Edith Wharton - Penn State University

Summermoment it had been mentioned she fancied that Harney’sexpression had altered. Annabel Balch at a garden-partyat Springfield, looking “extremely handsome”…perhapsMr. Miles had seen her there at the very moment whenCharity and Harney were sitting in the Hyatts’ hovel, betweena drunkard and a half-witted old woman! Charitydid not know exactly what a garden-party was, but herglimpse of the flower-edged lawns of Nettleton helped herto visualize the scene, and envious recollections of the“old things” which Miss Balch avowedly “wore out” whenshe came to North Dormer made it only too easy to pictureher in her splendour. Charity understood what associationsthe name must have called up, and felt the uselessnessof struggling against the unseen influences inHarney’s life.When she came down from her room for supper he wasnot there; and while she waited in the porch she recalledthe tone in which Mr. Royall had commented the day beforeon their early start. Mr. Royall sat at her side, hischair tilted back, his broad black boots with side-elasticsresting against the lower bar of the railings. His rumpledgrey hair stood up above his forehead like the crest of anangry bird, and the leather-brown of his veined cheekswas blotched with red. Charity knew that those red spotswere the signs of a coming explosion.Suddenly he said: “Where’s supper? Has Verena Marshslipped up again on her soda-biscuits?”Charity threw a startled glance at him. “I presume she’swaiting for Mr. Harney.”“Mr. Harney, is she? She’d better dish up, then. He ain’tcoming.” He stood up, walked to the door, and called out,in the pitch necessary to penetrate the old woman’s tympanum:“Get along with the supper, Verena.”Charity was trembling with apprehension. Somethinghad happened—she was sure of it now—and Mr. Royallknew what it was. But not for the world would she havegratified him by showing her anxiety. She took her usualplace, and he seated himself opposite, and poured out astrong cup of tea before passing her the tea-pot. Verenabrought some scrambled eggs, and he piled his plate withthem. “Ain’t you going to take any?” he asked. Charityroused herself and began to eat.48