Літо
XV
“Itwasmyidearunningaribbonthroughthegauging,”shesaidproudly,drawingbacktocontemplatetheblouseshewastrimming.“It’sforMissBalch:shewasawfullypleased.”Shepausedandthenadded,withaqueertremorinherpipingvoice:“Idarsn’thavetoldherIgottheideafromoneIsawonJulia.”
Charityraisedhereyeslistlessly.“DoyoustillseeJuliasometimes?”
Allyreddened,asiftheallusionhadescapedherunintentionally.“Oh,itwasalongtimeagoIseenherwiththosegaugings....”
Silencefellagain,andAllypresentlycontinued:“MissBalchleftmeawholelotofthingstodooverthistime.”
“Why—hasshegone?”Charityinquiredwithaninnerstartofapprehension.
“Didn’tyouknow?ShewentoffthemorningaftertheyhadthecelebrationatHamblin.IseenherdrivebyearlywithMr.Harney.”
Therewasanothersilence,measuredbythesteadytickoftherainagainstthewindow,and,atintervals,bythesnippingsoundofAlly’sscissors.
Allygaveameditativelaugh.“Doyouknowwhatshetoldmebeforeshewentaway?ShetoldmeshewasgoingtosendformetocomeovertoSpringfieldandmakesomethingsforherwedding.”
CharityagainliftedherheavylidsandstaredatAlly’spalepointedface,whichmovedtoandfroabovehermovingfingers.
“Isshegoingtogetmarried?”
Allylettheblousesinktoherknee,andsatgazingatit.Herlipsseemedsuddenlydry,andshemoistenedthemalittlewithhertongue.
“Why,Ipresumeso...fromwhatshesaid....Didn’tyouknow?”
“WhyshouldIknow?”
Allydidnotanswer.
