Літо
IX
Outsideofsomeofthedoorsweretrestleswithbanked-uporangesandapples,spottedpearsanddustyraspberries;andtheairreekedwiththesmelloffruitandstalecoffee,beerandsarsaparillaandfriedpotatoes.
Eventheshopsthatwereclosedoffered,throughwideexpansesofplate-glass,hintsofhiddenriches.Insome,wavesofsilkandribbonbrokeovershoresofimitationmossfromwhichravishinghatsroseliketropicalorchids.Inothers,thepinkthroatsofgramophonesopenedtheirgiantconvolutionsinasoundlesschorus;orbicyclesshininginneatranksseemedtoawaitthesignalofaninvisiblestarter;ortiersoffancy-goodsinleatheretteandpasteandcelluloiddangledtheirinsidiousgraces;and,inonevastbaythatseemedtoprojectthemintoexcitingcontactwiththepublic,waxladiesindaringdresseschattedelegantly,or,withgesturesintimateyetblameless,pointedtotheirpinkcorsetsandtransparenthosiery.
PresentlyHarneyfoundthathiswatchhadstopped,andturnedinatasmalljeweller’sshopwhichchancedtostillbeopen.WhilethewatchwasbeingexaminedCharityleanedovertheglasscounterwhere,onabackgroundofdarkbluevelvet,pins,rings,andbroochesglitteredlikethemoonandstars.Shehadneverseenjewellrysonearby,andshelongedtolifttheglasslidandplungeherhandamongtheshiningtreasures.ButalreadyHarney’swatchwasrepaired,andhelaidhishandonherarmanddrewherfromherdream.
“Whichdoyoulikebest?”heaskedleaningoverthecounteratherside.
“Idon’tknow....
