CHAPTER XLIII
關燈
小
中
大
ones.“Ihavebeenwalkingaboutallthemorning,andwishtositdown.”
“Certainly,ifyouwillconsenttositonthegrass.”
TheGreatNorthRoadshouldhavebeenborderedallitslengthwithglebe.Henry’skindhadfilchedmostofit.Shemovedtothescrapopposite,whereinweretheSixHills.Theysatdownonthefartherside,sothattheycouldnotbeseenbyCharlesorDolly.
“Hereareyourkeys,”saidMargaret.Shetossedthemtowardshim.Theyfellonthesunlitslopeofgrass,andhedidnotpickthemup.
“Ihavesomethingtotellyou,”hesaidgently.
Sheknewthissuperficialgentleness,thisconfessionofhastiness,thatwasonlyintendedtoenhanceheradmirationofthemale.
“Idon’twanttohearit,”shereplied.“Mysisterisgoingtobeill.Mylifeisgoingtobewithhernow.Wemustmanagetobuildupsomething,sheandIandherchild.”
“Whereareyougoing?”
“Munich.Westartaftertheinquest,ifsheisnottooill.”
“Aftertheinquest?”
“Yes.”
“Haveyourealisedwhattheverdictattheinquestwillbe?”
“Yes,heartdisease.”
“No,mydearmanslaughter.”
Margaretdroveherfingersthroughthegrass.Thehillbeneathhermovedasifitwerealive.
“Manslaughter,”repeatedMr.Wilcox.“Charlesmaygotoprison.Idarenottellhim.Idon’tknowwhattodo—whattodo.I’mbroken—I’mended.”
Nosuddenwarmtharoseinher.Shedidnotseethattobreakhimwasheronlyhope.Shedidnotenfoldthesuffererinherarms.Butallthroughthatdayandthenextanewlifebegantomove.Theverdictwasbroughtin.Charleswascommittedfortrial.Itwasagainstallreasonthatheshouldbepunished,butthelaw,notwithstanding,sentencedhimtothreeyears’imprisonment.ThenHenry’sfortressgaveway.HecouldbearnoonebuthiswifeheshambleduptoMargaretafterwardsandaskedhertodowhatshecouldwithhim.Shedidwhatseemedeasiest—shetookhimdowntorecruitatHowardsEnd.
