CHAPTER XXXII
關燈
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中
大
”shecried,“thatisit:MissAveryhasbeenunpackingyourpacking-cases.”
“Whyhasshedonethat?Howunnecessary!”
“Askanother.Isupposeyouorderedherto.”
“Igavenosuchorders.Perhapsshewasairingthethings.Shedidundertaketolightanoccasionalfire.”
“Itwasfarmorethananair,”saidDollysolemnly.“Thefloorsoundscoveredwithbooks.Charlessentmetoknowwhatistobedone,forhefeelscertainyoudon’tknow.”
“Books!”criedMargaret,movedbytheholyword.“Dolly,areyouserious?Hasshebeentouchingourbooks?”
“Hasn’tshe,though!Whatusedtobethehall’sfullofthem.Charlesthoughtforcertainyouknewofit.”
“Iamverymuchobligedtoyou,Dolly.WhatcanhavecomeoverMissAvery?Imustgodownaboutitatonce.Someofthebooksaremybrother’s,andarequitevaluable.Shehadnorighttoopenanyofthecases.”
“Isayshe’sdotty.Shewastheonethatnevergotmarried,youknow.Oh,Isay,perhaps,shethinksyourbooksarewedding-presentstoherself.Oldmaidsaretakenthatwaysometimes.MissAveryhatesusalllikepoisoneversinceherfrightfuldust-upwithEvie.”
“Ihadn’theardofthat,”saidMargaret.AvisitfromDollyhaditscompensations.
“Didn’tyouknowshegaveEvieapresentlastAugust,andEviereturnedit,andthen—oh,goloshes!YouneverreadsuchaletterasMissAverywrote.”
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