Thenextmorning, whenArchergotoutoftheFallRivertrain, -sleevedpopulacemovedthroughthemwiththeintimateabandonofboardersgoingdownthepassagetothebathroom.
-takersincalicoloungedonthedoor-stepsofthewealthy, , beginningwithasliceofmelon, , , andwhenhegotbackfromhisexpeditiontoPortsmouthaletterfromtheoffice, whichfatehadconspicuouslyplacedonacornerofthehalltable, : itremindedhim, foranuncomfortablemoment, ofLawrenceLefferts', forhewasnotinananalyticmood.
, andtheusualgreetingswereexchanged: itwasthesameworldafterall, thoughhehadsuchaqueersenseofhavingslippedthroughthemeshesoftimeandspace.
Helookedathiswatch, , .
"Theladywasout, sir," hesuddenlyheardawaiter'svoiceathiselbow; andhestammered: "Out?—" asifitwereawordinastrangelanguage.
: : whyhadhenotsentthenoteassoonashearrived?
-stephesitating; , andshewerestillthere?
HestartedtowalkacrosstheCommon; andonthefirstbench, underatree, —howcouldheeverhaveimaginedherwithapinkone? Asheapproachedhewasstruckbyherlistlessattitude: , andtheknotofhairfastenedlowintheneckunderherdarkhat, , andsheturnedandlookedathim.
"Oh"—shesaid; andforthefirsttimehenoticedastartledlookonherface; butinanothermomentitgavewaytoaslowsmileofwonderandcontentment."Oh"—shemurmuredagain, onadifferentnote, ashestoodlookingdownather; andwithoutrisingshemadeaplaceforhimonthebench.
