Літо
XII
Beforegoingoutshehadclosedhershuttersagainsttheafternoonheat,buttheyhadswungpartlyopen,andabarofmoonlight,crossingtheroom,restedonherbedandshowedadressofChinasilklaidoutonitinvirginwhiteness.Charityhadspentmorethanshecouldaffordonthedress,whichwastosurpassthoseofalltheothergirls;shehadwantedtoletNorthDormerseethatshewasworthyofHarney’sadmiration.Abovethedress,foldedonthepillow,wasthewhiteveilwhichtheyoungwomenwhotookpartintheexercisesweretowearunderawreathofasters;andbesidetheveilapairofslimwhitesatinshoesthatAllyhadproducedfromanoldtrunkinwhichshestoredmysterioustreasures.
Charitystoodgazingatalltheoutspreadwhiteness.ItrecalledavisionthathadcometoherinthenightafterherfirstmeetingwithHarney.Shenolongerhadsuchvisions...warmersplendourshaddisplacedthem...butitwasstupidofAllytohaveparadedallthosewhitethingsonherbed,exactlyasHattieTargatt’sweddingdressfromSpringfieldhadbeenspreadoutfortheneighbourstoseewhenshemarriedTomFry....
Charitytookupthesatinshoesandlookedatthemcuriously.Byday,nodoubt,theywouldappearalittleworn,butinthemoonlighttheyseemedcarvedofivory.Shesatdownonthefloortotrythemon,andtheyfittedherperfectly,thoughwhenshestoodupshelurchedalittleonthehighheels.Shelookeddownatherfeet,whichthegracefulmouldoftheslippershadmarvellouslyarchedandnarrowed.Shehadneverseensuchshoesbefore,evenintheshop-windowsatNettleton..
