Літо
XV
ItwasinNewYork,ataclubwithalongnameinFifthAvenue:itseemedtoraiseaninsurmountablebarrierbetweenthem.Onceortwice,inthefirstdays,shegotoutasheetofpaper,andsatlookingatit,andtryingtothinkwhattosay;butshehadthefeelingthatherletterwouldneverreachitsdestination.ShehadneverwrittentoanyonefartherawaythanHepburn.
Harney’sfirstlettercameafterhehadbeengoneabouttendays.Itwastenderbutgrave,andborenoresemblancetothegaylittlenoteshehadsentherbythefreckledboyfromCrestonRiver.Hespokepositivelyofhisintentionofcomingback,butnamednodate,andremindedCharityoftheiragreementthattheirplansshouldnotbedivulgedtillhehadhadtimeto“settlethings.”Whenthatwouldbehecouldnotyetforesee;butshecouldcountonhisreturningassoonasthewaywasclear.
Shereadtheletterwithastrangesenseofitscomingfromimmeasurabledistancesandhavinglostmostofitsmeaningontheway;andinreplyshesenthimacolouredpostcardofCrestonFalls,onwhichshewrote:“WithlovefromCharity.”Shefeltthepitifulinadequacyofthis,andunderstood,withasenseofdespair,thatinherinabilitytoexpressherselfshemustgivehimanimpressionofcoldnessandreluctance;butshecouldnothelpit.ShecouldnotforgetthathehadneverspokentoherofmarriagetillMr.
