Кінець рабства
V
Hehadcherishedtheideaofbuildinghimselfalittlehouseinthecountry—inSurrey—toendhisdaysin,buthewasafraiditwasoutofthequestion,...andhisstaringeyesrolledupwardswithsuchapatheticanxietythatCaptainWhalleycharitablynoddeddownathim,restrainingasortofsickeningdesiretolaugh.
“Youmustknowwhatitisyourself,Harry.Girlsaretheverydevilforworryandanxiety.”
“Ay!Butmineisdoingwell,”CaptainWhalleypronouncedslowly,staringtotheendoftheavenue.
TheMaster-Attendantwasgladtohearthis.Uncommonlyglad.Herememberedherwell.Aprettygirlshewas.
CaptainWhalley,steppingoutcarelessly,assentedasifinadream.
“Shewaspretty.”
Theprocessionofcarriageswasbreakingup.
Oneafteranothertheyleftthefiletogooffatatrot,animatingthevastavenuewiththeirscatteredlifeandmovement;butsoontheaspectofdignifiedsolitudereturnedandtookpossessionofthestraightwideroad.AsyceinwhitestoodattheheadofaBurmahponyharnessedtoavarnishedtwo-wheelcart;andthewholethingwaitingbythecurbseemednobiggerthanachild’stoyforgottenunderthesoaringtrees.CaptainEliottwaddleduptoitandmadeasiftoclamberin,butrefrained;andkeepingonehandrestingeasilyontheshaft,hechangedtheconversationfromhispension,hisdaughters,andhispovertybackagaintotheonlyothertopicintheworld—theMarineOffice,themenandtheshipsoftheport.
