CHAPTER XXXV
關燈
小
中
大
aidValancymiserably.
Barneywentacrosstheclearingandpickeduptheparcelhehaddropped—theparcelcontaininghernewshoes.Hebroughtittoherandlethertakeouttheshoesandputthemonwithoutanyassistance,whilehestoodwithhisbacktoherandlookedoutoverthepines.
Theywalkedinsilencedowntheshadowytrailtothelake.InsilenceBarneysteeredhisboatintothesunsetmiraclethatwasMistawis.Insilencetheywentaroundfeatheryheadlandsandacrosscoralbaysandsilverriverswherecanoeswereslippingupanddownintheafterglow.Insilencetheywentpastcottagesechoingwithmusicandlaughter.Insilencedrewupatthelanding-placebelowtheBlueCastle.
Valancywentuptherockstepsandintothehouse.Shedroppedmiserablyonthefirstchairshecametoandsattherestaringthroughtheoriel,obliviousofGoodLuck’sfranticpurrsofjoyandBanjo’ssavageglaresofprotestatheroccupancyofhischair.
Barneycameinafewminuteslater.Hedidnotcomenearher,buthestoodbehindherandaskedgentlyifshefeltanytheworseforherexperience.Valancywouldhavegivenheryearofhappinesstohavebeenablehonestlytoanswer“Yes.”
“No,”shesaidflatly.
BarneywentintoBluebeard’sChamberandshutthedoor.Sheheardhimpacingupanddown—upanddown.Hehadneverpacedlikethatbefore.
Andanhourago—onlyanhourago—shehadbeensohappy!
