Літо
XVI
Mileshadbeengettingintohiscoatagain.HecameuptoCharity,whohadremainedpassivelykneelingbytheroughmoundofearth.
“Mychild,youmustcome.It’sverylate.”
Sheliftedhereyestohisface:heseemedtospeakoutofanotherworld.
“Iain’tcoming:I’mgoingtostayhere.”
“Here?Where?Whatdoyoumean?”
“Thesearemyfolks.I’mgoingtostaywiththem.”
Mr.Milesloweredhisvoice.“Butit’snotpossible—youdon’tknowwhatyouaredoing.Youcan’tstayamongthesepeople:youmustcomewithme.”
Sheshookherheadandrosefromherknees.Thegroupaboutthegravehadscatteredinthedarkness,buttheoldwomanwiththelanternstoodwaiting.Hermournfulwitheredfacewasnotunkind,andCharitywentuptoher.
“HaveyougotaplacewhereIcanliedownforthenight?”sheasked.Liffcameup,leadingthebuggyoutofthenight.Helookedfromonetotheotherwithhisfeeblesmile.“She’smymother.She’lltakeyouhome,”hesaid;andheadded,raisinghisvoicetospeaktotheoldwoman:“It’sthegirlfromlawyerRoyall’s—Mary’sgirl...youremember....”
ThewomannoddedandraisedhersadoldeyestoCharity’s.WhenMr.MilesandLiffclamberedintothebuggyshewentaheadwiththelanterntoshowthemthetracktheyweretofollow;thensheturnedback,andinsilencesheandCharitywalkedawaytogetherthroughthenight.
