Літо
III
MissHatchardsentformethismorning——”
Charity’ssmoulderingresentmentbrokeintoablaze.“Iknow!OrmaFry,andthattoadofaTargattgirlandBenFry,likeasnot.He’sgoingroundwithher.Thelow-downsneaks—Ialwaysknewthey’dtrytohavemeout!Asifanybodyevercametothelibrary,anyhow!”
“Somebodydidyesterday,andyouweren’tthere.”
“Yesterday?”shelaughedatherhappyrecollection.“Atwhattimewasn’tIthereyesterday,I’dliketoknow?”
“Roundaboutfouro’clock.”
Charitywassilent.ShehadbeensosteepedinthedreamyremembranceofyoungHarney’svisitthatshehadforgottenhavingdesertedherpostassoonashehadleftthelibrary.
“Whocameatfouro’clock?”
“MissHatcharddid.”
“MissHatchard?Why,sheain’teverbeenneartheplacesinceshe’sbeenlame.Shecouldn’tgetupthestepsifshetried.”
“Shecanbehelpedup,Iguess.Shewasyesterday,anyhow,bytheyoungfellowthat’sstayingwithher.Hefoundyouthere,Iunderstand,earlierintheafternoon;andhewentbackandtoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshapeandneededattendingto.Shegotexcited,andhadherselfwheeledstraightround;andwhenshegottheretheplacewaslocked.Soshesentforme,andtoldmeaboutthat,andabouttheothercomplaints.Sheclaimsyou’veneglectedthings,andthatshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian.”
Charityhadnotmovedwhilehespoke.
