Літо
XV
Yetthegirl,noless,remainedarival,sincesherepresentedallthethingsthatCharityfeltherselfmostincapableofunderstandingorachieving.AnnabelBalchwas,ifnotthegirlHarneyoughttomarry,atleastthekindofgirlitwouldbenaturalforhimtomarry.Charityhadneverbeenabletopictureherselfashiswife;hadneverbeenabletoarrestthevisionandfollowitoutinitsdailyconsequences;butshecouldperfectlyimagineAnnabelBalchinthatrelationtohim.
Themoreshethoughtofthesethingsthemorethesenseoffatalityweighedonher:shefelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainstthecircumstances.Shehadneverknownhowtoadaptherself;shecouldonlybreakandtearanddestroy.ThescenewithAllyhadleftherstrickenwithshameatherownchildishsavagery.WhatwouldHarneyhavethoughtifhehadwitnessedit?Butwhensheturnedtheincidentoverinherpuzzledmindshecouldnotimaginewhatacivilizedpersonwouldhavedoneinherplace.Shefeltherselftoounequallypittedagainstunknownforces....
Atlengththisfeelingmovedhertosuddenaction.ShetookasheetofletterpaperfromMr.Royall’soffice,andsittingbythekitchenlamp,onenightafterVerenahadgonetobed,beganherfirstlettertoHarney.Itwasveryshort:
IwantyoushouldmarryAnnabelBalchifyoupromisedto.IthinkmaybeyouwereafraidI’dfeeltoobadaboutit.IfeelI’dratheryouactedright.YourlovingCHARITY.
Shepostedtheletterearlythenextmorning,andforafewdaysherheartfeltstrangelylight.Thenshebegantowonderwhyshereceivednoanswer.
