Літо
II
ShetoldhimshehadbeentoseeMissHatchard,andwithwhatobject.Shesawthathewasastonished;buthemadenocomment.
“Itoldherthehouseworkwastoohardforme,andIwantedtoearnthemoneytopayforahiredgirl.ButIain’tgoingtopayforher:you’vegotto.Iwanttohavesomemoneyofmyown.”
Mr.Royall’sbushyblackeyebrowsweredrawntogetherinafrown,andhesatdrummingwithink-stainednailsontheedgeofhisdesk.
“Whatdoyouwanttoearnmoneyfor?”heasked.
“So’stogetawaywhenIwantto.”
“Whydoyouwanttogetaway?”
Hercontemptflashedout.“Doyousupposeanybody’dstayatNorthDormeriftheycouldhelpit?Youwouldn’t,folkssay!”
Withloweredheadheasked:“Where’dyougoto?”
“AnywherewhereIcanearnmyliving.I’lltryherefirst,andifIcan’tdoithereI’llgosomewhereelse.I’llgouptheMountainifIhaveto.”Shepausedonthisthreat,andsawthatithadtakeneffect.“IwantyoushouldgetMissHatchardandtheselectmentotakemeatthelibrary:andIwantawomanhereinthehousewithme,”sherepeated.
Mr.Royallhadgrownexceedinglypale.Whensheendedhestoodupponderously,leaningagainstthedesk;andforasecondortwotheylookedateachother.
“Seehere,”hesaidatlengthasthoughutteranceweredifficult,“there’ssomethingI’vebeenwantingtosaytoyou;I’doughttohavesaiditbefore.Iwantyoutomarryme.”
Thegirlstillstaredathimwithoutmoving.“Iwantyoutomarryme,”herepeated,clearinghisthroat.
