\"Anyhow,itisn\'ttrue,\"saidtheBaronesscomplacently;\"sinceweboughttheplacewehavehadproofthatnothingofthesorthappens。
Whentheoldmother-in-lawdiedlastspringtimewealllistened,buttherewasnohowling。Itisjustastorythatlendsdignitytotheplacewithoutcostinganything。\"
\"Thestoryisnotasyouhavetoldit,\"saidAmalie,thegreyoldgoverness。Everyoneturnedandlookedatherinastonishment。Shewaswonttositsilentandprimandfadedinherplaceattable,neverspeakingunlesssomeonespoketoher,andtherewerefewwhotroubledthemselvestomakeconversationwithher。To-dayasuddenvolubilityhaddescendedonher;shecontinuedtotalk,rapidlyandnervously,lookingstraightinfrontofherandseemingtoaddressnooneinparticular。
\"Itisnotwhenanyonediesinthecastlethatthehowlingisheard。ItwaswhenoneoftheCernogratzfamilydiedherethatthewolvescamefromfarandnearandhowledattheedgeoftheforestjustbeforethedeathhour。Therewereonlyafewcoupleofwolvesthathadtheirlairsinthispartoftheforest,butatsuchatimethekeeperssaytherewouldbescoresofthem,glidingaboutintheshadowsandhowlinginchorus,andthedogsofthecastleandthevillageandallthefarmsroundwouldbayandhowlinfearandangeratthewolfchorus,andasthesoulofthedyingoneleftitsbodyatreewouldcrashdowninthepark。ThatiswhathappenedwhenaCernogratzdiedinhisfamilycastle。Butforastrangerdyinghere,ofcoursenowolfwouldhowlandnotreewouldfall。Oh,no。\"
Therewasanoteofdefiance,almostofcontempt,inhervoiceasshesaidthelastwords。Thewell-fed,much-too-welldressedBaronessstaredangrilyatthedowdyoldwomanwhohadcomeforthfromherusualandseemlypositionofeffacementtospeaksodisrespectfully。
\"YouseemtoknowquitealotaboutthevonCernogratzlegends,FrauleinSchmidt,\"shesaidsharply;\"Ididnotknowthatfamilyhistorieswereamongthesubjectsyouaresupposedtobeproficientin。\"
Theanswertohertauntwasevenmoreunexpectedandastonishingthantheconversationaloutbreakwhichhadprovokedit。
\"IamavonCernogratzmyself,\"saidtheoldwoman,\"thatiswhyI
knowthefamilyhistory。\"
\"YouavonCernogratz?You!\"cameinanincredulouschorus。
\"Whenwebecameverypoor,\"sheexplained,\"andIhadtogooutandgiveteachinglessons,Itookanothername;Ithoughtitwouldbemoreinkeeping。Butmygrandfatherspentmuchofhistimeasaboyinthiscastle,andmyfatherusedtotellmemanystoriesaboutit,and,ofcourse,Iknewallthefamilylegendsandstories。Whenonehasnothinglefttoonebutmemories,oneguardsandduststhemwithespecialcare。IlittlethoughtwhenItookservicewithyouthatI
shouldonedaycomewithyoutotheoldhomeofmyfamily。Icouldwishithadbeenanywhereelse。\"
Therewassilencewhenshefinishedspeaking,andthentheBaronessturnedtheconversationtoalessembarrassingtopicthanfamilyhistories。Butafterwards,whentheoldgovernesshadslippedawayquietlytoherduties,therearoseaclamourofderisionanddisbelief。
\"Itwasanimpertinence,\"snappedouttheBaron,hisprotrudingeyestakingonascandalisedexpression;\"fancythewomantalkinglikethatatourtable。Shealmosttolduswewerenobodies,andIdon\'tbelieveawordofit。SheisjustSchmidtandnothingmore。ShehasbeentalkingtosomeofthepeasantsabouttheoldCernogratzfamily,andrakeduptheirhistoryandtheirstories。\"
\"Shewantstomakeherselfoutofsomeconsequence,\"saidtheBaroness;\"sheknowsshewillsoonbepastworkandshewantstoappealtooursympathies。Hergrandfather,indeed!\"
TheBaronesshadtheusualnumberofgrandfathers,butshenever,neverboastedaboutthem。
\"Idaresayhergrandfatherwasapantryboyorsomethingofthesortinthecastle,\"sniggeredtheBaron;\"thatpartofthestorymaybetrue。\"
ThemerchantfromHamburgsaidnothing;hehadseentearsintheoldwoman\'seyeswhenshespokeofguardinghermemories——or,beingofanimaginativedisposition,hethoughthehad。
\"IshallgivehernoticetogoassoonastheNewYearfestivitiesareover,\"saidtheBaroness;\"tillthenIshallbetoobusytomanagewithouther。\"
Butshehadtomanagewithoutherallthesame,forinthecoldbitingweatherafterChristmas,theoldgovernessfellillandkepttoherroom。
\"Itismostprovoking,\"saidtheBaroness,asherguestssatroundthefireononeofthelasteveningsofthedyingyear;\"allthetimethatshehasbeenwithusIcannotrememberthatshewaseverseriouslyill,tooilltogoaboutanddoherwork,Imean。Andnow,whenIhavethehousefull,andshecouldbeusefulinsomanyways,shegoesandbreaksdown。Oneissorryforher,ofcourse,shelookssowitheredandshrunken,butitisintenselyannoyingallthesame。\"
\"Mostannoying,\"agreedthebanker\'swife,sympathetically;\"itistheintensecold,Iexpect,itbreakstheoldpeopleup。Ithasbeenunusuallycoldthisyear。\"
\"ThefrostisthesharpestthathasbeenknowninDecemberformanyyears,\"saidtheBaron。
\"And,ofcourse,sheisquiteold,\"saidtheBaroness;\"IwishIhadgivenhernoticesomeweeksago,thenshewouldhaveleftbeforethishappenedtoher。Why,Wappi,whatisthematterwithyou?\"
Thesmall,woollylapdoghadleaptsuddenlydownfromitscushionandcreptshiveringunderthesofa。Atthesamemomentanoutburstofangrybarkingcamefromthedogsinthecastle-yard,andotherdogscouldbeheardyappingandbarkinginthedistance。
\"Whatisdisturbingtheanimals?\"askedtheBaron。
Andthenthehumans,listeningintently,heardthesoundthathadrousedthedogstotheirdemonstrationsoffearandrage;heardalong-drawnwhininghowl,risingandfalling,seemingatonemomentleaguesaway,atotherssweepingacrossthesnowuntilitappearedtocomefromthefootofthecastlewalls。Allthestarved,coldmiseryofafrozenworld,alltherelentlesshunger-furyofthewild,blendedwithotherforlornandhauntingmelodiestowhichonecouldgivenoname,seemedconcentratedinthatwailingcry。
\"Wolves!\"criedtheBaron。
Theirmusicbrokeforthinoneragingburst,seemingtocomefromeverywhere。
\"Hundredsofwolves,\"saidtheHamburgmerchant,whowasamanofstrongimagination。
Movedbysomeimpulsewhichshecouldnothaveexplained,theBaronessleftherguestsandmadeherwaytothenarrow,cheerlessroomwheretheoldgovernesslaywatchingthehoursofthedryingyearslipby。Inspiteofthebitingcoldofthewinternight,thewindowstoodopen。Withascandalisedexclamationonherlips,theBaronessrushedforwardtocloseit。
\"Leaveitopen,\"saidtheoldwomaninavoicethatforallitsweaknesscarriedanairofcommandsuchastheBaronesshadneverheardbeforefromherlips。
\"Butyouwilldieofcold!\"sheexpostulated。
\"Iamdyinginanycase,\"saidthevoice,\"andIwanttoheartheirmusic。Theyhavecomefromfarandwidetosingthedeath-musicofmyfamily。Itisbeautifulthattheyhavecome;IamthelastvonCernogratzthatwilldieinouroldcastle,andtheyhavecometosingtome。Hark,howloudtheyarecalling!\"
Thecryofthewolvesroseonthestillwinterairandfloatedroundthecastlewallsinlong-drawnpiercingwails;theoldwomanlaybackonhercouchwithalookoflong-delayedhappinessonherface。
\"Goaway,\"shesaidtotheBaroness;\"Iamnotlonelyanymore。I
amoneofagreatoldfamily……\"
\"Ithinksheisdying,\"saidtheBaronesswhenshehadrejoinedherguests;\"Isupposewemustsendforadoctor。Andthatterriblehowling!NotformuchmoneywouldIhavesuchdeath-music。\"
\"Thatmusicisnottobeboughtforanyamountofmoney,\"saidConrad。
\"Hark!Whatisthatothersound?\"askedtheBaron,asanoiseofsplittingandcrashingwasheard。
Itwasatreefallinginthepark。
Therewasamomentofconstrainedsilence,andthenthebanker\'swifespoke。
\"Itistheintensecoldthatissplittingthetrees。Itisalsothecoldthathasbroughtthewolvesoutinsuchnumbers。Itismanyyearssincewehavehadsuchacoldwinter。\"
TheBaronesseagerlyagreedthatthecoldwasresponsibleforthesethings。Itwasthecoldoftheopenwindow,too,whichcausedtheheartfailurethatmadethedoctor\'sministrationsunnecessaryfortheoldFraulein。Butthenoticeinthenewspaperslookedverywell-
\"OnDecember29th,atSchlossCernogratz,AmalievonCernogratz,formanyyearsthevaluedfriendofBaronandBaronessGruebel。\"
LOUIS
\"ItwouldbejollytospendEasterinViennathisyear,\"saidStrudwarden,\"andlookupsomeofmyoldfriendsthere。It\'saboutthejolliestplaceIknowoftobeatforEaster——\"
\"IthoughtwehadmadeupourmindstospendEasteratBrighton,\"
interruptedLenaStrudwarden,withanairofaggrievedsurprise。
\"YoumeanthatyouhadmadeupyourmindthatweshouldspendEasterthere,\"saidherhusband;\"wespentlastEasterthere,andWhitsuntideaswell,andtheyearbeforethatwewereatWorthing,andBrightonagainbeforethat。Ithinkitwouldbejustaswelltohavearealchangeofscenewhileweareaboutit。\"
\"ThejourneytoViennawouldbeveryexpensive,\"saidLena。
\"Youarenotoftenconcernedabouteconomy,\"saidStrudwarden,\"andinanycasethetripofViennawon\'tcostabitmorethantherathermeaninglessluncheonpartiesweusuallygivetoquitemeaninglessacquaintancesatBrighton。Toescapefromallthatsetwouldbeaholidayinitself。\"
Strudwardenspokefeelingly;LenaStrudwardenmaintainedanequallyfeelingsilenceonthatparticularsubject。ThesetthatshegatheredroundheratBrightonandotherSouthCoastresortswascomposedofindividualswhomightbedullandmeaninglessinthemselves,butwhounderstoodtheartofflatteringMrs。
Strudwarden。Shehadnointentionofforegoingtheirsocietyandtheirhomageandflingingherselfamongunappreciativestrangersinaforeigncapital。
\"YoumustgotoViennaaloneifyouarebentongoing,\"shesaid;\"I
couldn\'tleaveLouisbehind,andadogisalwaysafearfulnuisanceinaforeignhotel,besidesallthefussandseparationofthequarantinerestrictionswhenonecomesback。Louiswoulddieifhewaspartedfrommeforevenaweek。Youdon\'tknowwhatthatwouldmeantome。\"
LenastoopeddownandkissedthenoseofthediminutivebrownPomeranianthatlay,snugandirresponsive,beneathashawlonherlap。
\"Lookhere,\"saidStrudwarden,\"thiseternalLouisbusinessisgettingtobearidiculousnuisance。Nothingcanbedone,noplanscanbemade,withoutsomevetoconnectedwiththatanimal\'swhimsorconveniencebeingimposed。IfyouwereapriestinattendanceonsomeAfricanfetishyoucouldn\'tsetupamoreelaboratecodeofrestrictions。Ibelieveyou\'dasktheGovernmenttoputoffaGeneralElectionifyouthoughtitwouldinterferewithLouis\'scomfortinanyway。\"
BywayofanswertothistiradeMrs。Strudwardenstoopeddownagainandkissedtheirresponsivebrownnose。Itwastheactionofawomanwithabeautifullymeeknature,whowould,however,sendthewholeworldtothestakesoonerthanyieldaninchwheresheknewherselftobeintheright。
\"Itisn\'tasifyouwereintheleastbitfondofanimals,\"wentonStrudwarden,withgrowingirritation;\"whenwearedownatKerryfieldyouwon\'tstirasteptotakethehousedogsout,evenifthey\'redyingforarun,andIdon\'tthinkyou\'vebeeninthestablestwiceinyourlife。Youlaughatwhatyoucallthefussthat\'sbeingmadeovertheexterminationofplumagebirds,andyouarequiteindignantwithmeifIinterfereonbehalfofanill-
treated,over-drivenanimalontheroad。Andyetyouinsistoneveryone\'splansbeingmadesubservienttotheconvenienceofthatstupidlittlemorseloffurandselfishness。\"
\"YouareprejudicedagainstmylittleLouis,\"saidLena,withaworldoftenderregretinhervoice。
\"I\'veneverhadthechanceofbeinganythingelsebutprejudicedagainsthim,\"saidStrudwarden;\"Iknowwhatajollyresponsivecompanionadoggiecanbe,butI\'veneverbeenallowedtoputafingernearLouis。Yousayhesnapsatanyoneexceptyouandyourmaid,andyousnatchedhimawayfromoldLadyPeterbytheotherday,whenshewantedtopethim,forfearhewouldburyhisteethinher。
AllthatIeverseeofhimisthetopofhisunhealthy-lookinglittlenose,peepingoutfromhisbasketorfromyourmuff,andI
occasionallyhearhiswheezylittlebarkwhenyoutakehimforawalkupanddownthecorridor。Youcan\'texpectonetogetextravagantlyfondofadogofthatsort。Onemightaswellworkupanaffectionforthecuckooinacuckoo-clock。\"
\"Helovesme,\"saidLena,risingfromthetable,andbearingtheshawl-swathedLouisinherarms。\"Helovesonlyme,andperhapsthatiswhyIlovehimsomuchinreturn。Idon\'tcarewhatyousayagainsthim,Iamnotgoingtobeseparatedfromhim。IfyouinsistongoingtoViennayoumustgoalone,asfarasIamconcerned。I
thinkitwouldbemuchmoresensibleifyouweretocometoBrightonwithLouisandme,butofcourseyoumustpleaseyourself。\"
\"Youmustgetridofthatdog,\"saidStrudwarden\'ssisterwhenLenahadlefttheroom;\"itmustbehelpedtosomesuddenandmercifulend。Lenaismerelymakinguseofitasaninstrumentforgettingherownwayondozensofoccasionswhenshewouldotherwisebeobligedtoyieldgracefullytoyourwishesortothegeneralconvenience。Iamconvincedthatshedoesn\'tcareabrassbuttonabouttheanimalitself。WhenherfriendsarebuzzingroundheratBrightonoranywhereelseandthedogwouldbeintheway,ithastospendwholedaysalonewiththemaid,butifyouwantLenatogowithyouanywherewhereshedoesn\'twanttogoinstantlyshetrotsouttheexcusethatshecouldn\'tbeseparatedfromherdog。HaveyouevercomeintoaroomunobservedandheardLenatalkingtoherbelovedpet?Ineverhave。Ibelievesheonlyfussesoveritwhenthere\'ssomeonepresenttonoticeher。\"
\"Idon\'tmindadmitting,\"saidStrudwarden,\"thatI\'vedweltmorethanoncelatelyonthepossibilityofsomefatalaccidentputtinganendtoLouis\'sexistence。It\'snotveryeasy,though,toarrangeafatalityforacreaturethatspendsmostofitstimeinamufforasleepinatoykennel。Idon\'tthinkpoisonwouldbeanygood;
it\'sobviouslyhorriblyover-fed,forI\'veseenLenaofferitdaintiesattablesometimes,butitneverseemstoeatthem。\"
\"LenawillbeawayatchurchonWednesdaymorning,\"saidElsieStrudwardenreflectively;\"shecan\'ttakeLouiswithherthere,andsheisgoingontotheDellingsforlunch。Thatwillgiveyouseveralhoursinwhichtocarryoutyourpurpose。Themaidwillbeflirtingwiththechauffeurmostofthetime,and,anyhow,Icanmanagetokeepheroutofthewayonsomepretextorother。\"
\"Thatleavesthefieldclear,\"saidStrudwarden,\"butunfortunatelymybrainisequallyablankasfarasanylethalprojectisconcerned。Thelittlebeastissomonstrouslyinactive;Ican\'tpretendthatitleaptintothebathanddrowneditself,orthatittookonthebutcher\'smastiffinunequalcombatandgotchewedup。
Inwhatpossibleguisecoulddeathcometoaconfirmedbasket-
dweller?ItwouldbetoosuspiciousifweinventedaSuffragetteraidandpretendedthattheyinvadedLena\'sboudoirandthrewabrickathim。Weshouldhavetodoalotofotherdamageaswell,whichwouldberatheranuisance,andtheservantswouldthinkitoddthattheyhadseennothingoftheinvaders。\"
\"Ihaveanidea,\"saidElsie;\"getaboxwithanair-tightlid,andboreasmallholeinit,justbigenoughtoletinanindiarubbertube。PopLouis,kennelandall,intothebox,shutitdown,andputtheotherendofthetubeoverthegas-bracket。Thereyouhaveaperfectlethalchamber。Youcanstandthekennelattheopenwindowafterwards,togetridofthesmellofgas,andallthatLenawillfindwhenshecomeshomelateintheafternoonwillbeaplacidlydefunctLouis。\"
\"Novelshavebeenwrittenaboutwomenlikeyou,\"saidStrudwarden;
\"youhaveaperfectlycriminalmind。Let\'scomeandlookforabox。\"
Twomorningslatertheconspiratorsstoodgazingguiltilyatastoutsquarebox,connectedwiththegas-bracketbyalengthofindiarubbertubing。
\"Notasound,\"saidElsie;\"heneverstirred;itmusthavebeenquitepainless。AllthesameIfeelratherhorridnowit\'sdone。\"
\"Theghastlyparthastocome,\"saidStrudwarden,turningoffthegas。\"We\'llliftthelidslowly,andletthegasoutbydegrees。
Swingthedoortoandfrotosendadraughtthroughtheroom。\"
Someminuteslater,whenthefumeshadrushedoff,hestoopeddownandliftedoutthelittlekennelwithitsgrimburden。Elsiegaveanexclamationofterror。Louissatatthedoorofhisdwelling,headerectandearspricked,ascoldlyanddefiantlyinertaswhentheyhadputhimintohisexecutionchamber。Strudwardendroppedthekennelwithajerk,andstaredforalongmomentatthemiracle-
dog;thenhewentintoapealofchatteringlaughter。
Itwascertainlyawonderfulimitationofatruculent-lookingtoyPomeranian,andtheapparatusthatgaveforthawheezybarkwhenyoupressedithadmateriallyhelpedtheimpositionthatLena,andLena\'smaid,hadfoistedonthehousehold。Forawomanwhodislikedanimals,butlikedgettingherownwayunderahaloofunselfishness,Mrs。Strudwardenhadmanagedratherwell。
\"Louisisdead,\"wasthecurtinformationthatgreetedLenaonherreturnfromherluncheonparty。
\"LouisDEAD!\"sheexclaimed。
\"Yes,heflewatthebutcher-boyandbithim,andhebitme,too,whenItriedtogethimoff,soIhadtohavehimdestroyed。Youwarnedmethathesnapped,butyoudidn\'ttellmethathewasdownrightdangerous。Ishallhavetopaytheboysomethingheavybywayofcompensation,soyouwillhavetogowithoutthosebucklesthatyouwantedtohaveforEaster;alsoIshallhavetogotoViennatoconsultDr。Schroeder,whoisaspecialistondog-bites,andyouwillhavetocometoo。IhavesentwhatremainsofLouistoRowlandWardtobestuffed;thatwillbemyEastergifttoyouinsteadofthebuckles。ForHeaven\'ssake,Lena,weep,ifyoureallyfeelitsomuch;anythingwouldbebetterthanstandingtherestaringasifyouthoughtIhadlostmyreason。\"
LenaStrudwardendidnotweep,butherattemptatlaughingwasanunmistakablefailure。
THEGUESTS
\"Thelandscapeseenfromourwindowsiscertainlycharming,\"saidAnnabel;\"thosecherryorchardsandgreenmeadows,andtheriverwindingalongthevalley,andthechurchtowerpeepingoutamongtheelms,theyallmakeamosteffectivepicture。There\'ssomethingdreadfullysleepyandlanguorousaboutit,though;stagnationseemstobethedominantnote。Nothingeverhappenshere;seedtimeandharvest,anoccasionaloutbreakofmeaslesoramildlydestructivethunderstorm,andalittleelectionexcitementaboutonceinfiveyears,thatisallthatwehavetomodifythemonotonyofourexistence。Ratherdreadful,isn\'tit?\"
\"Onthecontrary,\"saidMatilda,\"Ifinditsoothingandrestful;
butthen,yousee,I\'velivedincountrieswherethingsdohappen,eversomanyatatime,whenyou\'renotreadyforthemhappeningallatonce。\"
\"That,ofcourse,makesadifference,\"saidAnnabel。
\"Ihaveneverforgotten,\"saidMatilda,\"theoccasionwhentheBishopofBequarpaidusanunexpectedvisit;hewasonhiswaytolaythefoundation-stoneofamission-houseorsomethingofthesort。\"
\"Ithoughtthatoutthereyouwerealwayspreparedforemergencygueststurningup,\"saidAnnabel。
\"IwasquitepreparedforhalfadozenBishops,\"saidMatilda,\"butitwasratherdisconcertingtofindoutafteralittleconversationthatthisparticularonewasadistantcousinofmine,belongingtoabranchofthefamilythathadquarrelledbitterlyandoffensivelywithourbranchaboutaCrownDerbydessertservice;theygotit,andweoughttohavegotit,insomelegacy,orelsewegotitandtheythoughttheyoughttohaveit,Iforgetwhich;anyhow,Iknowtheybehaveddisgracefully。Nowherewasoneofthemturningupintheodourofsanctity,sotospeak,andclaimingthetraditionalhospitalityoftheEast。\"
\"Itwasrathertrying,butyoucouldhaveleftyourhusbandtodomostoftheentertaining。\"
\"Myhusbandwasfiftymilesup-country,talkingsense,orwhatheimaginedtobesense,toavillagecommunitythatfanciedoneoftheirleadingmenwasawere-tiger。\"
\"Awhattiger?\"
\"Awere-tiger;you\'veheardofwere-wolves,haven\'tyou,amixtureofwolfandhumanbeinganddemon?Well,inthosepartstheyhavewere-tigers,orthinktheyhave,andImustsaythatinthiscase,sofarasswornanduncontestedevidencewent,theyhadeverygroundforthinkingso。However,aswegaveupwitchcraftprosecutionsaboutthreehundredyearsago,wedon\'tliketohaveotherpeoplekeepingonourdiscardedpractices;itdoesn\'tseemrespectfultoourmentalandmoralposition。\"
\"Ihopeyouweren\'tunkindtotheBishop,\"saidAnnabel。
\"Well,ofcoursehewasmyguest,soIhadtobeoutwardlypolitetohim,buthewastactlessenoughtorakeuptheincidentsoftheoldquarrel,andtotrytomakeoutthattherewassomethingtobesaidforthewayhissideofthefamilyhadbehaved;eveniftherewas,whichIdon\'tforamomentadmit,myhousewasnottheplaceinwhichtosayit。Ididn\'targuethematter,butIgavemycookaholidaytogoandvisithisagedparentssomeninetymilesaway。
Theemergencycookwasnotaspecialistincurries,infact,Idon\'tthinkcookinginanyshapeorformcouldhavebeenoneofhisstrongpoints。Ibelieveheoriginallycametousintheguiseofagardener,butasweneverpretendedtohaveanythingthatcouldbeconsideredagardenhewasutilisedasassistantgoatherd,inwhichcapacity,Iunderstand,hegaveeverysatisfaction。WhentheBishopheardthatIhadsentawaythecookonaspecialandunnecessaryholidayhesawtheinwardnessofthemanoeuvre,andfromthatmomentwewerescarcelyonspeakingterms。IfyouhaveeverhadaBishopwithwhomyouwerenotonspeakingtermsstayinginyourhouse,youwillappreciatethesituation。\"
Annabelconfessedthatherlife-storyhadneverincludedsuchadisturbingexperience。
\"Then,\"continuedMatilda,\"tomakemattersmorecomplicated,theGwadlipicheeoverfloweditsbanks,athingitdideverynowandthenwhentherainswereundulyprolonged,andthelowerpartofthehouseandalltheout-buildingsweresubmerged。Wemanagedtogettheponieslooseintime,andthesyceswamthewholelotofthemofftothenearestrisingground。Agoatortwo,thechiefgoat-
herd,thechiefgoat-herd\'swife,andseveraloftheirbabiescametoanchorageintheverandah。Alltherestoftheavailablespacewasfilledupwithwet,bedraggled-lookinghensandchickens;oneneverreallyknowshowmanyfowlsonepossessestilltheservants\'
quartersarefloodedout。Ofcourse,Ihadbeenthroughsomethingofthesortinpreviousfloods,butneverbeforehadIhadahousefulofgoatsandbabiesandhalf-drownedhens,supplementedbyaBishopwithwhomIwashardlyonspeakingterms。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenatryingexperience,\"commentedAnnabel。
\"Moreembarrassmentsweretofollow。Iwasn\'tgoingtoletamereordinaryfloodwashoutthememoryofthatCrownDerbydessertservice,andIintimatedtotheBishopthathislargebedroom,withawritingtableinit,andhissmallbath-room,withasufficiencyofcold-waterjarsinit,washisshareofthepremises,andthatspacewasrathercongestedundertheexistingcircumstances。
However,ataboutthreeo\'clockintheafternoon,whenhehadawakenedfromhismiddaysleep,hemadeasuddenincursionintotheroomthatwasnormallythedrawing-room,butwasnowdining-room,store-house,saddle-room,andhalfadozenothertemporarypremisesaswell。Fromtheconditionofmyguest\'scostumeheseemedtothinkitmightalsoserveashisdressing-room。
\"\'I\'mafraidthereisnowhereforyoutosit,\'Isaidcoldly;\'theverandahisfullofgoats。\'
\"\'Thereisagoatinmybedroom,\'heobservedwithequalcoldness,andmorethanasuspicionofsardonicreproach。
\"\'Really,\'Isaid,\'anothersurvivor?Ithoughtalltheothergoatsweredonefor。\'
\"\'Thisparticulargoatisquitedonefor,\'hesaid,\'itisbeingdevouredbyaleopardatthepresentmoment。ThatiswhyIlefttheroom;someanimalsresentbeingwatchedwhiletheyareeating。\'
\"Theleopard,ofcourse,waseasilyexplained;ithadbeenhangingroundthegoatshedswhenthefloodcame,andhadclamberedupbytheoutsidestaircaseleadingtotheBishop\'sbath-room,thoughtfullybringingagoatwithit。Probablyitfoundthebath-
roomtoodampandshut-inforitstaste,andtransferreditsbanquetingoperationstothebedroomwhiletheBishopwashavinghisnap。\"
\"Whatafrightfulsituation!\"exclaimedAnnabel;\"fancyhavingaraveningleopardinthehouse,withafloodallroundyou。\"
\"Notintheleastravening,\"saidMatilda;\"itwasfullofgoat,hadanyamountofwateratitsdisposalifitfeltthirsty,andprobablyhadnomoreimmediatewishthanadesireforuninterruptedsleep。
Still,Ithinkanyonewilladmitthatitwasanembarrassingpredicamenttohaveyouronlyavailableguest-roomoccupiedbyaleopard,theverandahchokedupwithgoatsandbabiesandwethens,andaBishopwithwhomyouwerescarcelyonspeakingtermsplanteddowninyourownsitting-room。Ireallydon\'tknowhowIgotthroughthosecrawlinghours,andofcoursemealtimesonlymademattersworse。Theemergencycookhadeveryexcuseforsendinginwaterysoupandsloppyrice,andasneitherthechiefgoat-herdnorhiswifewereexpertdivers,thecellarcouldnotbereached。
FortunatelytheGwadlipicheesubsidesasrapidlyasitrises,andjustbeforedawnthesycecamesplashingback,withtheponiesonlyfetlockdeepinwater。ThentherearosesomeawkwardnessfromthefactthattheBishopwishedtoleavesoonerthantheleoparddid,andasthelatterwasensconcedinthemidstoftheformer\'spersonalpossessionstherewasanobviousdifficultyinalteringtheorderofdeparture。IpointedouttotheBishopthataleopard\'shabitsandtastesarenotthoseofanotter,andthatitnaturallypreferredwalkingtowading;andthatinanycaseamealofanentiregoat,washeddownwithtub-water,justifiedacertainamountofrepose;ifIhadhadgunsfiredtofrightentheanimalaway,astheBishopsuggested,itwouldprobablymerelyhaveleftthebedroomtocomeintothealreadyover-crowdeddrawing-room。Altogetheritwasratherareliefwhentheybothleft。Now,perhaps,youcanunderstandmyappreciationofasleepycountrysidewherethingsdon\'thappen。\"
THEPENANCE
OctavianRuttlewasoneofthoselivelycheerfulindividualsonwhomamiabilityhadsetitsunmistakablestamp,and,likemostofhiskind,hissoul\'speacedependedinlargemeasureontheunstintedapprovalofhisfellows。Inhuntingtodeathasmalltabbycathehaddoneathingofwhichhescarcelyapprovedhimself,andhewasgladwhenthegardenerhadhiddenthebodyinitshastilyduggraveunderaloneoak-treeinthemeadow,thesametreethatthehuntedquarryhadclimbedasalastefforttowardssafety。Ithadbeenadistastefulandseeminglyruthlessdeed,butcircumstanceshaddemandedthedoingofit。Octaviankeptchickens;atleasthekeptsomeofthem;othersvanishedfromhiskeeping,leavingonlyafewbloodstainedfeatherstomarkthemanneroftheirgoing。Thetabbycatfromthelargegreyhousethatstoodwithitsbacktothemeadowhadbeendetectedinmanyfurtivevisitstothehen-coups,andafterduenegotiationwiththoseinauthorityatthegreyhouseasentenceofdeathhadbeenagreedon。\"Thechildrenwillmind,buttheyneednotknow,\"hadbeenthelastwordonthematter。
ThechildreninquestionwereastandingpuzzletoOctavian;inthecourseofafewmonthsheconsideredthatheshouldhaveknowntheirnames,ages,thedatesoftheirbirthdays,andhavebeenintroducedtotheirfavouritetoys。Theyremainedhowever,asnon-committalasthelongblankwallthatshutthemofffromthemeadow,awalloverwhichtheirthreeheadssometimesappearedatoddmoments。TheyhadparentsinIndia——thatmuchOctavianhadlearnedintheneighbourhood;thechildren,beyondgroupingthemselvesgarment-wiseintosexes,agirlandtwoboys,carriedtheirlifestorynofurtheronhisbehoof。Andnowitseemedhewasengagedinsomethingwhichtouchedthemclosely,butmustbehiddenfromtheirknowledge。
Thepoorhelplesschickenshadgoneonebyonetotheirdoom,soitwasmeetthattheirdestroyershouldcometoaviolentend;yetOctavianfeltsomequalmswhenhisshareoftheviolencewasended。
Thelittlecat,headedofffromitswontedtracksofsafety,hadracedunfriendedfromsheltertoshelter,anditsendhadbeenratherpiteous。Octavianwalkedthroughthelonggrassofthemeadowwithasteplessjauntythanusual。Andashepassedbeneaththeshadowofthehighblankwallheglancedupandbecameawarethathishuntinghadhadundesiredwitnesses。Threewhitesetfaceswerelookingdownathim,andifeveranartistwantedathreefoldstudyofcoldhumanhate,impotentyetunyielding,ragingyetmaskedinstillness,hewouldhavefounditinthetriplegazethatmetOctavian\'seye。
\"I\'msorry,butithadtobedone,\"saidOctavian,withgenuineapologyinhisvoice。
\"Beast!\"
Theanswercamefromthreethroatswithstartlingintensity。
Octavianfeltthattheblankwallwouldnotbemoreimpervioustohisexplanationsthanthebunchofhumanhostilitythatpeeredoveritscoping;hewiselydecidedtowithholdhispeaceoverturestillamorehopefuloccasion。
Twodayslaterheransackedthebestsweetshopintheneighbouringmarkettownforaboxofchocolatesthatbyitssizeandcontentsshouldfitlyatoneforthedismaldeeddoneundertheoaktreeinthemeadow。Thetwofirstspecimensthatwereshownhimhehastilyrejected;onehadagroupofchickenspicturedonitslid,theotherboretheportraitofatabbykitten。Athirdsamplewasmoresimplybedeckedwithasprayofpaintedpoppies,andOctavianhailedtheflowersofforgetfulnessasahappyomen。Hefeltdistinctlymoreateasewithhissurroundingswhentheimposingpackagehadbeensentacrosstothegreyhouse,andamessagereturnedtosaythatithadbeendulygiventothechildren。Thenextmorninghesaunteredwithpurposefulstepspastthelongblankwallonhiswaytothechicken-runandpiggerythatstoodatthebottomofthemeadow。Thethreechildrenwereperchedattheiraccustomedlook-out,andtheirrangeofsightdidnotseemtoconcernitselfwithOctavian\'spresence。Ashebecamedepressinglyawareofthealoofnessoftheirgazehealsonotedastrangevariegationintheherbageathisfeet;
thegreenswardforaconsiderablespacearoundwasstrewnandspeckledwithachocolate-colouredhail,enlivenedhereandtherewithgaytinsel-likewrappingsortheglisteningmauveofcrystallisedviolets。Itwasasthoughthefairyparadiseofagreedymindedchildhadtakenshapeandsubstanceinthevegetationofthemeadow。Octavian\'sbloodmoneyhadbeenflungbackathiminscorn。
Toincreasehisdiscomfiturethemarchofeventstendedtoshifttheblameofravagedchicken-coopsfromthesupposedculpritwhohadalreadypaidfullforfeit;theyoungchickswerestillcarriedoff,anditseemedhighlyprobablethatthecathadonlyhauntedthechicken-runtopreyontheratswhichharbouredthere。Throughtheflowingchannelsofservanttalkthechildrenlearnedofthisbelatedrevisionofverdict,andOctavianonedaypickedupasheetofcopy-bookpaperonwhichwaspainstakinglywritten:\"Beast。
Ratseatedyourchickens。\"Moreardentlythaneverdidhewishforanopportunityforsloughingoffthedisgracethatenwrappedhim,andearningsomehappiernicknamefromhisthreeunsparingjudges。
Andonedayachanceinspirationcametohim。Olivia,histwo-year-
olddaughter,wasaccustomedtospendthehourfromhighnoontilloneo\'clockwithherfatherwhilethenursemaidgobbledanddigestedherdinnerandnovelette。Aboutthesametimetheblankwallwasusuallyenlivenedbythepresenceofitsthreesmallwardens。
Octavian,withseemingcarelessnessofpurpose,broughtOliviawellwithinhailofthewatchersandnotedwithhiddendelightthegrowinginterestthatdawnedinthathithertosternlyhostilequarter。HislittleOlivia,withhersleepyplacidways,wasgoingtosucceedwherehe,withhisanxiouswell-meantovertures,hadsosignallyfailed。Hebroughtheralargeyellowdahlia,whichshegraspedtightlyinonehandandregardedwithastareofbenevolentboredom,suchasonemightbestowonamateurclassicaldancingperformedinaidofadeservingcharity。Thenheturnedshylytothegroupperchedonthewallandaskedwithaffectedcarelessness,\"Doyoulikeflowers?\"Threesolemnnodsrewardedhisventure。
\"Whichsortsdoyoulikebest?\"heasked,thistimewithadistinctbetrayalofeagernessinhisvoice。
\"Thosewithallthecolours,overthere。\"Threechubbyarmspointedtoadistanttangleofsweetpea。Child-like,theyhadaskedforwhatlayfarthestfromhand,butOctaviantrottedoffgleefullytoobeytheirwelcomebehest。Hepulledandpluckedwithunsparinghand,andbroughteveryvarietyoftintthathecouldseeintohisbunchthatwasrapidlybecomingabundle。Thenheturnedtoretracehissteps,andfoundtheblankwallblankerandmoredesertedthanever,whiletheforegroundwasvoidofalltraceofOlivia。Fardownthemeadowthreechildrenwerepushingago-cartattheutmostspeedtheycouldmusterinthedirectionofthepiggeries;itwasOlivia\'sgo-cartandOliviasatinit,somewhatbumpedandshakenbythepaceatwhichshewasbeingdriven,butapparentlyretainingherwontedcomposureofmind。Octavianstaredforamomentattherapidlymovinggroup,andthenstartedinhotpursuit,sheddingasheranspraysofblossomfromthemassofsweet-peathathestillclutchedinhishands。Fastasheranthechildrenhadreachedthepiggerybeforehecouldovertakethem,andhearrivedjustintimetoseeOlivia,wonderingbutunprotesting,hauledandpusheduptotheroofoftheneareststy。Theywereoldbuildingsinsomeneedofrepair,andthericketyroofwouldcertainlynothaveborneOctavian\'sweightifhehadattemptedtofollowhisdaughterandhercaptorsontheirnewvantageground。
\"Whatareyougoingtodowithher?\"hepanted。Therewasnomistakingthegrimtrendofmischiefinthoseflushedbysternlycomposedyoungfaces。
\"Hangherinchainsoveraslowfire,\"saidoneoftheboys。
EvidentlytheyhadbeenreadingEnglishhistory。
\"Frowherdownthepigswilld\'vourher,everybit\'ceptthepalmsofherhands,\"saidtheotherboy。ItwasalsoevidentthattheyhadstudiedBiblicalhistory。
ThelastproposalwastheonewhichmostalarmedOctavian,sinceitmightbecarriedintoeffectatamoment\'snotice;therehadbeencases,heremembered,ofpigseatingbabies。
\"Yousurelywouldn\'ttreatmypoorlittleOliviainthatway?\"hepleaded。
\"Youkilledourlittlecat,\"cameinsternreminderfromthreethroats。
\"I\'msorryIdid,\"saidOctavian,andifthereisastandardmeasurementintruthsOctavian\'sstatementwasassuredlyalargenine。
\"Weshallbeverysorrywhenwe\'vekilledOlivia,\"saidthegirl,\"butwecan\'tbesorrytillwe\'vedoneit。\"
Theinexorablechild-logicroselikeanunyieldingrampartbeforeOctavian\'sscaredpleadings。Beforehecouldthinkofanyfreshlineofappealhisenergieswerecalledoutinanotherdirection。
Oliviahadslidofftheroofandfallenwithasoft,unctuoussplashintoamorassofmuckanddecayingstraw。Octavianscrambledhastilyoverthepigstywalltoherrescue,andatoncefoundhimselfinaquagmirethatengulfedhisfeet。Olivia,afterthefirstshockofsurpriseathersuddendropthroughtheair,hadbeenmildlypleasedatfindingherselfincloseandunstintedcontactwiththestickyelementthatoozedaroundher,butasshebegantosinkgentlyintothebedofslimeafeelingdawnedonherthatshewasnotafterallveryhappy,andshebegantocryinthetentativefashionofthenormallygoodchild。Octavian,battlingwiththequagmire,whichseemedtohavelearnedtherareartofgivingwayatallpointswithoutyieldinganinch,sawhisdaughterslowlydisappearingintheengulfingslush,hersmearedfacefurtherdistortedwiththecontortionsofwhimperingwonder,whilefromtheirperchonthepigstyroofthethreechildrenlookeddownwiththecoldunpityingdetachmentoftheParcaeSisters。
\"Ican\'treachherintime,\"gaspedOctavian,\"she\'llbechokedinthemuck。Won\'tyouhelpher?\"
\"Noonehelpedourcat,\"cametheinevitablereminder。
\"I\'lldoanythingtoshowyouhowsorryIamaboutthat,\"criedOctavian,withafurtherdesperateflounder,whichcarriedhimscarcelytwoinchesforward。
\"Willyoustandinawhitesheetbythegrave?\"
\"Yes,\"screamedOctavian。
\"Holdingacandle?\"
\"An\'saying\'I\'mamiserableBeast\'?\"
Octavianagreedtobothsuggestions。
\"Foralong,longtime?\"
\"Forhalfanhour,\"saidOctavian。Therewasananxiousringinhisvoiceashenamedthetime-limit;wastherenottheprecedentofaGermankingwhodidopen-airpenanceforseveraldaysandnightsatChristmas-timecladonlyinhisshirt?FortunatelythechildrendidnotappeartohavereadGermanhistory,andhalfanhourseemedlongandgoodlyintheireyes。
\"Allright,\"camewiththreefoldsolemnityfromtheroof,andamomentlaterashortladderhadbeenlaboriouslypushedacrosstoOctavian,wholostnotimeinproppingitagainstthelowpigstywall。Scramblinggingerlyalongitsrungshewasabletoleanacrossthemorassthatseparatedhimfromhisslowlyfounderingoffspringandextractherlikeanunwillingcorkfromit\'sslushyembrace。Afewminuteslaterhewaslisteningtotheshrillandrepeatedassurancesofthenursemaidthatherpreviousexperienceoffilthyspectacleshadbeenonanotablysmallerscale。
ThatsameeveningwhentwilightwasdeepeningintodarknessOctaviantookuphispositionaspenitentundertheloneoak-tree,havingfirstcarefullyundressedthepart。Cladinazephyrshirt,whichonthisoccasionthoroughlymeriteditsname,heheldinonehandalightedcandleandintheotherawatch,intowhichthesoulofadeadplumberseemedtohavepassed。Aboxofmatcheslayathisfeetandwasresortedtoonthefairlyfrequentoccasionswhenthecandlesuccumbedtothenightbreezes。Thehouseloomedinscrutableinthemiddledistance,butasOctavianconscientiouslyrepeatedtheformulaofhispenancehefeltcertainthatthreepairsofsolemneyeswerewatchinghismoth-sharedvigil。
Andthenextmorninghiseyesweregladdenedbyasheetofcopy-bookpaperlyingbesidetheblankwall,onwhichwaswrittenthemessage\"Un-Beast。\"
THEPHANTOMLUNCHEON
\"TheSmithly-DubbsareinTown,\"saidSirJames。\"Iwishyouwouldshowthemsomeattention。AskthemtolunchwithyouattheRitzorsomewhere。\"
\"FromthelittleI\'veseenoftheSmithly-DubbsIdon\'tthingIwanttocultivatetheiracquaintance,\"saidLadyDrakmanton。
\"Theyalwaysworkforusatelectiontimes,\"saidherhusband;\"I
don\'tsupposetheyinfluenceverymanyvotes,buttheyhaveanunclewhoisononeofmywardcommittees,andanotherunclespeakssometimesatsomeofourlessimportantmeetings。Thosesortofpeopleexpectsomereturnintheshapeofhospitality。\"
\"Expectit!\"exclaimedLadyDrakmanton;\"theMissesSmithly-Dubbdomorethanthat;theyalmostdemandit。Theybelongtomyclub,andhangaboutthelobbyjustaboutlunch-time,allthreeofthem,withtheirtongueshangingoutoftheirmouthsandthesix-courselookintheireyes。IfIweretobreathetheword\'lunch\'theywouldhustlemeintoataxiandscream\'Ritz\'or\'Dieudonne\'s\'tothedriverbeforeIknewwhatwashappening。\"
\"Allthesame,Ithinkyououghttoaskthemtoamealofsomesort,\"persistedSirJames。