Літо
XVI
Butherehewasatherside,guidingthehorsewithafirmhand,andbendingonherthekindlygleamofhisspectacles,asiftherewerenothingunusualintheirbeingtogetherinsuchcircumstances.
Forawhileshefounditimpossibletospeak,andheseemedtounderstandthis,andmadenoattempttoquestionher.Butpresentlyshefelthertearsriseandflowdownoverherdrawncheeks;andhemusthaveseenthemtoo,forhelaidhishandonhers,andsaidinalowvoice:“Won’tyoutellmewhatistroublingyou?”
Sheshookherhead,andhedidnotinsist:butafterawhilehesaid,inthesamelowtone,sothattheyshouldnotbeoverheard:“Charity,whatdoyouknowofyourchildhood,beforeyoucamedowntoNorthDormer?”
Shecontrolledherself,andanswered:“NothingonlywhatIheardMr.Royallsayoneday.Hesaidhebroughtmedownbecausemyfatherwenttoprison.”
“Andyou’veneverbeenuptheresince?”
“Never.”
Mr.Mileswassilentagain,thenhesaid:“I’mgladyou’recomingwithmenow.Perhapswemayfindyourmotheralive,andshemayknowthatyouhavecome.”
TheyhadreachedHamblin,wherethesnow-flurryhadleftwhitepatchesintheroughgrassontheroadside,andintheanglesoftheroofsfacingnorth.ItwasapoorbleakvillageunderthegraniteflankoftheMountain,andassoonastheyleftittheybegantoclimb.Theroadwassteepandfullofruts,andthehorsesettleddowntoawalkwhiletheymountedandmounted,theworlddroppingawaybelowthemingreatmottledstretchesofforestandfield,andstormydarkbluedistances.
