Літо
XI
He’dbeendrinking....”
“Iknowallthat,too.I’veseenhimsobefore.Buthewouldn’thavedaredspeaktomethatwayifhehadn’t...”
“Hadn’twhat?Whatdoyoumean?”
“Hadn’twantedmetobelikethoseothergirls....”Sheloweredhervoiceandlookedawayfromhim.“So’s’thewouldn’thavetogoout....”
Harneystaredather.Foramomenthedidnotseemtoseizehermeaning;thenhisfacegrewdark.“Thedamnedhound!Thevillainouslowhound!”Hiswrathblazedup,crimsoninghimtothetemples.“Ineverdreamed—goodGod,it’stoovile,”hebrokeoff,asifhisthoughtsrecoiledfromthediscovery.
“Iwon’tnevergobackthere,”sherepeateddoggedly.
“No——”heassented.
Therewasalongintervalofsilence,duringwhichsheimaginedthathewassearchingherfaceformorelightonwhatshehadrevealedtohim;andaflushofshamesweptoverher.
“Iknowthewayyoumustfeelaboutme,”shebrokeout,“...tellingyousuchthings....”
Butoncemore,asshespoke,shebecameawarethathewasnolongerlistening.Hecamecloseandcaughthertohimasifheweresnatchingherfromsomeimminentperil:hisimpetuouseyeswereinhers,andshecouldfeelthehardbeatofhisheartasheheldheragainstit.
“Kissmeagain—likelastnight,”hesaid,pushingherhairbackasiftodrawherwholefaceupintohiskiss.
