Outside, the afternoon shadows were lengthening across the grass, and
through the empty window-frame that faced her she saw the Mountain
thrusting its dark mass against a sultry sunset. It was time to go.
She stood up, and he sprang to his feet also, and passed his arm through
hers with an air of authority. "Now, Charity, you're coming back with
me."
She looked at him and shook her head. "I ain't ever going back. You
don't know."
"What don't I know?" She was silent, and he continued: "What happened on
the wharf was horrible--it's natural you should feel as you do. But it
doesn't make any real difference: you can't be hurt by such things.
You must try to forget. And you must try to understand that men... men
sometimes..."
"I know about men. That's why."
He coloured a little at the retort, as though it had touched him in a
way she did not suspect.
"Well, then... you must know one has to make allowances.... He'd been
drinking...."
"I know all that, too. I've seen him so before.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176