Літо
IX
Butitdidnotgreatlymatter,fortheirpastwasnowrichenoughtohavegiventhemaprivatelanguage;andwiththelongdaystretchingbeforethemlikethebluedistancebeyondthehillstherewasadelicatepleasureinpostponement.
WhenCharity,inresponsetoHarney’smessage,hadgonetomeethimattheCrestonpoolherhearthadbeensofullofmortificationandangerthathisfirstwordsmighteasilyhaveestrangedher.Butithappenedthathehadfoundtherightword,whichwasoneofsimplefriendship.Histonehadinstantlyjustifiedher,andputherguardianinthewrong.HehadmadenoallusiontowhathadpassedbetweenMr.Royallandhimself,buthadsimplyletitappearthathehadleftbecausemeansofconveyancewerehardtofindatNorthDormer,andbecauseCrestonRiverwasamoreconvenientcentre.Hetoldherthathehadhiredbytheweekthebuggyofthefreckledboy’sfather,whoservedaslivery-stablekeepertooneortwomelancholysummerboarding-housesonCrestonLake,andhaddiscovered,withindrivingdistance,anumberofhousesworthyofhispencil;andhesaidthathecouldnot,whilehewasintheneighbourhood,giveupthepleasureofseeingherasoftenaspossible.
Whentheytookleaveofeachothershepromisedtocontinuetobehisguide;andduringthefortnightwhichfollowedtheyroamedthehillsinhappycomradeship.
