Літо
XVI
Itseemedacruelchancethatcompelledhertoretraceeverystepofthewaytothedesertedhouse;andwhenshecameinsightoftheorchard,andthesilver-grayroofslantingcrookedlythroughtheladenbranches,herstrengthfailedherandshesatdownbytheroad-side.Shesattherealongtime,tryingtogatherthecouragetostartagain,andwalkpastthebrokengateandtheuntrimmedrose-bushesstrungwithscarlethips.Afewdropsofrainwerefalling,andshethoughtofthewarmeveningswhensheandHarneyhadsatembracedintheshadowyroom,andthenoiseofsummershowersontheroofhadrustledthroughtheirkisses.Atlengthsheunderstoodthatifshestayedanylongertherainmightcompelhertotakeshelterinthehouseovernight,andshegotupandwalkedon,avertinghereyesasshecameabreastofthewhitegateandthetangledgarden.
Thehoursworeon,andshewalkedmoreandmoreslowly,pausingnowandthentorest,andtoeatalittlebreadandanapplepickedupfromtheroadside.Herbodyseemedtogrowheavierwitheveryyardoftheway,andshewonderedhowshewouldbeabletocarryherchildlater,ifalreadyhelaidsuchaburdenonher....Afreshwindhadsprungup,scatteringtherainandblowingdownkeenlyfromthemountain.Presentlythecloudsloweredagain,andafewwhitedartsstruckherintheface:itwasthefirstsnowfallingoverHamblin.Theroofsofthelonelyvillagewereonlyhalfamileahead,andshewasresolvedtopushbeyondit,andtrytoreachtheMountainthatnight.
