Літо
XV
Merklefollowed,andledherintoanotherroom,smaller,andstillmorecrowdedwithplushandgoldframes.Dr.Merklewasaplumpwomanwithsmallbrighteyes,animmensemassofblackhaircomingdownlowonherforehead,andunnaturallywhiteandeventeeth.Sheworearichblackdress,withgoldchainsandcharmshangingfromherbosom.Herhandswerelargeandsmooth,andquickinalltheirmovements;andshesmeltofmuskandcarbolicacid.
ShesmiledonCharitywithallherfaultlessteeth.“Sitdown,mydear.Wouldn’tyoulikealittledropofsomethingtopickyouup?...No....Well,justlaybackaminutethen....There’snothingtobedonejustyet;butinaboutamonth,ifyou’llsteproundagain...Icouldtakeyourightintomyownhousefortwoorthreedays,andtherewouldn’tbeamiteoftrouble.Mercyme!Thenexttimeyou’llknowbetter’ntofretlikethis....”
Charitygazedatherwithwideningeyes.Thiswomanwiththefalsehair,thefalseteeth,thefalsemurderoussmile—whatwassheofferingherbutimmunityfromsomeunthinkablecrime?Charity,tillthen,hadbeenconsciousonlyofavagueself-disgustandafrighteningphysicaldistress;now,ofasudden,therecametoherthegravesurpriseofmotherhood.Shehadcometothisdreadfulplacebecausesheknewofnootherwayofmakingsurethatshewasnotmistakenaboutherstate;andthewomanhadtakenherforamiserablecreaturelikeJulia....Thethoughtwassohorriblethatshesprangup,whiteandshaking,oneofhergreatrushesofangersweepingoverher.
Dr.Merkle,stillsmiling,alsorose.
