AnnabelBalchwas,ifnotthegirlHarneyoughttomarry,atleastthekindofgirlitwouldbenaturalforhimtomarry。Charityhadneverbeenabletopictureherselfashiswife;hadneverbeenabletoarrestthevisionandfollowitoutinitsdailyconsequences;butshecouldperfectlyimagineAnnabelBalchinthatrelationtohim。
Themoreshethoughtofthesethingsthemorethesenseoffatalityweighedonher:shefelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainstthecircumstances。Shehadneverknownhowtoadaptherself;shecouldonlybreakandtearanddestroy。ThescenewithAllyhadleftherstrickenwithshameatherownchildishsavagery。WhatwouldHarneyhavethoughtifhehadwitnessedit?Butwhensheturnedtheincidentoverinherpuzzledmindshecouldnotimaginewhatacivilizedpersonwouldhavedoneinherplace。Shefeltherselftoounequallypittedagainstunknownforces……
Atlengththisfeelingmovedhertosuddenaction。ShetookasheetofletterpaperfromMr。Royall’soffice,andsittingbythekitchenlamp,onenightafterVerenahadgonetobed,beganherfirstlettertoHarney。Itwasveryshort:
IwantyoushouldmarryAnnabelBalchifyoupromisedto。IthinkmaybeyouwereafraidI’dfeeltoobadaboutit。IfeelI’dratheryouactedright。
YourlovingCHARITY。
Shepostedtheletterearlythenextmorning,andforafewdaysherheartfeltstrangelylight。Thenshebegantowonderwhyshereceivednoanswer。
Onedayasshesataloneinthelibraryponderingthesethingsthewallsofbooksbegantospinaroundher,andtherosewooddesktorockunderherelbows。ThedizzinesswasfollowedbyawaveofnausealikethatshehadfeltonthedayoftheexercisesintheTownHall。ButtheTownHallhadbeencrowdedandstiflinglyhot,andthelibrarywasempty,andsochillythatshehadkeptonherjacket。Fiveminutesbeforeshehadfeltperfectlywell;andnowitseemedasifsheweregoingtodie。Thebitoflaceatwhichshestilllanguidlyworkeddroppedfromherfingers,andthesteelcrochethookclatteredtothefloor。Shepressedhertempleshardbetweenherdamphands,steadyingherselfagainstthedeskwhilethewaveofsicknesssweptoverher。Littlebylittleitsubsided,andafterafewminutesshestoodup,shakenandterrified,gropedforherhat,andstumbledoutintotheair。Butthewholesunlitautumnwhirled,reeledandroaredaroundherasshedraggedherselfalongtheinterminablelengthoftheroadhome。
Assheapproachedtheredhouseshesawabuggystandingatthedoor,andherheartgavealeap。ButitwasonlyMr。Royallwhogotout,histravelling—baginhand。Hesawhercoming,andwaitedintheporch。
Shewasconsciousthathewaslookingatherintently,asiftherewassomethingstrangeinherappearance,andshethrewbackherheadwithadesperateeffortatease。Theireyesmet,andshesaid:\"Youback?\"asifnothinghadhappened,andheanswered:
\"Yes,I’mback,\"andwalkedinaheadofher,pushingopenthedoorofhisoffice。Sheclimbedtoherroom,everystepofthestairsholdingherfastasifherfeetwerelinedwithglue。
Twodayslater,shedescendedfromthetrainatNettleton,andwalkedoutofthestationintothedustysquare。Thebriefintervalofcoldweatherwasover,andthedaywasassoft,andalmostashot,aswhensheandHarneyhademergedonthesamesceneontheFourthofJuly。Inthesquarethesamebroken—downhacksandcarry—allsstooddrawnupinadespondentline,andthelankhorseswithfly—netsovertheirwithersswayedtheirheadsdrearilytoandfro。Sherecognizedthestaringsignsovertheeating—housesandbilliardsaloons,andthelonglinesofwiresonloftypolestaperingdownthemainstreettotheparkatitsotherend。Takingthewaythewirespointed,shewentonhastily,withbenthead,tillshereachedawidetransversestreetwithabrickbuildingatthecorner。
Shecrossedthisstreetandglancedfurtivelyupatthefrontofthebrickbuilding;thenshereturned,andenteredadooropeningonaflightofsteepbrass—rimmedstairs。Onthesecondlandingsherangabell,andamulattogirlwithabushyheadandafrilledapronletherintoahallwhereastuffedfoxonhishindlegsprofferedabrasscard—traytovisitors。Atthebackofthehallwasaglazeddoormarked:\"Office。\"Afterwaitingafewminutesinahandsomelyfurnishedroom,withplushsofassurmountedbylargegold—framedphotographsofshowyyoungwomen,Charitywasshownintotheoffice……
WhenshecameoutoftheglazeddoorDr。Merklefollowed,andledherintoanotherroom,smaller,andstillmorecrowdedwithplushandgoldframes。Dr。
Merklewasaplumpwomanwithsmallbrighteyes,animmensemassofblackhaircomingdownlowonherforehead,andunnaturallywhiteandeventeeth。Sheworearichblackdress,withgoldchainsandcharmshangingfromherbosom。Herhandswerelargeandsmooth,andquickinalltheirmovements;andshesmeltofmuskandcarbolicacid。
ShesmiledonCharitywithallherfaultlessteeth。
\"Sitdown,mydear。Wouldn’tyoulikealittledropofsomethingtopickyouup?……No……Well,justlaybackaminutethen……There’snothingtobedonejustyet;butinaboutamonth,ifyou’llsteproundagain……Icouldtakeyourightintomyownhousefortwoorthreedays,andtherewouldn’tbeamiteoftrouble。Mercyme!Thenexttimeyou’llknowbetter’ntofretlikethis……\"
Charitygazedatherwithwideningeyes。Thiswomanwiththefalsehair,thefalseteeth,thefalsemurderoussmile——whatwassheofferingherbutimmunityfromsomeunthinkablecrime?Charity,tillthen,hadbeenconsciousonlyofavagueself—disgustandafrighteningphysicaldistress;now,ofasudden,therecametoherthegravesurpriseofmotherhood。Shehadcometothisdreadfulplacebecausesheknewofnootherwayofmakingsurethatshewasnotmistakenaboutherstate;andthewomanhadtakenherforamiserablecreaturelikeJulia……Thethoughtwassohorriblethatshesprangup,whiteandshaking,oneofhergreatrushesofangersweepingoverher。
Dr。Merkle,stillsmiling,alsorose。\"Whydoyourunoffinsuchahurry?Youcanstretchoutrighthereonmysofa……\"Shepaused,andhersmilegrewmoremotherly。\"Afterwards——ifthere’sbeenanytalkathome,andyouwanttogetawayforawhile……IhavealadyfriendinBostonwho’slookingforacompanion……you’retheveryonetosuither,mydear……\"
Charityhadreachedthedoor。\"Idon’twanttostay。I
don’twanttocomebackhere,\"shestammered,herhandontheknob;butwithaswiftmovement,Dr。Merkleedgedherfromthethreshold。
\"Oh,verywell。Fivedollars,please。\"
Charitylookedhelplesslyatthedoctor’stightlipsandrigidface。HerlastsavingshadgoneinrepayingAllyforthecostofMissBalch’sruinedblouse,andshehadhadtoborrowfourdollarsfromherfriendtopayforherrailwayticketandcoverthedoctor’sfee。
Ithadneveroccurredtoherthatmedicaladvicecouldcostmorethantwodollars。
\"Ididn’tknow……Ihaven’tgotthatmuch……\"shefaltered,burstingintotears。
Dr。Merklegaveashortlaughwhichdidnotshowherteeth,andinquiredwithconcisionifCharitysupposedsherantheestablishmentforherownamusement?Sheleanedherfirmshouldersagainstthedoorasshespoke,likeagrimgaolermakingtermswithhercaptive。
\"Yousayyou’llcomeroundandsettlelater?I’veheardthatprettyoftentoo。Givemeyouraddress,andifyoucan’tpaymeI’llsendthebilltoyourfolks……What?Ican’tunderstandwhatyousay……Thatdon’tsuityoueither?My,you’reprettyparticularforagirlthatain’tgotenoughtosettleherownbills……\"Shepaused,andfixedhereyesonthebroochwithabluestonethatCharityhadpinnedtoherblouse。
\"Ain’tyouashamedtotalkthatwaytoaladythat’sgottoearnherliving,whenyougoaboutwithjewellerylikethatonyou?……Itain’tinmyline,andIdoitonlyasafavour……butifyou’reamindtoleavethatbroochasapledge,Idon’tsayno……Yes,ofcourse,youcangetitbackwhenyoubringmemymoney……\"
Onthewayhome,shefeltanimmenseandunexpectedquietude。IthadbeenhorribletohavetoleaveHarney’sgiftinthewoman’shands,butevenatthatpricethenewsshebroughtawayhadnotbeentoodearlybought。Shesatwithhalf—closedeyesasthetrainrushedthroughthefamiliarlandscape;andnowthememoriesofherformerjourney,insteadofflyingbeforeherlikedeadleaves,seemedtoberipeninginherbloodlikesleepinggrain。Shewouldneveragainknowwhatitwastofeelherselfalone。Everythingseemedtohavegrownsuddenlyclearandsimple。ShenolongerhadanydifficultyinpicturingherselfasHarney’swifenowthatshewasthemotherofhischild;
andcomparedtohersovereignrightAnnabelBalch’sclaimseemednomorethanagirl’ssentimentalfancy。
Thatevening,atthegateoftheredhouse,shefoundAllywaitinginthedusk。\"Iwasdownatthepost—
officejustastheywereclosingup,andWillTargattsaidtherewasaletterforyou,soIbroughtit。\"
Allyheldouttheletter,lookingatCharitywithpiercingsympathy。Sincethesceneofthetornblousetherehadbeenanewandfearfuladmirationintheeyesshebentonherfriend。
Charitysnatchedtheletterwithalaugh。\"Oh,thankyou——good—night,\"shecalledoutoverhershoulderassheranupthepath。IfshehadlingeredamomentsheknewshewouldhavehadAllyatherheels。
Shehurriedupstairsandfeltherwayintoherdarkroom。Herhandstrembledasshegropedforthematchesandlithercandle,andtheflapoftheenvelopewassocloselystuckthatshehadtofindherscissorsandslititopen。Atlengthsheread:
DEARCHARITY:
Ihaveyourletter,andittouchesmemorethanIcansay。Won’tyoutrustme,inreturn,todomybest?
Therearethingsitishardtoexplain,muchlesstojustify;butyourgenerositymakeseverythingeasier。
AllIcandonowistothankyoufrommysoulforunderstanding。Yourtellingmethatyouwantedmetodorighthashelpedmebeyondexpression。Ifeverthereisahopeofrealizingwhatwedreamedofyouwillseemebackontheinstant;andIhaven’tyetlostthathope。
Shereadtheletterwitharush;thenshewentoverandoverit,eachtimemoreslowlyandpainstakingly。Itwassobeautifullyexpressedthatshefounditalmostasdifficulttounderstandasthegentleman’sexplanationoftheBiblepicturesatNettleton;butgraduallyshebecameawarethatthegistofitsmeaninglayinthelastfewwords。\"Ifeverthereisahopeofrealizingwhatwedreamedof……\"
Butthenhewasn’tevensureofthat?SheunderstoodnowthateverywordandeveryreticencewasanavowalofAnnabelBalch’spriorclaim。Itwastruethathewasengagedtoher,andthathehadnotyetfoundawayofbreakinghisengagement。
AsshereadtheletteroverCharityunderstoodwhatitmusthavecosthimtowriteit。Hewasnottryingtoevadeanimportunateclaim;hewashonestlyandcontritelystrugglingbetweenopposingduties。Shedidnotevenreproachhiminherthoughtsforhavingconcealedfromherthathewasnotfree:shecouldnotseeanythingmorereprehensibleinhisconductthaninherown。Fromthefirstshehadneededhimmorethanhehadwantedher,andthepowerthathadsweptthemtogetherhadbeenasfarbeyondresistanceasagreatgalelooseningtheleavesoftheforest……Only,therestoodbetweenthem,fixedanduprightinthegeneralupheaval,theindestructiblefigureofAnnabelBalch……
Facetofacewithhisadmissionofthefact,shesatstaringattheletter。Acoldtremorranoverher,andthehardsobsstruggledupintoherthroatandshookherfromheadtofoot。Forawhileshewascaughtandtossedongreatwavesofanguishthatleftherhardlyconsciousofanythingbuttheblindstruggleagainsttheirassaults。Then,littlebylittle,shebegantorelive,withadreadfulpoignancy,eachseparatestageofherpoorromance。Foolishthingsshehadsaidcamebacktoher,gayanswersHarneyhadmade,hisfirstkissinthedarknessbetweenthefireworks,theirchoosingthebluebroochtogether,thewayhehadteasedheraboutthelettersshehaddroppedinherflightfromtheevangelist。Allthesememories,andathousandothers,hummedthroughherbraintillhisnearnessgrewsovividthatshefelthisfingersinherhair,andhiswarmbreathonhercheekashebentherheadbacklikeaflower。Thesethingswerehers;theyhadpassedintoherblood,andbecomeapartofher,theywerebuildingthechildinherwomb;itwasimpossibletotearasunderstrandsoflifesointerwoven。
Theconvictiongraduallystrengthenedher,andshebegantoforminhermindthefirstwordsofthelettershemeanttowritetoHarney。Shewantedtowriteitatonce,andwithfeverishhandsshebegantorummageinherdrawerforasheetofletterpaper。Buttherewasnoneleft;shemustgodownstairstogetit。
Shehadasuperstitiousfeelingthatthelettermustbewrittenontheinstant,thatsettingdownhersecretinwordswouldbringherreassuranceandsafety;andtakinguphercandleshewentdowntoMr。Royall’soffice。
Atthathourshewasnotlikelytofindhimthere:hehadprobablyhadhissupperandwalkedovertoCarrickFry’s。Shepushedopenthedooroftheunlitroom,andthelightofherliftedcandlefellonhisfigure,seatedinthedarknessinhishigh—backedchair。Hisarmslayalongthearmsofthechair,andhisheadwasbentalittle;buthelifteditquicklyasCharityentered。Shestartedbackastheireyesmet,rememberingthatherownwereredwithweeping,andthatherfacewaslividwiththefatigueandemotionofherjourney。Butitwastoolatetoescape,andshestoodandlookedathiminsilence。
Hehadrisenfromhischair,andcametowardherwithoutstretchedhands。Thegesturewassounexpectedthatshelethimtakeherhandsinhisandtheystoodthus,withoutspeaking,tillMr。Royallsaidgravely:
\"Charity——wasyoulookingforme?\"
Shefreedherselfabruptlyandfellback。\"Me?No————\"
Shesetdownthecandleonhisdesk。\"Iwantedsomeletter—paper,that’sall。\"Hisfacecontracted,andthebushybrowsjuttedforwardoverhiseyes。
Withoutansweringheopenedthedrawerofthedesk,tookoutasheetofpaperandanenvelope,andpushedthemtowardher。\"Doyouwantastamptoo?\"heasked。
Shenodded,andhegaveherthestamp。Ashedidsoshefeltthathewaslookingatherintently,andsheknewthatthecandlelightflickeringuponherwhitefacemustbedistortingherswollenfeaturesandexaggeratingthedarkringsabouthereyes。Shesnatchedupthepaper,herreassurancedissolvingunderhispitilessgaze,inwhichsheseemedtoreadthegrimperceptionofherstate,andtheironicrecollectionofthedaywhen,inthatveryroom,hehadofferedtocompelHarneytomarryher。Hislookseemedtosaythatheknewshehadtakenthepapertowritetoherlover,whohadleftherashehadwarnedhershewouldbeleft。Sherememberedthescornwithwhichshehadturnedfromhimthatday,andknew,ifheguessedthetruth,whatalistofoldscoresitmustsettle。Sheturnedandfledupstairs;butwhenshegotbacktoherroomallthewordsthathadbeenwaitinghadvanished……
IfshecouldhavegonetoHarneyitwouldhavebeendifferent;shewouldonlyhavehadtoshowherselftolethismemoriesspeakforher。Butshehadnomoneyleft,andtherewasnoonefromwhomshecouldhaveborrowedenoughforsuchajourney。Therewasnothingtodobuttowrite,andawaithisreply。Foralongtimeshesatbentabovetheblankpage;butshefoundnothingtosaythatreallyexpressedwhatshewasfeeling……
Harneyhadwrittenthatshehadmadeiteasierforhim,andshewasgladitwasso;shedidnotwanttomakethingshard。Sheknewshehaditinherpowertodothat;sheheldhisfateinherhands。Allshehadtodowastotellhimthetruth;butthatwastheveryfactthatheldherback……HerfiveminutesfacetofacewithMr。Royallhadstrippedherofherlastillusion,andbroughtherbacktoNorthDormer’spointofview。Distinctlyandpitilesslythererosebeforeherthefateofthegirlwhowasmarried\"tomakethingsright。\"Shehadseentoomanyvillagelove—
storiesendinthatway。PoorRoseColes’smiserablemarriagewasofthenumber;andwhatgoodhadcomeofitforherorforHalstonSkeff?Theyhadhatedeachotherfromthedaytheministermarriedthem;andwheneveroldMrs。Skeffhadafancytohumiliateherdaughter—in—lawshehadonlytosay:\"Who’deverthinkthebaby’sonlytwo?Andforasevenmonths’child——
ain’titawonderwhatasizeheis?\"NorthDormerhadtreasuresofindulgenceforbrandsintheburning,butonlyderisionforthosewhosucceededingettingsnatchedfromit;andCharityhadalwaysunderstoodJuliaHawes’srefusaltobesnatched……
Only——wastherenoalternativebutJulia’s?Hersoulrecoiledfromthevisionofthewhite—facedwomanamongtheplushsofasandgiltframes。Intheestablishedorderofthingsassheknewthemshesawnoplaceforherindividualadventure……
Shesatinherchairwithoutundressingtillfaintgreystreaksbegantodividetheblackslatsoftheshutters。Thenshestoodupandpushedthemopen,lettinginthelight。Thecomingofanewdaybroughtasharperconsciousnessofineluctablereality,andwithitasenseoftheneedofaction。Shelookedatherselfintheglass,andsawherface,whiteintheautumndawn,withpinchedcheeksanddark—ringedeyes,andallthemarksofherstatethatsheherselfwouldneverhavenoticed,butthatDr。Merkle’sdiagnosishadmadeplaintoher。Shecouldnothopethatthosesignswouldescapethewatchfulvillage;evenbeforeherfigurelostitsshapesheknewherfacewouldbetrayher。
Leaningfromherwindowshelookedoutonthedarkandemptyscene;theashenhouseswithshutteredwindows,thegreyroadclimbingtheslopetothehemlockbeltabovethecemetery,andtheheavymassoftheMountainblackagainstarainysky。Totheeastaspaceoflightwasbroadeningabovetheforest;butoverthatalsothecloudshung。Slowlyhergazetravelledacrossthefieldstotheruggedcurveofthehills。Shehadlookedoutsooftenonthatlifelesscircle,andwonderedifanythingcouldeverhappentoanyonewhowasenclosedinit……
Almostwithoutconsciousthoughtherdecisionhadbeenreached;ashereyeshadfollowedthecircleofthehillshermindhadalsotravelledtheoldround。ShesupposeditwassomethinginherbloodthatmadetheMountaintheonlyanswertoherquestioning,theinevitableescapefromallthathemmedherinandbesether。Atanyrateitbegantoloomagainsttherainydawn;andthelongershelookedatitthemoreclearlysheunderstoodthatnowatlastshewasreallygoingthere。
XVI
THErainheldoff,andanhourlater,whenshestarted,wildgleamsofsunlightwereblowingacrossthefields。
AfterHarney’sdepartureshehadreturnedherbicycletoitsowneratCreston,andshewasnotsureofbeingabletowalkallthewaytotheMountain。Thedesertedhousewasontheroad;buttheideaofspendingthenighttherewasunendurable,andshemeanttotrytopushontoHamblin,whereshecouldsleepunderawood—
shedifherstrengthshouldfailher。Herpreparationshadbeenmadewithquietforethought。Beforestartingshehadforcedherselftoswallowaglassofmilkandeatapieceofbread;andshehadputinhercanvassatchelalittlepacketofthechocolatethatHarneyalwayscarriedinhisbicyclebag。Shewantedabovealltokeepupherstrength,andreachherdestinationwithoutattractingnotice……
Milebymilesheretracedtheroadoverwhichshehadsooftenflowntoherlover。Whenshereachedtheturnwherethewood—roadbranchedofffromtheCrestonhighwaysherememberedtheGospeltent——longsincefoldedupandtransplanted——andherstartofinvoluntaryterrorwhenthefatevangelisthadsaid:
\"YourSaviourknowseverything。Comeandconfessyourguilt。\"Therewasnosenseofguiltinhernow,butonlyadesperatedesiretodefendhersecretfromirreverenteyes,andbeginlifeagainamongpeopletowhomtheharshcodeofthevillagewasunknown。Theimpulsedidnotshapeitselfinthought:sheonlyknewshemustsaveherbaby,andhideherselfwithitsomewherewherenoonewouldevercometotroublethem。
Shewalkedonandon,growingmoreheavy—footedasthedayadvanced。Itseemedacruelchancethatcompelledhertoretraceeverystepofthewaytothedesertedhouse;andwhenshecameinsightoftheorchard,andthesilver—grayroofslantingcrookedlythroughtheladenbranches,herstrengthfailedherandshesatdownbytheroad—side。Shesattherealongtime,tryingtogatherthecouragetostartagain,andwalkpastthebrokengateandtheuntrimmedrose—bushesstrungwithscarlethips。Afewdropsofrainwerefalling,andshethoughtofthewarmeveningswhensheandHarneyhadsatembracedintheshadowyroom,andthenoiseofsummershowersontheroofhadrustledthroughtheirkisses。Atlengthsheunderstoodthatifshestayedanylongertherainmightcompelhertotakeshelterinthehouseovernight,andshegotupandwalkedon,avertinghereyesasshecameabreastofthewhitegateandthetangledgarden。
Thehoursworeon,andshewalkedmoreandmoreslowly,pausingnowandthentorest,andtoeatalittlebreadandanapplepickedupfromtheroadside。Herbodyseemedtogrowheavierwitheveryyardoftheway,andshewonderedhowshewouldbeabletocarryherchildlater,ifalreadyhelaidsuchaburdenonher……A
freshwindhadsprungup,scatteringtherainandblowingdownkeenlyfromthemountain。Presentlythecloudsloweredagain,andafewwhitedartsstruckherintheface:itwasthefirstsnowfallingoverHamblin。Theroofsofthelonelyvillagewereonlyhalfamileahead,andshewasresolvedtopushbeyondit,andtrytoreachtheMountainthatnight。Shehadnoclearplanofaction,exceptthat,onceinthesettlement,shemeanttolookforLiffHyatt,andgethimtotakehertohermother。Sheherselfhadbeenbornasherownbabywasgoingtobeborn;andwhateverhermother’ssubsequentlifehadbeen,shecouldhardlyhelprememberingthepast,andreceivingadaughterwhowasfacingthetroubleshehadknown。
Suddenlythedeadlyfaintnesscameoverheroncemoreandshesatdownonthebankandleanedherheadagainstatree—trunk。Thelongroadandthecloudylandscapevanishedfromhereyes,andforatimesheseemedtobecirclingaboutinsometerriblewheelingdarkness。Thenthattoofaded。
Sheopenedhereyes,andsawabuggydrawnupbesideher,andamanwhohadjumpeddownfromitandwasgazingatherwithapuzzledface。Slowlyconsciousnesscameback,andshesawthatthemanwasLiffHyatt。
Shewasdimlyawarethathewasaskinghersomething,andshelookedathiminsilence,tryingtofindstrengthtospeak。Atlengthhervoicestirredinherthroat,andshesaidinawhisper:\"I’mgoinguptheMountain。\"
\"UptheMountain?\"herepeated,drawingasidealittle;
andashemovedshesawbehindhim,inthebuggy,aheavilycoatedfigurewithafamiliarpinkfaceandgoldspectaclesonthebridgeofaGreciannose。
\"Charity!Whatonearthareyoudoinghere?\"Mr。Milesexclaimed,throwingthereinsonthehorse’sbackandscramblingdownfromthebuggy。
Sheliftedherheavyeyestohis。\"I’mgoingtoseemymother。\"
Thetwomenglancedateachother,andforamomentneitherofthemspoke。
ThenMr。Milessaid:\"Youlookill,mydear,andit’salongway。Doyouthinkit’swise?\"
Charitystoodup。\"I’vegottogotoher。\"
AvaguemirthlessgrincontractedLiffHyatt’sface,andMr。Milesagainspokeuncertainly。\"Youknow,then——you’dbeentold?\"
Shestaredathim。\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。I
wanttogotoher。\"
Mr。Mileswasexaminingherthoughtfully。Shefanciedshesawachangeinhisexpression,andthebloodrushedtoherforehead。\"Ijustwanttogotoher,\"
sherepeated。
Helaidhishandonherarm。\"Mychild,yourmotherisdying。LiffHyattcamedowntofetchme……Getinandcomewithus。\"
Hehelpedheruptotheseatathisside,LiffHyattclamberedinattheback,andtheydroveofftowardHamblin。AtfirstCharityhadhardlygraspedwhatMr。Mileswassaying;thephysicalreliefoffindingherselfseatedinthebuggy,andsecurelyonherroadtotheMountain,effacedtheimpressionofhiswords。Butasherheadclearedshebegantounderstand。SheknewtheMountainhadbutthemostinfrequentintercoursewiththevalleys;shehadoftenenoughhearditsaidthatnooneeverwentupthereexcepttheminister,whensomeonewasdying。Andnowitwashermotherwhowasdying……andshewouldfindherselfasmuchaloneontheMountainasanywhereelseintheworld。Thesenseofunescapableisolationwasallshecouldfeelforthemoment;thenshebegantowonderatthestrangenessofitsbeingMr。Mileswhohadundertakentoperformthisgrimerrand。HedidnotseemintheleastlikethekindofmanwhowouldcaretogouptheMountain。Butherehewasatherside,guidingthehorsewithafirmhand,andbendingonherthekindlygleamofhisspectacles,asiftherewerenothingunusualintheirbeingtogetherinsuchcircumstances。
Forawhileshefounditimpossibletospeak,andheseemedtounderstandthis,andmadenoattempttoquestionher。Butpresentlyshefelthertearsriseandflowdownoverherdrawncheeks;andhemusthaveseenthemtoo,forhelaidhishandonhers,andsaidinalowvoice:\"Won’tyoutellmewhatistroublingyou?\"
Sheshookherhead,andhedidnotinsist:butafterawhilehesaid,inthesamelowtone,sothattheyshouldnotbeoverheard:\"Charity,whatdoyouknowofyourchildhood,beforeyoucamedowntoNorthDormer?\"
Shecontrolledherself,andanswered:\"NothingonlywhatIheardMr。Royallsayoneday。Hesaidhebroughtmedownbecausemyfatherwenttoprison。\"
\"Andyou’veneverbeenuptheresince?\"
\"Never。\"
Mr。Mileswassilentagain,thenhesaid:\"I’mgladyou’recomingwithmenow。Perhapswemayfindyourmotheralive,andshemayknowthatyouhavecome。\"
TheyhadreachedHamblin,wherethesnow—flurryhadleftwhitepatchesintheroughgrassontheroadside,andintheanglesoftheroofsfacingnorth。ItwasapoorbleakvillageunderthegraniteflankoftheMountain,andassoonastheyleftittheybegantoclimb。Theroadwassteepandfullofruts,andthehorsesettleddowntoawalkwhiletheymountedandmounted,theworlddroppingawaybelowthemingreatmottledstretchesofforestandfield,andstormydarkbluedistances。
CharityhadoftenhadvisionsofthisascentoftheMountainbutshehadnotknownitwouldrevealsowideacountry,andthesightofthosestrangelandsreachingawayoneverysidegaveheranewsenseofHarney’sremoteness。Sheknewhemustbemilesandmilesbeyondthelastrangeofhillsthatseemedtobetheoutmostvergeofthings,andshewonderedhowshehadeverdreamedofgoingtoNewYorktofindhim……
Astheroadmountedthecountrygrewbleaker,andtheydroveacrossfieldsoffadedmountaingrassbleachedbylongmonthsbeneaththesnow。Inthehollowsafewwhitebirchestrembled,oramountainashlititsscarletclusters;butonlyascantgrowthofpinesdarkenedthegraniteledges。Thewindwasblowingfiercelyacrosstheopenslopes;thehorsefaceditwithbentheadandstrainingflanks,andnowandthenthebuggyswayedsothatCharityhadtoclutchitsside。
Mr。Mileshadnotspokenagain;heseemedtounderstandthatshewantedtobeleftalone。
Afterawhilethetracktheywerefollowingforked,andhepulledupthehorse,asifuncertainoftheway。
LiffHyattcranedhisheadaroundfromtheback,andshoutedagainstthewind:\"Left————\"andtheyturnedintoastuntedpine—woodandbegantodrivedowntheothersideoftheMountain。
Amileortwofartherontheycameoutonaclearingwheretwoorthreelowhouseslayinstonyfields,crouchingamongtherocksasiftobracethemselvesagainstthewind。Theywerehardlymorethansheds,builtoflogsandroughboards,withtinstove—pipesstickingoutoftheirroofs。Thesunwassetting,andduskhadalreadyfallenonthelowerworld,butayellowglarestilllayonthelonelyhillsideandthecrouchinghouses。Thenextmomentitfadedandleftthelandscapeindarkautumntwilight。
\"Overthere,\"Liffcalledout,stretchinghislongarmoverMr。Miles’sshoulder。Theclergymanturnedtotheleft,acrossabitofbaregroundovergrownwithdocksandnettles,andstoppedbeforethemostruinousofthesheds。Astove—pipereacheditscrookedarmoutofonewindow,andthebrokenpanesoftheotherwerestuffedwithragsandpaper。
Incontrasttosuchadwellingthebrownhouseintheswampmighthavestoodforthehomeofplenty。
Asthebuggydrewuptwoorthreemongreldogsjumpedoutofthetwilightwithagreatbarking,andayoungmanslouchedtothedoorandstoodtherestaring。InthetwilightCharitysawthathisfacehadthesamesoddenlookasBashHyatt’s,thedayshehadseenhimsleepingbythestove。Hemadenoefforttosilencethedogs,butleanedinthedoor,asifrousedfromadrunkenlethargy,whileMr。Milesgotoutofthebuggy。
\"Isithere?\"theclergymanaskedLiffinalowvoice;
andLiffnodded。
Mr。MilesturnedtoCharity。\"Justholdthehorseaminute,mydear:I’llgoinfirst,\"hesaid,puttingthereinsinherhands。Shetookthempassively,andsatstaringstraightaheadofheratthedarkeningscenewhileMr。MilesandLiffHyattwentuptothehouse。Theystoodafewminutestalkingwiththemaninthedoor,andthenMr。Milescameback。Ashecameclose,Charitysawthathissmoothpinkfaceworeafrightenedsolemnlook。
\"Yourmotherisdead,Charity;you’dbettercomewithme,\"hesaid。
ShegotdownandfollowedhimwhileLiffledthehorseaway。Assheapproachedthedoorshesaidtoherself:\"ThisiswhereIwasborn……thisiswhereI
belong……\"ShehadsaidittoherselfoftenenoughasshelookedacrossthesunlitvalleysattheMountain;
butithadmeantnothingthen,andnowithadbecomeareality。Mr。Milestookhergentlybythearm,andtheyenteredwhatappearedtobetheonlyroominthehouse。Itwassodarkthatshecouldjustdiscernagroupofadozenpeoplesittingorsprawlingaboutatablemadeofboardslaidacrosstwobarrels。TheylookeduplistlesslyasMr。MilesandCharitycamein,andawoman’sthickvoicesaid:\"Here’sthepreacher。\"
Butnoonemoved。
Mr。Milespausedandlookedabouthim;thenheturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadmetthematthedoor。
\"Isthebodyhere?\"heasked。
Theyoungman,insteadofanswering,turnedhisheadtowardthegroup。\"Where’sthecandle?Itoleyertobringacandle,\"hesaidwithsuddenharshnesstoagirlwhowaslollingagainstthetable。Shedidnotanswer,butanothermangotupandtookfromsomecorneracandlestuckintoabottle。
\"How’llIlightit?Thestove’sout,\"thegirlgrumbled。
Mr。Milesfumbledunderhisheavywrappingsanddrewoutamatch—box。Heheldamatchtothecandle,andinamomentortwoafaintcircleoflightfellonthepaleaguishheadsthatstartedoutoftheshadowliketheheadsofnocturnalanimals。
\"Mary’soverthere,\"someonesaid;andMr。Miles,takingthebottleinhishand,passedbehindthetable。
Charityfollowedhim,andtheystoodbeforeamattressonthefloorinacorneroftheroom。Awomanlayonit,butshedidnotlooklikeadeadwoman;sheseemedtohavefallenacrosshersqualidbedinadrunkensleep,andtohavebeenleftlyingwhereshefell,inherraggeddisorderedclothes。Onearmwasflungaboveherhead,onelegdrawnupunderatornskirtthatlefttheotherbaretotheknee:aswollenglisteninglegwitharaggedstockingrolleddownabouttheankle。Thewomanlayonherback,hereyesstaringupunblinkinglyatthecandlethattrembledinMr。Miles’shand。
\"Shejus’droppedoff,\"awomansaid,overtheshoulderoftheothers;andtheyoungmanadded:\"Ijus’comeinandfoundher。\"
Anelderlymanwithlankhairandafeeblegrinpushedbetweenthem。\"Itwaslikethis:Isaystoheron’ythenightbefore:ifyoudon’ttakeandquit,I
saystoher……\"
Someonepulledhimbackandsenthimreelingagainstabenchalongthewall,wherehedroppeddownmutteringhisunheedednarrative。
Therewasasilence;thentheyoungwomanwhohadbeenlollingagainstthetablesuddenlypartedthegroup,andstoodinfrontofCharity。Shewashealthierandrobusterlookingthantheothers,andherweather—
beatenfacehadacertainsullenbeauty。
\"Who’sthegirl?Whobroughtherhere?\"shesaid,fixinghereyesmistrustfullyontheyoungmanwhohadrebukedherfornothavingacandleready。
Mr。Milesspoke。\"Ibroughther;sheisMaryHyatt’sdaughter。\"
\"What?Hertoo?\"thegirlsneered;andtheyoungmanturnedonherwithanoath。\"Shutyourmouth,damnyou,orgetoutofhere,\"hesaid;thenherelapsedintohisformerapathy,anddroppeddownonthebench,leaninghisheadagainstthewall。
Mr。Mileshadsetthecandleonthefloorandtakenoffhisheavycoat。HeturnedtoCharity。\"Comeandhelpme,\"hesaid。
Hekneltdownbythemattress,andpressedthelidsoverthedeadwoman’seyes。Charity,tremblingandsick,kneltbesidehim,andtriedtocomposehermother’sbody。Shedrewthestockingoverthedreadfulglisteningleg,andpulledtheskirtdowntothebatteredupturnedboots。Asshedidso,shelookedathermother’sface,thinyetswollen,withlipspartedinafrozengaspabovethebrokenteeth。Therewasnosigninitofanythinghuman:shelaytherelikeadeaddoginaditchCharity’shandsgrewcoldastheytouchedher。
Mr。Milesdrewthewoman’sarmsacrossherbreastandlaidhiscoatoverher。Thenhecoveredherfacewithhishandkerchief,andplacedthebottlewiththecandleinitatherhead。Havingdonethishestoodup。
\"Istherenocoffin?\"heasked,turningtothegroupbehindhim。
Therewasamomentofbewilderedsilence;thenthefiercegirlspokeup。\"You’doughterbroughtitwithyou。Where’dwegetonehere,I’dliketerknow?\"
Mr。Miles,lookingattheothers,repeated:\"Isitpossibleyouhavenocoffinready?\"
\"That’swhatIsay:themthathasitsleepsbetter,\"anoldwomanmurmured。\"Butthensheneverhadnobed……\"
\"Andthestovewarn’thers,\"saidthelank—hairedman,onthedefensive。
Mr。Milesturnedawayfromthemandmovedafewstepsapart。Hehaddrawnabookfromhispocket,andafterapauseheopeneditandbegantoread,holdingthebookatarm’slengthandlowdown,sothatthepagescaughtthefeeblelight。Charityhadremainedonherkneesbythemattress:nowthathermother’sfacewascovereditwaseasiertostaynearher,andavoidthesightofthelivingfaceswhichtoohorriblyshowedbywhatstageshershadlapsedintodeath。
\"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife,\"Mr。Milesbegan;
\"hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive……Thoughaftermyskinwormsdestroymybody,yetinmyfleshshallIseeGod……\"
INMYFLESHSHALLISEEGOD!Charitythoughtofthegapingmouthandstonyeyesunderthehandkerchief,andoftheglisteninglegoverwhichshehaddrawnthestocking……
\"Webroughtnothingintothisworldandweshalltakenothingoutofit————\"
Therewasasuddenmutteringandascuffleatthebackofthegroup。\"Ibroughtthestove,\"saidtheelderlymanwithlankhair,pushinghiswaybetweentheothers。\"Iwen’downtoCreston’nboughtit……n’Igotarighttotakeitouterhere……n’I’lllickanyfellersaysIain’t……\"
\"Sitdown,damnyou!\"shoutedthetallyouthwhohadbeendrowsingonthebenchagainstthewall。
\"Formanwalkethinavainshadow,anddisquietethhimselfinvain;heheapethuprichesandcannottellwhoshallgatherthem……\"
\"Well,itAREhis,\"awomaninthebackgroundinterjectedinafrightenedwhine。
Thetallyouthstaggeredtohisfeet。\"Ifyoudon’tholdyourmouthsI’llturnyouallouto’here,thewholelotofyou,\"hecriedwithmanyoaths。\"G’wan,minister……don’tlet’emfazeyou……\"
\"NowisChristrisenfromthedeadandbecomethefirst—fruitsofthemthatslept……Behold,Ishowyouamystery。Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged,inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump……Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruptionandthismortalmustputonimmortality。
Sowhenthiscorruptionshallhaveputonincorruption,andwhenthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality,thenshallbebroughttopassthesayingthatiswritten,DeathisswallowedupinVictory……\"
OnebyonethemightywordsfellonCharity’sbowedhead,soothingthehorror,subduingthetumult,masteringherastheymasteredthedrink—dazedcreaturesatherback。Mr。Milesreadtothelastword,andthenclosedthebook。
\"Isthegraveready?\"heasked。
LiffHyatt,whohadcomeinwhilehewasreading,noddeda\"Yes,\"andpushedforwardtothesideofthemattress。Theyoungmanonthebenchwhoseemedtoassertsomesortofrightofkinshipwiththedeadwoman,gottohisfeetagain,andtheproprietorofthestovejoinedhim。Betweenthemtheyraisedupthemattress;buttheirmovementswereunsteady,andthecoatslippedtothefloor,revealingthepoorbodyinitshelplessmisery。Charity,pickingupthecoat,coveredhermotheroncemore。Liffhadbroughtalantern,andtheoldwomanwhohadalreadyspokentookitup,andopenedthedoortoletthelittleprocessionpassout。Thewindhaddropped,andthenightwasverydarkandbitterlycold。Theoldwomanwalkedahead,thelanternshakinginherhandandspreadingoutbeforeherapalepatchofdeadgrassandcoarse—leavedweedsenclosedinanimmensityofblackness。