Літо
VI
Theairwascoolandclear,withtheautumnalsparklethatanorthwindbringstothehillsinearlysummer,andthenighthadbeensostillthatthedewhungoneverything,notasalingeringmoisture,butinseparatebeadsthatglitteredlikediamondsonthefernsandgrasses.ItwasalongdrivetothefootofPorcupine:firstacrossthevalley,withbluehillsboundingtheopenslopes;thendownintothebeech-woods,followingthecourseoftheCreston,abrownbrookleapingovervelvetledges;thenoutagainontothefarm-landsaboutCrestonLake,andgraduallyuptheridgesoftheEagleRange.Atlasttheyreachedtheyokeofthehills,andbeforethemopenedanothervalley,greenandwild,andbeyonditmoreblueheightseddyingawaytotheskylikethewavesofarecedingtide.
Harneytiedthehorsetoatree-stump,andtheyunpackedtheirbasketunderanagedwalnutwithariventrunkoutofwhichbumblebeesdarted.Thesunhadgrownhot,andbehindthemwasthenoondaymurmuroftheforest.Summerinsectsdancedontheair,andaflockofwhitebutterfliesfannedthemobiletipsofthecrimsonfireweed.Inthevalleybelownotahousewasvisible;itseemedasifCharityRoyallandyoungHarneyweretheonlylivingbeingsinthegreathollowofearthandsky.
Charity’sspiritsflaggedanddisquietingthoughtsstolebackonher.YoungHarneyhadgrownsilent,andashelaybesideher,hisarmsunderhishead,hiseyesonthenetworkofleavesabovehim,shewonderedifheweremusingonwhatMr.Royallhadtoldhim,andifithadreallydebasedherinhisthoughts.
