Літо
VI
Therewerethreepeopleinthekitchentowhichthedooradmittedthem.Anoldwomanwithahandkerchiefoverherheadwassittingbythewindow.Sheheldasickly-lookingkittenonherknees,andwheneveritjumpeddownandtriedtolimpawayshestoopedandlifteditbackwithoutanychangeofheraged,unnoticingface.Anotherwoman,theunkemptcreaturethatCharityhadoncenoticedindrivingby,stoodleaningagainstthewindow-frameandstaredatthem;andnearthestoveanunshavedmaninatatteredshirtsatonabarrelasleep.
Theplacewasbareandmiserableandtheairheavywiththesmellofdirtandstaletobacco.Charity’sheartsank.OldderidedtalesoftheMountainpeoplecamebacktoher,andthewoman’sstarewassodisconcerting,andthefaceofthesleepingmansosoddenandbestial,thatherdisgustwastingedwithavaguedread.Shewasnotafraidforherself;sheknewtheHyattswouldnotbelikelytotroubleher;butshewasnotsurehowtheywouldtreata“cityfellow.”
LuciusHarneywouldcertainlyhavelaughedatherfears.Heglancedabouttheroom,utteredageneral“Howareyou?”towhichnooneresponded,andthenaskedtheyoungerwomaniftheymighttakesheltertillthestormwasover.
SheturnedhereyesawayfromhimandlookedatCharity.
“You’rethegirlfromRoyall’s,ain’tyou?”
ThecolourroseinCharity’sface.“I’mCharityRoyall,”shesaid,asifassertingherrighttothenameintheveryplacewhereitmighthavebeenmostopentoquestion.
Thewomandidnotseemtonotice.
