Літо
IV
”
“Idon’tknowwhereyou’vebeenthismorning,butIknowyouwerehereinthislibraryyesterday;anditwasyouthatwenthomeandtoldyourcousinthebookswereinbadshape,andbroughtherroundtoseehowI’dneglectedthem.”
YoungHarneylookedsincerelyconcerned.“Wasthatwhatyouweretold?Idon’twonderyou’reangry.Thebooksareinbadshape,andassomeareinterestingit’sapity.ItoldMissHatchardtheyweresufferingfromdampnessandlackofair;andIbroughtherheretoshowherhoweasilytheplacecouldbeventilated.Ialsotoldheryououghttohavesomeonetohelpyoudothedustingandairing.IfyouweregivenawrongversionofwhatIsaidI’msorry;butI’msofondofoldbooksthatI’dratherseethemmadeintoabonfirethanlefttomoulderawaylikethese.”
Charityfelthersobsrisingandtriedtostifletheminwords.“Idon’tcarewhatyousayyoutoldher.AllIknowisshethinksit’sallmyfault,andI’mgoingtolosemyjob,andIwanteditmore’nanyoneinthevillage,becauseIhaven’tgotanybodybelongingtome,thewayotherfolkshave.AllIwantedwastoputasidemoneyenoughtogetawayfromheresometime.D’yousupposeifithadn’tbeenforthatI’dhavekeptonsittingdayafterdayinthisoldvault?”
Ofthisappealherhearertookuponlythelastquestion.“Itisanoldvault;butneeditbe?That’sthepoint.Andit’smyputtingthequestiontomycousinthatseemstohavebeenthecauseofthetrouble.
