Літо
VI
AndI’djusthadoneoftheirgangsentupforsevenyearstoo.”
“Youwentupafterthat?”
“Yes,sir:rightafterit.ThefellowcamedowntoNettletonandranamuck,thewaytheysometimesdo.Afterthey’vedoneawood-cuttingjobtheycomedownandblowthemoneyin;andthismanendedupwithmanslaughter.Igothimconvicted,thoughtheywerescaredoftheMountainevenatNettleton;andthenaqueerthinghappened.Thefellowsentformetogoandseehimingaol.Iwent,andthisiswhathesays:’Thefoolthatdefendedmeisachicken-liveredsonofa—andalltherestofit,’hesays.’I’vegotajobtobedoneformeupontheMountain,andyou’retheonlymanIseenincourtthatlooksasifhe’ddoit.’Hetoldmehehadachildupthere—orthoughthehad—alittlegirl;andhewantedherbroughtdownandrearedlikeaChristian.Iwassorryforthefellow,soIwentupandgotthechild.”Hepaused,andCharitylistenedwithathrobbingheart.“That’stheonlytimeIeverwentuptheMountain,”heconcluded.
Therewasamoment’ssilence;thenHarneyspoke.“Andthechild—hadshenomother?”
“Oh,yes:therewasamother.Butshewasgladenoughtohavehergo.She’dhavegivenhertoanybody.Theyain’thalfhumanupthere.Iguessthemother’sdeadbynow,withthelifeshewasleading.Anyhow,I’veneverheardofherfromthatdaytothis.”
“MyGod,howghastly,”Harneymurmured;andCharity,chokingwithhumiliation,sprangtoherfeetandranupstairs.
