Літо
II
Butshemusthavefeltavaguereliefathavingherexplanationcutshort,forsheconcluded,againinvokingthedaguerreotypes:“OfcourseIshallalwaysdowhatIcanforyou;andincase...incase...youknowyoucanalwayscometome....”
LawyerRoyallwaswaitingforCharityintheporchwhenshereturnedfromthisvisit.Hehadshaved,andbrushedhisblackcoat,andlookedamagnificentmonumentofaman;atsuchmomentsshereallyadmiredhim.
“Well,”hesaid,“isitsettled?”
“Yes,it’ssettled.Iain’tgoing.”
“NottotheNettletonschool?”
“Notanywhere.”
Heclearedhisthroatandaskedsternly:“Why?”
“I’drathernot,”shesaid,swingingpasthimonherwaytoherroom.ItwasthefollowingweekthathebroughtheruptheCrimsonRambleranditsfanfromHepburn.Hehadnevergivenheranythingbefore.
Thenextoutstandingincidentofherlifehadhappenedtwoyearslater,whenshewasseventeen.LawyerRoyall,whohatedtogotoNettleton,hadbeencalledthereinconnectionwithacase.Hestillexercisedhisprofession,thoughlitigationlanguishedinNorthDormeranditsoutlyinghamlets;andforoncehehadhadanopportunitythathecouldnotaffordtorefuse.HespentthreedaysinNettleton,wonhiscase,andcamebackinhighgood-humour.Itwasararemoodwithhim,andmanifesteditselfonthisoccasionbyhistalkingimpressivelyatthesupper-tableofthe“rousingwelcome”hisoldfriendshadgivenhim.Hewoundupconfidentially:“IwasadamnfoolevertoleaveNettleton.ItwasMrs.Royallthatmademedoit.
