Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty-Four

The summer rain kept hitting the airport with tenacious stubbornness.Occasionally a gust of wind would come, sweeping the raindrops softly like spinning yarn towards the control tower.The front and rear boarding doors of the Montero-bound plane were opened. Passengers lowered their heads to avoid the rain and boarded the plane one by one.At the back of the queue, Robert could see Mrs. Sharp's flat black satin hat at the front, and her silver-white hair fluttering in the wind under the brim. When he finally boarded the plane, they were seated and Mrs. Sharp was securely searching in her handbag.He was walking on the aisle, and when he was approaching them, Marianne looked up and saw him.Her face brightened quickly, full of surprise and joy.

"Rob!" she called. "Are you here to see us off?" "No," said Robert. "I'm traveling on this flight." "Travel!" she said, eyes widening. "You travel?" "It's public transport, you know." "I know. But—you're going to Canada?" "yes." "what to do? " "To visit my sister," said Robert, with affected seriousness. "A more legitimate excuse than going to my cousin's." She began to laugh, softly, without restraint. "Well, my dear Robert," said she, "you have no idea what a nuisance you look when you are so self-satisfied!"