VI

           ThateveningaftersupperCharitysataloneinthekitchenandlistenedtoMr.RoyallandyoungHarneytalkingintheporch.

           ShehadremainedindoorsafterthetablehadbeenclearedandoldVerenahadhobbleduptobed.Thekitchenwindowwasopen,andCharityseatedherselfnearit,heridlehandsonherknee.Theeveningwascoolandstill.Beyondtheblackhillsanamberwestpassedintopalegreen,andthentoadeepblueinwhichagreatstarhung.Thesofthootofalittleowlcamethroughthedusk,andbetweenitscallsthemen’svoicesroseandfell.

           Mr.Royall’swasfullofasonoroussatisfaction.ItwasalongtimesincehehadhadanyoneofLuciusHarney’squalitytotalkto:Charitydivinedthattheyoungmansymbolizedallhisruinedandunforgottenpast.WhenMissHatchardhadbeencalledtoSpringfieldbytheillnessofawidowedsister,andyoungHarney,bythattimeseriouslyembarkedonhistaskofdrawingandmeasuringalltheoldhousesbetweenNettletonandtheNewHampshireborder,hadsuggestedthepossibilityofboardingattheredhouseinhiscousin’sabsence,CharityhadtrembledlestMr.Royallshouldrefuse.Therehadbeennoquestionoflodgingtheyoungman:therewasnoroomforhim.ButitappearedthathecouldstillliveatMissHatchard’sifMr.Royallwouldlethimtakehismealsattheredhouse;andafteraday’sdeliberationMr.Royallconsented.

           Charitysuspectedhimofbeinggladofthechancetomakealittlemoney.Hehadthereputationofbeinganavariciousman;butshewasbeginningtothinkhewasprobablypoorerthanpeopleknew.