Літо
II
SheunderstoodthatMissHatchardhadnohelptogiveherandthatshewouldhavetofightherwayoutofherdifficultyalone.Adeepersenseofisolationovercameher;shefeltincalculablyold.“She’sgottobetalkedtolikeababy,”shethought,withafeelingofcompassionforMissHatchard’slongimmaturity.“Yes,that’sit,”shesaidaloud.“Thehousework’stoohardforme:I’vebeencoughingagooddealthisfall.”
Shenotedtheimmediateeffectofthissuggestion.MissHatchardpaledatthememoryofpoorEudora’staking-off,andpromisedtodowhatshecould.Butofcoursetherewerepeopleshemustconsult:theclergyman,theselectmenofNorthDormer,andadistantHatchardrelativeatSpringfield.“Ifyou’donlygonetoschool!”shesighed.ShefollowedCharitytothedoor,andthere,inthesecurityofthethreshold,saidwithaglanceofevasiveappeal:“IknowMr.Royallis...tryingattimes;buthiswifeborewithhim;andyoumustalwaysremember,Charity,thatitwasMr.RoyallwhobroughtyoudownfromtheMountain.”CharitywenthomeandopenedthedoorofMr.Royall’s“office.”HewassittingtherebythestovereadingDanielWebster’sspeeches.Theyhadmetatmealsduringthefivedaysthathadelapsedsincehehadcometoherdoor,andshehadwalkedathissideatEudora’sfuneral;buttheyhadnotspokenawordtoeachother.
Heglancedupinsurpriseassheentered,andshenoticedthathewasunshaved,andthathelookedunusuallyold;butasshehadalwaysthoughtofhimasanoldmanthechangeinhisappearancedidnotmoveher.
