第2章

"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。