Літо
XIV
“Iforgot——”
“Oh,well—it’stoolatetoboilthewaternow.”Hesaidnothingmore,andsittingoppositetoeachothertheywentonsilentlyeatingthesandwiches.Darknesshaddescendedinthelittleroom,andHarney’sfacewasadimblurtoCharity.Suddenlyheleanedacrossthetableandlaidhishandonhers.
“Ishallhavetogooffforawhile—amonthortwo,perhaps—toarrangesomethings;andthenI’llcomeback...andwe’llgetmarried.”
Hisvoiceseemedlikeastranger’s:nothingwasleftinitofthevibrationssheknew.Herhandlayinertlyunderhis,andsheleftitthere,andraisedherhead,tryingtoanswerhim.Butthewordsdiedinherthroat.Theysatmotionless,intheirattitudeofconfidentendearment,asifsomestrangedeathhadsurprisedthem.AtlengthHarneysprangtohisfeetwithaslightshiver.“God!it’sdamp—wecouldn’thavecomeheremuchlonger.”Hewenttotheshelf,tookdownatincandle-stickandlitthecandle;thenheproppedanunhingedshutteragainsttheemptywindow-frameandputthecandleonthetable.Itthrewaqueershadowonhisfrowningforehead,andmadethesmileonhislipsagrimace.
“Butit’sbeengood,though,hasn’tit,Charity?...What’sthematter—whydoyoustandtherestaringatme?Haven’tthedaysherebeengood?”Hewentuptoherandcaughthertohisbreast.“Andthere’llbeothers—lotsofothers...jollier...evenjollier...won’tthere,darling?”
Heturnedherheadback,feelingforthecurveofherthroatbelowtheear,andkissingherethere,andonthehairandeyesandlips
