Літо
III
SincethedaywhenCharityhadtoldhimthatshewishedtosucceedtoEudoraSkeff’sposttheirrelationshadundefinablybutdefinitelychanged.LawyerRoyallhadkepthisword.Hehadobtainedtheplaceforheratthecostofconsiderablemaneuvering,assheguessedfromthenumberofrivalcandidates,andfromtheacerbitywithwhichtwoofthem,OrmaFryandtheeldestTargattgirl,treatedherfornearlyayearafterward.AndhehadengagedVerenaMarshtocomeupfromCrestonanddothecooking.Verenawasapooroldwidow,dodderingandshiftless:Charitysuspectedthatshecameforherkeep.Mr.Royallwastoocloseamantogiveadollaradaytoasmartgirlwhenhecouldgetadeafpauperfornothing.Butatanyrate,Verenawasthere,intheatticjustoverCharity,andthefactthatshewasdeafdidnotgreatlytroubletheyounggirl.
Charityknewthatwhathadhappenedonthathatefulnightwouldnothappenagain.Sheunderstoodthat,profoundlyasshehaddespisedMr.Royalleversince,hedespisedhimselfstillmoreprofoundly.Ifshehadaskedforawomaninthehouseitwasfarlessforherowndefensethanforhishumiliation.Sheneedednoonetodefendher:hishumbledpridewashersurestprotection.Hehadneverspokenawordofexcuseorextenuation;theincidentwasasifithadneverbeen.Yetitsconsequenceswerelatentineverywordthatheandsheexchanged,ineveryglancetheyinstinctivelyturnedfromeachother.Nothingnowwouldevershakeherruleintheredhouse.
