Літо
II
Hewasadreadfully“lonesome”man;shehadmadethatoutbecauseshewasso“lonesome”herself.Heandshe,facetofaceinthatsadhouse,hadsoundedthedepthsofisolation;andthoughshefeltnoparticularaffectionforhim,andnottheslightestgratitude,shepitiedhimbecauseshewasconsciousthathewassuperiortothepeopleabouthim,andthatshewastheonlybeingbetweenhimandsolitude.Therefore,whenMissHatchardsentforheradayortwolater,totalkofaschoolatNettleton,andtosaythatthistimeafriendofherswould“makethenecessaryarrangements,”CharitycuthershortwiththeannouncementthatshehaddecidednottoleaveNorthDormer.
MissHatchardreasonedwithherkindly,buttonopurpose;shesimplyrepeated:“IguessMr.Royall’stoolonesome.”
MissHatchardblinkedperplexedlybehindhereye-glasses.Herlongfrailfacewasfullofpuzzledwrinkles,andsheleantforward,restingherhandsonthearmsofhermahoganyarmchair,withtheevidentdesiretosaysomethingthatoughttobesaid.
“Thefeelingdoesyoucredit,mydear.”
Shelookedaboutthepalewallsofhersitting-room,seekingcounselofancestraldaguerreotypesanddidacticsamplers;buttheyseemedtomakeutterancemoredifficult.
“Thefactis,it’snotonly—notonlybecauseoftheadvantages.Thereareotherreasons.You’retooyoungtounderstand——”
“Oh,no,Iain’t,”saidCharityharshly;andMissHatchardblushedtotherootsofherblondecap.
