Літо
XII
She,CharityRoyall,wastheonlybeingonearthwhoreallyknewhim,knewhimfromthesolesofhisfeettotherumpledcrestofhishair,knewtheshiftinglightsinhiseyes,andtheinflexionsofhisvoice,andthethingshelikedanddisliked,andeverythingtherewastoknowabouthim,asminutelyandyetunconsciouslyasachildknowsthewallsoftheroomitwakesupineverymorning.Itwasthisfact,whichnobodyaboutherguessed,orwouldhaveunderstood,thatmadeherlifesomethingapartandinviolable,asifnothinghadanypowertohurtordisturbheraslongashersecretwassafe.
TheroominwhichthegirlssatwastheonewhichhadbeenHarney’sbedroom.Hehadbeensentupstairs,tomakeroomfortheHomeWeekworkers;butthefurniturehadnotbeenmoved,andasCharitysatthereshehadperpetuallybeforeherthevisionshehadlookedinonfromthemidnightgarden.ThetableatwhichHarneyhadsatwastheoneaboutwhichthegirlsweregathered;andherownseatwasnearthebedonwhichshehadseenhimlying.Sometimes,whentheotherswerenotlooking,shebentoverasiftopickupsomething,andlaidhercheekforamomentagainstthepillow.
Towardsunsetthegirlsdisbanded.Theirworkwasdone,andthenextmorningatdaylightthedraperiesandgarlandsweretobenailedup,andtheilluminatedscrollsputinplaceintheTownHall.ThefirstguestsweretodriveoverfromHepburnintimeforthemiddaybanquetunderatentinMissHatchard’sfield;andafterthattheceremoniesweretobegin.
