Коханець леді Чаттерлей
Chapter 6
’Verygood,yourLadyship.Iwillseetoitatonce.’
Takinganorder,hiswholeselfhadchanged,glazedoverwithasortofhardnessanddistance.Conniehesitated,sheoughttogo.Butshelookedroundtheclean,tidy,ratherdrearylittlesitting-roomwithsomethinglikedismay.
’Doyouliveherequitealone?’sheasked.
’Quitealone,yourLadyship.’
’Butyourmother...?’
’Shelivesinherowncottageinthevillage.’
’Withthechild?’askedConnie.
’Withthechild!’
Andhisplain,ratherwornfacetookonanindefinablelookofderision.Itwasafacethatchangedallthetime,baffling.
’No,’hesaid,seeingConniestandataloss,’mymothercomesandcleansupformeonSaturdays;Idotherestmyself.’
AgainConnielookedathim.Hiseyesweresmilingagain,alittlemockingly,butwarmandblue,andsomehowkind.Shewonderedathim.Hewasintrousersandflannelshirtandagreytie,hishairsoftanddamp,hisfaceratherpaleandworn-looking.Whentheeyesceasedtolaughtheylookedasiftheyhadsufferedagreatdeal,stillwithoutlosingtheirwarmth.Butapallorofisolationcameoverhim,shewasnotreallythereforhim.
Shewantedtosaysomanythings,andshesaidnothing.Onlyshelookedupathimagain,andremarked:
’IhopeIdidn’tdisturbyou?’
Thefaintsmileofmockerynarrowedhiseyes.
’Onlycombingmyhair,ifyoudon’tmind.I’msorryIhadn’tacoaton,butthenIhadnoideawhowasknocking.Nobodyknockshere,andtheunexpectedsoundsominous.’
Hewentinfrontofherdownthegardenpathtoholdthegate.
