdoggedstareonherface.

           “Iwon’taskforone,then.

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