Літо
XVI
CharityhadoftenhadvisionsofthisascentoftheMountainbutshehadnotknownitwouldrevealsowideacountry,andthesightofthosestrangelandsreachingawayoneverysidegaveheranewsenseofHarney’sremoteness.Sheknewhemustbemilesandmilesbeyondthelastrangeofhillsthatseemedtobetheoutmostvergeofthings,andshewonderedhowshehadeverdreamedofgoingtoNewYorktofindhim....
Astheroadmountedthecountrygrewbleaker,andtheydroveacrossfieldsoffadedmountaingrassbleachedbylongmonthsbeneaththesnow.Inthehollowsafewwhitebirchestrembled,oramountainashlititsscarletclusters;butonlyascantgrowthofpinesdarkenedthegraniteledges.Thewindwasblowingfiercelyacrosstheopenslopes;thehorsefaceditwithbentheadandstrainingflanks,andnowandthenthebuggyswayedsothatCharityhadtoclutchitsside.
Mr.Mileshadnotspokenagain;heseemedtounderstandthatshewantedtobeleftalone.Afterawhilethetracktheywerefollowingforked,andhepulledupthehorse,asifuncertainoftheway.LiffHyattcranedhisheadaroundfromtheback,andshoutedagainstthewind:“Left——”andtheyturnedintoastuntedpine-woodandbegantodrivedowntheothersideoftheMountain.
Amileortwofartherontheycameoutonaclearingwheretwoorthreelowhouseslayinstonyfields,crouchingamongtherocksasiftobracethemselvesagainstthewind.Theywerehardlymorethansheds,builtoflogsandroughboards,withtinstove-pipesstickingoutoftheirroofs.
