Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

           “Ithinkthemissingtrunkhascome—andthatitwasworthwaitingfor!”

           “Youdolikemydress?”

           “Iadoreit!Ialwaysadorenewdresses—why,youdon’tmeantosayit’snotanewone?”

           Shelaughedouthertriumph.

           “No,no,no!Mytrunkhasn’tcome,andthisisonlymyoldragofyesterday—butIneverknewthetricktofail!”And,ashestared:“Yousee,”shejoyouslyexplained,“I’vealwayshadtodressinallkindsofdrearyleft-overs,andsometimes,wheneverybodyelsewassmartandnew,itusedtomakemeawfullymiserable.Sooneday,whenMrs.Murrettdraggedmedownunexpectedlytofillaplaceatdinner,IsuddenlythoughtI’dtryspinningaroundlikethat,andsaytoeveryone:‘Well,whatdoyouthinkofme?’And,doyouknow,theywerealltakenin,includingMrs.Murrett,whodidn’trecognizemyoldturnedanddyedrags,andtoldmeafterwarditwasawfullybadformtodressasifIweresomebodythatpeoplewouldexpecttoknow!Andeversince,wheneverI’veparticularlywantedtolooknice,I’vejustaskedpeoplewhattheythoughtofmynewfrock;andthey’realways,alwaystakenin!”

           ShedramatizedherexplanationsovividlythatDarrowfeltasifhispointweregained.

           “Ah,butthisconfirmsyourvocation—ofcourse,”hecried,“youmustseeCerdine!”and,seeingherfacefallatthisreminderofthechangeinherprospects,hehastenedtosetforthhisplan.Ashedidso,hesawhoweasyitwastoexplainthingstoher.