Лето
XIII
Andtodothat,youmustkeeponlovingthemwhileyou’reawayfromthem;andevenifyoucomebackagainstyourwill—andthinkingit’sallabittermistakeofFateorProvidence—youmusttrytomakethebestofit,andtomakethebestofyouroldtown;andafterawhile—well,ladiesandgentlemen,Igiveyoumyrecipeforwhatit’sworth;afterawhile,Ibelieveyou’llbeabletosay,asIcansaytoday:’I’mgladI’mhere.’Believeme,allofyou,thebestwaytohelptheplacesweliveinistobegladwelivethere.”
Hestopped,andamurmurofemotionandsurpriseranthroughtheaudience.Itwasnotintheleastwhattheyhadexpected,butitmovedthemmorethanwhattheyhadexpectedwouldhavemovedthem.“Hear,hear!”avoicecriedoutinthemiddleofthehall.Anoutburstofcheerscaughtupthecry,andastheysubsidedCharityheardMr.Milessayingtosomeonenearhim:“ThatwasaMANtalking——”Hewipedhisspectacles.
Mr.Royallhadsteppedbackfromthedesk,andtakenhisseatintherowofchairsinfrontoftheharmonium.Adapperwhite-hairedgentleman—adistantHatchard—succeededhimbehindthegoldenrod,andbegantosaybeautifulthingsabouttheoldoakenbucket,patientwhite-hairedmothers,andwheretheboysusedtogonutting...andCharitybeganagaintosearchforHarney....
SuddenlyMr.Royallpushedbackhisseat,andoneofthemaplebranchesinfrontoftheharmoniumcollapsedwithacrash.