"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。
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