Любовник леди Чаттерлей
Chapter 16
’Doyouwanttotellmewhoheis?’shesaid.
’He’sourgame-keeper,’falteredConnie,andsheflushedvividly,likeashamedchild.
’Connie!’saidHilda,liftinghernoseslightlywithdisgust:amotionshehadfromhermother.
’Iknow:buthe’slovelyreally.Hereallyunderstandstenderness,’saidConnie,tryingtoapologizeforhim.
Hilda,likearuddy,rich-colouredAthena,bowedherheadandpondered.Shewasreallyviolentlyangry.Butshedarednotshowit,becauseConnie,takingafterherfather,wouldstraightawaybecomeobstreperousandunmanageable.
Itwastrue,HildadidnotlikeClifford:hiscoolassurancethathewassomebody!ShethoughthemadeuseofConnieshamefullyandimpudently.Shehadhopedhersisterwouldleavehim.But,beingsolidScotchmiddleclass,sheloathedany’lowering’ofoneselforthefamily.Shelookedupatlast.
’You’llregretit,’shesaid,
’Ishan’t,’criedConnie,flushedred.’He’squitetheexception.Ireallylovehim.He’slovelyasalover.’
Hildastillpondered.
’You’llgetoverhimquitesoon,’shesaid,’andlivetobeashamedofyourselfbecauseofhim.’
’Ishan’t!IhopeI’mgoingtohaveachildofhis.’
’Connie!’saidHilda,hardasahammer-stroke,andpalewithanger.
’IshallifIpossiblycan.IshouldbefearfullyproudifIhadachildbyhim.’
Itwasnousetalkingtoher.Hildapondered.
’Anddoesn’tCliffordsuspect?’shesaid.
’Ohno!Whyshouldhe?’
’I’venodoubtyou’vegivenhimplentyofoccasionforsuspicion,’saidHilda.
’Notatall.
