Літо
VII
Hereyeswereopenedtothedisproportionbetweenwhatshehadfeltandthecauseofheragitation;andshewasturningawayfromthewindowwhenonehandabruptlypushedasidethedrawing-boardandtheotherflungdownthepencil.
CharityhadoftennoticedHarney’slovingcareofhisdrawings,andtheneatnessandmethodwithwhichhecarriedonandconcludedeachtask.Theimpatientsweepingasideofthedrawing-boardseemedtorevealanewmood.Thegesturesuggestedsuddendiscouragement,ordistasteforhisworkandshewonderedifhetoowereagitatedbysecretperplexities.Herimpulseofflightwaschecked;shesteppedupontheverandahandlookedintotheroom.
Harneyhadputhiselbowsonthetableandwasrestinghischinonhislockedhands.Hehadtakenoffhiscoatandwaistcoat,andunbuttonedthelowcollarofhisflannelshirt;shesawthevigorouslinesofhisyoungthroat,andtherootofthemuscleswheretheyjoinedthechest.Hesatstaringstraightaheadofhim,alookofwearinessandself-disgustonhisface:itwasalmostasifhehadbeengazingatadistortedreflectionofhisownfeatures.ForamomentCharitylookedathimwithakindofterror,asifhehadbeenastrangerunderfamiliarlineaments;thensheglancedpasthimandsawontheflooranopenportmanteauhalffullofclothes.Sheunderstoodthathewaspreparingtoleave,andthathehadprobablydecidedtogowithoutseeingher.Shesawthatthedecision,fromwhatevercauseitwastaken,haddisturbedhimdeeply;andsheimmediatelyconcludedthathischangeofplanwasduetosomesurreptitiousinterferenceofMr.
