Літо
IX
HedeclaredhimselfreadytotakehertoNettleton,buturgedhernottogoontheFourthofJuly,onaccountofthecrowds,theprobablelatenessofthetrains,thedifficultyofhergettingbackbeforenight;butherevidentdisappointmentcausedhimtogiveway,andeventoaffectafaintenthusiasmfortheadventure.Sheunderstoodwhyhewasnotmoreeager:hemusthaveseensightsbesidewhichevenaFourthofJulyatNettletonwouldseemtame.Butshehadneverseenanything;andagreatlongingpossessedhertowalkthestreetsofabigtownonaholiday,clingingtohisarmandjostledbyidlecrowdsintheirbestclothes.Theonlycloudontheprospectwasthefactthattheshopswouldbeclosed;butshehopedhewouldtakeherbackanotherday,whentheywereopen.
Shestartedoutunnoticedintheearlysunlight,slippingthroughthekitchenwhileVerenabentabovethestove.Toavoidattractingnotice,shecarriedhernewhatcarefullywrappedup,andhadthrownalonggreyveilofMrs.Royall’soverthenewwhitemuslindresswhichAlly’scleverfingershadmadeforher.AllofthetendollarsMr.Royallhadgivenher,andapartofherownsavingsaswell,hadbeenspentonrenewingherwardrobe;andwhenHarneyjumpedoutofthebuggytomeethershereadherrewardinhiseyes.
ThefreckledboywhohadbroughtherthenotetwoweeksearlierwastowaitwiththebuggyatHepburntilltheirreturn.HeperchedatCharity’sfeet,hislegsdanglingbetweenthewheels,andtheycouldnotsaymuchbecauseofhispresence.
