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Didn’tyounoticethatbigraftwepassed?It’swonderfultoseetherocketscompletingtheirorbitsdownunderone’sfeet.”Shesaidnothing,andheputtheoarsintotherowlocks.“Ifwestaywe’dbettergoandpickupsomethingtoeat.”
“Buthowcanwegetbackafterwards?”sheventured,feelingitwouldbreakherheartifshemissedit.
Heconsultedatime-table,foundateno’clocktrainandreassuredher.“Themoonrisessolatethatitwillbedarkbyeight,andwe’llhaveoveranhourofit.”
Twilightfell,andlightsbegantoshowalongtheshore.ThetrolleysroaringoutfromNettletonbecamegreatluminousserpentscoilinginandoutamongthetrees.Thewoodeneating-housesattheLake’sedgedancedwithlanterns,andtheduskechoedwithlaughterandshoutsandtheclumsysplashingofoars.
HarneyandCharityhadfoundatableinthecornerofabalconybuiltovertheLake,andwerepatientlyawaitinganunattainablechowder.Closeunderthemthewaterlappedthepiles,agitatedbytheevolutionsofalittlewhitesteamboattrellisedwithcolouredglobeswhichwastorunpassengersupanddowntheLake.Itwasalreadyblackwiththemasitsheeredoffonitsfirsttrip.
SuddenlyCharityheardawoman’slaughbehindher.Thesoundwasfamiliar,andsheturnedtolook.Abandofshowilydressedgirlsanddapperyoungmenwearingbadgesofsecretsocieties,withnewstrawhatstiltedfarbackontheirsquare-clippedhair,hadinvadedthebalconyandwereloudlyclamouringforatable.Thegirlintheleadwastheonewhohadlaughed.
