Пробный камень
III
”Sheglanceddownathergownwhich,underarenovatedsurface,datedbacktothefirstdaysofGlennard’swooing.“Itrynottocostmuch—butIdo.”
“GoodLord!”Glennardgroaned.
Theysatsilenttillatlengthshegentlytookuptheargument.“Astheeldest,youknow,I’mboundtoconsiderthesethings.Womenaresuchaburden.Jimdoeswhathecanformother,butwithhisownchildrentoprovideforitisn’tverymuch.Yousee,we’reallpoortogether.”
“Yourauntisn’t.Shemighthelpyourmother.”
“Shedoes—inherownway.”
“Exactly—that’stherichrelationallover!Youmaybemiserableinanywayyoulike,butifyou’retobehappyyou’vegottobesoinherway—andinheroldgowns.”
“IcouldbeveryhappyinAuntVirginia’soldgowns,”MissTrentinterposed.
“Abroad,youmean?”
“ImeanwhereverIfeltthatIwashelping.Andmygoingabroadwillhelp.”
“Ofcourse—Iseethat.AndIseeyourconsideratenessinputtingitsadvantagesnegatively.”
“Negatively?”
“Indwellingsimplyonwhatthegoingwilltakeyoufrom,notonwhatitwillbringyouto.Itmeansalottoawoman,ofcourse,togetawayfromalifelikethis.”Hesummedupinadisparagingglancethebackgroundofindigentfurniture.“Thequestionishowyou’lllikecomingbacktoit.”
Sheseemedtoacceptthefullconsequencesofhisthought.“IonlyknowIdon’tlikeleavingit.”
Heflungbacksombrely,“Youdon’tevenputitconditionallythen?”
Hergazedeepened.“Onwhat?”
Hestoodupandwalkedacrosstheroom.
