Літо
XI
Whathadbeenafeverishnightmarebecameacoldandunescapablefact.PoorAlly,atthatmoment,representedNorthDormer,withallitsmeancuriosities,itsfurtivemalice,itsshamunconsciousnessofevil.Charityknewthat,althoughallrelationswithJuliaweresupposedtobesevered,thetender-heartedAllystillsecretlycommunicatedwithher;andnodoubtJuliawouldexultinthechanceofretailingthescandalofthewharf.Thestory,exaggeratedanddistorted,wasprobablyalreadyonitswaytoNorthDormer.
Ally’sdraggingpacehadnotcarriedherfarfromtheFrys’gatewhenshewasstoppedbyoldMrs.Sollas,whowasagreattalker,andspokeveryslowlybecauseshehadneverbeenabletogetusedtohernewteethfromHepburn.Still,eventhisrespitewouldnotlastlong;inanothertenminutesAllywouldbeatthedoor,andCharitywouldhearhergreetingVerenainthekitchen,andthencallingupfromthefootofthestairs.
Suddenlyitbecameclearthatflight,andinstantflight,wastheonlythingconceivable.Thelongingtoescape,togetawayfromfamiliarfaces,fromplaceswhereshewasknown,hadalwaysbeenstronginherinmomentsofdistress.Shehadachildishbeliefinthemiraculouspowerofstrangescenesandnewfacestotransformherlifeandwipeoutbittermemories.Butsuchimpulsesweremerefleetingwhimscomparedtothecoldresolvewhichnowpossessedher.Shefeltshecouldnotremainanhourlongerundertheroofofthemanwhohadpubliclydishonouredher,andfacetofacewiththepeoplewhowouldpresentlybegloatingoverallthedetailsofherhumiliation.
