Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

XXVIII

           Happywomenunderstandbest!”Annadrewnearandtouchedthegirl’shand;thenshebeganagain,pouringallhersoulintothebrokenphrases:“It’sterriblenow...youseenofuture;butif,byandbye...youknowbest...butyou’resoyoung...andatyouragethingsdopass.Ifthere’snoreason,norealreason,whyyoushouldn’tmarryOwen,Iwanthimtohope,I’llhelphimtohope...ifyousayso....”

           WiththeurgencyofherpleadingherclasptightenedonSophy’shand,butitwarmedtonoresponsivetremor:thegirlseemednumb,andAnnawasfrightenedbythestonysilenceofherlook.“IsupposeI’mnotmorethanhalfawoman,”shemused,“forIdon’twantmyhappinesstohurther;”andaloudsherepeated:“Ifonlyyou’lltellmethere’snoreason——”

           Thegirldidnotspeak;butsuddenly,likeasnappedbranch,shebent,stoopeddowntothehandthatclaspedher,andlaidherlipsuponitinastreamofweeping.Shecriedsilently,continuously,abundantly,asthoughAnna’stouchhadreleasedthewatersofsomedeepspringofpain;then,asAnna,movedandhalfafraid,leanedoverherwithasoundofpity,shestoodupandturnedaway.

           “You’regoing,then—forgood—likethis?”Annamovedtowardherandstopped.Sophystoppedtoo,witheyesthatshrankfromher.

           “Oh——”Annacried,andhidherface.

           Thegirlwalkedacrosstheroomandpausedagaininthedoorway.Fromtheresheflungback:“Iwantedit—Ichoseit.Hewasgoodtome—nooneeverwassogood!”

           Thedoor-handleturned,andAnnaheardhergo.

           

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