A

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

BY

S.

WITH

BARING-GOULD,

EIGHT

ILLUSTRATIONS

METHUEN
ESSEX

BY

D.

"

CO.

MURRAY

EDITION

SECOND

36

M.A.

STREET

LONDON
Colonial

Library

W.C.

SMITH

First

Published

October
.

Second

Edition

December
,

igo4

igo4

3V

/9o-

PREFACE

the stories in this volume

of

SOME
appeared

in

Windsor
in

The

and

Magazine;
Illustrated

Iceland:

in my

long ago
in

ago

as

print.

1853

The

"Colonel

Red-haired

of

in Once

Week,

337

"

in The

"

Story"
"

Glamr

I told

in 1863,
Sagas published
^

print."The

Graphic; "The

Girl

Halifax's Ghost

EnglishMagazine;

Its Scenes and

out

The

"

already

have

Bold

Venture"
"

9.30

peared
ap-

Up-train as long

CONTENTS

"

"

Who

are

back

her

that

this

head

her

and

off,

instant

next

detonation

he

for

out

before,

following

some

forth

trotted

they

walk

let

You

knife

that

Mustapha

Mammy

"

"

him,

with

and

his

stick

and

try

"

into

"

,,126

244

me

'

said

Mammy

and

sixpence,

and

shillings

'

he

"

"

in,

come

"

"

"

into

65

went

some

violin

..,,,,

cost

my

it

make

can't

three

me

play

no-

ways'"

270

believe

that

"

they

are

talking

She

coins,

hand

her

thrust

one

by

one,

into

and

the

rolled

teapot
them

"

"

"

goody-goody

325
.

"

41

rang
fired

been

had

gun

"

page

...

ear"

her

If

face

To

though

as

it

herself;

not

was

"

Letice

sister

blown

was

through

"

actually

the

studying

Betty,

and

veil,

hat

Her

saw

dead

her

was

"

put

face,

white

...

.
.

bride

the

Then

Frontispiece

"

you

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

LIST

and

along

drew

the

forth

,,

,,

,,

,,

the

362

table"

BOOK

JEAN
WAS

it

time

and

was

exploits, so
local

my

did

I
It

is

that

with
French

dull

give

There

the

was

of the

rafters,it had

la

to

Arc,

of

scenes

narrative

my

the

of

Joan

the

relics,only

city

had

had

her

some

walls

she

been

that

now

There

blown

was

hotel,
B

was

"

there

but
of

besieged,
in

victory

by

the

upon
were

was

on

figure
the

later

the

the

genuine

no

which

in

taken

had

by

knelt

to

That

same.

the

and

Jeanne

and

memorials

places
she

not

the

tion
modernisa-

through

their
which

after

date.

gate

mantelshelf

chocolate

and

an

banner.

walls

of

its ruins
of

the

possessed

Huguenots,

erected

of

museum

levelled, and

ormolu

an

up

and

her

up

stands

wound

never

for

in

d'Arc, with

alteration

cathedral

very

general

so

occupied

exception

tapestries

been

The

the

formed,

had

is

Jeanne
had

but

appearance,

which

Maid

much

so

in

tions.
expecta-

my

midst, flourishing

the

with

been

had

the

its interest.

and

thanks

had

that

arms

burst,

look

Place

in

undergone

boulevards.
return

her

house

lost

modern

very

was

to

answer

decrepit

city,but,

Pucelle

The

of

have

to

as

Orleans

There

statue

the

visit

At

ago.

life of

to

to

town,

and

measly

towns.

taking

find

not

equestrian

she

write

to

able

years

colour.

But

of

be

to

many

advisable

it

as

good

purpose

considered

BOUCHON

Orleans

in

GHOSTS

OF

cathedral

1601.

in

clock

the

on

my

figures of

at

room

her

"

in

the

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

shop-windows for

confectioners'

children

suck.

to

When

out
7 p,m. to table d'hote,at my inn, I was
of sites had been
The rer^ultof niy exploration

I sat down

at

of heart.

I trusted

but
unsatisfactory;

find material

to serve

my

the

on

in the

purpose

to be

morrow

able to

municipalarchives

of the town

library.
My dinner ended, I sauntered to a cafe.
I selected opened on to the Place,but there was
That
a
back entrance
to my
near
hotel,leadingthrough a long,

this means,
I took my

picked up

not

French

across

come

it from

the back

by

the front.

cafe-cognac.Then I
and
proceeded to read it all
experience I have never
yet

paper
In my
who

anyone

in the street,
entered
the

steps one

into

came

called for

place and

four stone

or

from

feuilleton.

the

but

and

of the houses

the back

stone-pavedpassage at
and by ascending three
cafe.
long,well-lighted

"

the feuilletons in

reads

French

impression is that these snippetsof novel

are
printedsolelyfor the purpose of filling
up space and
at the disposalof the editors.
disguisingthe lack of news
; and

paper

my

French

The

borrow

papers

their information

foreignaffairs largelyfrom
they are a day behind ours

relative to

the
in

English journals,so that

the foreignnews
that they

publish.
Whilst
to

engaged

was

up, and

look

topped table,on
black

face and
I

was

there ; and
with
a

depart,and
stillon

which

was

whiskers,in
I

the

word

precipitancyin applying for

to my
being a total stranger

I set

coin, the latter

my

expectant attitude.

an

put it down

without

centimes

I think

I noticed

reading,something caused me
standing by the white marblecoffee,a waiter,with a pale
my

littlenettled at his

payment, but
ten

in

as

down

his

half

franc and

pourboire. Then

I proceeded

reading.

quarter of

then, to
table,but

an

my
the

hour

had

elapsed,when
I noticed the
surprise,
sous
piecewas gone.

rose

to

half-franc

BOUCHON

JEAN
I beckoned
to

demanding
pressingfor

hasty in

somewhat

was

and

down,

money

it ;

One

however,

taken

fellow has

the

of you came
I think he
payment.
"

said

waiter,and

littlewhile ago

me

to

the

I set the

tip,and

has

neglectedthe charge for the coffee."

th.Q gargon ; "Jean Bouchon
r' exclaimed
Sapristi

has

"

been

tricks

at his

again."

did not

concern

and

I left.

Next

day

I worked

that

might

lighted on

serve

I had

in the

me

in the town

matter

smallest

library. I

cannot

unpublisheddocuments

any

that

purpose.

my

through the controversial literature relative

Jeanne d'Arc was burnt or not, for it has been

to

go

whether

to

hard

questions. The

no

interest

indeed

or

me,

degree ;
say

; asked

nothing further

I said

maintained

that

of the same
and also of
name,
person
natural
death some
time later,and who
a

Arques, died a
I read a good
postured as the originalwarrior-maid.
monographs on the Pucelle,of various values ; some
many
real contributions
second-hand
to history,others
mere
and often-used
material.
The
cookings-upof well-known
in these

sauce

In

the

latter

all that

was

evening,after dinner, I

cafe and

called for black

drank

and
leisurely,

it

I could

write

I had

put my
Next

to

go

to

I noticed

retreated

and

beside

letter in

one

same

brandy.

foldingit,when
standing by with his
was

me,

the

near

into

where

second

and
letter,

tables and

again

but the copper

the

to

that

piece had

been

had

the

saw

hand

tended
ex-

proceeded

directed.

concluded, I

call for

silver coin

and

I then

pocket,
my
of two
sous,

coin

man,

envelope,which

an

of the

that

of

the

the desk

to

I put my
hand
fiftycentimes
piece and a

I wrote

to

nip

payment.

pulled out a
and placed both
to

then

back

went

letters.

some

finished one,
for

new.

coffee with

waiter
pale-visaged

same

was

rose

stamps, when
been

taken

left

away.

touched,
un-

I
"

tapped for

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

waiter.

yours has been bungling

the tipand has left the half-franc."

Tiens,"said I, that fellow of

"

He

again.
"

Ah

"

But

taken

has

once
Jean Bouchon
who
is Jean Bouchon

The

}"

shrugged his shoulders,and, instead

man

said

query,

my

!"

more

I should

"

recommend

of

ing
answer-

monsieur

to

Jean Bouchon
again that is, supposing
intends revisiting
this caf"6."
monsieur
I most
assuredlywill not pay such a noodle," I said ;
and it passes my
comprehensionhow you can keep such

refuse

to

pay

"

"

"

fellow

staff."

your

on

I revisited the

Loire,that rolls in winter

and

with

such

reduced

I wandered

around

in summer,

sand-banks.

day, and then walked

librarynext

full and

forced

and

the

known

my

Then

I looked

engaged

I observed

thus

Bouchon, standingnear
before.

as

made

my

the

and

wants

notes, and

began

the waiter,named

Jean

at

them.

to arrange

Whilst

herself into

English to retire,discomfited
and

before.

gravel and

the town, and endeavoured

walls and drums
of towers,

perplexed.
In the evening I revisited the caf6
as

turbid stream,

flood,exposes

vainlyto pictureit,enclosed by
when
on
April 29th, 1429, Jeanne threw
town

by the

the table in

looked

now

his countenance.

him

an

expectant attitude

full in the face and

observed

puffy white cheeks, small black

eyes, thick dark mutton-chop whiskers,and a broken nose.
He
with a
was
decidedlyan ugly man, but not a man
repulsiveexpressionof face.
No," said I, I will give you nothing. I will not pay
"

"

Send

you.
As

another

I looked

seemed

to

much

gargon
at him
to

fall back

the lines of
was

had

He

as

out

his form

though

to
see

me."
how

he took

this refusal,
he

of my
exact,
range, or, to be more
and
features became
confused.
It

I had

been

gazing

on

reflection in

BOUCHON

JEAN

broken

was

something had ruffled the surface,and

; that

stillwater

immediately.
said I,"Jean Bouchon

to

sprang

me

"See!"

vanished in
in the

No, he

"

When
a

he

he been

! he has not

been

Oh

"

Then

He

why

"

We

cannot

: "I
replied

is

old

and

here

years."

ask for payment

for

order?"

may

to do

permithim

him

keep

that?"
the cafe."

out."
He

died in

in

1869!"

so.

But

1869."

repeated.
the

He

here.

still comes

he

customers,

no

"They

his head.

shook

rightto the
police."
do nothing.
can

has

with the

should communicate

Jean Bouchon
It is

on

surpassingstrange.

waiter

"Died

to

do not think

your staff?"
staff for some
our

be allowed to enter

not

can

You

The

I want

me.

help ourselves."

should
one

on

come

one

do you

But

"This

to

been
payment for anything that has
takes only the tips."

He

"

the

him

takes

consumed.

No

else

what

never

"He

does he

why

coffee and

"

him

again,send

in

comes

long has

"

tips.

see

will return."

Jean
How

"

I do not

has

with him."

word

"

"

he

and

sou,

one

in the room."

is not

waiter looked confused,and

The

that

him

pay

perplexingmanner.

most

not

again; I

here

been

has

room."

"

have

I would

that

told him

more.

no

with the spoon

cup

him

see

all

and I rapped my coffeebit startled,

One
to call the attention of a waiter.

puzzledand

was

I could

obliterated.

and

up

inhabitants

of

never

the

town"

pesters
only

strangers."
visitors,
"

Tell

me

all about

him."

must

pardon

"Monsieur
the
"

place,and
In

that

I have

case

my

I will

me

now.

We

have

many

in

duties."

drop

in here

to-morrow

morning

6
when

about

me
"

What

him.

is your

monsieur's

Next
of

name?

"

I found

the

Alphonse

with

I invited

the tables.

cafe

to

I went

Orleans,

Bouchon.

inform

to

you

"

pleasure Alphonse."
morning, in place of pursuing the

At

Maid

I will ask

disengaged,and

are

you

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

him

to

table

hunt

to

Jean

up

wiping down

duster

of the

traces

and

him

made

sit

I will give his story in substance,only

oppositeme.
words.
where advisable recordinghis exact
cafe.
had been a waiter at this particular
Jean Bouchon

down

Now

in

wont

to have

of these establishments

some

box, into which

are

received ; and

the

sum

the head
This

waiter

is not

and

but it is in some,

it was

reach

know

the waiters

of months

was

Jean Bouchon
he
a gratuity,
no

had

been

There

waiters

back

case

this

brave

stated,and

entrance,

one

noted

set, and

was

pated
antici-

for

couple

did not

it was

was

Either the

of them

did

sum

been

that there

somehow.
one

the

thing
some-

common

put in his

discovered

he

When

had

that

received

box, and pretended to put in the

followed,as would have been the case

dropped

when

what

to the

ensued, of
to

the

or

the defaulter.

sound

coin, but
one

went

been

convinced

were

watch

was

average is
when
a fete

francs

Jean Bouchon
that might have

total

tampered with, or

tipsreceived.

few

served

v/rong, somewhere
box

within

after this deficit had

; and

The

be.

weekly

the

placesof refreshment,

occasions, as
special

on

in the caf6 where

But

among

in this cafe.

so

waiters

will
perquisites

their

not

the

; and

occurs

/;-"?rata

in all such

pretty constant, except

it is

tipsthat
opened, and

the waiters,
largerportion than the others.

receivinga

customary

are

all the

they drop

of the week

at the end

in it is divided

found

the attendants

in.

course,
was

great commotion

discovered.

Jean

it out, but the patron

he

was

dismissed.

of the younger

was

As

garqons

among
Bouchon

the
deavoured
en-

appealed to,
he left by the

put

out

his

leg

JEAN
and

BOUCHON

tripped Bouchon

headlong down

the

steps with

stumbled

he

that

so

up,

crash

the

on

of the passage.
He fellwith such violence
that he was
taken up insensible.
His bones
there was
concussion
of the brain, and
he

few hours
We

"

fell
floor

stone

his forehead

on

fractured,

were

died

within

without

recoveringconsciousness.
and
all very
greatly shocked," said
sorry

were

Alphonse ;

"

did

we

at

was

had

like the

not

us, but

by
who

and

wished

we

when

end

an

tripped him

he

dealt

had

him

no

and
ill,

was

dead.

honourab
dis-

our

The

arrested,and

was

up

he

man,

sentment
re-

waiter
sent

was

to

due to une
months, but the accident was
prison for some
and
in it,so that the
viauvaise plaisanterie
malice was
no
He afterwards
fellow got off with a lightsentence.
young

married

widow

with

believe,doing well.
was
Jean Bouchon
to

our

the funeral

attended

waiters

head

Our

eyes.

that

by squeezing it

We

all subscribed

do

you
this cafe

haunted
"Ever
"

And

"

None

Vierzon, and

mean
ever

to

tell

since ?

a
me

"

and

kerchiefs

lemon

into

tears

from

interment,

becomes

there, I

white

put

draw

is

Alphonse ;

held

and

even

might

for the

"

And

waiter

he

dignified majestic as
"

at

buried,"continued

"

we

cafe

that

his,

his eyes.
be
it should

waiter."
that

Jean Bouchon

has

"

since

1869,"repliedAlphonse.
there is no way of gettingrid of him
at

all,monsieur.

One

of the

Canons

"

of

Bourges
that Jean

did suppose
evening. We
but
would
Bouchon
not
approach,molest an ecclesiastic,
he did.
He took his pourboireand left the rest, just as he
did
Ah ! monsieur
! but Jean Bouchon
treated monsieur.
those pigs of Prussians
well in 1870 and 1871 when
were
here in occupation. The officers came
nightlyto our caf^,
and Jean Bouchon
was
greatly on the alert. He must
have carried away
half of the gratuities
they offered. It
in here

came

was

sad

one

loss to

us."

BOOK

8
This

"

is

But

"

GHOSTS

said I.
extraordinarystory,"

very

it is

OF

true,"replied
Alphonse.

Next

day I left Orleans. I gave up the notion of writing

the lifeof Joan of Arc, as I found that there was
absolutely
material

new

no

had

been

to be

thrashed

Years

her

gleanedon

in

history
"

fact,she

out.

I had

passed, and

almost

forgottenabout

Jean

Bouchon, when, the other day, I was in Orleans once

more,
the whole story recurred to
on
my way south, and at once
me.

I went

that

smartened

evening
since I

up

were

I called

turned
for

my

no

But

quarter

he did not
of

Monsieur

"

But

where

hour

an

sign of him.
Presently I summoned
"

more

was

been

introduced,

also ornaments

were

cafe-cognacand looked at a journal,but

side occasionally,
the look-out
one
on
eyes on

for

inquired:

There

been

for

Jean Bouchon.

I waited

there

It had

in the caf6 before.

been

not

there before.

was

mirrors,and

more

that had

caf6.

same

had
gilding
; electric light

more
plateglass,

there

the

to

put in
in

appearance.
expectation,but saw

waiter,and

an

when

is

Jean Bouchon
asks after Jean Bouchon
?

he

came

up

?"
"

The

man

looked

surprised.
"

Yes,

I have

him

seen

here

previously.Where

is he at

present?"
Monsieur

"

knew
"

some
"

"

"

"

him.

has

Jean Bouchon
He died in 1869."

seen

Monsieur

I know

that he died in 1869, but I made

him
then thrice,and
1874. I saw

his

in

he

perhaps

acquaintance
accepted

small

of me."
gratuities
Monsieur
}
tipped Jean Bouchon
Yes, and Jean Bouchon
accepted my tips."
died five years before."
Tzens,and Jean Bouchon
"

Yes, and

what

I want

to

of Jean Bouchon,
yourselves

know

is how

for that you

you

have

have

rid

cleared the

JEAN

BOUCHON

place of him is evident,or he would have been pesteringme

this evening." The man
looked disconcerted and irresolute.
Hold," said I ; "is Alphonse here?
No, monsieur, Alphonse has left two or three years
monsieur
And
in 1874. I was
saw
Jean Bouchon
ago.
I have been here only six years."
not then here.
But you can
in all probability
inform me of the manner
of gettingquit of Jean."
"

"

"

"

"

Monsieur

! I

am

busy

very

this

evening,there

are

so

in."
gentlemen come
I will give you five francs if you will tell me
all
all
succinctlyabout Jean Bouchon."
Will monsieur
be so good as to come
here to-morrow
position
duringthe morning? and then I place myself at the dismany
"

"

"

"

of monsieur."
I shall be here at eleven

"

At

the

appointed time

institution that
it is

upside-down, the
and

smell

with

The

lookingout
with

I had

for
No

me.

waiters

other

waiter

an

ragged and dejectedand dissipated,

turned
the chairs are
morning, when
are

of stale tobacco

various

If there is

the cafe.

at

was

looks

cafe in the

o'clock."

unpleasant odours.
spoken to on the previouseveningwas
I made

me.

one

and
in aprons
shirt-sleeves,
lurks about the air,mixed

else

was

him

seat

in the

himself

saloon

at

table

except another

dusting with a long feather-brush.

Monsieur," began the waiter, I will tell you the whole
would
truth. The story is curious,and perhaps everyone
believe it,but it is well documentee,
not
Jean Bouchon

gargon, who

was

"

"

at

was

one

time

in service here.

say we, I do not

at the time."
"

to

I know
my

"

about

mean

the

has

had

myself included,for
common

box.

I know

1874, when I saw

perhaps been informed

visit to Orleans

Monsieur

We

in

buried in the cemetery ?

"

box.
I

was

When
not

I
here

the story down

the man."
that

he

was

BOOK

lo

GHOSTS

OF

"

I do know

"

Well, monsieur, he

that,at the

of his fellow-waiters."

cost

was

his fellow-waiters,

and

poor,

rich. So he did not have

not
were
though well-disposed,
after many
a grave
eit pei'petuite.
Accordingly,
years, when
the term
of consignment was
expired,and it might well
be supposed that Jean Bouchon
had mouldered
his
away,
grave

was

Then

found

cleared out

stuffed

his

coffin

fresh occupant.
It was
made.

coins,no

crammed

was

centimes

ten

German

some

for

room

discovery was

corroded

five and

with

"

also

were

remarkable

very

that

make

to

with

pieces,and

doubt

literally

"

received from

them
those

This
pigs of Prussians during the occupation of Orleans.
talked about.
much
Our proprietorof the
discoverywas
the head

cafe and
him

to

how

filched
And

waiter

to the mayor

went
"

representedto him
proprietyand justicebe restored to
of intelligence
and heart,and
man
coffin-load of coins
So you

"

Pardon, monsieur

money

But

divided

there

could

not

had

some

not

were

what

was

might

quite accepted this

of the whole

of the cafe."

It is true

not.

that

the

the

than

more

the

old

some
a

year

who

had

been

in

eighteen months.

or

waiters.

not

Some

were

dead,

left this part of the country. We

corporation. "0 we held a meeting to discuss

married

to

and

the money.
We
the spirit
of Jean Bouchon

done

be

continue

commend

with

the
revisiting

It

cafe and

of paramount
to lay out the money

tips.

Jean Bouchon,
would

you."

did

us

among

trace

that unless

away

we

was

mayor

the surrender

it amongst

were

service in the cafe

We

he

us, the waiters

The

us.

in all

be regardedas belongingto us.

might legitimately
of them, had left long
then those defrauded, or most

ago, and

he

to

"

ordered

it should

that

patron

of the matter, and

view

represented

that all this money

had been
series of years since 1869 from the waiters.
stood

matters

duringa

our

and

was

itself to his

over,
feared,morewere
satisfied,

sweeping
importance to please
go

in such

feelings.One

on

manner

as

suggestedone

"

That

was

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

12

idea of the artist.

an

Jean could

be made

not

holding a coffee-cup.You will see the whole makes a

will
superb subject. Art has its exigencies. Monsieur
the pedestal."
is an inscription
underneath
on
see
astonishment
read
I stooped,and with some
"

"JEAN
SUR

MORT

LE

BOUCHON
CHAMP

GLOIRE

DE

1870
ET

DULCE

!"

DECORUM

EST

PRO

in
a cropper
falling
the back passage, not on the field of glory."
is a field of glory. Under
Monsieur
! all Orleans
not
S. Aignan did we
repelAttila and his Huns in 451 ?
Under
not
repulse the English
Jeanne d'Arc did we
"

Why

he died

MORI."

PATRIA

"

objectedI,

from

"

"

will

monsieur

That

neither

is all very

"

How

true,"I broke in.

fought against Attila

againstthe
patriamori^
?

in 1429.
Did
in November,

"

the Germans

from

recapture Orleans
"

the allusion

excuse

Then

Prussians.

But

Duke

et

not

1870?"

Jean Bouchon
la

with

nor
^

"

we

Pucelle, nor

decorum

est

pro

is rather strong,consideringthe facts."

Does

not

monsieur

that the sentiment

see

is

magnificent?"
I admit that,but disputethe application."
Then
why apply it? The sentiment is all right."
it refers to Jean Bouchon, who died,
But by implication

and
patriotic
"

"

"

for his country, but in a sordid coffee-house brawl.

died in
Then, again,the date is wrong.
Jean Bouchon
1869, not in 1870."

not

"

That

"Yes,

is
but

only out by
with

this

year."

mistake

of

year,

and

with

the

quotationfrom Horace, and with the attitude given to the

would
that Jean Bouchon
had
figure,anyone
suppose
fallen in the retakingof Orleans from the Prussians."
"Ah!

monsieur, who

to find thereon

looks

on

monument

and

expects

the literaltruth relative to the deceased

BOUCHON

JEAN

something of

"

This

"

Sacrifice is

IS

But

"

Sacrifice is

"

Well," said

"

heroic

not

of

out

had

Bouchon

is nothing

sacrifice."

than

always sacrifice."
I,unwillingfurther

great creation

Not

"There

the waiter.

the sacrifice of truth."

'*

sacrifice to truth,"I demurred.

superb!"said

noble,more

more

13

of

out

nothing;

"

dispute, this
nothing."
of

out

filched from

us,

and

has been

seen

no

to

the

coppers

that

choked

which

is

tainly
cer-

Jean

up

his

coffin."
"

Jean Bouchon

And

"No, monsieur.

yet

"

more

yes, once,

"

when

the

statue

crowded.
Our patron did that. The cafe was
The patron made
there.
All our habitues were
a
cent
magnifilectual,
oration ; he drew a superb pictureof the moral, intel-

was

unveiled.

There
and political
merits of Jean Bouchon.
social,
the audience, and the speaker
not a dry eye among
was
choked with emotion.
Then, as we stood in a ring,not too
near,

we

saw

"

there and

was

distinctly
saw,

so

did

the

Jean Bouchon standingwith his back to us, looking

Monsieur, as he thus
intentlyat the statue of himself
I could
discern his black
stood
mutton-chop whiskers
Well, sir,not one
projectingupon each side of his head.
all. Our
word
was
spoken. A dead silence fell upon
patron ceased to speak, and wiped his eyes and blew his
A sort of holy awe
nose.
possessed us all. Then, after
turned
the lapseof some
himself
minutes, Jean Bouchon
all saw
his puffy pale cheeks, his thick
about, and we
his broken
He was
sensual lips,
nose, his littlepig'seyes.
very unlike his idealised portraitin the statue ; but what
the deceased, and it injuredno
that?
It gratified
matters
stood facing us, and
one.
Well, monsieur, Jean Bouchon
others

"

he turned

his head

from

one

side to

another, and

smile.

Then

all what

I may

hands

on
though invoking a blessing

as

term

Since then he has not

greasy
been

seen."

us

gave
he lifted up

us

his

all,and vanished.

POMPS

AND

that

he

died

have

might

Letice

her

father

would

that

been
of

have

might

but

that

so

of

Miss

of

Lady

have

they

Mountjoy.

the

ladies

that

there

were

inclined

was

had

been

and

regarded

her

Lacy,

preferred

if both

and

both,

and

ages,

together, but

neither

with

other

the

one

placed

resented

this

slight.

as

way

burdened

be

with

the

in

much

charge

Their

have

had

Letice

their

to

twins.

to

should

wife

were

in

so

Betty

aunt.

difficulties

the

to

up

be

to

His

girls

sister, and

daughters

to

supposed

given

was

maternal

As

the

children

close, but

more

been

father's

his

The

extraordinarily alike,

were

daughters

two

year's difference

was

his

quite children.

were

Madras.

at

There

Betty.
they

they

quently
Conse-

permanently.

send

to

in

appointment

an

there

constrained

was

cholera

of

him

kept

when

England

had

MOUNTJOY

COLONEL
India

VANITIES

sullenness,

grew

they diverged

characterised

Betty

was

This

and

open

of

that

difference

was

in feature
in

exceedingly

look,

unhappy

an

likeness

their

up

expression.

fire of

towering

Letice,

became

whereas

the

ment
resent-

face

of

gay.

due

the

to

difference

in

house

North

their

ing
bring-

up.

Lady
was

of
deal

sweet

of

educated

who

Lacy,
kindly,

had

intellectual,

disposition but
society,
and

small

and

did

liberal-minded

her

and

woman

14

Devon,

broad-minded

decided
best

in

She

will.
to

train
of

old
saw

Betty

culture

lady,
a

to

and

good
be

an,

grace-

ful

She

manners.

VANITIES

AND

POMPS

her

send

did not

to

15

school,but had her

that her eyes were

taught at home; and on the excuse
weak
by artificial lightshe made the girlread to her in
that were
standard
the evenings,and always read books
and calculated to increase her knowledge and to develop
her understanding. Lady Lacy detested all shams, and
be thoroughly
to
under
her influence Betty grew
up
healthy-minded,and true.
straightforward,
On the other hand. Miss Mountjoy was, as Letice called
her, a Killjoy. She had herself been reared in the midst
of the Clapham sect ; had become
rigidin all her ideas,
of prejudices.
and a bundle
in all her sympathies,
narrow
The present generationof young
people know nothing
exercised in that of
of the system of repressionthat was
Now
the tendency is wholly in
their fathers and mothers.
It is possiblydue
and too greatlyso.
the other direction,
to a revulsion of feelingagainst a trainingthat is looked
with

back

upon
To that

of

men

women,

but two

there existed

school

narrow

and

shudder.
the Christians and

the

categories
Worldlings,and

pertainedto it arrogated to themselves the

former
title. The
Judgment had alreadybegun with the
the goats, and the saints who
of the sheep from
severance
judged the world had their Jerusalemat Clapham.
of English
In that school the works of the great masters
taboo ;
literature,
Shakespeare,Pope, Scott, Byron, were
the Apocalypse,
tolerated save
work of imaginationwas
no
and that was
degraded into a polemic by such scribblers
Elliot and Cumming.
as
those

No
were

who

entertainments, not
tolerated ;

approach to
The

but those
children.

of the world.

they savoured

excitement

Chinese

the oratorios

even

was

found

contract

in
feet

the

of

English Claphamites cramped

The

Venetians

made

use

of

an

of Handel,
The

nearest

ing.
missionarymeettheir daughters,

the minds
iron

of their

prison,with

gradually contracting walls, that finallycrushed

the life

i6
out

OF

BOOK

GHOSTS

captive. But these elect Christians

of the

put their

daughters into a school that squeezed their

to death.
energiesand their intelligences
caricatured such people in Mrs. Jellyby and
Dickens
Mr. Chadband
; but he sketched them only in their external
aspect,and leftuntouched their privateaction in distorting
all
minds, maiming their wills,damping down
young
youthfulbuoyancy.
of those
the expectations
But the result did not answer
Some
who adopted this system with the young.
daughters,
and
stunted
wills were
indeed, of weaker
permanently
shaped on the approved model, but nearlyall the sons,
and
of the daughters,on
most
obtainingtheir freedom,
and dissipation,
broke away into utter frivolity
or, if they
retained any religious
gallopedthrough the
impressions,
Church
of England, performing strange antics on the way,
of Rome.
and plunged into the arms
Such was
the system to which the high-spirited,
strongwilled Letice
no
was
subjected,and from which was
and

sons

that Letice tossed and bit

was
consequence
at her chains,and that there ensued
frequentoutbreaks of
The

escape.

againsther

resentment
"

Oh, Aunt

After
serious

Then

some

Hannah

demur,

aunt.

something to read."
disdainful rejectionof

! I want
and

more

allowed Milton.
works, she was
she said, Oh ! I do love Comus."
"

gasped Miss Mountjoy.

L' Allegroand // Penseroso,they are not bad."
And
mortal
the compositionsof the imMy child. These were
bard before his eyes were
opened."
dictated the Paradise
I thought, aunt, that he had
blind."
Lost and Regained after he was
said the old ladysternly.
I refer to the eyes of his soul,"
I want
a story-book."
There is the Dairyman's Daughter^
^^CojHus!"
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

I have

read it,and

hate it"

"

fear,Leticia,that

and

of

bond

the

VANITIES

AND

POMPS

are

you

in the

17

gallof

bitterness

iniquity."

Unhappily the sisters very rarelymet one another. It

but occasionally
that Lady Lacy and Betty came
to
was
they did. Miss Mountjoy put as many
town, and when
of their associating
difficulties as she could in the way
together.
such visit to London, Lady Lacy called and
On
one
asked if she might take Letice with herself to the theatre.

Mountjoy shivered with horror, reared herself,and

and those who
went
expressedher opinion of stage-plays
As
them
in strong and uncomplimentary terms.
to see
she had the custody of Letice,she would
by no persuasion
be induced to allow her to imperilher soul by going to such
a wicked
place. Lady Lacy was fain to withdraw in some
dismay and much regret.
Miss

Poor

brightnessand

into sudden

refused,she burst into

She

rage.
a

volume

the
"

heard

had

Letice,who

this offer made, had

of

tremor

flood of tears

joy ;
and

an

flashed

when

it

was

ecstasy of

her room, and took and tore to pieces

of Clayton's
Sermons
scattered the leaves over
ran

to

up

them.

floor,and

stamped upon
Letice,"said Miss Mountjoy, when
"

you

are

she

saw

the devastation,

child of wrath."

Why mayn't I go where there is something pretty to

see ?
Why may I not hear good music ? Why must I be
kept forever in the Doleful Dumps ?
Because all these things are of the world, worldly."
If God
hates all that is fair and beautiful,
why did He
the peacock, the humming-bird, and
create
the bird of
the world with barn-door
fowls?"
paradise,instead of filling
"

"

"

"

"

You

have

carnal

"

mind.

You

will

never

go to heaven."

Lucky I if the saints there do nothing but

missionarymeetings to convert one another. Pray
else can
they do ?
They are engaged in the worship of God."
"

"

"

hold
what

i8
"

I don't know

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK
that

what

All

acquainted
with is the worship of the congregation.At Salem
Chapel
the minister
faces it, mouths
at
it, gesticulatesto it,
fawns at it,and, indeed,prays at it. If
harangues,flatters,
heaven
be a deadly dull hole."
must
that be all,
Miss
livid with
Mountjoy reared herself,she became
You
wicked girl."
wrath.
"Aunt," said Letice,intent on further incensingher,"I
for once
let me
do wish you would
to a Catholic
^just
go
church to see what the worship of God is."
means.

am

"

"

"

I would

rather

see

lady,and

incensed

dead

you

"

at my

stalked,rigidas

feet!" exclaimed
a

the

of the

poker,out

room.

estate, her
unhappy girlgrew up to woman's
heart seethingwith rebellion.
She caught scarlet
And
then a terrible thing occurred.
Thus

the

took

fever,which

unfavourable

an

turn, and

despairedof Miss Mountjoy was not one

the girlthat her days were
few, and her
hopeless.
Letice fought againstthe idea of dying
"

Oh,

aunt

! I won't

nothing of the
them, and
the doctor
pomps
die !"

and
But

know

and

pomps

life was

to conceal

vanities.

from

future condition

so

young.
I can't die ! I have
I want

they are like. Oh

something to revive

what

give me

die !

her

!
me.

to
save

seen

just taste
me,

I want

make
the

I will not, I cannot

vanities,oh ! so much.
availed nothing,
and she
her will,her struggle,

passedaway into the Great Unseen.

letter to her brother,who
Miss Mountjoy wrote
a formal
of the lamented
to inform him
become
had now
a general,
decease
not
of his eldest daughter. It was
a
comforting
the faults of Letice, it
letter. It dwelt unnecessarilyon
expressedno hopes as to her happiness in the world to
which she had passed. There had been no signsof resignation
with
the
its
world
last
from
at the
pomps
; no turning
and vanities to better things,
only a vain longingafter what

OF

BOOK

20

GHOSTS

And
pretty she was indeed,with her
pretty she was.
brows, and
pleasant face, honest
eyes, finely arched
how

twinklingsmile that produced dimples in her cheeks.

I shan't take a
is plenty of time," she said.
There
hair is done."
that my
hundred
years in dressing now
had come
her.
A great heaviness
She yawned.
over
dead
first. I am
I reallythink I shall have
a
nap
sleepynow, and fortywinks will set me up for the night."
A numbing, overthe bed.
Then
powering
she laid herself upon
lethargyweighed on her, and almost at once she
she that
sank into a dreamless sleep. So unconscious
was
"

"

"

hear Martha's

she

did

the

carriageas

For

down

the

She
had

with
"

tray

did you
"

and

like

log,and

me

maid

the door.

asked
and

and

butter.

say ?

I have

bread

will aunt
never

maid, coming

the

went

maid

She

slept
Why

to the ball.

have

forgotten.You

went

not.

to

the

smiled.

oversleptmyself."
If I may

"

took

up

are

the

be

so

dreaming
satin

dress.

bold

as

was

then

well worn,

to

say

so,

still."

It

was

littletorn, and the train showed

signsof having been drawn over a floor.

the lace

in

"

I think.Miss Betty,you
"
No ; I did not go."
The

she

night."

; I did

The

"

tea

! what

Please, miss, you

No

lain

had

she

sleptso soundly that

unlocked

were

Oh

call

not

ball last
"

which

on

Martha.

Yes,

long

so

her bell and

rang

What, miss, up already?

"

that

the ball.

missed

She

day.

in which

in the gown

previousevening.
in dismay. She had

rose

the roll of

nor

realise this fact,nor

she did not

stilldressed

was

the door

at

away.
full
It was

start.

moments

some

tap

her aunt

it took

with

woke

She

she

not

held up the shoes.

They had
in all night.
as if danced

been

crumpled,
able
unmistak-

worn,

and

POMPS
Look

"

miss

here,

deary me ! you
quite full."
Betty looked

What
"

lost

the

21

!
programme
lot of dancing.

Why,
It is

dazed

eyes ; then
and these
of its petals,
with

some

toilet-cover.

Where

they?

were

meaning of this?

the

was

had

programme

It had
on

is your

have

at the

fallen

not

here

must

at the camellia.

had

VANITIES

AND

Martha, bring me

hot water, and

my

leave

alone."

me

her dress had

sorelyperplexed. There were evidences that

The
been worn.
pearlnecklace was in the

case, but not

as

Betty

head

was

left it

she had

in cold water.

"

She

racked

ball.

of the
particular
lightcolour came

recognisedthe

initials " C. F.," those

"

late she

of

Fontanel, of whom
characters

Other

very strange ! she

in the dress I had on

the bed

had

expressed nothing
"

How

into

said ;

*'

She

and

"

am

like

was
"

one

dear, I should

My

as

she

her

and

deal.

good

seen

mind.

lyingon

was

yesterdayevening. I

cannot

and entered
She

oversleptmyself,"she
Sleepers."

went

up

After

said.

"

had

not

if you
first ball you

minded

have

not

till midday.

down

come

cheek

kissed her.

sorry that I
of the Seven

so

could not

Captain Charles

explainit."
Betty went downstairs
Twenty minutes later,
the breakfast-room.
Lady Lacy was there.
to her aunt

her

perusedthe

her

of

to

bathed

She

her brain.

recall the smallest

programme.

She

outside.

must

be

tired."
"

I meant

"How,
"

"

Oh,

you

you

last

when

mean

you

I went

were

punctual enough.

bewilderment

of the

am

sure,"said her

gave

the lion'sshare

to dress."

When

was

ready

alreadyin the hall."

were

The
"

night."
last night?"
"

girlgrew apace.
aunt,
you enjoyed yourself But
of the dances to CaptainFontanel.
"

22

If this had
here you
observed

BOOK

been

GHOSTS
have

Exeter, it would

at

known

are

OF

only to

few ;

caused

talk ; but

however, Lady Belgrove

it."

said
hope you are not very tired,auntie darling,"
the theme
that perplexedher.
Betty,to change slightly
Nothing to speak of I like to go to a ball ; it recalls
I thought you
old dancing days. But
looked white
my
and fagged all the evening. Perhaps it was
excitement."
As soon
breakfast was
as
concluded, Betty escaped to
her room.
A
fear was
planation
oppressingher. The only ex"

"

of the
in her

dance

said

she

sleep. She

and

thing it
middle

of

done

dance

unconscious?

have
!

her

dress,put

concluded

on

her

her

sleep
"

tickets for

Carmen,

had

woke

ful
dread-

in the

up

herself,
gone
all night,returned,taken off

all in

long tract

one

and

of unconsciousness.

day, I have taken

Majesty's. You would like

aunt

Her

dressed

tea-gown, lain down

afternoon

at

the

to

What

What

she

have

must

By the way," said her

"

had

been

She

been

had

somnambulist.

was

when

would

that she

was

danced
Lady Belgrove's,

to

"

next

go?"

to

the

course,

whole
And

"

No

you
"

ten

of the music

some

Toreador

song ; but I have

It will be delightful."

opera.

"

are

never

tired to go ? "
I shall love to
times, no

not

heard

of

"

the

too

thousand

"

dress will you go in ? "

I think my black,and put a

see

it."

What

"

"

That

"

will do

think you

Betty
never

In
and

I know

aunt.
Oh, delighted,

"

so

mystery

very

could not
was

well.

in my hair."
black becomes
you.

rose

The

do better."

highlydelighted.She

real opera.
a
the evening, dinner

had

been

to

plays,

to

Betty knew
she went

was

that it would

early,unnecessarily
early,
not take her long to dress,

into the littleconservatory and

seated

herself

POMPS
The

VANITIES

AND
of the

23

strong. Betty
and she
called them
cherry-pie. She had got the libretto,
looked it over ; but as she looked, her eyes closed, and
there.

without

scent

being
she

was
heh'otropes

she

that

aware

going

was

sleep,in

to

completelyunconscious.
stiff and cold.
She woke, feeling
Goodness
! said she, I hope I am
not late. Why
what is that light
?
The
glimmer of dawn shone in at the conservatory
moment

was

"

"

"

"

"

windows.
Much

dark.

left it.

The

hall,the staircase

groped her way to her room,

the electric light.
Before her lay her black-and-white
muslin

were
on

astonished, she
She

and

switched

dress

the table were

bed ; on
her white
twelve-button
folded about her fan. She took them up, and below

somewhat
"

"

gloves
them,

scented.
crumpled,lay the play-bill,

How

unaccountable

very

this is,"she

said ; and removing

the bed and thought.

the dress,seated herself on

did they turn out the lights
? " she asked

Why

then

the

on

herself,

off the electric current,

to her feet,switched
sprang
that actuallythe morning lightwas
saw
enteringthe

and

She resumed

room.

It cannot

"

her seat ; put her hands to her brow.

be that this dreadful thing has
it cannot

"

happened again."
heard

Presentlyshe
undressed

and

Her

worked.

mind

At the usual
"

Awake,

the

servants

retired between
She

time

Miss

Betty !

the sheets,but not

"

hastily
to sleep.

seriouslyalarmed.

was

Martha

stirring.She

arrived with
she

said.

"

tea.

hope

you

had

nice

evening. I dare say it was beautiful."

then checked herself,
and said
But," began the girl,
Is my
Is she very tired ?
aunt gettingup ?
Oh, miss, my lady is a wonderful
person ; she never
seems
to tire. She is always down
at the same
time."
Betty dressed,but her mind was in a turmoil. On one
"

"

"

"

"

thing she
would

said

must

see

doctor.

she would

the

keep

she

But

matter

her.
she

into the

came

breakfast-room,Lady Lacy

"

thought Maas's

"

much
"

She

GHOSTS

frightenher aunt,

not

When

OF

resolved.

was

close from

voice

said

Aunt,"

did you

What

Betty, anxious

mind

you

superb,but

was

for the Carmen.

care

"would
I

BOOK

24

not

think,dear
the

change

to

doctor?

seeing a

my

I did

so
"

topic,
think

I don't

quitewell."

am

well !

what

Why

'*

Not

"

I have

"

My dearest,is that

such

home?

life at

But

pale

looking very

with you ?'*

fitsof drowsiness."

dead

; balls and

about

is the matter

to

be wondered

theatres

"

very

I will admit

last

night.

with this racketing

at

other

that

than

quiet

struck

you

shall

You

the

as

me

certainlysee

Groves."

Dr.

When

medical

the

man

arrived,Betty intimated

that

shown
speak with him alone,and he was
with her into the morning-room.
Oh, Dr. Groves," she said nervously, it is such a
strange thing I have to say. I believe I walk in my
sleep."
You
have eaten something that disagreedwith you."
But it lasted so long."
How
?
do you mean
Have
long been subjectto
you
she

wished

to

"

"

"

"

"

it ? "
"

Dear,

"

how

And

of it ?

aware

never

had

any

signsof

"

was

not

were

you

roused ?

roused

at

What

did

How

came

to

become

you

all; the fact is I went

Belgrove'sball,and danced
woke up in the morning without

"And

"

Lady
and

it before

this season."

London
"

no.

there

and

knowing

asleepto
back,

came

I had

been."

"

then, last night, I

went

in

my

sleep to

Her

POMPS
heard

Majesty'sand

conservatory here
about

is

very

shoes and

my
Did

"

"

go
yes. I

the

in

up

nothing

her to

of sorts.

Dr.

She

Groves

cannot

glovesas
Lady Lacy ?

What

is

both

on

occasions,

well."

I remember

But

her

gets

about

nervous

for

mused

it,then

you

"

; and
am

I do

little

me."

while, then

some

that this is at all a

see

sure

you

ladyship."
It would
her
not.
frighten
suspect anything,except that I

"

out

with her all the time.

was

"

wish

Are

"

fan and

nothingabout it."
I must
speak to
Please,pleasedo
not

the opera

to

with

you

Oh,

"

woke

I remember

My dress had been used

Quite sure.

and

extraordinary
story.

to the ball and

went
"

at

but
Carmen;
earlydawn, and

25

it"

This

"

VANITIES

AND

he

said

"

of somnambulism."

case

"

"

suffered from that

Have
Lapse of memory.
you ever
previously?
I do not
"Nothing to speak of. Of course
always
I
remember
missions
everything. do not always recollect comAnd
given to me, unless I write them down.
"

I cannot

what

or
"

is

"

Twice."

"

And

I remember

menu

all the

at dinner

quite a different

of blank

occurred

"

the

was

That

spaces

that

say

in

your

What

matter.

How

memory.

I refer to

often

has

Do

that

this

the

sooner

the kind before."

return

you

to the

country the

It is

for you.
not

is

"

possiblethat the strain of coming out

the change of entering into gay life in town
has been
much

read,

"

I think

better.

I have

yesterday."

?
quiterecently
knew
Yes, I never
anythingof

"

novels

Take

attempt

too

happens again,send

care

much

and

economise

; and
for me."

if

your

and
too

pleasures.

anything of the

sort

26
Then

''

"No,

this to my aunt ? "

have
I will say that you

mention

time.

this

not

little

won't

you

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

overwrought

and

be

must

spared

been

much

too

excitement."

Thank

"

Now

much, Dr. Groves."

so

you

that

it was

mystery

new

to confound

came

Betty.

She rang her bell.

that novel
I

it

put

the boudoir

on

not

Please

look

I will look in the

"

I have

her return

much

did not

story. She

the

Next
It
from

the

it,"was

it back

sent

the book,

so

drawers,or

soon

into

her

with
carry

had

house,and

took

and

another.

out

later.

But

to

Betty was

took

She

house, into

the result

novel

novel

was

she

had

putting

to

of her

one

the

same.

the

be

must

one

of the domestics

which
appetite for fiction,
of the

drew

newly acquired volume

disappeared thence also, her

There

book
even

read

not

locked

it had

way.

ravenous

off

Betty

explanation. She
perhaps that was due to
lack of stirring
incident

in the

was

cupboard.

desk, and

patiencegave

it

as

she

Finally,when

be

her

disappeared.
became
customary, as surelyas she
that it vanished
clean away.
library,

She could
greatlyamazed.
brought home tilla day or two

in

to any

not

not

that also had

morning
now

could

Mudie's.

for the book

care

and
preoccupation,

her

the

from

took

of the maids

One

book

I know

in the boudoir,where

it was

morrow

placedit on

"

in

the

On

and
all,

drawing-room."

instituted,but

was

at

into the schoolroom

in the

search

the schoolroom."

miss, and
parlour,

been

not

that it is not

had

I have

for it.

"

found.

everywhere for it,

it,miss."

be found."

it cannot

hunted

table."

noticed

I have

"

the

appeared, where is
library?
circulating
"

maid

her

yesterday from

I had

"

and

she,when

said

Martha,"

"

sort

tamper with

whenever
a

it

drove
came

lock to obtain

her to

into the
it.

Betty

BOOK

28
actors

were

pensed.
this she could have disthe stage. With
habituee of the theatre as
not such an
was

on

She
not

before

with

intensely interested

be

to

GHOSTS

OF

what

enacted

was

her.

Between

of the acts he said to her

two

She has

engaging Lady Lacy.

her

wants

charming.
"What

to

consent

And

am

My

mother

is

in her head, but

scheme

make

it out, to

carry

"

deputed to get you

it

to

quite too

acquiesce."

is it?"

having a boat and going to the Henley

purpose
"
?
Regatta. Will you come
"
I should enjoy it above everything. I have never
seen
"We

regatta that
"

this kind.

is to

There

say, not

regattas

were

so

one

at

famous, and not of

Ilfracombe, but they

different."

were

mother

party shall consist only of my

and sister and your two selves,
and young
Fulwell,

who

dancing attendance

"

is

Very well, then

is
tame

cat.

; the

am

sure

on

my

Jannet, and
mother

will

Putsey, who

persuade your

livelyold lady she is,and for her years

how she does enjoy life!
It will be a most
happy conclusion to our stay in
|
back
said
We
auntie's
little
to
are
town,"
Betty.
going
in a few days ; she wants
to be at home
cottage in Devon
for Good
Friday and Easter Day."
settled. Lady Lacy had raised no objection,
So it was
and now
she and her niece had to consider what
Betty |
should wear.
Thin garments were
of the question;
out
the weather
be especially
too cold,and it would
was
chilly
the river. Betty was
still in slight
on
mourning, so she
chose a silver-grey
cloth costume, with a black band about
aunt.

What

"

"

"

'

her waist,and

white

straw

hat, with

ribbon

to

match

her gown.
On

the

day of the regatta Betty said to herself ; How

ignorant I am!
Fancy my not knowing where Henley is!
That it is on the Thames
Isis I reallydo not know, but
or
"

POMPS
I

fancy

the

AND

the former

on

Thames.

yes, I

"

I have
of the

Illustrated

last year, and

race

I will

of the environs

map

geography. One
Without

run

the

Isis

into

the

of London

hates

word

almost

am

picturesin

seen

representedas broad, and

stream.

VANITIES

to

anyone,
to lessons

positiveit is on
the Graphic and

I know

the river

only be

can

was

cant
insignifi-

an

schoolroom

and

look

to

29

and

find

post myself up in the

like

fool."

Betty

found

her way

to

the

when
children were
in the
given up
house.
It lay at the back, down
Since Lady
a passage.
Lacy had occupied the place,neither she nor Betty had
than
been
in it more
ingly
casually and rarely; and accordhad
the servants
neglected to keep it clean. A
good deal of dust lay about, and Betty,laughing,wrote
her name
in the fine powder on
the school-table,then
looked
found it black, and said, Oh, bother !
at her finger,

apartment

"

forgotthat
She

went

to

Metropolisand
Nor

could
This

she

is smut"

the

bookcase, and groped for

the country round, but could

lay her

do,"
s
Atlas, "if
Johnston^
"

of London

the dust

must

hand

said
the

on

of the

map

find

not

one.

gazetteer.

she, drawing

out

scale be

too

not

large,thick
small to give

Henley."
She

put the heavy volume

England, she found,

the table and

on

in two

was

parts, one

Northern, the second of the Southern

the latter,placed her fingeron
out
Thames, and began to trace it up.
Whilst

her

eyes were
closed, and without

they
sleepy,her

head

bowed

on

it,searching the

being

forward

on

the

She

blue

conscious
map,

of

map

division.
the

opened it.
the

spread

line of the
small

that

she

and

she

print,
was
was

breathingevenly,steeped in the most profound slumber.

She woke
returned
to her
slowly. Her consciousness
little by little. She saw
the atlas without
understanding
what

it meant.

she could

She

be in the

looked

about

schoolroom, and

her, and
she then

wondered
observed

how
that

darkness

closingin. Only then, suddenly,did

had brought her where she was.

she

was

recall what

Next, with
she

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

so

due

was

her

rush,upon

that

the remembrance

came

the boat-race.

at

for the evening

again have oversleptherself,
she could see the
had come
on, and through the window
this to be accomin the street.
Was
panied
glimmer of gaslights
by her former experiences?
into the passage.
Then
With throbbing heart she went
she noticed that the hall was
lightedup, and she heard
her aunt
speaking,and the slam of the front door, and the
Shall I take off your wraps, my lady ?
maid say,
the landing and proceeded to
She stepped forth upon
with a shock that sent the blood coursing
descend, when
she saw
to her heart,and that paralysedher movements
and
costume
herselfascending the stair in her silver-grey
She

must

"

"

"

"

hat.

straw

She
should
she

clung

the banister,with convulsive

to

stared,without

and
fall,

sound, as
herself quietlymount, step by step, pass her, go

saw

room.
beyond to her own
For fullyten minutes

unable

grip,lest she

stir

to

even

set, her heart

muscles
Then

slowly

her

to

hoarse

gasp

she remained

finger.Her
ceased

blood

relax, power

nerves

to

power

of

she reeled from

to

rooted

tongue

her

to the

was

spot,

her
stiff,

beat.

began again
movement

utter

to

circulate,her

returned.

With

place,and giddy,touching

to prevent herself from

falling,
every moment
in the hall,she had
But when
she crept downstairs.
once

the banister

She ran towards the morning-room,

flexibility.
whither
Lady Lacy had gone to gather up the letters that
had arrived by post during her absence.
Betty stood looking at her, speechless.
Her
raised her face from
aunt
an
envelope she was
considering. "Why, Betty," said she, "how
tiously
expedihave changed your dress !
you
recovered

"

girlcould

The

VANITIES

AND

POMPS

fell unconscious

speak,but

not

31
on

the

floor.
she

When

herself,she

to

came

vinegar. She

smell of

was

strong

Martha

the sofa,and

lying on

was

of

aware

Lady
applying a moistened kerchief to her brow.
and anxious, with a bottle of
Lacy stood by, alarmed
in her hand.
smelling-salts

was

"

Oh, aunt,

"

saw

then

It would

ceased.

she

not

apparition. She would not be believed.

said Lady Lacy, you are overdone, and
My darling,"
foolish of you tearingupstairsand scramblinginto
it was
Are you
morning-gown. I have sent for Groves.
your
do

tell of the

to

"

"

able
"

My

you

Let

walk.

I cannot

to

manage

!" she shuddered.

room

longer.

Can

rise ?

to

now

"

me

Let
be

"

reach
me

here

?
your room
lie here a little

tillthe

doctor

comes."
I thought you looked very unlike
dearest.
Certainly,
yourselfall day at the regatta. If you had felt out of
sorts
ought not to have gone."
you
Auntie ! I was
quitewell in the morning."
shown
in.
arrived,and was
Presentlythe medical man
Betty saw that Lady Lacy purposed stayingthrough the
interview.
Accordingly she said nothing to Dr. Groves
"

"

about
"

what

She

is

down

to

in her

room

she had

seen.

overdone," said he.

Devonshire

the

"

The

better.

sooner

move

you

Someone

had

better be

to-night.
Yes," said Lady Lacy ; I had thought of that
have
given orders. Martha can make up her bed on
sofa in the adjoining
dressing-roomor boudoir."
This was
relief to Betty,who dreaded a return
a
to
"

"

room
"

her

"

room

will
"

keep her

man

seen

her."

When

call

he

into which

again

in

her other

the

morning," said

in bed to-morrow,

left,
Betty found

self had

at all events

herself able

to

her

and
the

her

gone.
the medical

tillI have

ascend

the

BOOK

32
She

stairs.
The

cast

GHOSTS

frightened glance about

hat, the

straw

OF

dress

grey

there.

were

her
No

room.

one

was

in it.

helped to bed, and althoughlaid in it with her

the pillows,she could
head among
not
sleep. Racking
of that
thoughtstortured her. What was the signification
of her strange sleeps? What
of those
encounter
? What
of herself,where
she had
not
mysterious appearances
been ? The
theory that she had walked in her sleepwas
She

was

untenable.

How

she to

was

solve the riddle?

That

she

going out of her mind was no explanation.

Only towards morning did she doze off.
about
eleven o'clock,Betty
When
Dr. Groves
came,
him alone,which was
what
made
a point of speaking to
she greatlydesired.
was

said

She

him

to

occasion,far
sleep. Whilst
place."
my

worse

do

you

"

Whom

"Oh,

am

I met

no.

made

what

me

"

! it has

Oh

before.

than

buried

her

I do

on

the

one

this

worse

not

slumber, someone

Surely not

mean

in

been

walk

in

last
my

else takes

of the maids

stairs last

night,that

"

is

faint."

did you meet?"

Myself my double."

"Whom
"

"

Mountjoy."
I see you
I saw
as
But it is a fact.
myself as clearly
I was
now.
going down into the hall."
You saw
pretty
yourself!You saw your own pleasant,
face in a looking-glass."
the staircase. Besides,I
is no looking-glass
on
There
in my
was
alpaca morning-gown, and my double had on
hat.
She
pearl-greycloth costume, with my straw
my
mounting as I was descending."
was
the story."
Tell me
I went
yesterday an hour or so before I had to
I am
into the schoolroom.
awfully ignorant,and
dress
"

Nonsense,

Miss

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

POMPS
I did want

to

see

find out

and

map

know, I

because,you

VANITIES

AND

going

was

of those

33

where

Henley,

was

to the boat-race.

dreadful

And

dead

sleeps,with
I awoke
it was
evening,and
my head on the atlas. When
and ran
out
the gas-lamps were
lighted.I was frightened,
back
I heard them
to the landing and
arrive,
just come
I saw
the stairs,
from
Henley, and as I was going down
face to face.
She
double coming up, and
met
we
my
So
to this room.
passed me by,and went on to my room
not a somnambulist"
you see this is proof pos that I am
off into

dropped

one

"

"

that you

the

own

"

Pray,why

"

Because

"

I hold

"

moment

be so. Dr. Groves."

?

not

saw

"

double,wearing my

my

regattacostume."

opinion,Miss Mountjoy. If you will

my
I shall be able to offer a satisfactory
tion.
explana-

to

me

I mean,
Satisfactory,
to you.
experiencesintelligible
your

for

never

supposition. That,

that you
"
But that cannot

listen to

were.

if you
remember, was
idea. What
I said before is what I repeat now,
suffer from failure of memory."

admitted
your

said

never

condition

is

Well, tell

far

so

I do

as

not

make

to
at

your

all imply that

satisfactory."
I cannot

me.

make

heads

tails of this

or

matter."
"

you

It is

this,young

have

suffered

of what

did, where

you

been clean

wiped

different.

The

lady. On several
from
lapsesof memory.

out.

But

All recollection

you went, what you said,has

this last it was
on
somewhat
"

failure took

forgot everything that

engaged in the schoolroom

occasions

recent

place on your
had
happened

lookingat

return, and
since

you

Yes."

"

Then, on your arrival here,as Lady Lacy told me,

upstairs,and in a prodigious hurry changed

clothes and
"

put

"

on

My alpaca."
D

your

were

the atlas."

"

ran

you

you
your

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

34

Then, in descending to the hall,

still entangled with
came
back, but was
your
memory
had
of what
taken place during the
flyingreminiscences
interveningperiod. Amongst other things
I remember
other things."
no
recalled confusedlyone
You
thing only,that you had
"Your

alpaca,yes.

"

"

"

mounted

My

"

the stairs in your

"

your
pearl-greycloth, with the
"

hat

straw

and

satin

ribbon."

Precisely. Whilst in your morning gown, into which

recalled yourselfin your
had scrambled, you
regatta
you
costume
going upstairs to change. This fragmentary
"

presented itself before you as a vision.

Actually you saw
nothing. The impression on your
brain of a scrap recollected appeared to you
if it had
as
the retina of your
been an actual objectdepicted on
eye.
Such
and
happen not infrequently. In
things happen,
reminiscence

"

of D. T.

cases

I don't drink."

"

But

I haven't

"

I do

If you will allow

say that.
of D. T. the patientfancies he sees

In

proceed.
all
rats, devils,
obvious
realities,

not

cases

of

D. T.

me

to

to him
as
appear
he thinks that he sees
them
with his eyes.
But he does
These are mere
picturesformed on the brain."
sorts

"

"

objects. They

Then

you

positivethat

am

"

And

"

Most

"

And

"

I have

that

that

I danced

you
at

reallywas

boat-race ? "

at the

were."

ball ?
Lady Belgrove's

"

assuredly."
heard

Carmen

she

at Her

long breath,and

said

Majesty's?

doubt

the remotest

not

Betty drew
Then

hold

not.

"

that you did.'

remained
in consideration.
"

to tell me,
gravely: I want
you
Dr. Groves, quite truthfully,
quite frankly do not think
that I shall be frightenedwhatever
you
say ; I shall
merely prepare for what may be do you consider that I
am
going out of my mind ?

very

"

"

"

day, but that

to

home

our

have

would

aunt

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

36

it

We

so.

Yesterday

to-morrow.

auntie

thought she would have to postpone

the excuse
Lady Lacy rose, made
packing to attend to, and left the
shut
the door was
together. When
Fontanel
said

close

his chair

drew

to

going down

are

scared and

was

return."

our

that

she

the

people alone

young
behind

that

had

her, Captain
the

of

girland

"

Betty,you do not know how happy I have felt since

affair in the boathurried
It was
a
accepted me.
you
off
time was
house, but really,
running short ; as you were
"

when

Devonshire,

to

soon

so

there

forelock,and
"

I"

"

But

no

was

you
"

so

were

stammered

the

as

one

I had

by, so I
good as
Betty.

thing was

to-day to renew
happiness.
my

my
You

done

offer of

to say

Yes.'

'

haste, I

in such

time to

to

by the

Time
"

here

came

make

sure

and I
reflect,

of
trust

do not

repent."
Oh, you are so good and kind to me !
Dearest
Betty, what a thing to say !
wretched, good-for-naught who have cause
you

"

"

"

"

words

to

you.

courtshipof
Maid

hand
your
soldier,like that

of France.

than to say,
me

the occasion

at

old

seized

myself,and

had

have

snatch

to

your

"

Do

answer

Put

into
of

mine

It is I

poor,
to speak such

; it is

Harry V.

and

"

short

the fair

farther
I love you : then if you urge me
"
I wear
suit. Give
out my
you in faith ?
so
clap hands and a
; i' faith,do : and
'

I quoting aright?"
bargain.'Am
and
she extended
her fingers,
he
Shyly, hesitatingly,
Then, shrinkingback and looking down,
clasped them.
But I ought to tell you something first,
she said :
thing
somemake
change your
serious,which may
you
very
I do not, in conscience, feel it right that you
mind.
should commit
yourselftill you know."
be something very dreadful to make
do
It must
me
"

"

that."

POMPS

VANITIES

AND

37

forgetful."
terribly
I. I have
Bless
! So am
me
passed several of my
acquaintanceslatelyand have not recognisedthem, but that
I fear I have
And
I was
because
was
thinking of you.
bills ; and as to answering
been very oblivious about
my
! I am
letters good heavens
a shocking defaulter."
that.
I have lapsesof memory.
I do not mean
Why,
It is dreadful.

"

to be

apt

am

"

"

"

I do

not

He

lipswith
rate, Betty."

sealed her

at any
"

"

kiss.

forgetthis,

will not

You

"

"

Oh, Charlie,no !
Then
consider this,Betty. Our
for

be

"

remember

even

long.

ordered

am

and

Egypt,

to

cannot

engagement

positively

her the
and show
dear little wife with me
my
"
Pyramids. You would like to see them, would you not ?
'"
I should love to."

take

must

"

And

"

Indeed

"

And

"

Oh, Charlie

the

Sphynx

?"

I should."
Pillar .?"

Pompey's

! I shall love above

every day."
"
That
is prettily
said.

Now,

hearken

fitsof
must

to

me,

lapseof

memory

be married

very
I would

without

you.

"

But

"

I shall wire

income,

what

and

about
to

see

give me
over

everythingto

understand

we

now

rather throw

up

my

no

please. We

will
shortly.I positively

not

go out

commission,"

"

prospects,also how

level best
my
in
approved formula

another.

one

say,

papa's consent ?
full particulars
him
as

I will do

you

close attention,and

your

what

see

to

make

much
you

position,

to my

I love you, and how

happy. That is the

I think.
addressing paterfamilias,
he will telegraphback, Bless you, my
Then
boy ; and all
is settled.
I know
that Lady Lacy approves."
But dear, dear aunt.
She will be so awfullylonely
*

'

"

without
"

She

me."
shall not

be.

She

has

no

ties to hold

her to the

little cottage in

Cairo, and

of all her

cure

her

and

yours

Don't

be too

"

But

am

sure

try

not

I will

second

as

my

adapted for

cannot

you

"

be

were

about

the

is

Charlie,

forget."

Oh, Charlie,don't !

so.

climate

hot

muslins

and

"

made

made,
waist.

had

of materials

to

be

specially

light,beautiful,artistic,of
had

to

be commanded

from

selection,then the ordering,

the
the
with
dressmaker, and

the
to

Crock, the

the

came

Next

"

prints

discussions

measurings.
to

It will

"

to do

Liberty's.Then

had

of

of that."

sure

got ready expeditiously. Patterns

the

in

neck

Sphynx

name

Thomas, the dressmaker, and Miss

had their hands full. Betty's
trousseau
milliner,

then

us

her

to

bones.

Mrs.

silks and

to

will be Fontanel."

**

"

sure

girlup

of her

out

aches,as

out

come

old

make

desert,and

the rheumatism

bake

her, and

shall

dear

bury the

of the

in the sand

GHOSTS

She

Devon.

will

we

OF

BOOK

38

for
fittings,

Mrs.

Thomas.
under

easements

There

were

which

repeated visits
tions
Adjustments, alterathe arms,
tightenings

fulnesses

to

be

taken

in

skimpinessto be redressed. The skirts had to be

short in front and
sufficiently
long behind.
sufficiently
Mrs. Thomas
not regarded
As for the wedding-dress,
was
such a masterpiece. For
as
quitecompetent to execute
to Exeter.
that an expeditionhad to be made
The
wedding-cake must be ordered from Murch, in the
cathedral city. Lady Lacy was
particularthat as much
men.
of the outfit should be given to county tradesas possible
A ridinghabit,tailor-made,was
ordered, to fitlike
a
glove,and a lady'ssaddle must be taken out to Egypt.
to be
spondence
were
procured,and a correBoxes, basket-trunks
of personal
carried on as to the amount
luggage
and

allowed.

Lady Lacy and

express

to Exeter

constantlyrunning up by
this,that,and everything.

Betty
about

were

VANITIES

AND

POMPS

39

and the
invitations,
arrival of wedding presents, that entailed the writing of
gushing letters of acknowledgment and thanks, by Betty

ensued

Then

herself.

But

of
scribbling

the

these
four

of the

sending out

not

were

pages

allowed

every

day

to
to

for his eyes alone.

Interviews were
soughtby the editors

interfere with

the

Captain Fontanel,

intended

newspapers

to

ascertain

whether

agents of local

or

reporters

were

desired

wedding, and as to the length of the

of
notices that were
whether
all the names
to be inserted,
the donors
of presents were
to be included,and their gifts
registered.Verily Lady Lacy and Betty were
kept in a
whirl of excitement, and their time occupied from
ing
morntheir brains exercised
till night,and
from
night to
morning. Glass and china and plate had to be hired for
the occasion,wine ordered.
Fruit,cake, ices commanded.
the preparationsfor
But all things come
to an
end, even
describe

to

the

wedding.
last the eventful

At

day arrived,brightand

sunny,

May morning.

true

The

bridesmaids

arrived,each wearing the pretty brooch

Their costume
able
suitwas
presentedby Captain Fontanel.
of primrose-yellow,
with hats turned
to the season,
in green velvet,
pages were
up, white,with primroses. The
with
and

knee-breeches
lace fronts.

and
The

three-cornered

butler had

made

hats, lace ruffles

the

and
claret-cup
the neighover
bourhood

champagne-cup, and after a skirmish

some
borage had been obtained to float on the
to hold
a
mony,
reception after the ceretop. Lady Lacy was
and a marquee
had been erected in the grounds, as
the

the

cottage could

not

contain

all the

guests invited.

The

for the exposing of the

delivered
over
dining-roomwas
the
to convey
presents. A carriagehad been commanded
happy couple to the station,horses and driver with white
favours.
With
a sigh of relief in the morning. Lady
Lacy
declared that she believed that nothing had been forgotten.

trunks stood

The

OF

BOOK

40

GHOSTS

ready packed,all but

of Mrs. Fontanel.
flag flew on the church tower.

with the
A

labelled

one, and

name

had
villagers

The

to the
triumphal arch at the entrance
grounds. The people from farms and cottages had all
turned out, and were
already congregatingabout the
churchyard,with smiles and heartfelt wishes for the
a
mighty favourite with
happinessof the bride,who was
them, as indeed was also Lady Lacy.
The
Sunday-schoolchildren had clubbed their pence,
and had presentedBetty,who had taught them, with a
silver set of mustard-pot,
caster,and salt-cellar.
pepper
Oh, dear ! said Betty, what shall I do with all these
received
sets of mustard- and pepper-pots? I have now
eight."
change
"A
littlelater,
dear,"repliedher aunt, "you can exthose that you do not require."
that set given me
But never
by my Sunday-school
pets,"said Betty.
of telegramsof congratulation.
in flights
Then
came
arrived some
more
And
at the last moment
wedding
presents.
! exclaimed the girl,I really
must
Good gracious
me
will be justtime
to acknowledge these. There
manage
before I begin to dress."
to her boudoir,a little room
So she trippedupstairs

constructed

"

"

"

"

"

"

given

herself in which

to

over

"

to

her

do

her
her reading,to practise
painting,
to which

littleroom
to bid

What

an

eternal

happy
had

She

now,

music.

she feltwith

as

water-colour

an

bright

ache,she

was

good-bye!

hours

had

been

spent

spun there !
and
her writing-case

in it !

What

dreams
day-

been

opened

wrote

the

required

lettersof thanks.
"

There,"said she,when

is the last time

signedthe fifth. This

myselfElizabeth Mount-

she had

I shall subscribe

"

THEN

THE

SAW

THAT

HK'IDE
THIS

TUT
ACTUALLY

BACK

HER
WAS

VEIL,
NOT

AND

HERSELF

IT

THE

STUDYING

BETTY,
WAS

HER

DEAD

WHITE
SISTER

FACE,
LETICE

Then

proceeded
spiritparted from
my

that

"

irresolute whither

while

GHOSTS

OF

she

When

"

BOOK

42

I resolved

Heaven,

go.
that

declared

had

aunt

my

to

forcing my

on

body, it remained
then, remembering

my
But

would

never

in

way

there

go

to

out

of

defiance ; and I soared tillI reached the gates of Paradise.

stood an
At them
angel with a fierysword drawn in his
he waved

but

I know

not

my
whether
have

Letice, you

'

me

touched

blade

the

he laid it athwart

hand, and

off,and when the point of

heart,there passed a pang
of

joy

been

not

of

or
a

and
longings through life,

for the world

were

and

unfit to

are

the

to

its pomps

and

approached,
the flaming
through it,

And

sorrow.

good girl; you

therefore

and
rebellious,
resentful,
Your

entrance.

he said

sullen,

were

here.

enter

of

moment

death,

The

vanities.

last

given to repiningfor them. But your

of your
due largelyto the mistakes
faults were
rearing.
shall not pass within
And
hear your judgment. You
now
have returned
and
to earth
these gates tillyou
partaken
heart

throb of your

had

of and

was

and vanities. As for that

fillof its pomps
but no, Betty,he did not say quite
aunt

your

'

old

cat, your

"

that ; I put it in,and

her

her

lights
; alas
!

for

The

was

darkness

she

can

and

sweetening,and
oh, Betty,that

And

she did

'

ill. She

no

She

As

'

did

towards

lightwhich

that the

angel said

acted

so.

for your

was

I bear

by
me

me

up

in her

aunt, before

will want

will have

to

illumining,enlarging,
pass through Purgatory.'

gall and bitterness to her, for

she wrote
versial
controa
not believe in Purgatory,and
said
the
angel:
pamphlet against it. Then
said

which

glimpse only
threw

to

return

and

of that

he

her

right.

me

here, she

enter

Return,

knees,

be

to

done

to have

ought not

I wish

believed

she

what
to

resentment

no

up

will be

the

and

pomps

'Oh, suffer

is within

'

'

vanities.'

me

but

Be

it

have

to

on

the flaming brand, and

it

I cast

my

my

glimpse
replied. One
high.' Thereat
was
as
though a

so,'he

sword

whilst

I fell on
one

'

flash

glorious

It

beyond.

gates

I who

instead

of

I who

was

instead

at

took

your

I had

told
the

last

of

the

reached
and

veil

The
"

And

"No,
Then

her
"

"

fair white
you

who

was

Tell

Letice,

altar

you
of

bliss

the

full

and

will

the
see

pomps

her

have

vanities,

more."

no

me

opera,

the

But

of

ball-

reading
all girls
what
of wearing
the

regatta,
had

as

to-day.
the

"

orange-blossoms.
You

do

speech, "you

"

no

side
of

more

the

looked

forth

said

her

at

I have

she

"

am

being

sister,as

Betty

the

Betty, obtaining
joys of life ?

Betty put
me,

of

I, Betty,

music

said

desire

Betty.

the

supreme

the

high.
the

me

words,

I,

"

I received

the
for

Charles

of

was

at

designed

most

and

Oh, Letice,"

grudge

not

It

their

on

place

It

and

boat-house

your

sat

Carmen.

protestation
it

went

I who

was

Regatta,

And

excitement

limit.

my

I return
"

fair

It

it

Betty,
I who

was

heard

love.

were

novels.

long for,

wedding

that

the

dances,

sensational

most

took

pleasures

courtship,

of

kiss

who

you,

and

in the

there

And,

It

Henley

at

the

affection, and

dress, the
the

place

sword

the

handle, and

the

place.

Majesty's

was

sorrowfully, I turned

novels.

your

received

you,

first and

I have

in

same

what

for

by

it

the

saw

earth.

to

your

Her

you

of

Fontanel's
the

read

moment,

Then,

back

went

Belgrove's ball

Lady

to

shut.

were

and

took

brief

one

At

space.

angel caught

the

and

instantlythe gates
and
myself about
was

for

43

and

apart,

swung

but

was

down,

came

lightning filled all

of

the

moment

VANITIES

AND

POMPS

her

shook

her
and

pomps

through
hands

to

head.

the

vanities

clasp the

waist

"

everything the

you

saw

reverse

beyond."
of

Salem

"

gates."

fervently
what

Chapel."

of

McALISTER
city
THEAdour,

of

and

interest

present much
its associations.
it
a

noble

For

three

hundred

the

English

the

English,and

the

arms

the

on

England,

noble

bosses

of the

families.

It

that

one

tourist,on
years,

of the fourteenth

structure

English

the British

to

belonged to

of

its port, is

serving as

left bank

the

Bayonne, lying on

deaux,
Bor-

cathedral,
reared

was

and

of

by

carved

vaultingare

Talbots,

to

of

account

The

crown.

its

ought

along with

century,

of

of the

other

great

probably designed by

was

English architects,for
central

rib

so

it possesses, in its vaulting,

the long
of English architecture,and
characteristic

the prevailing French

wholly unlike what was
and
vaulting in compartments,
always without
rib,like the inverted keel of a ship,with
are

acquainted in

the

modern

houses

construction, also
of

in

the

the

their

dwellings above.
Bayonne has

But

of

the

vaulted,

seen

arms

English

our

town

and

English
later

Peninsular

minsters.

that

which

Under

some

of

necting
conwe

of

cellars of far earlier

are

in

fashion

them

noble

as

well

families

associations

with

be

may
which

had

At

the

us.

Wellington had driven

of Spain, and
the French
Marshal
Soult and
had
out
Sir John Hope,
crossed
the Pyrenees, his forces, under
In February, 1814, Sir John threw
invested
the citadel.
a
the Adour, boats
bridge of boats across
being provided
Penrose, in the teeth of a garrison of
by the fleet of Admiral
close

the

15,000 men,

and

French

War,

when

gunboats
44

which

guarded

the

river

McALTSTER

45

English whilst conducting this hazardous

brilliant exploit was
This
and
masterly achievement.
effected whilst Wellington engaged the attention of Soult
raked

and

about

the Gaves, affluents of

with
interesting,

is further
an

the

in that

incident

the Adour,

near

on
tragicinterest,

campaign

which

shall

be

Orthez.

It

account

of

referred

to

presently.
cathedral

The

of

Bayonne, some
years ago, possessed
driven out of Aquitaine before
the English were
towers
no
these had been completed. The
front was
west
to
mean
the last degree,masked
by a shabby penthouse,plastered
white, or rather dirty white, on which in largecharacters
et fraternity."
was
inscribed, Liberte dgalite
"

"

and a modern
west front and
disappeared,
and spireshave been added, in passable architecture.
twin towers
When
I was
at Bayonne, more
years ago than I
the
to say, I paid a visit to the little cemetery on
care
laid the English
bank
north
of the river,in which
were
of Bayonne.
officers who
fell during the investment
bank
The
north
is in the Department of the Landes,
whereas
the south is in the Department of the
that on
Basses
Pyrenees.
About
the time when
the English were
expelled from
France, and lost Aquitaine,the Adour
changed its course.
Formerly it had turned sharply round at the city,and had
flowed north and found an outlet some
miles away
at Cap
choked
was
Breton, but the entrance
by the moving sanddunes, and the impatient river burst its way into the Bay
of Biscay by the mouth
through which it still flows. But
the old course
is marked
by lagoons of still blue water in

This

has

the midst

now

of

vast

forest of pines and

cork trees.

I had

these tree-covered
landes^
day wandering among
seeking out the lonelylakes,and in the evening I returned
in the direction of Bayonne, divergingsomewhat
from my
to visit the cemetery of the English. This was
course
a
square walled enclosure with an iron gate, rank with weeds,

spent

OF

BOOK

46

and
utterlyneglected,

GHOSTS

with the

tombstones,some

leaning,

not

I could
prostrate,all covered with lichen and moss.
for the gate
get within to decipher the inscriptions,

was

locked

some

who

I had

and

not

key, and
place.

of the

the custodian

was

the

quiteignorant

was

Being tired with my trudge in the sand, I sat down

sun
outside,with my back to the wall,and saw the setting
paint with saffron the boles of the pines. I took out my
Murray that I had in my knapsack,and read the following
passage
"

"

formidable of the works

the most
N., rises the citadel,
since
by Vauban, and greatlystrengthened,
especially

To

the

laid out
1814, when
Soult,and

was

the

invested

key to an entrenched
of
by a detachment

of Marshal
camp
the army
of the

but not taken,the peace having put a stop

Wellington,
The
last of these,
the siegeafter some
bloody encounters.
dreadful and useless expenditureof human
took place
life,

Duke
to

it formed

of

after peace was

declared,and
guard in consequence.
They

British forces

the

put off their

thus

taken by surprise
entirely
early on the morning of

were

made
by a sallyof the garrison,
attended with the loss
was
April 14th; which, though repulsed,
and
of 830 men
of the British,
mander.
by the capture of their comSir John Hope, whose
shot
under
horse was
him, and
himself wounded.
The French
attack was
supportedby the fire
of their gunboatson the river,
which opened indiscriminately
on
friend and

ten

I had

thought that
Bayonne, and
which

and

concluded, the sun

mist began to form over the

When
grey

foe. Nine hundred

I knew

now

it

to table

I should

was

high

of the French

had

set, and

killed."

alreadya

of the Adour.

course

time

were

for

me

to

return

I
to

d'hote,which is at 7.30 p.m., but for

be late. However, before rising,
I

pulled out my flask of Scotch whisky, and drained it to

the last drop.
and was
I had scarcelyfinished,
about to heave myself
I heard
behind
voice from
and above
to my
a
feet,when
It is grateful,
me
varra
gratefulto a Scotchman."
say
I turned myself about, and drew
back from
the wall,
"

"

McALISTER
for I

saw

remarkable

objectperched upon it. Ft

in militaryaccoutrements.
a man
wall,for,if so, his legswould have

very

the upper

portionof
He was
the
not sitting
on
been dangling over
the
on

was

have
the

heaved

himself

"

Are

to

yet he could

level of the

the

to

up

And

outside.

legs depending inside,for

wall itself down

47

he

not

parapet, with

appeared

to

be

on

the

the middle.
"

Englishman ? he inquired.
An
Englishman," I replied,hardly knowing what to
make
of the apparition.
It's mabbe
in the nicht for me
to be stirring,"
a bit airly
he said ;
but the smell of the whisky drew me
from my
grave."
Scotchman

you

or

an

"

"

"

"

"

From

your

And

! " I exclaimed.

grave

is the blend ?

pray, what

"

he asked.

I answered.

"Weel," said he, "ye might do better,but it's guid

enough. I am Captain AHster McAlister of Auchimachie,
I fell in
at your
service,that is to say, his superiorhalf
of the attacks on
he employed
the citadel. Those
one
which
be reproduced
need not
a
strong qualification
those Johnny Crapauds used chain-shot ; and they cut
and my
in half at the waistbelt,
me
legsare in Scotland."
"

"

"

"

able to

was

restrain

who,

I had

as

"Is

take

laugh.

there

from

recovered

somewhat

Having

He

learned

further
so

much

in

anything

look

at

astonishment,

my

and

him,

resembled

Humpty

childhood, did

sit

rideeculous

about

so

on

could

not

Dumpty,
wall.

me?"

asked

"

to
Captain McAlister in a tone of irritation. You seem
be in a jocularmood, sir."
I assure
you," I responded, I was only laughingfrom
joy of heart at the happy chance of meeting you, Alister
"

"

McAlister."
"Of
"There

Auchimachie, and
is only half of me

familyvault

in Scotland."

title is Captain," he said.

my
in the
here
the etceteras
are
"

I
"

BOOK

48

understand, sir,"continued

must

speeritualpresentment
speeritualpresentment of my
I

Had

You

be

may

Graham

I started

the time

am

son

And

half-captain,
Colonel

and

greatest intimacy.
he

father took

my

"

my
?

reason

"

Wellesley

right

affected

Wellington

at

was

Colonel

anything should
campaign, you'llobleege me

confided
in the

him

to

his

If

remains

Presbyterian,and
body should lie in the
Virgin Mary. And as

Auchimachie.

to

I shouldn't
of

land

feel

happy

who
idolaters,

I will
expense,
that; but be careful not to do the job in an

extravagant manner.'
"

under

will forward

to meet

the

said

of the

terms

war

here, and

I in my

Auchimachie,

staunch

that his poor

worship the
manage

of

on

for the

apart and

happen to my
greatlyif you
I

Laird

but Sir Arthur

Graham

Was

during the day

of whisky upset my

sun

The

trunk.

half is not

brow.

pleased to know,"

father,the
of Ours, were

my

Before

hot

buried

but

am

Captain O'Hooligan."

my

the last drain

had

brain,or
"that

the

to

"

my
nether

those of

use

hand

pressed my

senses?

"

to

scorn

he, that I

of

the

I should

this announcement.

genuine surpriseat

expressed my

You

GHOSTS

OF

the

to

"

the untoward

Fates

short ?

cut you

"

did, but not in the Peninsula.

I passedsafely
were
we
through that,but it was here. When
and
makin' the bridge,the enemy's shipswere
up the river,
they fired on us with chain-shot,which ye ken are mainly
"Yes,

used
them
was

the

chain-shot

cuttingthe riggingof vessels.

were
on
us
as
we
engaged over
justcut in half by a pairof these

of the tunic and

*'

how

your trunk
just what Fm

and

Captain O'Hooligan

same

of

That's

detachment.

the

they employed
pontoons, and

shot

at the

junction

the trews."

understand

I cannot

Scotland
"

But

for

and

I need

legs should

that your

be in

here."
aboot
I used
not

to

tell you.

to

meet;

inform

you,

understanding,that O'Hooligan

is

an

we

There
were

was

in the

if you'rea
Irish name,

man

and

kicked

him

football about

preciselyhow

recall
twice

like

many
all the

thrice,but

or

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

50

the

enclosure.

times

the

while

the

"

circuit
head

I cannot

made,

was

of

McAlister

D
the Pope !
kept screaming Lillibulero ! and
Recovering myselffrom my astonishment, and desirous
of puttinga term
to this not very edifying
scene, I picked
"

"

"

leaf of shamrock, that grew

the legsand the trunk, and
between

at

up

my

feet,and

ran

presentedthe symbol
of St. Patrick to the former.
The legs at once
desisted
and made
from
not
a
pursuit,
ungracefulbow to the leaf,
and as I advanced
they retired,still bowing reverentially,
tillthey reached the wall,which they steppedover with the
utmost

ease.

half-Scotchman

The

hobbled

now

I'm
hands, and said :
sir."
intervention,
your

up

to

me

his

on

much

obleeged to you for

Then
he scrambled, by means
of
the rails of the gate, to his former perch on the wall.
"You
must
understand, sir,"said McAlister, settling
conveni
himself comfortably, that this produces no pheesicalinall. For
at
to me
O'Hooligan's boots are
and
is my
trunk speeritual.And
so
at best
speeritual,
I thank you."
it only touches my speeritual
Still,
feelings.
You
to him
some
certainly administered
spiritual
I observed.
aggravation,"
Ay, ay, sir,I did. And I gloryin it."
And
now. Captain McAlister, if it is not troubling
you
would
after this interruption
too greatly,
you kindlyexplain
"

varra

"

"

"

"

to

how

me

and

here
"

the less noble

my

dear

in my

father had

anything untoward

nobler

part of you

is

"

pleasure. Captain O'Hooligan's

Auchimachie."

at

had

interruptme

in Scotland

that about ?

came

If you

with

so

story is

that the

about

comes

will do

upper
"
How
"

it

"

particleof patience,you
narrative.

enjoined on
occur,

I told you,

Colonel

that he

should

did

would

I not, that

Graham,
send

not

my

should

body

McALISTER
home

51

be interred in the vault of my

this is how
it came
that the
about
to

made.

was

Colonel

When

it

Graham

carefullyattended

to

Scotland."

orders
and

to

that

mistake

I had

been

killed,

remains

my

put aside

Well,

awkward

reported that

was

issued

be

ancestors

be

to

should
home

sent

"By boat, I presume?"

he
But, unfortunately,
"Certainly,by boat.
Irishmen

some

it. And

whether

to their

it

Irishmen, they

could

his

that

was

countryman,

own

of

whether

or

fail to

do

to

it was

blunder

attend

to

company
they wished

missioned
com-

to

honour

that,like

most

in the

discharge
of their duty, I cannot
They might have recognised
say.
if they hadn't
known
even
face,by my
me,
goold
my
wretched
camp-followershad
repeater watch; but some
been
before
them.
On
the watch
were
engraved the
McAlister

not

But

arms.

the

watch

had

been

stolen.

So

either out of purpose,

or
they picked up
by mistake
O'HooHgan's trunk, and my nether portion,and put them
You
case.
together into one
legs are not
see, a man's
so
easily identified. So his body and my lower limbs
made
were
ready togetherto be forwarded to Scotland."
how
did not
Colonel
Graham
"But
see
personally
"

"

"

to

the

matter?"

He

could

"

He

not.

was

much

so

engaged

he might have stretched

Still,

regimentalduties.

over

point,

I think."
"

Was
"

knew
Rue

the

Embalmed

how

Pannceau,
that

put into

it.

but

cask

bit of
of

And
sailing-vessel.

was

done

had

could

no

was

There

he

be

no

O'Hooligan

portionsso far.

on

in

one

Bayonne

bird-stuffer in

who
the

nothing largerthan a
question of embalming.
and

eau-de-vie,and
either

the

"

There

there

is,the

no.

do

to

So

difficult to send

been

embalmed

body

seagull.
We,

have

It must

the bit of me,

so

the way

forwarded
to

were

by a
Southampton,

sailors
and

drank

spirits. It

all the

up

reached

hogshead

the

time

the

gimlet into

ran

port to Edinburgh, the

barrel,and inserted a straw,

that

from

boat

another

on

or

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

52

all gone

was

the

by

Whether

Auchimachie.

to the liquorI cannot

say, but
gave a smack
for my
I can
answer
legs,they would impart a grateful
flavour of whisky. I was
always a drinker of whisky, and

O'Hooligan

went

to

me.

That

for

and

head.

to my

not

standing
arrived

remains

considerable

Trust
of

amount

any

for

Auchimachie

at

had
is

there

chemical

might have

the

on

hair

in

left calf and

loaf

than

You

the dickens
There

"

is
the

between
"

do you

there

and

hair
; but

But

It

was

mortal

pronounce
the occasion

and

relics

aggravating

should
on

half

varra

over

the

"

all this ?
etherial

always an
of

my
the

papist."
me," interruptedI, but how

know

parts

was

alcohol

the

colour.

all the

so

vault.

Irishman

reallyexcuse

must

the

When

My
nearly so

action

my

Scotchman's

made.

been

black, or

bread,

no

confounded

to

on
legspast mistake, by a
varicose vein on
the right. Anyhow,

is better

of

under

mole

consigned to the McAlister

that the minister
to my
feelings
eloquent and moving discourse
trunk

always

interment, it

alteringits

were

"

identified the

mother

what

knowing

no

to

whisky.

mistake
supposed that some
is sandy, that of O'Hooligan
was

it

amount

legs; they swerved, and gave way

is proof certain that the liquorwent

my

extremities
head

taken

had

when

man's

"

current

of communication

body," replied McAlister,

is

between
speeritual intercommunication
man's head and his toes, however
pairtedthey may be.
tell you, sir,in the speeritualworld we
know
a
thing
two."

or

*'

And

unfortunate

most
"

now," said I, what

"

matter

may

be your

wishes

in this

"

coming to that,if you'llexercise a littlerational

patience. This that I tell you of occurred in 1814, a
am

McALISTER
considerable
return

your
to

run

would

never

been

not

little

the

of

have

for

my

attention.

to

the

lamented

tombstone

my

ease

has

another

There's
to

you

erected

He

all if it had

at

I desire
been

soul.

my

estate

decease.

which

business

great-nephew.
right thing by me, for

the

into

unpleasantness to

it your

interview

family,and
come

pleased if,on

varra

will make

will do

he

sure

honour

shall be

Scotland, and

to

quite

ago.

England, you

to

up

am

the

time

53

over

call

his

trunk

my

O'Hooligan's legs,here in this cemetery, and on

the
of
Sacred
it is :
to
Memory
Captain Timothy
the field of Glory. R. I. P.'
fell on
O'Hooligan, who
this is liable to a misunderstandingfor it is me
Now
I mean
lies underneath.
I, to be grammatical who

and

"

"

I make

account

no

of the

Irishman's

nether

extremities.

togethe
being a convinced and zealous Presbyterian,I alconscientiously
object to having 'Requiescatin
And
pace' inscribed over my bodily remains.
greatmy
nephew, the present laird,if he be true to the principles
of the Covenant, will object just as strongly as myself.
And

I know

weel

very

those

letters

of

O'Hooligan, but they mark

of my
body rather than his.
put it clearly and logicallyto

take

attached

are

the

place

So

I wish

the

to

the

name

of

deposition
just to
you

laird,and

he

will

transferred
to Auchiany cost, to have me
he may
machie.
do with the relics of that Irish
What
for,not one stick of barley sugar."
rogue I don't care

steps,at

promised solemnly to fulfilthe commission

and then Captain McAlister
wished
me,

I
to

I spent the

after my

winter

at

Pau.

England, and

connected

attention.

good

the cemetery wall.

quit the South of France that same

I did not

matters

me

retired behind

night,and

to

entrusted

It

was

interview

In

there

year, for
the followingMay
I returned

found

that

good

many

familycalled for my immediate

accordinglyjusta year and five months
with Captain McAlister
that I was
able
with my

54

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

forgottenmy
discharge my promise. I had never
undertaking I had merely postponed it. Charitybegins
at home, and
own
concerns
engrossed my time too
my
fullyto allow me the leisure for a trip to the North.
to

"

However, in the end

Edinburgh.
situation

That

in the

then visit it.

of the

I did

world, as

North, and

never

the express
to
candidly,is the finest for

think

city,I

far

had

I should

I took

go.

I have

as

of it. I did not

seen

been in the Athens

previously
have liked to spend a coupleof

days at least in it,to look over the castle and to walk

and
through Holyrood. But duty stands before pleasure,
I went
to my
on
destination,
directly
ance
postponingacquainttaking.
underwith Edinburgh till I had accomplishedmy
I had

written to Mr.

desire to

my

him.

see

Fergus
I had

McAlister

not

inform

to

entered

into

him

of

the matter

thought it best to leave this till

of mouth.
I
whole
story by word
merely informed him by letter that I had something to
speak to him about that greatlyconcerned his family.
On reaching the station his carriageawaited me, and I
of my communication.
I could tell him
the

driven

was

to

received

He

his house.
me

and
with the greatest cordiality,

offered

the kindest

hospitality.
The
house
was
large and rambling,not in the best
repair,and the grounds,as I was driven through them, did
introduced
to be trimly kept. I was
to his
not
appear
wife and to his five daughters,fair-haired,
freckled girls,
certainlynot beautiful,but pleasingenough in manner.
me

eldest

His

in

son

was

away
lawyer'soffice in

in the

and

army,

Edinburgh

so

his second
saw

was

nothing of

them.
After

dinner, when

the

ladies had

retired,I told him

and he
the entire story as freelyand as fullyas possible,
with courtesy, patience,and the deepest
listened to me

attention.

McALISTER
Yes/' he said, when

"

had

that doubts

allow

to

the

under

But

been

I had

concluded,

on

the

circumstances

it

the matter

cast

stand

to

certain
I

to

show

tablet
date

you

from

the

it
of

advisable

all

in the

right

And

very

some
hand-

kirk,a

and

name

some

the

tory
lauda-

very

appropriatetext

Screeptures."
are

will,of

known,

you
take steps for the translation of the half of

course,

superab
in-

were

and
investigation

an

legswere

Now, however, that the facts

"

aware

the trunk.

There

was.

and
of my
great-uncle,
his character,beside an

on

was

considered

was

againstthe wall,recording the

of decease
words

to-morrow,

"

genuineness of

as

difficulties in the way

identification. But the

hope

55

Captain

Alister to your family vault."

"
I foresee considerable
difficulties in the
authorities at

"The

the

to

exhuming

the tombstone

of

reasonablysay

of the

plied.
way," he reBayonne might raise objections

in the grave

remains

marked

Captain O'Hooligan. They might

'What

hang has Mr. Fergus Mc

Captain O'Hooligan?' We

the

do

with

"But,"
mistake

the

said

made

I, "a
"

would

of
representation

render

the

case

all clear to them.

"

very

Alister

body of
consult the family of that officer in Ireland."

to

by

must

of
I do

the
not

necessityfor complicatingthe story

have only half of your relative here,
by saying
State
and that the other half is in O'Hooligan's grave.
of the body
that orders had been given for the transmission
of your
great-uncleto Auchimachie, and that, through
of Captain O'Hooligan had been sent,
error, the corpse
and
buried by mistake as that of the
Captain McAlister
and straightThat makes
Irishman.
a simple,intelligible,
forward
tale. Then
you could dispose of the superfluous
legswhen they arrived in the manner
you think best."
is any
that you

that there

see

The

laird remained

silent for

while,rubbing his chin,

lookingat the tablecloth.

Presentlyhe stood up, and going to the sideboard,said

and

56
"

BOOK

I'll just take

of

wash

Will you have

Thank
you

OF

some

"

"

and

returned
silent

said

''

in

"I don't

and

lump

Alister's time.

more

the

is not
Land

excellent

called upon

am

best take the remains

their arrival."

on

afraid it will be

am

sir,the property
have

them

sort

old and

that

see

had

"

"

thoughts.

to the table after

leisurely
few minutes
longer,then

transport those legs."

No," I answered ; but you

to

clear my

to

enjoying your

am

wash," remained

lifted his head

whisky

"

port."
Mr. Fergus McAlister
his

GHOSTS

seriouslyexpensive. My good
it was
in Captain
worth what

now

has

down

gone

in

value,and

rents

been

now
Besides, farmers are
seriouslyreduced.
exacting than formerly;they will not put up with
in the
son
byres that served their fathers. Then
my

second
is not
to me, and
son
great expense
my
yet earning his livelihood,and my daughters have not yet
found suitors,
that I shall have to leave them
so
something
he drew
"I
which
to live; besides"
a
on
long breath
is

army

"

want
"

I do

"

on

to

the house

billiard-room."

think,"protested I,

not

"

that

the

cost

would

be

serious."

very
"

build

to

"

What

do you mean
I think that these

by

humanity might be

relics of

Auchimachie

to

serious ? " he asked.

in

hogshead of

cognac,

ported
trans-

much

as

the others were."

What

*'

Well," I

centimes

That's

"

I cannot

francs and
And

"

am

can

asked
say

stars, is five francs

three

cognac,

than

more

"

there ?

he.
as

to

fifty

bottle."

''

"

down

"

Best

cask.

the

priceof cognac
replied, that is

is the

"

long price.
say ;

But

never

star ?

one

bought

"

that.

Possiblythree

half."

how

many

not

sure,

bottles to

cask ?

something over

two

"

hundred

litres."

THE
T T

"

is not

idea

your

head

conceive
Julia. I cannot
possible,
have
of attendingthe county ball can
after what has happened. Poor young

ley'sdreadful

But, aunt, Mr. Hattersleyis

"

No
have

Aunt

"Oh,
verdict

of

mind

"

do
Julia,

was

him

upset him

to believe that you

so

over

can

the

as

soon

were

talk like this.

not

who

you

brains

those

his brains,when

tapis. Consider
assembly ?

by

help

his

blowing

deranged ?
If he

out

"

go off his head,

first drawing him on, leading
did

liked him, and

then

Hon.

James Lawlor
will people say

what

Hatters-

relation of ours."

no

could

How

entered

the
you
say so, when
suicide when
in an unsound

Elizabeth, how

that he committed

was

condition

but

"

the

that the poor fellow would

not been for you."

you know
shot himself if it had

relation

how

stop that."

suffices to

death

"

not

it

RING

LEADEN

throwing

appeared on
if you

go

to

him
the
the

"

"

will

What

set

they say

if I do

it down

to

Hattersley,and
of
"

they

were

for

me,

now,

did Mr.

Well

"And
you
"

that

go ?

there

some

was

sort

engagement."
They are not likelyto

you
"

my
will think

mediatel
They will imcaring deeply for James
not

while

that.
But really,
Julia,
suppose
Tell
all smiles and encouragement.

Hattersleypropose

yes, he did, and

and
then he went

"

cannot

Nobody

with

any

knows

I refused

shot

to

you

"

him."

himself

in

face go to the ball."

that he
proposed.
5S

despair. Julia,
And

precisely

LEADEN

THE
I do

propose.
"
His

family,of

see

go

are

at the

it. Of

course,

awfully sorry for

him
up again. I

and
set

had

and

gone

done

door.

your

How

can

you

"

the heart,Julia
see

the

at

dance."

lies at

"

I don't

They
assembly."

aware.

those present at the

among
in too
great trouble to look

were
paper to see who
Plis terrible death

"

been

have

must

course,

name

your

"Aunt, they

have

59

that he did not

will conclude
everyone
I do not wish it to be supposed that he did."

because

will

RING

his

am

awfullysorry,

father,the admiral.

wish

as

I feel it. I

that

rejectedhim
Joe Pomeroy, marry one

did

when

I cannot

he
of

his

landlady'sdaughters."
You
"There, Julia,is another of your delinquencies.
lured on young
Pomeroy tillhe proposed,then you refused
and
mortified vanity he
him, and in a fit of vexation
married
a
girlgreatly beneath him in social position.
If the

7nenage
prove
that you
conscience

hers
"

as

will have

failure you

have

his

wrecked

it

life and

on

your

perhaps

well."
throw

I cannot

myself away as a charityto save this

that from doing a foolish thing."
or
man
I complain of, Julia,is that you
"What
encouraged
till
Mr.
Mr. Pomeroy
Hattersleyappeared,whom
young
and then you tossed him aside ;
eligible,
you thought more
and
with James Hattersley
did precisely
the same
you
as

soon

Julia,I

as

am

not

the better part.

to

came

you
so

that

sure

The

know
Mr.

Lawlor.

Mr.

Pomeroy

I dare
girl,

say, is

has

After
not

all,

chosen

simple,fresh,and

affectionate."
"Your

"

My

is
implication

dear, I have

the present day, who

and
to the feelings
excitement

and

not

complimentary,Aunt

beth."
Eliza-

the young
lady of
is shallow,self-willed,
and indifferent
no

patience with

happiness

and
pleasure,

of

others,who

desires

craves

nothingthat

for

is useful

6o
and

BOOK

Where

good.

her damask

the feet of

"

I have

story

like

that he

at

then

for

me

"

was

refused

an

was

to the heart."

that
cared

tersley
James Hatfor him

I shall go to the ball."

orphan. She had been

so

Joe

It

him.

stabbinghim

then

people to think
I certainlynever

proposed ;

Julia Demant

you

my

the favoured

himself

to consider

and

man

I don't want

cared
nor

led each

have

feet of

the

never

proposed,and

"

girllays herself

grovelledat
James Hattersley."

smilingat

"Well

you

tillhe

one

i' the bud, feed

worm

and
like Viola's sister,

relish to be

or

No, but

Nowadays

Viola's

herself inside-out
if she likes him, turns
all the world read her heart."

blank.

Pomeroy

girllike

see

man

no

"

"

cheek?

and

let him

to

will you

now

let concealment, like

who
sister,
on

GHOSTS

OF

"

retained

eighteen,and then had been removed

just at the age when a girlbegins to take an interest
in her studies,and not to regard them
as
drudgery. On
all that she had acquired,
she had cast away
her removal
and had been plunged into the whirl of Society. Then
suddenly her father died she had lost her mother some
at school

tillshe

was

"

before

years

and

"

she

Flemming. Juliahad
pounds a year, and
had

funds

and

estate

been

flattered

beauty, and

she

would

live with
sum

probably
on

as

Flemming was
outspoken,and

an

very

five hundred

of her

and

at

small

elderly
ladywith
decided

aunt. Miss

in for

come

the death

her

of about

girlat home,
certainlythought no

Miss
very

inherited

well

as

to

went

in her

good
She

aunt.

school

bones

as

of herself

sharptongue,
opinions; but

discovered that she

Julia soon
could bend the aunt to do anything she willed,though she
could not modify or alter her opinions.
of Joe Pomeroy and James Hattersley,
In the matter
it
Miss Flemming had said. Julia had encouraged
was
as
her action

Mr.

was

Pomeroy,

weak, and

and

had

only

cast

him

off because

she

THE
of the

thought better
admiral

of that

she
he

that

saw

the

had

She

given
that

entangledhim,

RING

suit of Mr.

name.

Hattersley,had
then, when

LEADEN

him

he

alluded

consequences

an

young
had so

her ; and
Lawlor, and

James
rejectedHattersley with

in

to

of

in love with

the Hon.

fascinated,she

was

encouragement,

madly

to know

came

son
Hattersley,
a good deal of

seen

every

was

6i

the

conversation

above

given.
particularlyanxious

Julia was
county

ball,for she

Lawlor

for several

make

to

On

been

dances,

attempt

an

evening of the
the carriage. The

wont, but

For

about

under

present

at

the

already booked
by Mr.
she was
quite resolved

and

bring him

to

the

entered

her

had

be

to

to

declaration.

ball Miss

Flemming and Julia

had given way, as was

aunt

protest.
neither

minutes

spoke, and then Miss

Flemming said, Well, you know my feelingsabout this
I distinctly
I do not approve.
dance.
disapprove. I do
consider
not
going to the ball in good taste, or,
your
Poor
would put it,in good form.
ley
Hattersas you
young
ten

"

"

"

He

Oh, dear
was

aunt, do let

buried

with the

"

Yes, Julia."

"

Then

the rector

inquest. Why
"

I suppose

"

Much

regularforms, I

not

suppose

"

who

man

the

is unsound

his actions."

not."

less,then, I

I do not

we

responsiblefor
who

say that you

of mind
for the condition
"

Hattersley aside.

put young

accepted the verdict of the jury at

should

is not

in his mind

us

live ten
are

miles

away."
responsiblefor his death,but

that

led him

to

do

the dreadful

Really,Julia,you are one of those into whose head

or heart only by a surgical
operationcould the thought be
A hypoderintroduced that you could be in the wrong.
mic
weak
would
be
instrument
too
an
to effect
syringe
radical change in you.
such
a
Everyone else may be
deed.

BOOK

62
in

the

wrong,

As

never.

"

for

stung her

I, for

"
"

cannot

asperity,for

I," retorted Julia with

had

me,

get

head."

of my

Hattersley out

young
"
And
words

you

GHOSTS

OF

part, do

my

thought."
She had hardly[spoken the words
began to pass round her. She drew

aunt's

her

give him

not

that
said

was

her

over

Auntie

"
"

! is the

glassdown

do

"

There

draught."

"

Draught

I do

!
"

Indeed, that

is all

one

The

wind
her.

about

slewed

dress.

can

it about

right.

see

It is

pins,the

on

moment

her.

Then

was
"

face of Miss

carried

sudden

fired into her ear; and

the cushions.
among

The

descended

old

from

lady drew down

Phillips,
bring the lamp.
Miss
The

is

the

up

as

one

the

with

from

long

tress

Then

the

Flemming.
above

her

on

it away

head,
girl's

drift before her,blinding

explosion,as though
scream

had

gun

of terror

she sank

Miss

and
pulled the checkstring,

footman

the lace

her hair,it wrenched

that held it in place;

the

across

at

at

combs

next

back

and

that

hair,completelyreleased,eddied

been

blowing harder

her throat ; it tore

It snatched

lashed

and

window

perhaps the

they are sound."

of which Juliacomplained swirled and whistled
It increased
in force ; it plucked at her shawl

Besides,I

case.

was

feel

one

"

the

side ?

your

of the front panes be broken ? "

have
had
would
told me
that been

deadly cold. Can

No.
Rogers

and

you

not

her, and
"

side hitches."

your
"

is such

on

shawl

Barege

ask ? "

No, Julia; why

"

the

chill wind

closer about

shoulders

bare

before

Flemming, in great alarm,

the carriagestopped. The

the box
the

and

window

Something

came

and
has

to

the

said

side.
"

Oh

happened

I
to

Demant."

obeyed, and sent a flood of lightinto the

carriage. Juliawas lyingback, white and senseless. Her
hair was
her face,neck, and shoulders ; the
scattered over
man

flowers that had

place,the pads
on
lay strewn, some
bottom
of the carriage.
ordered
the
Phillips!"
Rogers to turn the horses

her

fast

as

as

in the rug

at

the

"tell
lady in great agitation,

and

drive

home

at

once

; and

do

for Dr. Crate."

can

you

lap,some

old

"

run

63

the pins that had fastened

stuck in it,
convoluthat had given shape to the tions

been

it in

you
A

RING

LEADEN

THE

again in motion,
carriagewas
Her aunt
was
chafingher hand.
Juliarevived.
Oh, aunt ! she said, are all the glassesbroken ?
Broken
what glasses
?
of the carriage with the explosion."
Those
Explosion,my dear !
That
Yes.
discharged. It stunned me.
gun which was
few

after the

minutes

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Were
"

"

hurt ?

you
I heard

no

gun
I did.
It

But

into

my

fired at

have

can

"

explosion.**
as
though a bullet had been
I wonder
that I escaped.

no

"

was

brain.
us

charged
disWho

"

nothing. I know
what
it was.
I had the same
experience many years ago.
deaf in my
I sleptin a damp bed, and awoke
stone
right
But one
I remained
so for three weeks.
ear.
night when
I heard
I was
at a ball and
a
was
dancing, all at once
right ear, and immediately
report as of a pistolin my
heard
wax."
quite clearly
again. It was
"

My

"

But, Aunt

"

You

"

Oh

dear,

no

Elizabeth,I

have

noticed

not

! but

look

at

I heard

fired.

one

my

have

not

been

deaf."

deaf"
that you were
hair ; it was
that wind

that blew

it about."
"

You

labouringunder

are

delusion,Julia. There

was

wind."

no
*'

"

But

look

That

There

has

are

They

feel how

"

been

many

reached

done

ruts

home,

hair is down."

my

by

in the
and

the

motion

of the

carriage.

road."

Julia,feelingsick,frightened,

64

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

Dr. Crate arrived,said

bewildered,retired to bed.
and ordered something to soothe
that she was
hysterical,
her nerves.
convinced.
not
The
Julia was
explanation
did
offered by Miss Flemming
not
satisfyher. That she
victim to hysteriashe did not in the least believe.
was
a
the coachman, nor
had heard
Neither her aunt, nor
Phillips
As to the rushing wind, Juliawas
the dischargeof a gun.
satisfied that she had experienced it. The lace was
ripped,
twisted
as
by a hand, from her dress,and the shawl was
and

throat; besides,her

her

about

hair had

not

been

slightly
completely
so

arranged that the joltingof the carriagewould

vastly perplexed over what she
disarrangeit. She was
had undergone. She thought and thought,but could get
to

nearer

no

Next

In

she

day, as

about

went

solution

as

after Miss

mistress

out

was

at

home, and

at

once

the

to

Hon.

and

rose

James Lawlor called

The
butler repliedthat

Flemming.
but
making calls,

he believed

asked

again,she

usual.

afternoon

the

asked

was

of the mystery.
almost
herself

Miss

Demant

the terrace.

on

was

that

and
his
was

Mr. Lawlor

her.

see

Julia in the parlouror on the terrace,

she had descended
to feed
but in a lower garden to which
in the pond.
the goldfish
Oh ! Miss Demant," said he, I was
so
disappointed
not to see you at the ball last night."
I was
very unwell ; I had a faintingfit and could not
did

He

not

find

"

"

"

go.
"

It threw

I had

you

damp

booked

"

You

were

"

But

that

on

spirits that
"

is to say,

on

mine.

for several dances."

able to
was

our

not

give them
the

same

to
to

others."
me.

I did

an

act

of

charityand self-denial. I danced instead with the ugly

like
Miss Burgons and with Miss Pounding, and that was
dragging about a sack of potatoes. I believe it would
have been a jollyevening,but for that shocking affair of

HER

HAT

WAS

HER

BLOWN"
HEAD

OFF,
AS

THOUGH

AND

NEXT
A

GUN

IiNSTANT
HAD

A
BEEN

DETONATION
FIKED

KANCi
INTO

HER

THKOUGH
EAR

THE

Hattersley which

young

away.

never

those

mean

for

course,

LEADEN

kept
who

that did not

me

believe?

I heard

some

not

because

of him.

come

ball,was
"

did

Oh

!
"

better

sort

acquainted.
knew
him, I

not

were

You

so, and

that you

for

had

subscription

"

did

you

and

much,

very

attend

not

the

awfully

were

up."

cut

"

not

I!

"

cared

What

bounder, but

Lav/lor

Nor

only

"

laughed.

need

when

He

tolerable

made

estimate
qualified
*'

that

shame

for him.

rush

Mr.
a

the

Hattersleys.Of

supper,

that

"

we

say

The

if you will know

ball because
you liked him
"

the

fellow.

people

bad."
atrociously
they say of me ?

not

What

know
the

65

of

some

matter,

with

spoke

even

RING

you.

You

he had

shot

peopleshould talk ! I never

nice enough in. his way,
was
as
men
go."
young

I should

relish to have

not

such

of me."
so
interesting.He became
himself.
It will be by this alone
are

that he will be remembered."

"

But

much

there is

Mr.

able to

"

W^ho

"

I will not

"

brains

or

and
clairvoyante,
hearts of people

never

least

"

for

is fortunate

that

me

proposedto you."
?
potato-sack
"

The

give her

name.

Is there

any

truth

in it ?

he?"
No."

At

the

whistle

creep

moment

of

round

was

through her
ear.
F

she

spoke

there

in her

sounded

ear

like a cord of ice

wind, and she felt a current
her throat,increasingin force and compression,

her hat
rang
her

he like you

that he had

me

that ?

was

Perhaps it

men.

lady told

One

not

am

into the

see

'*

Did

Lawlor,

of all of young
I cannot."

"

fire. Did

without

"

"Dear
was

smoke

no

She

off,and

blown
head

uttered

as
a

next

detonation

gun had been fired into

sank upon
the ground.

though a

cry and

instant

James Lawlor
could

he

firstimpulsewas

His

bewildered.

was

to

that
for assistance ; then he considered
the wet
leave her lying on
soil,and he

the house

to

run

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

66

stooped

not
to

in his

raise her

and

arms

perform such

In novels young
men
but in fact they are

not

able to do

her within.

to carry

difficulty;
the
when
it,especially
feat without

big-boned. Moreover, one in a faint is

dead weight. Lawlor
a
staggered under his burden to
he could perform to carry
much
the steps. It was
as
as
her up to the terrace, and there he placed her on
a seat.
Panting,and with his muscles quivering after the strain,
the bell,and when
he hastened
to the drawing-room, rang
has
Miss
Demant
the butler appeared, he gasped :
girlis

tall and

"

fainted ; you
within."
"

She

and

fainted last

and

nightin

footman

the

must

the butler.

said
carriage,"

the

her

carry

in bed attended
she was
to her senses,
Juliacame
later
A few moments
by the housekeeperand her maid.
Miss Flemming arrived.
Oh, aunt ! I have heard it again."

When

"

"

Heard

"

The

"

It

what,

dear ? "

dischargeof a gun."
is nothing but wax," said

little sweet-oil into your

with

warm

the old

ear, and

lady.

then

"

have

I will
it

drop
syringed

water."

something in private."
to withdraw.
Miss Flemming signed to the servants
Aunt," said the girl,I must
say something. This is
it is
the second time that this has happened. I am
sure
in the sunken
with
me
James Lawlor was
significant.
garden,and he began to speak about James Hattersley.
when
it was
know
You
were
we
talking about him last
preciselyas
night that I heard that awful noise. It was
"

I want

to

tell you

"

"

'*

if a gun had been dischargedinto my

head were
and tissues of my
the nerves
the bones

of my

skull shattered

"

ear.

I felt as

being torn,

what
^just

Mr.

if all

and

all

Hattersley

THE

LEADEN

RING

6^

have

undergone when he pulled the trigger.It was

for a moment
an
perhaps,but it felt as if it lasted
agony
had asked
hour.
Mr. Lawlor
an
me
point blank if James
I was
Hattersleyhad proposed to me, and I said, No.'
in so answering,because he had no right
perfectly
justified
such a question. It was
to ask me
an
impertinenceon
his part, and I answered
him shortlyand sharplywith a
But actually
negativ^e.
James Hattersley
proposed twice to
must

He

me.

would

not

made

remarks

some

treated him, and

a

state

of

alive

which

that

pretty

was

rude

were

I will not

with

curt

about

repeat, and

as

he said, Julia,I
great agitation,

vow

forgetthis,and
dead.'

or

did not accord

shall

I considered

it another
this wind

annoyances,

you

from

belong to

this

great

him.

the

bursts

of

him.

how

I had

he

in
left,

no

that you
but
one

nonsense,

these
thought. But, really,
and

next

came

'

shall not
me,

first refusal,but

again,and

day bothering me
He

accept

and

terrible

noise, do

seem

just as though he felt a

that he is dead.
malignant delightin distressingme, now
I should
like to defy him, and
I will do it if I can, but
I cannot
of these experiences they will kill me.'*
bear more
Several days elapsed.
called repeatedlyto inquire,but a week
Mr. Lawlor
recovered
to receive
passed before Julia was
sufficiently
of courtesy and of symone
him, and then the visit was
pathy,
and the conversation
her health,and
turned upon
to

to

me

come

It is

"

indifferent themes.

on

But

in
otherwise.
She was
days later it was
the conservatory alone, pretty much
herself again,when
Mr.

some

Lawlor

few

was

announced.

recovered,or believed that she had,

had actuallyreceived a severe
but her nerves
shock.
She
that the phenomena of the circling
had made
up her mind
in some
wind
and the explosion were
mysterious manner
connected
with Hattersley.
in mortal terror
She bitterly
resented this,but she was
she
Physically

had

of

she felt no
; and
the unfortunate
young

recurrence

of

treatment

of

sense

deep

did he not

why

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

68

quietand

If he

from

cease

rather

but

man,

against him.

resentment

He

compunction for her

dead,

were

vexing

her ?

for hers was

gratification,
not
a
martyrdom that provoked sympathy, and which
her interesting.
could make
died there
She had hitherto supposed that when a man
determined
for good
end of him ; his condition
an
was
was
hover
for ill. But
that a disembodied
or
spiritshould
had
itself a nuisance
to the living,
about and make
never

To

be

"

Lawlor,

Will
"

"

she

aunt's

and

I have

said,as
At

of you.

kind

"

so

brought you

accept them

you

Oh

no

allowed

be

if I may

Julia

Mr.

her

to

was

into her calculations.

entered
"

martyr

began

"

of flowers.

"

he

so

the bunch

handed

this time

gardener is

bouquet

"

call you

to

of the year
miserly that

to

they
he

her, how
"

are

so

rare,

will spare

me

miserable
bits of geranium.
for my
but some
room
like this upon me."
It is too bad of you wasting your money
'*
It is no waste, if it afford you pleasure."

none

pleasure. I dearly love flowers."

said Mr. Lawlor,
give you pleasure,"

"

It is

"

To

"

is the

great
happiness if
object of my life. If I could assure
you
to seize this opportunity,
allow me
to hope
would
you
alone
that we
are
now
together
and
His features were
He drew near
caught her hand.
in his
his lips trembled, there was
earnestness
agitated,
"

"

"

eyes.

At
about

once

her and

cold blast touched

to

Juliaand
She

flutter her hair.

began

trembled

to

and

circle
drew

about
to be
newed.
reparalysingexperience was
She turned deadly white, and put her hand to her
Do
not,
Oh, James ! James ! she gasped.
rightear.
want
to say, or I shall faint.
pray do not speak what you
I am
not
It is coming on.
yet well enough to hear it.

back.

That

"

"

"

Write

to

speak it."
On

and

Then

her

moment

I will

and

me

she

For

answer.

sank

entered

aunt

RING

LEADEN

THE

upon

the

the

was

should

whatever

reason

no

pity'ssake
seat

"

and

do
at

not

that

conservatory.
was
taining
put into her hand, con-

followingday a note
formal proposal from the
a
by return of post Juliaanswered

There

69

Hon.
with

why

James
an

the

Lawlor

acceptance.
engagement

was
long ; and the only alternative mooted
take
whether
the wedding should
place before Lent or
settled that it should
be
after Easter.
Finally,it was
celebrated on Shrove Tuesday. This left a short time for
the necessary
preparations. Miss Flemming would have

to go

be

to

trousseau

with

town

her niece

is not turned

out

concerninga trousseau, and a

than an armed
rapidlyany more

cruiser.

period allowed to young

of each
people who have become
engaged,to see much
other,to get better acquainted with one
another,to build
their castles in the air,and to indulge in little passages
of
affection,
vulgarlycalled spooning." But in this case the
spooning had to be curtailed and postponed.
alone with James, Juliawas
At the outset, when
nervous.
of those phenomena that so affected
She feared a recurrence
and then the wind
her.
curled
But, although every now
and
not
it
was
violent,nor
soughed about her, it was
she came
to regard it as a wail of discomfiture.
chilling
; and
There

is

usually a certain

"

of the detonation,
no
recurrence
Moreover, there was
and
she fondly hoped that with her marriage the
vexation
would
completely cease.
In her heart was
She
deep down a sense of exultation.
was
defying James Hattersleyand settinghis prediction
in love with
Mr. Lawlor
not
at naught. She
was
; she
liked him, in her cold manner,
and was
insensible to
not
be hers when
the social advantage that would
she became
the

Honourable

The

day

Mrs. Lawlor.

of the

wedding arrived.

Happily

it

was

fine.

*'

Miss

bride the

is the

Blessed

OF

BOOK

70

Flemming

"

an

GHOSTS
shines

sun

on," said the cheery

I trust,of

omen,

brightand

ruffled
un-

condition."
life in your
new
All the neighbourhoodwas
present at the church.
had

Flemming

friends.

many

present,as he belonged to
laid with

path

had

with

flowers, and

been

that breathed

voice

The

rector

laid

been

assisted
Orders

at

distant

red

choir

Mr.

Lawlor

The

"

o'er Eden."

by the altar,and

stood

chancel

the

The

step.

had

cushions

two
rector

uncle of the

an

decorated

twitter

to

bridegroom who
had
the rector, being old-fashioned,

by

church

The

county.

present

fewer

had

cloth,the church

was

Miss

was

be

to

was

in

drawn

Holy

pale

on

grey kid gloves.

First arrived the

bridegroom with his best man, and

condition balancinghimself first on
stood in a nervous
observed by all eyes.
one
foot,then on the other,waiting,
Next
entered
the processionof the bride,attended
by
in Lohengrin, on
her maids, to the
a
Wedding March
Then
Julia and her intended took their
wheezy organ.
placesat the chancel step for the performance of the first
and the two clergydescended
to
portionof the ceremony,
"

"

Wilt

"

the altar.

from

them

have

this

woman

thou have

this

man

thou

"

I will."

"

Wilt

"

I will."

"

I,James, take thee,Julia,to

and

words

the

passed over
to

"

hold

to

As

creep

the

round

and

it

came

thy wedded

to

my

wife ? "

husband

wedded

the

to

"

wife,to have

on.

being spoken, a cold rush

clasped hands, numbing them, and
bride,and

lips and knitted

be beyond the
would
When

so

thy wedded

of

were

her

"

to

her

flutter her
In

brows.

reach

her turn

take thee,James
I,Julia,

to

of these
to
"

few

veil.

air

began
She

minutes

set

she

manifestations.

speak,she began firmly:

but as she proceeded the

72

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

carriagewhich was to have conveyed the coupleto

to have taken them
Miss Flemming's house, and then,later,
to the station for their honeymoon, the horses decorated
with a white bow,
with white rosettes, the whip adorned
had
to convey
now
Julia,hardly conscious, supported by
The

her

aunt, to her home.

The

be thrown.

bell-ringers,
preparedto
give a joyous peal,were constrained to depart.
The receptionat Miss Flemming's was
postponed. No
sumed
conone
thought of attending. The cakes, the ices,were
rice could

No

in the kitchen.

bridegroom,bewildered, almost frantic,ran hither

not knowing what
to do, what to say.
and thither,
Julialay as a stone for fullytwo hours ; and when she
not
to herself could
conscious, she
came
speak. When
raised her left hand, looked on the leaden ring,and sank
back again into senselessness.
recovered
she sufficiently
Not tilllate in the evening was
had remained
to speak,and then she begged her aunt, who
She
the attendants.
to dismiss
by her bed without stirring,
When
in the
desired to speak with her alone.
no
one
was
Miss Flemming, she said in a whisper :
with her,save
room
awful thing
Elizabeth ! Oh, auntie ! such an
Oh, Aunt
Mr. Lawlor, never.
I
has happened. I can
never
marry
dead man's wife.
have married James Hattersley; I am
a
was
At the time that James Lawlor
making the responses,
I heard a piping voice in my
unearthlyvoice,sayear, an
ing
take you,
I said : I, Julia,
When
words.
the same
Mr. Hattersley
you know
James, to my wedded husband
then the words
is James as well as Mr. Lawlor
applied to
The

"

'

'

"

"

him

as

much

or

well

as

as

to

the other.

And

then, when

ring,there was the explosion

and the leaden ring was
forced on to
in my ear, as before
and not James Lawlor's
golden ring. It is of
finger,
my
man's wife,and
I am
a dead
use
no
any more.
my resisting
I cannot
James Lawlor."
marry
it

came

to

the

giving of
"

the

Some
that

incomplete

Miss

been
of

able
left

her

her

has

herself

that

of

She

the

is
has

wears

the
not

her

world,

as

the

deadly

of

none

her,

so

wrath
and

against
to

give

molest

him

it, is

her

even

league

made,

by

cutting
of

as

prostration
affected

so

rid

to

attempt

living.

could
she

for

would

though

her

allowing

her

temper

got

many
is

that

supposes

she

the

entertains

his

have

un-

her.

against

lay

dead

is

not

to

relieve

might

dead

if

spirit,

recourse

harbours

the

ring.

aunt

has

is

it

leaden

that

they
she

and

hand,

Hattersley

And

resentment.

Providence
the

in

James

repose,

for

She

incantation

expedients,
is

bitter.

is

of
an

She

friends

no

knows

If

these

bitter

has

memory

hate.

could

prayer

been

have

left

lies

estate.

tongue
she

as

her

on

although

handsome

her

far

Towards

finger

or

every

where

woman,

She

and

glove

finger,

happy

acquaintances.
amiable,

from

third

The

inspired,

it has

never

discharge

insensibility.

third

left

off

it

terrifying

desisted

has

has

has

ring.

over

She

that

terror

she

invariably

bulged

and

the

ensued

the

attempt

drawing

by

causing

ear,

followed,

nerves,

and

day

she

from

ring
the

it

has

her

into

leaden

Whenever

it, there

through

that

the

disengage

still, and

Demant

Miss

remove

hand.

to

gun

is

to

disastrous

that

since

elapsed

73

marriage.

Demant

either

have

years

RING

LEADEN

THE

silent

to

walk

THE

ANNA

MOTHER

in her

dance.

of

VOSS,

OF
Siebenstein,was

village.Never

No

one

PANSIES

ever

she absent

was

from

fair

or

abroad

If she had her fits of bad

merry.
for her mother, in the secrecy of the house.
like that of the lark,and

girl
prettiest

anything but
temper, she kept them

her

saw

the

her smile

Her

voice

was

like the

May morning.
She had plentyof suitors,
for she was
possessedof what a
in a wife than beauty,and
peasant desires more
young
that

is money.
But of all the

who

men

young

hovered

her, and

about

win
destined
it save
to
was
sought her favour, none
in a government position,
Joseph Arler,the ranger, a man
whose
duty was to watch the frontier against smugglers,
and to keep an eye on the game
againstpoachers.
The eve of the marriage had come.
One thingweighed on the pleasure-loving
mind of Anna.
of a familywhich
would
She dreaded becoming a mother
in
to eve
keep her at home, and occupy her from morn
her children,
attendance
and break the sweetness
of her
on
sleep at night.
So she visited an old hag named
Schandelwein, who was
she confided her trouble.
to whom
a reputed witch, and
The
of

old

said that she had

woman

destiny,before

Providence

had

children,three
latter
But

was

arrived, and

ordained

girlsand

destined

Mother

Anna

to

looked

that

Anna

she

Schandelwein

boys, and
priest.
had
74

had

should

four

be

into the mirror

great

that

powers;

seen

have
one

that
seven

of the

she could

set

at

naught

the

determinations

Anna

seven

pips,very

to

gave
she

placed in a
these one
by one
the

have

Anna

into

put money

and

departed,and when
the wooden
bridge over
one
pip after another.
heard a littlesigh.
But

when

it

she felt a sudden

However,

she

which
apple-pips,
bade

she

each

as

future,and

her

cast

went

over

in each

she

came

it

As

to

qualm,
threw

it

growing

was

the

Schandelwein's

Mother

pip

each

fell into

in,and

the

could

the

not

see

it,and

the

mill-wheel,when

current

the

hand

she stole to

mill-stream, and

casting in
and

dusk

dropped

the

in

she

water

last of the

seven

battle in her soul.

then, overcome

herself into the stream

of remorse,
threw
it,and as she did so she uttered a cry.
But the water
was
dark, the floating
pip was

to

; and

child's soul.

So

like

much

of paper ; and
into the mill-race,
and
to

75

of Providence

cornet

mill-wheel,it ceased

was

PANSIES

OF

MOTHER

THE

was

miller

by
to

an

pulse
im-

recover

small,she

rapidlycarrying her
ran

out

and

rescued

her.

followingmorning she had completelyrecovered

that
her spirits,
how
and laughinglytold her bridesmaids
in the dusk, in crossingthe wooden
bridge,her foot had
slipped,she had fallen into the stream, and had been
And
then,"added she, if I reallyhad
nearly drowned.
been drowned, what would Joseph have done?"
The
married
life of Anna
not
was
unhappy. It could
hardly be that in association with so genial,kind, and
not
as
altogetherthe
simple a man
Joseph. But it was
ideal happiness anticipatedby both.
Joseph had to be
much
from
for days and
home, sometimes
nights
away
Anna
found
be
and
it
tedious
alone
to
together,
very
And
considerate
Joseph might have calculated on a more
wife. After a hard day of climbing and
chasing in the
mountains, he might have expected that she would have
But Anna
set before him
a good hot
supper ready for him.
On

the

"

"

BOOK

76
whatever

and

hand

to

came

GHOSTS

OF

least trouble.

cost

healthy

best of sauces, she remarked.

of his avocation, scrambling up
Moreover, the nature
rocks and breaking through an undergrowth of brambles

appetiteis the

and

thorns, produced

cloth

Anna
repairs,

grumbled

repair was

urgent

herself,and

then

she

It

his

out

put

when

only

was

consented

it

undertake

to

sulky looks,muttered
badly that it had to be

with

done

was

rent, and

others.

by

that

it

each

over

mended

be

to

garments

of

Instead

garments.

fraying of stockingsand
cheerfullyundertaking the

and

rents

reproaches,and was executed so

done over
again,and by a hired workwoman.
But

Joseph'snature

was

of his

pretty wife,that

turned

off her

lipswith

was

with

murmurs

he

besiegedby
the

the

into

corner

there, and

was

the

houses, broke from

into

came

for these he made

before

square,

little ones

burst

himself

Anna,
and

see

of their

he

parents*

to

up
scamper
Joseph somehow

arms,

in his

would

of the

looking
how

littlelame

about

the

on

"

Catch

particularfavourite

was

hobbled

habits

that

out

sweets

turned

he

known

not
rounded,
sur-

was

was

For

him.
or

could

pockets,and

the children

churchyard, and
the

it

their sister nurse's

one

Joseph

Him
seat

had
that

face,who

he
village,
Hardly had

hold it there,till he said

bidding him
and

that Anna

leap,or catch, or scramble,

beg,by putting a sw^eet on a boy's nose and

sometimes

crew,

defects,and

those

the

the children.

Joseph and to jump about

always had nuts or almonds

Joseph

fond

so

was

joke,or sealed her pouting

to

or

with

thing about Joseph

one

Whenever

relish.

bore

he

he

kiss.

There

amiable, and

so

on

beasts

before

with

all this

among
a

white, pinched

crutches.

single out, take him on

steps of the villagecross

tell him

out

boy

!"

stories
of the

of her

Joseph

of

his

or

knee,
of

the

adventures, of

forest.

window, could
set

his

the

poor

see

all this ;

crippledown,

the child would

PANSIES

OF

MOTHER

THE

throw

its

round

arms

77

his neck

kiss

and

him.

Joseph would
joyous face.

Then
and

Anna

resented

the

to

with

home

come

his

should

that his first attention

children,regarding

it

her

as

swinging step

and

due,

be

given

she

often

displeasureby the chill of her receptionof

her husband.
She did not reproach him in set words, but
she did not
to meet
run
him, jump into his arms, and
kisses.
respond to his warm
Once he did venture
a mild
on
expostulation. Annerl,
made
Home?
why do you not knit my socks or stocking-legs
is heart-made.
It is a pity to spend money
on
buying what is poor stuff,when those made by you would
the cockles
calves and feet,but warm
not only last on
my
her

showed

"

of my
To

heart."

It is you
who
set the
:
repliedtestily
sweet
on
example of throwing money
things for
away
those pestilentlittle villagebrats."
heard
in the
unusual
hubbub
One
an
evening Anna
laughter,not of children alone,but of
square, shouts and

she

which

and

"

into
moment
well, and next
burst Joseph very red, carrying a cradle on

women

house

the

as

men

his

head.
"

What

"

An

for?" asked Anna, turningcrimson.

fooling
ting
Joseph,setexperiment,Annerl, dearest,"answered
is this

down
who

rocks

I have

rock,

the cradle.
an

empty

bought
and

''

cradle

this and

when

I have
soon

rocks

brought

see

little rosebud

her

be

in

mother,

an

that

empty

house.

mother

had

how

When
made

that

baby

it to

linen,I shall cry for joy."

snowy
Never
before had Anna
known
could

it said

heard

into it.

Rock,
you.
in it among
dull
she

her

and

had
do

wife

dead

So

rock,
the

life

lived with

much

of the

there was
not much
to
necessary work of the house ; now
be done, and there was
to exercise compulsion.
no
one

BOOK

78
If Anna

GHOSTS

OF

visited her

and

neighbours,
theyproved
to be disinclined for a gossip. During the day they had
to scrub and bake and
cook, and in the evening they had
and children with them, and did not relish
their husbands
the intrusion of a neighbour.
The
had
the
not
days were
days, and Anna
weary
or

energy

ran

out

the

love

than

more

the

house

and

the

of work

was

not

was

pewter and

to

her

prompt

to

self
her-

occupy

absolutelynecessary.
Consequently,
kept scrupulouslyclean. The glass
the

saucepans
dull. The house

did

not

shine.

The

linen was
unhemmed.
window-panes were
the
One evening Joseph sat in a meditative mood
over
unusual
fire,looking into the red embers, and what was
with him, he did not speak.
all at
Anna
inclined to take umbrage at this,when
was
he looked round at her with his brightpleasantsmile
once
and
said, Annerl ! I have been thinking. One thing is
wanted
to make
us
a
supremely happy
baby in the
I prohouse.
It has not pleased God
to send
us
one, so
pose
"

"

that

we

both

go

on

pilgrimageto

Mariahilf

to

ask

for one."
"

yourself I want no baby here,"retorted

few days after this,like a thunderbolt
out

Go

"

the

sky, came

great affliction

on

Anna

Anna.
of

clear

of her husband's

death.
He was
Joseph had been found shot in the mountains.
The
bullet had
pierced his heart. He was
quite dead.
borne
on
fir-boughsinterlaced,by
brought home
green
and
four fellow-jagers,
they carried him into his house.
his death at the hand
of
met
He had, in all probability,
smugglers.
threw herself on
With
a
cry of horror and griefAnna
Joseph'sbody and kissed his pale lips. Now only did she
that
realise how
now
deeply all along she had loved him
"

she had

lost him.

Joseph

was

laid in his coffin

preparatory to the

inter-

BOOK

8o
shuffled
and

awkwardly

sprinkledthe

Next

looked

wafted

Anna

would

prayers
driven

the

her

beads

leave her

not

The

her.

turned,

his hand

tried to

and

lips; they

fell from

chain

lap, lay there neglected,and

the time passed she knew
How

to his

pray,

but

choked

were

crowded

up

her
and

and

wildere
be-

her

fingersupon her
slipped to the floor.

then

not, neither did she

care.

clock ticked,and she heard it not; the hours sounded,

till in at her ear and through
not
she regarded them

The
and
her

he

door,

dead, put

by the thoughts which

back

stumping forth,

was

the

of rue,

it his final farewell.

to

took

now

ungainly creature
passed through

towards

more

once

and
lips,

dead

had

after he

but

GHOSTS

the foot,dipped the spray

with the blessed water.

to

the

moment

OF

brain

cuckoo

clear the call of the wooden

came

nouncing
an-

midnight.
eyes
and
roused,

The

been

had

Her

they opened

coffin

was

closed.

Now

and

that

but

gone,

saw

suddenly she was

all was
changed.

by her instead

the cradle

was

that years ago Joseph had brought home, and which she
And
in that cradle lay
now
had chopped up for firewood.
asleep,and with her foot she rocked it,and found
a babe
a

strange comfort
She

in

of

conscious

was

doing.

so

no

welling up of joy in her

saw
feeble whimper and
hands

of

surprise,
only a great
heart.
Presently she heard a
a
stirringin the cradle ; little
sense

she

put forth gropingly. Then

were

stooped and

lap,and claspedit to her heart. Oh,

in her
! Oh, how
sweet
that tiny creature

lifted the child to her

how

lovelywas

ears

its

warm

appealingcry

pressedto
entered

her

touched

hands

her bosom.

into

held

throat,and
a

world

the little lipswere

the

laughed

babe
and

She

sobbed

laughed and
for

very

to

of love

beauty and happiness unspeakable. Oh

babe"

the

it to her bosom

pressedit

She

world,

new

she

As

lightand

and

! the

babe

"

the

cried and

cried,and

exuberance

had

She

her.

of

joy. It

brought warmth
it ingrainedher
her very

brain with

pride. It

arms

was

gone

neart

was

cramped,

as

would

you

it went

the mill-wheel."

Wild

strainingher arms
nothing. She looked

She

herself into

The

sun,

the red

lost

child,and

her.

The

lightof

about

the air with

hair,and

at

the

The

innocent

and

stepped into the

And

chair.

She

more.

no

lo ! it

was

her side stood

child

was

dear

more

night.
and

window,

mignonette that filled

said

"

littlegirlwith

on

it like the

shiningfair
glory about a

large blue

raised its

and

God,
will,and

And

fear

Mother,

do

this will

God, always
not

seek

give you

little girl knelt

eyes to
I say
may

and

what

do

only your
peace
laid her
"

and
knee
Anna's
upon
father,and mother, and all my

folded

no

her,
my

pure

chism
Cate-

"

Love

The

and

prayers before I go to bed ?

Anna
and said : " Oh, my
answered
darling! My
is comprehended in
Barbchen
! All the Catechism

dearest

ease.

the door

chamber

in at the

shone

evening sun,

evening sun

eyes,

Then

His

tick,tick,

opened

outer

and

Do

the candles

fragrance.

there

and

grasping

And

Joseph.

pots of pinks and

the sill were

this

her heart.

to

after the

this

endure

cast

saint.

an

the clock.

could

And

spend

to

the soul away,

cast

the face of her dead

over

to leave the room,

on

"

"

You

not.

up,

tick went

own

terror, utteringa despairingcry, she started

with

flickered

her

"

tingle,

the child in her

away
shadow
a
congealed, her
; her tears
and a voice spoke within her : ** It is

not, because
over

vein

content

close,close

eternitythus,with that littleone

Then
as
suddenly all faded

8i

every
hers!

was

been

have

could

She

own

heart, it made

her

to

PANSIES

OF

MOTHER

THE

hands

is your

duty.
pleasureand
peace."

own

peace

"

golden head on her

began : God bless
"

dear

brothers

and

sisters."

Instantlya
heart

of

Anna,

sharp
and

as
pang
she cried :

a
"

knife went
Thou

hast

through
no

the

father and

and

mother

no

I would

because
it went

the

called

cuckoo

door

have

not

for thou
sisters,

no

I cast

thee.

art

not,

thy soul,and

away

the mill-wheel."

over

The

and

brothers

no

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

82

thrown

was

in the

and

open,

But

vanished.

child had

The

one.

stood

doorway

youth with fair hair and the down

and oh, in face so like to the
his lip,
on
in black bodice
a girl,
dead Joseph. He held by the hand
and with white
sleeves,looking modestly on the ground.
her son
It was
what
knew
this signified.
At once
Anna
that he was
Florian come
to announce
engaged,and to
couple
young
of a moustache

sanction.

ask his mother's

said

Then

one

"

the young

Mother,
girl:
and
baker's daughter,
the

"

We

Vronie.

love

man,

he

as

forward

mother, this

sweetest

child

old

of your

another

one

came

and

Susie, the

dear

loved

have

we

is

leading
friend

since

we

together at school,and did our lessons

bench.
out of one
And, mother, the
book, sittingon one
and
is to be passed on
to me
to Susie, and
bakehouse
for all the parish. The
I shall bake
good Jesus fed the
the loaves
multitude, distributing
through the hands of
I shall be His
minister
His apostles. And
feeding His
people here. Mother, give us your blessing."
Then
Florian and the girlknelt to Anna, and with tears
them.
of happiness in her eyes she raised her hands
over
were

But

littlechildren

ere

Florian
cast
over

In

them

and

voice

spake

; there

would

have

into

vanished.

within

been, but

the water, and

the mill-wheel."
his soul

it

her
you

"

The
There

would

passed

away

room

is

not.

for

no

You
ever

from her seat.

of terror Anna
She
sprang
agony
the room,
the air stifled her ; her brain
not endure
fire. She rushed to the back door that opened on

an

could
was

touch

dark,

was

all had

she could

on

garden,where grew the pot-herbsand cabbages

tended by Joseph when
he returned from his work

kitchen

for use,
in the mountains.

THE
But
a

she

MOTHER

battlefield.

smell of
of

forth

came

The

musketry, the
As

she

with

of

the

in her

rang

Bavarians.

were

of

One

face towards

hands

the

the

and

shouts

her

to

on

and

confused

was

and

cannon

in

her

wondering

She
smoke

wounded,

ears

stood, panting,her

eyes, before
soldiers,and she knew

of

of

roar

83

scene.

charged with

was

cries

strange

The

gunpowder.

encouragement

on

air

PANSIES

OF

rattle
of

din.

breast,staring

charged past

battalion

by their uniforms that they

them, as he passed, turned his
the face of an Arler,fired with

her ; it was
enthusiasm, she knew it ; it was that of her
and many
Then
came
a witheringvolley,

Fritz.

son

of the

gallant

carried the standard.

them
he who
fell,among
Instantly,Fritz snatched it from his hand, waved it over
his head, shouted, Charge, brothers, fill up the ranks !
Charge,and the day is ours 1

fellows

"

"

Then

the

remnant

closed

and

up

bayonets fixed, tramp, tramp.

firearms and
she could

dense

not

see

men

and

in

Anna's
fell

on

throat
from

with
of

explosion

an

rolled before her and

the result.

She waited,quiveringin every

waiting. And
hoping,fearing,
saw

Again

of smoke

cloud

forward

went

limb, holdingher breath

smoke

the

as

cleared

"

she

carryingto the rear one who had been wounded,

he grasped the flag. They laid him
his hand
at
feet,and she recognisedthat it was her Fritz. She
her knees, and
snatching the kerchief from her
and

breast, strove

his heart.

He

to

stanch

looked

the

her

into

up
her choke

blood

that welled
with

eyes,

such

emotion, and he said

have
faintly: Miitterchen, do not grieve for me ; we
Be of good cheer.
stormed
the redoubt, the day is ours.
rascals ! Mother, remember
They fly,they fly,those French
love

in them

as

made

with

"

me

And
your

hero."

"

I die

comrade

Anna
grief,

for the

dear

standing by
Arler ; your

Fatherland."

said
son

"

Do

has died

not

give way

the death

to

of

and

she

"

There

is

Fritz ; you

no

carried

was

All
the

GHOSTS

OF

stoopedover him, and saw the glazeof death in

She bent her ear to them
his lipsmoved.
eyes, and
caught the words : I am not, because you would not.

Then
his

BOOK

84

all

turned

to

back

go

her

to

and

room

cottage, and

her
his

she had

"

in

mother,

woman,

breast

husband's

lone

of

in the midst

home, but
A

house

herself not

she found

and

as

was

he

her

she

as

the

of

roar

battle,
feet,and

of the

cry

staggered to

door, heard the cuckoo call two.

But, as she entered,she found
own

powder,
the

smoke,

Anna

hush.

dead

of

volumes

the

of the

smell

the

passed away,

to

"

soul into the brook

my

the mill-wheel."

over

cannon,

cast

opened

herself to be, not

the

in her

strayed into another, and

chamber,

not

in her desolate

strange family scene.

Her

dying.
sat

on

head

the bed

reposed on

and

held her in

arms.

The

man

tears, and

overflowed
with
grey hair,his face was
his eyes rested with an expressionof devouring
had

on

and

again bent

over

whose

supported,and

he

her whom

love

to

brow

he

now

kiss.

gatheredher children,ay, and also

her grandchildren,
quite young, looking on with solemn,
they had
wondering eyes on the last throes of her whom
learned to cling to and love with all the fervour of their
simple hearts. One mite held her doll,dangling by the
in her
was
and the forefingerof her other hand
arm,
from her
Her eyes were
mouth.
brimming, and sobs came
what
understand
She did not
was
infant breast.
being
taken from her, but she wept in sympathy with the rest.
piring
Kneeling by the bed was the eldest daughter of the exrecitingthe Litany of the Dying, and the
woman,
repeated
and another daughter and a daughter-in-law
sons
About

bed

the

in voices

the responses
When

for

were

broken

with

tears.

the recitation of the prayers

while

and
great stillness,

ceased,there

all eyes

rested

ensued
on

the

MOTHER

THE

OF

PANSIES

85

Her lipsmoved, and she poured forth her

dying woman.
last petitions,
that left her as risingflakes of fire,
kindled
O God, comfort and bless
by her pure and ardent soul.
dear husband, and ever
keep Thy watchful guard over
my
children's children,that they may
children and
my
my
"

walk

in the way that leads to Thee, and that in Thine own

all
all be gathered in Thy Paradise
good time we may
Amen."
together,united for evermore.
"

Anna's

contracted

spasm

ecstatic,upturned

gaze,

peaceful soul

her

on

this

heart.

This

with

woman

breathingforth

woman

husband's

breast, was

her

her
own

daughter Elizabeth,and in the fine outline of her features

was
Joseph'sprofile.
All again was
The
hushed.
father slowly rose
and
quitted his positionon the bed, gently laid the head on
the pillow,
the eyes that still looked up
put one hand over
with the fingersof the other tenderly
to heaven, and
arranged the stragglinghair on each side of the brow.
Then
standing and turning to the rest, with a subdued
voice he said :
My children,it has pleased the Lord to
"

take

dear mother
and
your
Lord's
will be done."

Himself

to

The
Then

ensued

brimmed

till she

could

toll for

began

to

stroke

there

"

There

would
the

came

and

Frantic

see

to

weeping, and Anna's

no

The

more.

the

her, as
not
"

thy Elizabeth
over

of

panion.
com-

eyes
bell

church

departingspirit.And

is not, there has

all this
been
have

soul of

stream

great burst

faithful

my

but
thou

followingeach
of the boom
:
after-clang

been,

Elizabeth.

an

thou

wouldest

didst

send

There

it not.

down

For

the mill-

the wheel."

with shame, with

sorrow,

did, or whither she went, Anna

forth and stood
the house, ran

made
in the

not

knowing

what

for the front

door

she
of

villagesquare.
it was
amazement
To her unutterable
vastly changed.
the
and
it gleamed
was
sun
Moreover,
shining brightly,
a new
over
parishchurch, of cut white stone, very stately,

S6

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

with windows
of wondrous
lacework.
gildedspire,
of flowers
festoons
hung everywhere.
Flags were
flying,
birch trees was
A triumphalarch of leaves and young
at
crowded
with the
the graveyard gate. The
was
square
peasants, all in their holiday attire.
with

Silent,Anna
said

One

He

was

That

"

him

he has

designed mansions
But although he is
right place. He

such

added

He

is

thought
new
wing

rich

churches, and
many
citizens and the nobles.

famous

his heart

man

forgetsthat

never

what

he

beautiful house

born

the mountain-side.

family on

in summer,

and

it is furnished

magnificently.But

old, humble

Arler

with.

They

this is the

church

new

"

is

"

in his hand.
is

he

when
honour

here

famous

man

see

"

see

church."

has

he

He

cottage
values

here

is there

he will
to

it above

be

gold.

in his native

erected

that is

good."
Oh ! he is a good man
good and serious boy, and
village

he

that

say

in

he has built for

his

meddled

is in the

was

himself and

suffer the

killed

rebuilt very

for the

Look

Siebenstein.

Hall, which

Town

new

thing in Bavaria.

Palace, and

to the

has

built the

finest

to be the

And

Arler?

that the king has

you not know
done
such
great things in the

do

He

He

Residenz.

good

the mountains."

But

is true.

ennobled

not

Arler

great architect."

smugglersin

the

by

she

as

why," asked another,''do you call him Von

of that Joseph the Jager who was
the son

But

"

"

he is

and

man,

And

people about her.

It is a great thing that Johann von
his native village.But see, he is

for

done

has

around.

looked

the talk of the

she heard

stood

and

stood

mark

You

dead,

there

never

what
will

Johann ; he was
always a
happy without a pencil
I say.
Some
day hence,

be

statue

erected

in his

the one
to commemorate
market-place,
that has been produced by Siebenstein.
But

in this

Here

he

comes

to

the dedication

of the

new

88

; she turned

on

OF

BOOK
about

GHOSTS

looked

and

did it

pressingin,and strange

and

great crowd

saw

all

that

to her eyes

seem

"

seemed
and old
to bear
and children,
men, women,
young
of the
in their faces something, a trace
only in many,
features.
And
the littleserving-boy,
Arler or the Voss
as
"

the

Then

she

"

hearts!"

congregationwith
liftthem

We

he

"

up

"

sixteen.

was

"

about, and
her

was

said, Ore-

own

son

her

"

father.

began, and proceededto

Mass

"Lift up your

the
"

him

knew

after his dear

Joseph,named
The

himself

like

was

"

he

died when

priestturned

And

mus."

had

who

her little brother

profile it

her his

showed
position,

he shifted his

the

"

the celebrant

when

extended

stood

facing
responded:

all

and

arms,

"

corda

Sursum

the Lord."

unto

then, instead of proceedingwith the accustomed

invocation,he raised his hands high above his head, with
the palms towards
and in a loud, stern
the congregation,
But

voice

exclaimed

is the unfruitful field!"

"

Cursed

"

Amen."

"

Cursed

"

Amen."

"

Cursed

"

Amen."

"

Cursed

"

Amen."

"

Forasmuch

been

is the barren

tree !

is the empty

house

as

the mother

of

"

!"

is the fishless lake !**

the seashore

us

"

Anna

Arler, born

of countless

for number,

generationsunto

as

the stars

the end

shall she

be

alone, with

of

she would
to

none

shall have

to

an

to

for

time, even
not

ness,
bright-

of all
"

fore
there-

her ; sick,
in heart,with none
comfort

her ; broken
and none
to bind up her wounds
; feeble,
for her, for she
to pray
dead, and none
with

minister

none

of heaven

of

sand

the

generations,as

gatheredtogetherhere,but

now

Voss, might have

to

stay her up

would

not

unforgottenand unforgettable
past, and

"

she
have

no
no

PANSIES

OF

MOTHER

THE

but no
future ; remorse,
laughter for she would

she shall have

hope ;

Woe

not.

"

89
!

woe

tears, but
!"

woe

extinguished,
the celebrant faded as a vision of the night,the server
vanished
the congregation
as
an
incense-cloud,
disappeared,
ness,
melting into shadows, and then from shadows to nothingwithout
and
without
a
stirringfrom their places,
lowered

He

hands, and the tapers

his

were

sound.
And

Anna, with

with her face

Two

years

despair,
flungherself

of

scream

firstweek

during the

ago,

and

traveller arrived at Siebenstein

he

where, as

and

tired

was

her hands

and

the pavement,

on

he

extended.

June,an English

in

the

at

put up

hungry,

forward

"

Krone,"

ordered

early

an

into

discussed,he strolled forth

When
that was
supper.
the villagesquare, and

against the wall of the

the
had
set in the valley,but
churchyard. The sun
still in the glory of its rays, surrounding
mountain-peaks were
the place as a golden crown.
He lighted
a cigar,
there
old
an
and, looking into the cemetery, observed
bowed

woman,

inscribed

over

on

wreath

of heart's-ease
basket.

gate, by which
As

she

above

grave,

"Joseph Arler,"
it,and layingover

flowers

small

leaned

and
the

she

She

or

stood

and

cross,

the

tending

was

of the

arms

pansy.
Presentlyshe rose

stood

which

had

cross

in her

walked

little

hand

towards

the

the traveller.

passed, he

said

kindly

to

her

"

Griiss

Gott,

Mutterchen."
She

looked

that which
undone
He
one

!" and
was

so

His

is

at
steadily

him

past may

be

went

struck

full of boundless
eyes

stream, and
that crossed

:
replied
repented of,but

her way.
her face.

on

with

followed

and

sorrow

her

there she took

it,leaningover

as

"

He
"

had

almost

she walked
her

place on

Honoured
can

before

never

of

never

be

seen

despair.

towards
the wooden

the handrail,and

sir !

the mill-

bridge
lookingdown

BOOK

90

into the water.

led him

An

OF

distance,and he saw her pick a

of her basket, and drop it into the

out

pansy,

of interest

impulse of curiosityand

to follow her at

flower,a

GHOSTS

Then
she
current, which caught and carried it forward.
took a second, and allowed it to fallinto the water.
Then,
after an interval,
he counted
a third
a fourth ; and
seven
"

in all.

that she bowed

After

hair fell over

grey

her head

her hands

on

them, and she broke

into

; her

of

paroxysm

weeping.
The

the seven
traveller,standingby the stream, saw
pansiesswept down, and one by one pass over the revolving
wheel
He
a

and

turned himself

peasant

grave

who

woman
"

vanish.

seems

so

The

**

Well

Mother
"

Actually,she

asked

broken

Who

inn,when, seeing
is that

with

is the Mother
"

old

poor

sorrow?"
of Pansies."

he

she

name

"

down

"

man,

of Pansies

it is the

to his

to return

he

near,

the
That," replied

"

was

about

repeated.
has acquiredin

the

place.

is called Anna

the wife of

She
Arler, and is a widow.
who was
shot by
Joseph Arler,a jager,

one

smugglers. But that is many, many years ago. She is not

When
her husband
rightin her head, but she is harmless.
was
brought home dead, she insisted on being left alone in
the night by him, before he was
buried alone, with his
coffin. And
what happened in that night no one
knows.
affirm that she saw
Some
she may
ghosts. I do not know
have had Thoughts. The French
word for these flowers is
others.
When
pensees thoughts and she will have none
they are in her garden she collects them, and does as she
"

"

"

has

done

"

When

now.

she has

none,

She
neighbours and begs them.
and throws
in seven
^just
seven,
"

then

weeps
occasion

as

one

whose

heart

offered her

comes
no

she goes about to her

here every evening

more

would

and

no

split. My

less
wife

forget-me-nots. No,* she

after those who
I cannot
send forget-me-nots
never
I can
send only Pansies.'
one

and

"

on

said ;

"

were,

WIFE'S

took

1876 we

INparts
the

or

GIRL

RED-HAIRED

THE

of B

I do

number

house

of the

STORY
in

not

house,

of the best streets and

one

give the

name

because

the

of the street

circumstances

such as to make
people
placewere
of takingthose lodgand shy unreasonably so
ings,
nervous,
after reading our experiencestherein.
We
small family my
were
a
husband, a grown-up
and myself; and we had two maids
a cook, and
daughter,
the other was
houseand parlourmaidin one.
had
We
in the house
before my daughtersaid
not been a fortnight
I do not like Jane
that
to me
one
morning : Mamma,
was
our
house-parlourmaid.
She seems
and she
Why so ? I asked.
respectable,
does her work systematically.
I have no fault to find with
that

occurred

in that

"

"

"

"

"

*'

"

"

"

her,none
"

She

whatever."
may

I dislike
"

Has
"

"

do her work," said Bessie,my

"

inquisitiveness."
"

! I exclaimed.
What
Inquisitiveness
she been lookinginto your drawers ?

No,

daughter, but

but

mamma,

now,

and

door

open

when

whilst

am

do you

"

she watches
in my

writinga

me.

mean

"

It is hot weather

I leave my
occasionally,
or
letter,
doing any littlebit of
room,

side.
needlework, and then I am almost certain to hear her outIf I turn sharply round, I see
her slipping
out of
that I
sight. It is most annoying. I reallywas unaware
such an interesting
it worth
to make
was
as
personage
anyone'swhile to spy out my proceedings."
Nonsense, my dear. You are sure it is Jane ?
"

"

9"

92
Well

"

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

I suppose so." There

"If not Jane,who can

"

her voice.
"

Are

you

"

Oh,

no,

have

heard

upon

the

it be ?

cook ; she is
I have
her there,when
it is not

landing,after having

hesitation
slight

in

"

"

cook ?

it is not

sure

was

busy

in the kitchen.

outside my room
caught that girlwatching
gone

me.

If you have
the
to her about

caught her,"said I, I suppose you spoke

improprietyof her conduct."
word.
I have not actually
Well, caught is the wrong
heard her at my
caughther at it. Only to-day I distinctly
*'

"

"

door, and

her back

saw

towards

I went
But

"

Yes, but

you

to

run

away,

when

her."

her,of

followed

"

she turned

as

I did

not

course

find her

on

"

the

landingwhen

I got

outside."

she, then ?

"

Where

"

I don't know."

"

But

did you

*'She
"

was

not

slippedaway
take

can

her and

speak to
"But

"

cannot

She

no

"

Somehow

"

And

and

go

with

see

"

remonstrate."
a

chance.

get away

so

She is gone

quicklyas

in

moment."

all that."

she does."

again

it is
are
sure
you
"
she replied
If not
:

There

is

So

said Bessie.
astonishing
celerity,"
the matter.
If she does it again,

steps in

have

never

"

no

"

Jane ? again I asked ; and

it be ?
Jane, who else can

else in the house."

one

this

ended, for the time. The

unpleasantmatter
intimation of something of the sort proceededfrom
next
another quarter in fact,from Jane herself
She came
to
embarrassment
in
me
some
days later and said,with some
"

her tone
"If

would
"

"

you

please,ma'am,

if I do

not

I
give satisfaction,

rather leave the situation."

Leave

!"

I exclaimed.

"

Why, I

have

not

given you

GIRL

RED-HAIRED

THE

93

I have not found fault with you for

cause.
slightest
anything as yet, have I, Jane? On the contrary, I have
been
much
pleased with the thoroughness of your work.
And
you are always tidy and obliging."
It isn't that, ma'am
; but I don't like being watched

the

"

I do.'"

whatever

Watched

"

surelydo

"

not

am

your

I don't suppose

No, ma'am,

"

Then

"

I think it must

You
do you mean
?
running after you when

occupations. I assure
importantthingsto do."

on

more

"

you

do."

you

"
you ?
be Miss Bessie."

watches

who

I could

Bessie!"

"Miss

What

"

that I

suppose

other and

have

repeated.

engaged

are

you

no

say
I am

more,

was

so

astounded.

When
"Yes, ma'am.
sweeping out a room, and
back is turned,I hear her at the door; and when I turn
my
myself about, I justcatch a glimpse of her running away.
I

"

her skirts

see
"

Miss

"

If it is not

There

Miss

doing anything of
Bessie,who is it,ma'am

was

tone

of indecision in her voice.

"

My good Jane,"said I,

"

could

Bessie

not

act

these occasions

on

as

and

else

can

it be ?

I considered

before

"

It

was

mind

your

Miss

at rest.

I'm

it ain't you,

sure

"

her face ; but I

speak,seen

to

her

ma'am

so

"

moments,

and

the

maid

stood

mood.

her
saw
say you
What
did she wear

gown

so

some

in dubious

me

"You

for

set

^"

Have
you
suppose.
you seen
assured yourself
that it is she ?

No, ma'am, I've not,

know
it ain't cook, and
"

who

the sort."

is above

Bessie

lightcotton

skirts.
?

Did

you

recognisethe

"

print
"

more

like

maid's

ing
morn-

dress."
"

such
"

Well, set
a

frock

I don't

your
as

you

think

mind

at

ease

; Miss

Bessie has not got

describe."
she

has," said Jane ;

"

but

there

was

at the

someone

turned

door, watching

myselfabout."
she run upstairs
or

"

Did

"

I don't know.

was

I'm

the dishes
clattering
Well, Jane,there
"

who

ran

the

on

but
landing,

mystery

some

will let matters

notice ; we
into this complaint of yours

look

rightsof

at the

stand
and

her

time."

in this.

accept your
can

there

it wasn't cook, for I heard

in the kitchen

down

when

away

?"

out

sure

is

me,

down

I did go

there.

one

no

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

94

I will not

tillwe

over

discover

the

it."

I'm very comfortable

here,but it
that one
is not trusted,and is
is unpleasantto suppose
spiedon wherever one goes and whatever one is about."
Thank

"

you,

after dinner
later,

week

I had

ma'am.

quittedthe

Bessie

said
"

together:

to

What

"

It is not

I don't know."

"

And

it

can

by Jane ?

I have

Because

confident

are

only the

from

I moved

The

person

door

was

someone

"

saw

heard
have

with

woman

but I

table,and
someone

no

not

turn,

I could
red

heard
one

to

come

glass,and

place quickly.

my
?

the

glass

behind

I did

often.

into the
"

hurrying away,
open

so

the

someone

lightedon
I thought I
dark.
of stealthystep I

otherwise

was

before

was

candles

two

reflected therein

some

not

are

that is to say, her head."

"

in the mirror

saw

"

"

that you

"

stirring ^justthe sort

recogniseas having troubled me
but looked steadilybefore me

of

drawing-room

"

her

seen

hair,when

I had

Then

smoke,

Jane."

dressing for dinner, I

doing my

see

in the

his

where?"

Whilst

room

be, then

is it that you

how

being observed

the

to

Jane ? I asked.
Jane who watches me."

"

me.

Bessie and

"

Who

"

husband

were

we

it is not

Mamma,

"

"When?

left my

when

is not

"

"

table and

me,

evening,when

one

hair.

steps

then."

There

But, Jane,be serious.

"

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

96

is

red-haired

no

girlin

the house."
for all that,she

But

ma'am.
there ain't,

I know

"

spies

me."

on

the shock
reasonable,Jane,"I said,disguising

Be

"

produced on

words
in the

house, how

can

have

you

; but

I don't know

"

there be

"If

me.

red-haired

no

watching you

one

girl

"

does."

one

that she is red-haired ? "

do you know
her,"
I have seen
Because
How

"

"

"

When

*'

This

"

Indeed

"

"

morning."
"

ma'am.

Yes,

when
going upstairs,

was

coming softlyafter

me

the

"

I heard

backstairs, ma'am

steep, and there's no carpet on

I heard someone
and I was
the front stairs,
sure
me

it wasn't.

lightas
and

it

came

Did

"

No, ma'am

you

"

says

To

ing
follow-

her

I: 'Did

you

said,short-like

'

arm

how

"

Cook
a

see

No.'

far ?
was

And

"

Nothing. She

saw

and

turned

never

found

ran

her."

"

there.

And

this

girlcome

I said to

way.?'

And

cook,
she

"

nothing at all ?

"

and

up

after her, but I

I went

the kitchen.

"

put her

; she

followed

cook

carrots."
reg'lar

"

her face ?

see

downstairs, and
You

as

about, thinkingit might be cook, but

in a print dress,and the
woman
saw
a young
her head,
at the side fell on
from the window

carrots

was

"

"

they're

I twisted

so

steps

them,

and

dark

rather
on

her

didn't

seem

"

pleasedat my axing.
been tellingher about

best

frightenedher, as I'd
followed and spiedon."
I mused
a moment
only,and then said solemnly
"Jane, what you want is a////. You are sufferingfrom

I suppose
how I was

"

hallucinations.
take

my

word

I know

case

very

for it that,in your

like yours ; and

condition of liver or

much

THE

RED-HAIRED

GIRL

97

is a sovereign
a pill
remedy. Set your mind at
digestion,
rest ; this is a mere
delusion,caused by pressure on the
I will give you a pill
when you go to
to-night
opticnerve.
bed, another to-morrow, a third on the day after,and that
will settle the red-haired girl.You will see no more
of her."
"

You

"

think so, ma'am

of it."
sure

am

"

On

I thought it as well to mention

the
consideration,
matter
not
to the cook, a strange, reserved
given
woman,
did her work
who
to talking,
admirably,but whom, for

inexplicable
reason,

some

little further

I should

as

I did

how

to

perhapshave proved more

I rushed the question
and

doing so
I had

down

gone

to the kitchen

difficult questionhad

arisen how

like.

not
to

If I had

broach

sidered
con-

the

subject,
but by not

successful ;
obtained no satisfaction.
order dinner,and the
to disposeof the scraps
to

from
"

joint.
yesterday's
m
a'am
?
Rissoles,
"

"No," said I,"not rissoles. Your

Then perhapscroquettes?
"

"

"

of
"

"

"

master

to
objects

them."

"

"

They are only rissoles in disguise."

Perhaps cottage pie?
No ; that is inorganicrissole,
a sort of protoplasmout
which rissoles are developed."
Then, ma'am, I might make a hash."
Not an ordinary,
barefaced,rudimentaryhash?"
or
mushrooms, or truffles,
No, ma'am, with French
"

tomatoes."
"

who

Well

"

perhaps. By the way, talkingof tomatoes,

who has been about the house ?
red-haired girl

yes

is that

"

"

Can't say, ma'am."

I noticed at once
that the eyes of the cook contracted,
her lipstightened,
and her face assumed
a
half-defiant,
"

half-terrifiedlook.
"

You

cook ?

have
"

not

many

friends in this

place,have

you,

98
"

No, ma'am, none."

"

Then

"

Can't say, ma'am."

You can throw no

"

who

she be ?

can

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

"

the matter

lighton

about

having a person
been seen
upstairs of whom
No doubt, ma'am."

the house

"

is

very

satisfactory
un-

she has

and

nothing."

knows

one

"

It

"

"

And

"

She
Nor

?"

enlightenme

cannot

you
is no

friend of mine."
about

of

is she

Jane's. Jane spoke to me

Has she remarked
concerning this girlto you ?
Can't say, ma'am, as I notice all Jane says.
a good deal."
"

She

"

"

who
"

You

see, there must

has

It is most

so, ma'am."

Very

I could
well have
a

talks

is a stranger and
awkward."

who

someone

this house.

to

access

be

her.

"

get nothing
talked

wooden

look
So

matter.

to
as

more

from

the cook.

might

as

log ; and, indeed,her face assumed

I continued

sighed,and

said

to

speak

to

her

on

the

"

"

Very well,hash with tomato," and went upstairs.

A
few days later the house-parlourmaidsaid to me,
?
Please,ma'am, may I have another pill
Pill ! I exclaimed.
Why ?
I have
her again. She was
"Because
behind the
seen
curtains,and I caught her puttingout her red head to look
"

"

"

"

"

"

at me."
"

"

"

Did
No
This

you

see

; she up

is

her face ?
with her

strange.

I do

"

arm

not

over

think

it and

scuttled

I have

more

away."
than

two

come.
podophyllinpillsleft in the box, but to those you are weldifferent treatment.
a
Only I should recommend
Instead of taking them
the moment
yourself,
see, or
you
fancy that you see, the red-haired girl,
go at her with the
box and threaten to administer the pills
That will
to her.
rout her, if anythingwill."

RED-HAIRED

THE
"

But

"

The

she

of

supposing,that
meet

hall,we

each

rush

to

were

in
stairs,

globules between

on

and

am

to

the

landing,in

force,let us
would

You

lips.

your

the

on

room,

you

time

every

Conceive, I
Bessie,or I,were

Miss

occasion

her

on

her.

will disconcert

on

the

on

you

forced

them

having

herself

shows

99

stop for the pills."

she will not

threat

GIRL

say, castor-oil
give notice at

once."
"

Yes

should, ma'am."

so

red-haired

the

Well, try this upon

"

will prove

girl. It

infallible."
"

Thank

ma'am

you,

Whether

Bessie

I cannot

satisfaction

been

whether

"

person, who

whether

cause

away.
those
rather

far

The
of

could

as

in

what

it was,

of

those

sought
one

in

red-haired

of the

real

a
some

1 have

accountable
un-

called

our

wanting in her wits,who

person
about at will. But I could obtain no
all threw

lighton

Hitherto
I knew

"

and

and
intellects,

not

one

it himself.

make
not

day, to

taken

girl were

not

seek
some

me

it.

information

run

that at

so

He

would

"

slightingreference

further trouble
my

suffered to

was

perplexing.
mentioned
the topic to my husband.
should obtain no help from him, that

point to

effort to

no

well that I

so

I made

I had

been

to

But

house

the

easiness.
unown

my

was

pilfer.They seemed to me
in her right mind ; and
this
not
on
inquiriesin the neighbourhood as to
street, in any of the adjoininghouses,

who

one

the existence

Pshaw

questionto
seen

me

further

no

ascertain,nothing had

movements

suppositionI made

"

me

to

apparition.

As

of

the matter

on

been

to

access
or

manner,

it,an

had

what

obtained

to

as

so

puzzlingapparition,

to resolve the

unable

was

further

reasonable."

seems

say

of the

spoke no

have

but that may

you

more

saw

She

say.

; what

himself

Pish ! "
to

and

women's

about the matter.

great astonishment, he referred

to

OF

BOOK

loo

said he, "do you

"Julia,"
in shaving?"
Yes, dear," I replied.
to your jaw, as if you
were

"

"

GHOSTS
how

observe

have

You

I have

cotton-wool

growing

white

myself

cut

sticking

whisker

on

side."

one

It bled

"

great deal,"said he.

sorry to hear it."

toilet-cover."
I mopped up the blood with the new
And
"
"
foolish
You
haven't
been
Never ! I exclaimed.
so
I

"

"

"

am

to do that ?

as

concerned

justlike

that is

And

Yes.

"

"

about

are

much

more

being stained than

toilet-cover

your

You

you.

about

is

which

gashed."
all I could say.
"You
were
very clumsy to do it,"was
Married
people are not always careful to preserve the
amenities in privatelife. It is a pity,but it is so.
clumsiness
It was
due to no
on
part,"said he ;
my
been
have
so
nerves
shaken,
"though I do allow my
always command
broken, by married life,that I cannot
poor

my

cheek

"

hand,

my

this time
have

you
"

to that

due

was

case

introduced

into the

Red-haired

But

red-haired servant
stupid,
house without consulting
me

have

about.

She

offensive

and

seen

thrusts

objectionable
this morning,
of all was
But the climax
way.
I was
shaving. I stood in my shirt before the glass,
had lathered my face,and was
engaged on my right

jaw,when

both
her

head

and

doing

myself."

"

Where

"

How

Then

girlrushed between me
elbows
up, screeningher

her

her arms,
cut

most

that red-haired

with

mirror

"

bachelor.

!" I echoed.

servant

Yes, that red-haired girlI

herself into my
study in a

and

was

new,

"

when

when

pocket."

my

or

it

the

was

as

did she
can

come

I tell?

where

I started

bowed.

from

I did not

did she go ?

"

and

the

face with

back, and

in

"

expect

to

see

anyone."

so

"

know

I do not

jaw

to look

; I

I wish she could

"

What

do you

what

must
Thnlt'-girl
dismissed/'I said.

me.

be

mean

answer

"

loi

about

concerned

too

was

about

"

I did not

GIRL

RED-HAIRED

THE

my

ing
bleed-

'be dismissed."

'

"

'

"

husband, for

my

did
really

not

know

to make.

answer

only person in the house who had not

the red-haired girl,
seen
except possiblythe cook, from
I suspectedof
I could gather nothing,but whom
whom
than
concerning this mysteriousapparition
knowing more
what
That
had been seen
she chose to admit.
by Bessie
I now
felt convinced,
and Jane was
a supernatural
visitant,
and
seeing that it had appeared to that least imaginative
husband.
By no
most
my
commonplace of all individuals,
could he have been got to imagine anymental
thing.
process
and that
this red-haired girl,
He certainly
did see
no
corporealmaid had been in his dressing-roomat
living,
certain.
the time I was
perfectly
I was
however, myself to be included in the
soon,
number
of those before whose
eyes she appeared. It was
I

was

the

now

in this wise.
Cook

had

to do

out

gone

marketing.

some

breakfast-room,when, wanting a funnel

to filla

was

in the

littlephial

of
in case
brandy I always keep on the washstand
to
emergencies,I went to the head of the kitchen stairs,
of
I was
descend and fetch what I required. Then
aware
a
great clatteringof the fire-irons below, and a banging
of

about

of the boiler and

hastilyand

entered

grate.

the

I went

down

the steps very

kitchen.

short,set girlin

shabby
cotton
not over
clean,and slipshod,
stoopingbefore
gown,
the stove, and strikingthe fender with the iron poker.
She had fieryred hair,very untidy.
There

I uttered

saw

an

figureof

exclamation.

Instantlyshe dropped the poker,and coveringher face

with her arms,
utteringa strange, low cry, she dashed

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

I02

table,,making nearly the complete

and then swept past r-ie, and I heard her clattering
circuit,
up the kitchen stairs.,
I stood as one
taken ^aback to follow.
I was
tpQ much
round

the

kitchen

I
petrified.
or

and

felt dazed

unable

either my

trust

to

eyes

ears.

my

Something like a minute must have elapsed before I

recovered to turn and leave the kitchen.
had sufficiently
Then
I ascended
slowlyand, I confess,nervously. I was
find the red-haired
fearful lest I should
girl cowering
againstthe wall, and that I should have to pass her.
I reached
the hall,and
But nothing was
to be seen.
"

that

saw

door

no

from it except that

open
I entered and thoroughlyexamined

breakfast-room.
recess,
no

and

corner,

hand

I ascended

the balustrade,and

on

first floor,without

the

searched

least

servants' apartments, and I

Here
the staircase
them.

ascending,I
her

heard

heard

with

moan,

went

sweep

my
me,

upon

the red-haired
dress.

I did

I did

but

turned, and
I at

no

saw

is it ?

"

Please,ma'am, I've

her,ma'am,
"

Jane
The

seen

turned

and

as

you

came

!
inexplicable

that

the

were

on

in her

the

past

me,
am

landing. At the
uttering the same
I felt her skirts

sure

notice

tillshe

her

her

then

room.

she

as

close

was

passed.

landingwhere

Jane.

was

the red-haired
I went
ran

at

girlagain,and
her rattlingthe
Did

downstairs.

you

see

"

"

How

work

recommended.

and she
pill-box,

Above

I asked.

"

you

the

to

What

as

the

on

more.

mounted

once

was

girl. I

not

rooms

my

mounting to
uncarpeted. As I was

see
distinctly

"

I did

rush

all the

resolved

now

at

find

staircase,with

success.

hastilyupon

out

come

moment,

same

Jane

the

every

could

but
hiding-place,

conceivable

Then

there.

one

of the

was

I had

situation

seen

up ?
I said.

the

remained

I would

not

admit

to

apparition.
unaltered

for

week.

The

"

Bother

In

had

we

for

Run

the dinner !

littlewhile

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

I04

surgeon."

removed

the poor

to her

woman

upstairs; and, when

there,we laid her on the bed, and kept her folded in the
cocoanut
arrived,in spite of
matting till a medical man
her struggles
to be free. My
husband, on this occasion,
she

room,

whole

shriekingthe

acted with commendable

he

way

promptness;

whether

but

because

impatientfor the completionof his meal, or whether

touched with human
sluggishnature was for once
pathy,
sym-

was

his

All

it is not

for

I know

is that,so

to say.

me

the surgeon
I dismissed Jane with
There, go and get your
rest of his dinner,and leave us with cook."
as

soon

''

The

there,

was

the

master

tended
atburnt.
She was
frightfully
and myself,till a nurse
to devotedlyby Bessie
was
obtained from the hospital.For hours she was
mad
as one
with terror as much
with pain.
as
Next
I hastened
day she was quieterand sent for me.
she begged the nurse
to her, and
I
to leave the room.
took a chair and seated myself by her bedside,and expressed
profound commiseration, and told her that I
my
should like to know how the accident had taken place.
Ma'am, it was the red-haired girldid it."
The red-haired girl!
I took a lamp to look how the fish was
Yes, ma'am.
I saw
her rush straightat me,
gettingon, and all at once
I backed,thinkingshe would
and I
knock me
down, and
the lamp fell over
and smashed, and my
clothes caught,
creature

poor

was

"

"

"

"

"

"

and
"

Oh, cook ! you should

"

It's done.

she had

burnt

don't haunt
of what
"

"

Then

She

And
or

the

she

scalded
house.

have

not

would

never

You

me.

It is

taken

the

leave
needn't

lamp."
me

alone

be afraid

"

till
she

she has haunted, because

me

I did to her."
you
was

know

her ? "

in service with me,

as

kitchenmaid,at my

last

place,
she

such

was

into

my

was

and

prying

!
the

by

right

face
she

she'll

and

no

The
"

that

Dear

"

By

Gone
"

has

did

hope

no

gone

"

the
it

poured

over

ful,
dread-

that

But

me.

She

further.

you

minded

always

devil

hot-plate

haunted

has

trouble

not

said

to

do,

since

the

for

way,

ever,"

recover.

my

of

despaired

surgeon

scarce.

she

as

woman

me

won't

the

her

scalded

she

kneeling

suppose

and

that

was

was

on

she

death."

to

unhappy

the

so

her

then

up,

she

she

was

as

and

arms,

She

me,

and

too,

peeped

drawers,

her,

day

looked

since

more.

for

scalded

and

And

so

she

as

She

and

to

one

boiler

the

upset

bosom,

died.

done

And

there,

was

spoke

her,

against

hate

box

my

when

105

inquisitive.

out

her.

just

her,

do

has

for

me,

upon

her

and

stove,

possessed

and

of

sort

so

turned

hated

reg'lar

took
and

slattern

letters,

ever

saucy

Cambridge.

near

GIRL

RED-HAmED

THE

husband,

when

And

good

her.
red-haired

that
I

said.

"

girl

"

informed
cooks

are

PROFESSIONAL

MR.

LEVERIDGE
ton.

did

mother

Leveridgehad

Mr.

be desired.

shy

so

have

done

solicitor'soffice at Swan-

been

brought up well by a
left
mother.
His principles

father

was

that

had

her

near

with fair hair and

man,

did not

he

been

he

"

was

dead, and

now

his
lations
re-

own

part of England. Joseph Leveridge was

happy not so happy

be shortlygiven.
Swanton

His

reside at Swanton, but

not

mild, inoffensive

was

excellent

an

in another
a

in

was

sensible father and

nothing to

SECRET

as

he

full head.

Society as

self-assertive.

small

in

move

he

But

might have been, for

market-town, that woke

he
was

He

might
fairly

reasons

to

into life

Friday,which was
levityat the Michaelmas

market-day,burst into boisterous

and then lapsed back into
fair,
somnolent
decorum
during the
; it was, except on Fridays,
day and asleepat night.
It possessed
Swanton
not a manufacturingtown.
was
iron foundry and a brewery,so that it afforded little
one
employment for the labouringclasses,yet the labouring
classes crowded
into it,although cottage rents were
high,
because
the farmers could not afford,owing to the hard
because
the land, and
hands
on
times, to employ many
sipation
their wives and daughtersdesired the distractions and disto be
of a town, and supposed that both were
found
in superfluity
at Swanton.
hall with a magistrates'
There was
a
court,
large town
every

where
the

the bench
centre

of

sat

the

month

every

town,

was

106

an

once.

The

imposing

church, in
structure

of

cold

stone, very
hands

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

of the

The

within.

Simeonite

107
in

presentationwas
the

that

Trustees, so

vicar

the
was

school
if that can
be called a school
theological
The services
where nothing is taught called Evangelical.
ever
long and dismal. The Vicar slowly and impressively
and condeclaimed
the prayers, preachedlengthysermons,
demned
to sing out of the Mitre hymnal.
the congregation
clerk of the petty
Mr. Stork, was
The principal
solicitor,
of legal
sessions and registrar.He did a limited amount
of the

"

"

work

for

widows

and

yeomen

as

money

landed

the

gentry round,

orphans, and
to

consulted

was

their financial

some

by tottering

lent
difficulties,

relieve their immediate

to

to

trustee

was

them

some

embarrassments,

the

on

securityof their land, which ultimatelypassed into his

possession.
To this gentleman Mr. Leveridgehad been articled. He
had been induced
from
not
to adopt the legalprofession,
of his mother,
true
vocation, but at the instigation
any
who
in the professional
had urged him
steps
footto follow
of his revered
father. But the occupation was
not
one

that accorded

was

endowed

with

the tastes

of the young

who,
notwithstandinghis apparent mildness and softness,was
He
deficient in brains.
shrewd
not
was
a
observer,and
From

with
child

redundant

he

had

man,

imagination.
stories,and

scribbled

with

his

illustrated them; but this had brought upon him

rebukes
from his mother, who
looked with disfavour

pencilhad
severe

works

on
across

his

of

imagination,and

knee, of

his father

before

course

he

was

taken

him

adult, and

had

had

him with the flat of the hairbrush for surrepcastigated

titiously
readingthe Arabian Nights.
Mr. Teveridge'sdays passed evenly enough ; there was
business coming into the office on Fridays,and none
some
tionate
at all on
Sundays,on which day he wrote a long and affecletter to his widowed
He

would

have

been

mother.

happy

man,

happy

in

mild,

lotus-eating
way, but for
he became

conscious

vocation.

He

took

his

soul

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

To8

things.

three

that he

not

was

pleasurein

no

first place,

working in his proper

denture
engrossing deeds ; inhimself

knew

He

abhorred.

In the

to

be

and feared lest the higher faculties

capable of better things,
of his mind
should become
atrophiedby lack of exercise.
he was
not satisfied
place,
of strict integrity.He had no
a man
supposing that anything dishonest went

In the second
was

for

he had

but

discovered

his "boss"

that

that

was

his

superior

whatever

reason

in the

on

office,

daring and
lest temptation
a

and
he feared
speculator,
with the funds of those to
should induce him to speculate
whom
And
he acted as trustee.
Joseph,with his high
of rectitude,
thing
was
day somesense
apprehensivelest some
crash.
a
might there be done, which would cause
Lastly,Joseph Leveridge had lost his heart. He was
consumed
by a hopeless passion for Miss Asphodel
Vincent, a young
lady with a small fortune of about
Mr. Stork was
to whom
;^400 per annum,
guardian and
venturesome

trustee.

This

slender,willowy,had a sweet,
tall,
constitutionally
face,and like Joseph himself was

lady was

young

Madonna-like

of her personaland
shy ; and she was unconscious
she
in the best society,
She moved
pecuniary attractions.
taken up by the county people. No doubt she would
was
of some
and settle down
be secured by the son
as
squire,

Bountiful

Lady
with

in

moustache

her bashfulness

and

would

carry her off. But

indifference to men's societyhad

As

She

Stork

when
office,
her

was

chair

between

was

her

them

Stork
had

her

from

the

guardian,she

Joseph flew, with

till Mr.

some

garden, cultivated
addicted to a rockery
specially
loved

flowers

she acclimatised

Mr.

or

step in and

her

protectedher.
and
herbaceous
plants,
in which

wily curate

parish;

far

so

else

some

was

never

Alps.

often

visited the

heightened colour,to offer

tion
disengaged. But conversapassed beyond generalities.

PROFESSIONAL

SECRET

109

her in his country walks,

met
Leveridgeoccasionally
his hat and
but never
in intimacy beyond raising
advanced
remarking on the weather.
the stimulus of this devouring and
Probably it was
despairingpassion which drove Mr. Leveridge to writing
a
novel,in which he could paintAsphodel,under another
in all her perfections.
She should move
through
name,
and sainthis story diffusing
an
atmosphere of sweetness
liness,but he could not bring himself to provide her with

Mr.

lover,and

being

of the

his

conclude

to

male

with

romance

union

her

to

sex.

tions
earlyyouth by the admoniof the hairbrush
of his mother, and the applications
a
dangerous and
by his father,that the imagination was
delusive gift,
to be restrained,not
indulged,he resolved
he had

Impressedas

that he would

create

direct studies from

for his story, but make

the work was
life. Consequently,when
no

characters

completed,it presentedthe
of the residents in

number

the

was

scene

called it
But
to

laid

in

been

was

most

close

Swanton,

of
portraits

and

though he

Buzbury.

to

write

find
the

to

publisherwas a more
Mr. Leveridge
novel.
a

several firms,and

it

was

difficultwork
sent

his

declined

MS.

by

one

last,however, it fell into the hands

unusuallydiscerningreader,who saw in it distinct

another.

certain

in which

the town

like Swanton,

very much

At

than

written
typeafter
of

an

tokens

appeal to the generalpublic.

It contained
no
blood-curdlingepisodes,no hair-breadth
of
risky situations ; it was simply a transcript
escapes, no
life in a little English country town.
Though not highspiced to suit the vulgar taste, still the reader and the
a
discerningpublic,
publisherconsidered that there was
small and
select,that relished good, honest work of the
kind, and the latter resolved on riskingthe
Jane Austen
pounds
production. Accordingly he offered the author fifty
for the work, he buying all rights. Joseph Leveridgewas
of

ability. It

was

not

one

to

BOOK

OF

no

overwhelmed

at the munificence

it gratefully
and

GHOSTS
of the offer,
and

accepted

with

alacrity.
The next stage in the proceedings
consisted in the revision
who that has not experienced it can
of the proofs. And
judge of the sensation of exquisitedelightafforded by this
to the young
"

if

with

such

romance

characteristic

story should
name

author ?

After the correction

prosaictale can be called

modesty Leveridge insisted
"

under

appear

it does

adopted was

of his

and

to

Some

not

assumed

name.

time

print,

that

What
reader

the

concern

in

his

the

of this

elapsed before the

book appeared,
at the usual publishing
time, in October.
out, and Mr. Leveridge received his
Eventuallyit came
in cloth.
six copies,neatly and quietlybound
He
cut
and at once
and read one
with avidity,
perceivedthat he
had overlooked
several typographical
to
errors, and wrote
the publisherto beg that these might be corrected in the
of a second edition being called for.
event
and dissemination
On the morning followingthe publication
of the book, Joseph Leveridgelay in bed a littlelonger
the
at
than
usual, smiling in happy self-gratification
On the table by
author.
an
thought that he had become
his bed stood his extinguished
candle, his watch, and the
He had looked at it the last thing before he closed
book.
the first thingthat his
moreover
his eyes in sleep. It was
when
they opened. A fond mother could
eyes rested on
babe with greater pride
not have
gazed on her new-born
narrative

know.

an

romance

now

affection.
"

lay and said to himself, I reallymust

I positively
must
ing
get up and dress ! he heard a stumplater his door was
and a few moments
the stairs,
on
burst open, and in came
Major Dolgelly Jones, a retired
had
before done
resident in Swanton, who
never
officer,
Whilst

he

thus

"

"

him
to

the honour

of

Joseph'sbedroom.
hot
The major was

call
"

and

now

in the face.

he

actuallypenetrated

He

panted for breath.

BOOK

112

and

lighttweed

myself and
word,

suit.

transferred

that book.

"

OF
I

to

How

"

have

"

been

"

that

can

with any
links any more
follow it up with any

GHOSTS

he

golfany

heart ?

How

taken

used

naughtythe

Walk

more

of

out

I putt a ball and

but a
feelingof interest? I am
can

My soul, my character,my
been burgled. You
have broken into

have
individuality

carcass.

inside,and

my

have

despoiledme of my personality."And he began to cry.

Possibly,"suggested Mr. Leveridge, the author
might
The author can do nothing. I have been robbed
my
fine ethereal self has been purloined.I
DolgellyJones
You
have despoiledme
of my
am
only an outside husk.
richest jewel myself."
I really
do nothing,
can
major."
I know
do nothing,
that is the pityof it. You
you can
have sucked all my
spiritual
being with its concomitants
out of me, and cannot
put it back again. Vou have used
me
upy
Then, wringing his hands, the major left the room,
stumped slowlydownstairs,and quittedthe house.
Joseph Leveridge rose from his bed and dressed in
Here
condition
of
a
was
great perturbationof mind.
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

affairs

which

on

that he

in mind

When

he

the table

was

had

She

Lasinia

"

usual

rashers

that

"

was

that

tracted
dis-

so

found

his

of bacon

that

landlady
and

two

sobbing.

was

the

name

"

asked

of the servant

Everythinghas happened,"repliedthe
taken

have
"

"

was

Joseph.
"
"

"

broken

Has
any

dishes?"

more
"

up

the

breakfast,and

is the matter, Mrs. Baker

What

He

forgotto brush his teeth.

laid for his

just brought

reckoned.

not

his little sitting-room

he

reached

boiled eggs.
"

had

he

"

Oh,

away

never

yes,

"

you

character."

my
did such

sir,
you

woman

have.

thing."
All the time

you'vebeen writing,

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

I've felt it going out of

and
perspiration,

like

me

113
it is

now

all in your book."

"
My book ! "

Yes, sir,under the

"

what

is there in

and

of Baker

used

that

might have taken the name

likes. There be plentyof

You

name

as

law ! sir,

But

of Mrs. Brooks.

name

you

But it'smy character,

England
sir,you've taken away, and shoved it into your book."
Then the woman
wiped her eyes with her apron.
But really,
Mrs. Baker, if there be a landladyin this
Bakers

in

and the Colonies.

"

novel of which
"

There

"

But

is,and it is me."

it is

It is not

"

work

What

of fiction."

work

mere

cruel fact.

of

has

I'm

sure

I've done

and to
eggs hard
dear Mrs. Baker !"
gracious,

Good

"

like

lorn widow

poor

boiled your

never

and that
of fact,

it is a work
fiction,

boast of but her character?

and

"

complain

you

well

use

"

me

got

me

to

by you,

like this."

Don't dear me, sir. If you had loved me, if you had been
decentlygratefulfor all I have done for you, and mended
"

socks

too, you'd not have stolen my character from

Ah, sir! you have dealt by
me, and put it into your book.
what I call regularshameful,and not like a gentleman.
me
your

You

have

used

Joseph was

up"

me

cowed.
silent,

the dish with

on

desire to eat
Then

was

his fork
gone

from

He
in

turned

the rashers about

abstracted

an

All

manner.

him.

the

landladywent on : And it's not me only as

has to complain. There
three gentlemen outside,
are
And
sittingon the doorstep,
awaiting of you.
they say
that there they will remain, till you go out to
your office.
And
they intend to have it out with you."
Joseph started from the chair he had taken, and went to
the

window,

"

and

Leaning out,
Baker

had
I

threw
he

saw

intimated.

up the sash.
three hats below.

Three

gentlemen

It
were

was

as

seated

Mrs.
on

doorstep. One

the

the third

Stork, and

could

There

be

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

114

was

the vicar,another

was

Mr.

each

cheek.

careless

usage,

on

If

might

we

either cheek.

But

the

grew

whiskers
on

the case,
whiskers now

not

one

that of

inclined to

were

we

Mr.

the vicar ; he wore

a
begun to curl at the brim,

say

that he

archdeacon.

an

extensive,well-cultivated

wore

"

about

chimney-pothat of silk,that had

anticipatoryof being adapted as
Moreover, he

boss

"

Wotherspoon.

mistake

no

his

adopt

the modern

whiskers

grew

that would

in strict accuracy

whiskers

grey

on

that

mean

mittently
interor
alternatively,
indifferently,

cheek

or

the other.

consequentlywe
waved

and

say

on

This, however,

the street.
up and down
The second was
Mr. Stork ; he wore
fieryhair showed beneath it,behind, and
lifted his head, the end of his

These

each cheek.

fluttered in the

lightair passing
stifffelt hat,his
in front ; when

showed

pointednose

was

he

distinctly

The
from above.
Joseph Leveridge who looked down
third,Mr. Wotherspoon,had a crushed brown cap on ; he
sat with his hands
and looking
between his knees,dejected,
the ground.
on
Mr. Wotherspoon lived in Swanton
with his mother and
to

three

sisters. The

well off. He

mother

was

the widow

of

an

not
officer,

agreeableman, an excellent playerat

and
cards.
lawn-tennis,croquet, golf, rackets, billiards,
His age was
and he had as yet no occupation. His
thirty,
mother
thing,
gently,his sisters sharply,
urged him to do someso

death

her

depend

as

was

an

to

earn

pension

his
would

his sisters. He

livelihood.
cease,

and

With
he

his

could

mother's
not

then

always answered that something

would turn up.
he ran
to look for
to town
Occasionally
without
employment, but invariably returned
having
secured
with his pockets empty.
He
was
so
any, and
such good company,
that
cheerful,so good-natured,was
liked him, but also everyone
was
provoked at his
everyone
sponging on his mother and sisters.
on

A
"

PROFESSIONAL

said
Really,"

three.

It is true

in my

novel,and

for

doing.

so

Without

SECRET

Leveridge, I

Mr.

"

that I have

here

drawn

cannot

them

I will leave the house

by

those

encounter

pretty accurately

ready to take

they are

115

to account

me

the back

door."

his

breakfast,
Joseph fled ; and having escaped
from those who
his
had hoped to intercepthim, he made
pleasantgrounds,with walks
way to the river. Here were
laid out, and benches provided. The
placewas not likely
to be frequentedat that time
of the morning, and
Mr.

Leveridge
due

at

had

half

but

others

two

who

before

he

likelyto

meet

spare
was

better to face him

it was

by

to

There, later,he

the office.

"boss";

hour

an

had

alone, than
a

similar

him

was

his
companied
ac-

grievance

against him.
He

seated himself

on

bench

and

thought. He

did not

not
to do so, and
promised his "mamma"
he was
a dutiful son, and
regardedhis undertaking.
He
What
should
he do ?
was
becoming involved in
serious embarrassments.
it be possible
Would
to induce
the publisherto withdraw
from circulation and
the book
That
to
the
receive back
was
hardly
fiftypounds ?
possible. He had signed away all his rightsin the novel,
for
and the publisher
had been to a considerable expense
binding,and advertising.
paper, printing,
his troubled
He was
roused
from
thoughts by seeing
Miss Asphodel Vincent
coming along the walk towards
Her
him.
spring,her carriage
step had lost its wonted
reach
she would
its usual buoyancy. In a minute
two
or
Would
him.
she deign to speak? He felt no compunction
towards
her his heroine in the tale. By
her. He had made

smoke

not

; he had

word

had

he cast

shadow

over

her character

or

her

picturedher as the highestideal

she could not
might be flattered,
in his pencil
no
flattery
yet there was

abilities. Indeed, he had

of an English girl. She
be offended.
he had

As

And

sketched

she

"

her in

as

approached she

she

was.

noticed

the young

author.

She

BOOK

ii6

OF

GHOSTS

her step. She displayeda strange listlessand lack of vivacityin her eye.
in her movements,
hasten

did not
ness

his hat.

Vincent," he said.
Oh ! she said,
"

"

earlypromenade, Miss

glad to meet you here where

I have
something about which
complain of a great injurydone

to

you,

An

"

am

overheard.

speak to

must

"

be

cannot

against him, Joseph Leveridge

over

removed

and

rose

stood

she

When

we

I
to

me."
"

do

You
do

can

me

"You

"

"

command
do

can

nothing.

alreadybeen

done.

It is

You

distress and

impossible to

put

into

me

your
with

Vincent," protestedLeveridge
have, what then ? I have not in
the colours,by a line caricatured
for him

in vain

"That

to

merely read

have

to

further

be,

may

pretend not

strange liberties with

redress

book."

vehemence,
least

the

you."
be

to

what

undo

the

charged
over-

It

was

author

the book.

it may

or

to

If I

"

Joseph.

Miss

if I

and

alleviate your
me."

anything to

the wrong,
has

high honour," exclaimed

in

me

But

not.

taken

have

you

me
transferring

to

your

pages."
reallyrecognisedyourself?"
myself,my very self,who is there."

"And

you

"

It is

"

And

yet you

"

That

is

are

only my

here,before
outer

All my

shell.

I
that goes to make
up the Ego
and put into your book."
from me
"
Surelythat cannot be."
"

"

when

bran

ran

you
"

was

have
In my

out

so.

I feel

child,when
; it

it became

like

of,it is

self."

all
individuality,
has been

myself
"

as
precisely

hung limp

unstitched
rag.

But

taken

felt my

I suppose

and

doll

all the

it is not

personality."
indeed
but you
portraiture
Leveridge.

deprivedme

bran

my

novel is your

here,"said
It is my very self,
my
are

"

it is

But

humble

my

"

noblest and

best part,my

self
your-

moral

intellectual

and

117

which has been carried off and put

self,

into

book."

your
"

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

Vincent"

Miss
is quiteimpossible,

This

thought,"said she, will convince you that

If I pick an Alpine flower and transfer it to
it is as I say.
It is no
in the herbarium.
it remains
blotting-book,
my
longer on the Alp where it bloomed."
But
urged Joseph.
No
undeceive me.
No," she interrupted,you cannot
in
time.
If I am
be in two
can
one
placesat the same
"

"

moment's

"

"

"

"

book,

your

I cannot

here

be

except

"

far

so

as

goes

my

subjectedme, Mr.
I am
by you
Leveridge,to the greatest humiliation.
that I know, with
of girls
reduced to the level of a score
fixed principles,
no
no
opinionsof their own,
no
pursuits,
ideas. They are
no
swayed by every fashion,they are
moulded
by their surroundings; they are destitute of what
animal

would

some

I had

and

nature

all

call moral

but
this,

"

For

I would

and
fibre,

by

sake, do

not

character.

term

of it,
by puttingit
the sport of every
fidence
self-con-

be without
folly,

every

decision,the prey

Heaven's

have

You

you have deprivedme

be
I shall henceforth

into your book.

breath,be influenced
and

frame.

to

any

say

adventurer."

that."

anything other. If I had a sovereignin

I should
no
longer
my
purse, and a pickpocketstole it,
have the purse and sovereign,
only the pocket ; and I am
that
the coin of my
without
personality
a mere
pocketnow
cruel
it was
Mr. Leveridge,
a
have filched from
me.
you
used me
up."
wrong
you did me, when you
languidlyon her
Then, sighing,Miss Asphodel went
Joseph was as one stunned. He buried his face in his
way.
"

I cannot

hands.
stand

say

person of all others

well, that person looked
The

with whom
upon

him

the one
as
at all events
deadly enemy,
cruellyaggrievedher.
he
hearing the clock strike,
Presently,

he desired to
her

most

had

most

as

who

started.

He

was

ii8
due
a

at the

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

and Joseph Leveridge had always made

office,

point of punctuality.
and
He now
went
to the office,

clerk that Mr. Stork had

and

had

then

from

and

On

and

like

there,

Leveridge at his lodgings.

him

on

for breakfast

eggs

to

his

resume

of Mrs.

if he returned
be cold.

Baker
for

monotony

was

morning, and he
was
hungry ; he had
taking a mouthful,

every

change. Moreover, he

left the house

would

been

go

in bacon
would

his fellow-

he had

in quest of his "boss."

his way it occurred to him that there

hat

and

returned

to seek
away
it incumbent

gone

considered

Joseph

not

learned

without

the eggs and the bacon

So he stepped into the shop of Mr. Box,
now

snack

the grocer, for a tin of sardines in oil.

him he said : '' Will you
the grocer saw
When
with a word, sir,in the back shop ? "

favour

me

pressedfor time,"repliedLeveridgenervously.
word ; I will not detain you," said Mr. Box,
But one
and led the way.
Joseph walked after him.
Sir," said the grocer, shutting the glass door, you
have
You
have
done me
a
deprived
prodigiouswrong.
I would not have lost for a thousand
of what
me
pounds.
"

am

"

"

"

You

get

have

put

without

on

me

organisation,
my
know.

You

into your

book.

not

into your
I mean

me

book.
my

"

taken

them

consigned to

am

"

from

me

and

of

powers

word, myself

will

business

my

intellect,my

in
instincts,

trade
have

How

I do

put them

novel,when I want
Possiblymy affairs for
a

behind the counter.

all my powers
on
momentum,
by the weight of their own
a while will go
brain.
be for long without
but it cannot
controlling
my
have

Sir, you
have used

me

brought
up^

Leveridge could
handle

of the

bear

hand, and

and

this

my

no

family
more

to

he

through the outer

into the street,carrying the
hurried to his lodgings.

door, rushed

himself
in his

me

ruin"

seized

shop,
sardine

fou
the

cipitated
pre-

tin

I20

turned

He
"

Do

to the door.

GHOSTS

I will send

"

Stork,"he said.

up

all means,
sir,"was all that Joseph could say.
the solicitor entered his red hair had assumed
a

by

so

When

darker

OF

BOOK

the

dye, through

moisture

that

exuded

from

his

head.
"

said he,
Leveridge,"

"

Mr.

this is a scurvy trick you

put me into your book."

You
have
played me.
I only sketched
a
Joseph. Why
"

over-scrupulouslawyer,"protested

not

should

"

have

put the

you

on

cap

your

head?"

own
"

it fits. It is

Because

myself you

have

put into

your

book, and by no legalprocess can I get out of it. I shall

to advise the magistrateson
the bench,
not be competent
and, good heavens ! what a mess theywill get into. I do not
whether

know

fellow-clerk

your

I'll tell you

I have been used up.

want

no

you

Swanton

last to arrive

The

trifleas

"

at

any

and

not

not

me,

"

That

put

go

Whenever

revisit

you

respectedfirm
it,but in

in

not

am

; I

away

Swanton

departedfrom
she

that

something

was

But

it

for

not

was

this

as

"

There

You

much

not

was

might

have

in

was

in

into your book and

will my
mother
poor

! what

used

do !

for his mother's

wrong,
some

traps and

up his
house.

Leveridgepacked
see

her

days

Oh, mother,

said ;
instinct told her.

need

him

maternal
that

I have

he

not

confided

written

put into it the peopleof Swanton

"

and

be

to

her

so

novel, and

a
so

have

had

to leave."

"My

dear

me,"

spared such

also

me

delightedto

was

He

Wotherspoon.

Jane will bully me."

Mr.

day

same

That

and

Sarah

how

much

time.

Oh, dear, dear

up.

have

Mr.

was

depressedcondition.

said he,

And

when

on

go

You

book."

your

me

what.

the business.

on

ruins of the

only the

see

It cannot

of Stork.

most

will

carry

the office.

at

more

you

can

Joe,"said

the old

lady,"you

have

done

wrong

and

made

actual

them

from

the

You

great mistake.
into

livingpersonages

pulp

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

and
first,

then

never

introduce

of fiction. You

work

run

should

121

out

your

should

characters

fresh

pulp.**

explainedJoe.
usingmy imagination,"
Some
months
and Leveridge could not resolve
elapsed,
on
an
employment that would suit him and at the same
time maintain
The
him.
fifty
pounds he had earned would
not last long. He began to be sensible of the impulse to be
again writing. He resisted it for a while,but when he got
letter from his publisher,
a
saying that the novel had sold
well,far better than had been expected,and that he would
Mr. Leveridge's
from
be pleased to consider another
pen,
then
liberal terms,
could
and
promise him for it more
solved.
But on one
thing he was reJoseph'sscruplesvanished.
He would now
create his characters.
They should
"

was

afraid of

so

be taken

not

from

observation.

Moreover, he determined
from
should

the

be

old
the

in

other

reverse

to

differentiate his

material
of those

points.
in

the

His

new

work

characters

first novel.

For

forward,
straightimagined a girlof boisterous spirits,
unconventional,and given to
true, but somewhat
use
slangexpressions. He had never met with such a girl,
that she would
be a pure creation of his brain,and he
so
he would
made
to call her
Poppy. Then
up his mind
avoid
drawing the portraitof an Evangelicalparson, and
introduce
one
decidedly High Church ; he would have no
full of
like Box, but
tradesman
a
man
heavy, narrow
and speculativepush. Moreover, having used up
venture
the not over-scrupulouslawyer,he would
portray one, the
soul of honour, the confidant of not only the county gentry
he had
caused
but of the county nobility. And
as
so
of good old Mother
much
trouble by the introduction
skittish young
Baker, he would trace the line of a lively,
ing
widow, always on the hunt after admirers, and endeavourto entangle the youths who
lodged with her.

his heroine

he

he

As

went

and
satisfaction,

using no

he

up, with whom

one

all his characters

and

were

pure

was

and
acquainted,

was

his
gave

he

that

consciousness

the

was

to

out

him
gratified
especially

what

mind

his

to

repose

his story, it worked

with

on

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

122

that

creations.

complete,and the publisheragreed to

givea hundred pounds for it. Then it passed through the
Leveridge heard from the publisher
press, and in due course
that his six free copieshad been sent off to him by
train. Joseph was
his second novel
almost as excited over
work

The

he

as

He

was

was

the first.

over

sent
impatientto wait tillthe parcelswere
round in the ordinaryway.
He
hurried to the station in
he
the evening,to meet
the train from town, by which
expected his consignment; and having secured it,he hurried
home, carryingthe heavy parcel.
His mother's house was
comparatively
large;she occupied
but a corner
of it,and she had given over
to her son
a little
he
sitting-room,in which
might write and read.
cosy
Into this room
full of impatience
Joseph carried his parcel,
and disclose the volumes.
to cut the string
But he had hardly passedthroughhis door before he was
startled to see that his room
full of people; all but one
was
too

was

seated

were

about

the

table.

That

who

one

lounged againstthe bookcase, standingon one

shock
of surprise,Joseph recognised all
a
the characters
gathered together. They were
his

creations.

own

And

that individual who

not,
foot. With
was

those

there

in his

book,
stood,in an

indifferent attitude,
his new
was
heroine,Poppy. The first
shock
of surpriserapidlypassed. Joseph Leveridge felt

fear,but rather

no

of his

presence

There

were

seven

saluted him
who
At

gave

own

of

sense

creations,and
in

all. At

their
as
respectfully

him

the head

wink

pleasure. He

and

knew

was

in

the

them

familiarly.
his appearance
they all
all except Poppy,
creator
"

nod.

of the table sat

the

High

Church

par.son,

PROFESSIONAL

A
shaven, with
the

long

SECRET

and

coat

face,next to him, on
aristocratictall,
elderly,

grave

right,Lady Mabel

Forraby, a
the aunt of Poppy. One

lookingwoman,
in the

Mabel

book

consisted

had

123

in the

of

element

strugglesof

lightness
Lady

wayward niece and the revolt of the

latter. Mr. Leveridge had never
known
of title
a
person
in his life,
that Lady Mabel was
so
a pure
creation;so also,
brought up, as he had been, by a Calvinistic mother, and
afterwards
under
the ministry of the Vicar
of
thrown
Ritualist. Consequently
come
across
a
Swanton, he had not once
to

control

his
creation.

her

in

parson,

this

also

instance,was
the

hero

of

gentleman,
a
fellow,full of vigour and
brightintelligent
and highly cultured,sat next
to Lady Mabel.
type.

young

thrown

been

never

and

had

He

into

nice

met

with

association

men

clerks
respectable

the

pure

novel,

good sense,
Joseph had
of quitethis
and
amusing

houses, so that this

agreeabletravellers for commercial

also was
creation.
So most
a
certainlywas
personage
who
rolled her eyes and put on
the bold, pert littlewidow
winsome
airs. Joseph had kept clear of all such instances,

but he had
him

as

And

heard

and

read

She

of them.

could

look

to

her creator.
that

naughty littlePoppy !

Her

was
naughtiness

all

mischief,put on to aggravate her staid old aunt, so full of

daring,and yet withal so steady of heart ; so full of frolic,
but

principleunderlying it

with

encountered
The

young

like
anyone
ladies to whom

all very
littlein

prim and
society:the

matters

communicated

all.

her, anyone
his mother

proper.

At

Joseph

had

never

approaching to
introduced

Swanton

he

him
had

her
were

been

daughterwas a tract distributer

and Mr. Stork's daughter a domestic
and a mission woman,
drudge. Of all the characters in Joseph's book she was
creation.
his most
especialand delightful
Then
the white-haired
family lawyer,fond of his jokes,
relative to all
able to tell a good story, close as a walnut
vicar's

to

him, strict and honourable

in all

124

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

his

with his
content
dealings,
layingthem by. Joseph had
had

idealised him

be should
was

creation.

And

"

had

such

he

but

man,

chance

of scent

and

it came

before

him.

only heard of them

of

in

the red-faced,

least,was

not

man

keen

was

moment

saw

met

lawyer he would wish to

profession.He also,accordingly,

last,but

stockbroker
who

not

frugally

the sort of

he stick to his

audacious

who

as

earnings,and

small

sharp and quick

and

moment

smelt

rumour.

closed

no

it,

on

risky investment

Joseph knew

by

mination,
deter-

the

stockbroker

He, therefore,was

creation.
"

Well, my

not of
children,

said the author.

"

"

what
you

"

What

my

do you

Bodies," they repliedwith

Bodies

"

loins,but of
all want

one

voice.

gasped Joseph,steppingbackwards.

possesses
you
with them."

all ?

You

brain,"

my

"

can't expect

me

"

to

Why,

furnish

"But, indeed, we
"

"

Niece

address

!"

do, old chap,"said Poppy.

said Lady Mabel, turning about
in her chair,

your

creator

with

more

*'

respect."

Allow
to
Stay, my lady," said the parson.
me
to
Mr. Leveridge. He
is young
and
explain matters
an
writer of fiction,
and is therefore unaware
inexperienced
of the exigenciesof his profession. You
must
know,
dear author of our
being,that every author of a work of
such as you have been, lays himself
under a
imagination,
moral
and an
inexorable
obligationto find bodies for all
those whom
he has called into existence
through his fertile
brain.
Mr. Leveridgehas not mixed
in the literary
world.
He does not belong to the Society of Authors.
He is
he will excuse
the expression raw
in his profession.It
is a well-known
law
novelists
that they must
among
furnish bodies for such as they have called into existence
of their pure
out
imagination. For this reason
they
call
their
their
observation
to
invariably
assistance,and
they balance in their books the creations with the tran"

"

"

PROFESSIONAL

A
from
scripts
am

life. The

is able to get his

the
"

"

only exception to
the parson,

of,"continued

aware

SECRET

piecedramatised,in

"

125

this rule that I

is where

which

the author

case, of course,

ceases."
difficulty
I should

threw in Poppy.
love to go on the stage,"
Niece,you do not know what you say,"remarked
Lady

Mabel, turningherself about.

"

Allow

lady,"said
my
said is fact,is it not ?
me,

the parson.

What

"

I have

"

"

Most

repliedall. Lady
certainly,"

Mabel

said:

"

I suppose

it is."

"Then," pursuedthe
secured

you
"

"

parson,
the dramatisation

never

it a

gave

In that

as

case,

**the situation is this

of your novel ?
thought,"said Joseph.

there

is

no

prospect of

Have

"

our

being so

the

shall have
to
positionis this : We
haunt you night and day, mainly at night,till you have
with bodies ; we
remain
accommodated
cannot
us
as
tom
phancreations of a highlyimaginativesoul such as is yours,
have
Mr. Leveridge. If you
rights,so have we.
your

accommodated,

And
At

we

insist on

ours,

and

are

satisfied."

all vanished.

once

Joseph Leveridge felt

worse

will insist tillwe

hobble

than

before.

that he
From

had

got himself

his former

into

difficultieshe

had

escaped by flight.But there was, he feared,no flying

from
these seven
impatient creations all clamouring for
such was
with
bodies, and to provide them
beyond his
All his delightin the publication
of his new
novel
powers.
spent.

was

He

went

It had
to

brought with

it

care

and

perplexity.

bed.

troubled with his characters ;

During the night,he was
they peeped in at him.
Poppy got a peacock's feather
and tickled his nose
justas he was droppingasleep."You
bounder
I shall give you
! she said ;
till you
no
peace
have settled me
into a body
but oh ! get me
to the
on
"

"

"

stage if you

can."

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

126

be
Don't
away," called Lady Mabel.
Poppy, come
improper. Mr. Leveridge will do his best. I want a body
how
do you, but I know
to ask for it
as
quite as much
"

"

properly."
I," said the parson,
before Easter, but have one
Mr.

Leveridge'sstate

other

or

"

And

"

now

of his creatures

like to have

should

mine

I must."

was
was

than

worse
ever

the first. One

His
watching him.
There
was
no
escaping

spied on.
their vigilance.Sometimes
they attended him in groups
of two or three ; sometimes
they were all around him.
At meals
not
one
was
missing,and they eyed every
mouthful
of his food as he raised it to his lips. His
mother
invisible to all
saw
nothing the creations were
movement

every

was

"

those of their creator.

save

eyes

If he

went

with him,
which
the

country walk, they trotted forth

before,lookinground

some

at

to

turn

every

see

he

purposed going,some
following.Poppy and
skittish widow
managed to attach themselves to him,

one
"

for

out

way

each side.

on

said

I hate that littlewoman,"

"

Why did you call her into being ?

"
I never
dreamed
that thingswould

Poppy.

"

"

convinced, creator

am

wickedness

in your
such
a

come

dear, that

composition,or

you

this

to

there

is

would

never

and
imagined
minx, good and amiable
look.
won't-melt-in-your-mouth
though you may
there must
be a frolicsome devil in your heart,or 1
have

never
"

one

there

are

vein

of

have
butterAnd
should

become."

Indeed, Poppy,

But

pass."

may

have

am

too

when

moments

glad that

very
much

even

could

I gave

being.
of a good thing,and
dispense with your
you

presence."
"

She

know, when

you

want

to

carry

on

with

is

always castingsheep'seyes at you."

But, Poppy, you forgetmy hero, whom
for you."
purpose
"

the widow.

I created

on

"

attention is

All my

When

engrossedin you, and will be

a body."
in his room
reading,if he raised
of his
they met the stare of one

his book

from

his eyes

If he went

characters.

up

If he sat with his mother,

This

the

protestedto
"

I entreat

Do,
if I

as

you
"

were

We

he

We

kept guard.

one

so

treat me
to myself. You
you, leave me
lunatic and about to commit
felode se, and

suffer you

cannot

to

give us

the

the

undertook

parson

to

administer

allowed

half

to

realised,and
material

bodies

Have

"

I know

"

Do

"

Does

it

realised

lecture

on

called into
cannot

be

must

be

creations

by being given

in my

never

dramatic

no

can

I do ?

made

life even

writers."

this sort

of work

certain

requirea

techniqueof the stage which I do not

later. Pass
to
might be attended
of

hands

thing

stage in such

I done

Have

"

No, indeed,
no

so

possess

"

MS.

your

expert, and

bargain for,do

manner

"

is

dramatic

familiarity

a
pay him
in recognitionof his services.
profits

percentage of your

there

doll."

"

yourself."
not

one

fabricate

I cannot

thoughtof dramatisingus

no

you

through the

But

be

only

the dickens

for you.

"That

His

work.

his

do

can

what

with the

what

existence.

"

Only

slip. We

contracted
to those
Duty, on responsibilities
partialexistence by a writer of fiction. He

But

own

our

begun."

have

Then

"

followed.

was

expectant and impatientfor the completionof

all

you

bedroom,

my warders."
said the stockbroker," in
watch you, sir,"

were

interest.
are

to his

that one
intolerable,
evening he
then in attendance.
stockbroker,who was

become

was

127

now

provideme with
Leveridge was

tillyou

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

as

in my

not

present

to discredit my

book

me

on

the

cloth."

"

nothing to complain of in that.

counting on what Poppy may persuade

I have

128
into

you
over

BOOK

I fear that she

doing,and

she is your

Remember,

you.

GHOSTS

OF

is

gaining influence

creation,and

must

you

suffer her to mould

you."
The suggestionwas
The idea took root.
Joseph Leveridge applied himself to his
not

But

he had

who

had

theatre

But

to

sink

now

his
the

of

about

was

the

up, and
with zest.

task

from

drama, and

his mother,

regarded the

iniquity.

for

alone

wanted

each

of

he

difficultiesarose.

new

leave him

not

of

opinion

no

as

what

conceal

taken

or

moment.

her

own

other.

Joseph'screations would
Each had a suggestion,
part accentuated

desired

Each

at

the

the

heighteningof
the situations in which
they severallyappeared. The
the interference made
it impossible
clamour, the bickering,
for Joseph to collect his thoughts,
keep cool,and proceed
expense

with his work.

Sunday arrived,and
his

box-hat, and

her to

chapel.

offered
All

the

Joseph drew
his

to

his

characters

were

arm

his

on

gloves,put

mother,
drawn

to

up

on

conduct
in the

Joseph and his mother walking

Chapel presenteda pictureof
dutiful son
and of a piouswidow
not to be sura good and
passed.
Poppy and the widow entered into a struggleas
the unoccupied side of Joseph.
to walk
on
to which
was
If this had been introduced into the pictureit would have
invisible to all eyes save
marred
it ; but happilythis was
those of Joseph. The rest of the imaginary party walked
in arm
behind till the chapel was
reached, when the
arm
them.
hall to accompany
the street to Ebenezer
down

parson
"
I

started back.
not

am

exclaimed.
cross

"And

the

"

going in there ! It
Nothing in the world

is

he
schism-shop,"

would

induce

me

to

threshold."

I,"said Lady Mabel,

"I have

no

placeof worshipnot of the Established

if only to protect Creator
I'llgo in
said Poppy.
a

"

"

idea of

attending

Church."
from

the widow."

Joseph and

129

entered,and occupiedtheir

his mother

pew.
and the

characters,with the exceptionof the parson

The
old

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

door,

to

before

But

the

sleep. This
delivered

was

very

there

ever

that

ensure

Joseph

the

was

kept

the pew
prisonerthere.
on

far he had

to
gone
the minister

as
regretted,

to be

more

strong appeal to the unconverted, and

worldling,it

unconverted

an

was

arms

advanced

had

service

his

aisle with

in the

stood

stockbroker

The

able.

they were

where

themselves

lady,grouped

if

that

was

stockbroker.
skittish widow

The

complexion, but

amorous

her, all

not

see

sat

with

flow

to

had

got

cast

were

folded

and

him

over

and,

an

in fact,could

The

away.

solicitor

allowed

the

refreshingdouche.

show, and

the

of

deacon

hands, and

like

tired of

very

he did not,

as

efforts

stolid face

discourse

Poppy

her

leering at

was

had

slunk

The
hero closed his eyes and
rejoinher aunt.
seemed
resigned.
whilst a hymn was
After nearly an
hour had elapsed,
to himself than to his mother,
being sung, Joseph,more
said :
Can I escape?"
Escape what ? Wretch ? inquiredthe widowed lady.
to

away

"

"

"

"

I think

can

it. There's

do

at

room

the

side for

something,with an outer
I will risk it,and make
door.
a bolt for my
liberty."
He very gently and cautiouslyunhasped the door of the
pew, and as he slid it open, the sleepingstockbroker,still
sleepingand unconscious, slippedback, and Joseph was
or
inquirers,

earnest

out.

from
that
the

He

made

the actual

vestry

his way

into

chapel,ran

arms

the

room

at

through it,and

opened into a side lane.

key was in its place. He

fell into the

or

the

side,forth

tried the door

locked,but happily
turned it,plunged forth,and
It

of his characters.

was

They

were

all there.

of
observinghim out of the corner
The
stockbroker
his eye, and had given the alarm.
was
the hero, ran
out, gave the
aroused, and he, the solicitor,

The

solicitor had

been

I30

and

the

to

home

himself

by them,

"

What

"

I wasn't

she

reconducted

was

full of solicitude.

was
"

Joe dear ? she inquired.

well,"he explained. But I

the matter,

was

"

feeling
very
better presently."
I hope it will not interfere

with

and

for

cold lamb

have

intercepted,

was

dejected,they triumphant.

returned

his mother

When

"

GHOSTS

OF

three without, and Joseph

his attempt at escape frustrated. He

alarm

be

BOOK

mint-sauce

shall

Joe.
appetite,
earlydinner."
Leveridge.

your
our

peck a bit,I trust,"said Mr.

abstracted and
But during dinner he was
his fist on the table.
he brought down
once

silent.

he exclaimed, and

his face to the

I shall

"

flush of colour mantled

"

All at

I've hit it !"

temples.
My dear,"said his mother ; you have made
platesand dishes jump, and have nearlyupset the
"

"

all the
water-

bottle."
Excuse

"

He

made

rose,

; I

mother

me,

reallymust

sign to

room."

to my

go

his characters,and

they

all

trouble

trooped after him into his privateapartment.

within he said to his hero :
they were
May I
you kindlyto shut the door and turn the key ? My

mother

will be

and

rose

"

When

word

see

my

with

you

way

to

down

our

Meet

evasion.

at

all.

and

mutual

train.

am

me

come

It will not

suspicious
; I

and

uneasy

anxious

and

take

minutes.

two

accommodation.
will make

to

no

take

you

I want

Do

not

further

morning

to-morrow

going

after me,

be

attempt
the

at

all with

9.48
to

me

Swanton."
A

tap

at

the door.

Open it is my mother," said Joseph.

Mrs. Leveridge entered with a face of concern.
with you, Joe ?" she said. "If we
is the matter
"

"

both

of

us

water-drinkers,I should

indulgingin
Mother,
"

"

spirits."
I must
positivelybe

say

that you

off

to

"

What

were

not

had

been

Swanton

to-

PROFESSIONAL

morning.

morrow

SECRET

see

all will

now,

way

my

131
come

right."
"

"

preciousboy ?
I cannot
explain. I see my way to clearingup the
unpleasantnesscaused by that unfortunate novel of mine.
How,

my

"

Pack

Not

"

No

"

trunk, mother."
the Sabbath, lovie."

my

We

on

all go

We

"

"

No,

into

"
I to accompany
you ?
It is
did I say ?
We

no.

as

First,he penned

occupiedduring the

notice

to

the

having deprived him

of

he

I have

wrote

if he would

do

him

Mrs.

to

the

Baker
and

morrow,

would

that

that

afford

he

had

much

her

vicar, expressed his regret for

his
the

and
personality,

requested
evening
something
He apologised

favour,to call in the

that made

circumstances

were

in

that he would

lodgingsin West Street. He had

to him.
specialimportance to communicate
but
for not himself callingat the vicarage,

there

speak

afternoon

7.30, at his

of

got

Swanton.

requirehis lodgings from

something to say to her
gratification.

at

a.m.

We."

as

Joseph Leveridge was

writingto his victims at

him,

9.48

Authors, like royal personages,

author.

of themselves

habit

"

an

Then

the

by

together."

am

"

I start

morning.

to-morrow

"

it

said that

desirable

more

that

in his own
lodgings.
privately
He assured
to Mr. Stork.
Next, he addressed an epistle
him that he, Joseph Leveridge,had felt keenly the wrong
he should

he had

see

done

repaid his
employer
had

found

the

reverence

him, that he
kindness, had

that
a

placedhimself
entreated

his

him

was

had

forfeited his esteem,

acted

in

dishonourable.

what
rectifying
unreservedlyin the hands
of

means

to

meet

ensuing Monday

him

at his

evening

at

rooms

towards

manner

But,

had

he

ill
his

added, he

He
wrong.
of Mr. Stork, and
was

in West

7.45, when

he

Street

on

sincerely

132

past would

that the

trusted

This

followed

was

invited him

He

be

and
forgotten,

brighter

assured.

be

future would

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

by

formal letter couched

call at Mrs.

to

to Mr.

Box.

Baker's

lodgingson that
business of an important

evening at 8 p.m., as he had

If Mr. Box
to discuss with him.
nature
and far-reaching
that he, Joseph Leveridge,had done
him
considered
an
ready to make what reparationlay in his
injury,he was
same

power.

Taking
this
letter,
a

fresh sheet of notepaper,he

between

them

ensuing

letter

endeavoured

disguisetoo

But

he

He

him

of 8.30 on the
venturing to make

hour

and

he

it

that

should
would

it

he

was

expressed.

was

He

words

drop nothing

entreated

her

be

to

which

at

so

she

might
graciousas to

by the side of the river at the

Monday evening. He apologisedfor
such a demand, but he intimated
that

had

to communicate

urgent, that it could

so

in which

before

twice

It

interview

an

the matter

it out

wrote

deliberation.

some

full of respect,yet
of his heart.
the sentiments
completely,

He

umbrage.

amicably adjusted.

demanded

careful to let

was

be

disguiseunder

to

not

allow

could

mode

the

satisfied with

take

fifth

Wotherspoon, requestingthe honour of

of controversy
''diggings"at 8.15 p.m., when matters

Asphodel.

to

was

Mr.

to

call at his

The

wrote

now

also

was

private. It
materially no,
be

"

her,and would

not
most
was

not

importantand
postponedtillTuesday,
was

well be

so

that

necessary

the

interview

something he had to say that

but morally affect
materially,

relieve his mind

"

from

burden

of

remorse

wholly intolerable.
the seventh letter,
to Major DolgellyJones,
The final,
was
brief. It merely intimated that he had something
and was
more
to his
of the utmost
importance to communicate
privateear, and for this purpose he desired the favour of a
call at Mrs. Baker's lodgings,at 8.45 on Monday evening.
that had

These

become

letters

to him

despatched,Mr. Leveridge felt

easier

in

134

BOOK

My dear old landlady,I

"

said

two

chops

At
She

see

again,"

you

yet, thank

Not

I shall not

have
it at

and

once

would

say

I have

get it

to

you,

over,

some

business

to

nine

will

first,

transact

o'clock.

Mrs. Baker, and

if you

got
toes.
potasir?"

your
supper,
thing of routine.

disengagedbefore

to

mash

can

I have

like

you

machine,
you.

be

something

meal, but

no

larder,and

in the

time

become

had

and

what

ordered

You

sir.

you,

mutton

"

glad to

so

am

Joseph.
Thank

"

GHOSTS

OF

But

I will say

kindlystep

into

up

parlour."

my

She

did

so,

each

sighingat

step of the stairs

she

as

ascended.
All

the characters

mounted

as

well, and

entering the

sitting-room,
against the wall
ranged themselves
facingthe door.
Mrs. Baker
was
a
portlywoman,
aged about forty-five,
and plain featured.
she
She had formerly been neat, now
was
dowdy. Before she had lost her character she never
without removing her apron, but on
appeared in that room
little

this occasion
"

Widow

she
!

"

it,and

wore

said

it

clean.

not

was

Joseph,addressinghis character,
"

will

"

kindlystep forward ?
I would
do anythingfor fou," with a
Dear
Mrs. Baker," said Leveridge,
done you a grievouswrong."
Well, sir,I ain't been myself since
you

"

"

"

roll of the eyes.

I feel that I have

"

your
"

you

you

put

me

into

book."

My

is

purpose

with

now

to

undo

the

past, and

to

provide

character."

of his creation,
he
Then, turning to the skittish widow
said, Now, then, slipinto and occupy her."
I don't like the tenement," said the widow, pouting.
like it or not," protestedJoseph, "you
"Whether
you
"

"

must

have

that

he exclaimed.

or

no

other." He

waved

his hand.

"Presto!"

PROFESSIONAL

SECRET

135

a wondrous
Instantly
change was effected in Mrs. Baker.
She whipped off the apron, and crammed
it under the sofa
cushion.
She wriggled in her movements,
she eyed herself
in the glass,and
exclaimed
:
Oh, my ! what a frightI
I'll be back again in a minute when
I have changed
am.
"

my
"

gown
We

and
can

Leveridge

done

up my hair."
dispensewith your presence, Mrs. Baker," said
are
sternly. " I will ring for you when
you

wanted."

At

that moment

Baker, having

first

rap at the door

dropped

was

heard ; and

coquettish curtsy

to

Mrs.
her

lodger,trippeddownstairs to admit the vicar,and to show

him up to Mr. Leveridge'sapartment.
"You
may
go, Mrs. Baker," said he; for she seemed
inclined to linger.
she had left the room,
When
Joseph contemplated the
reverend
gentleman. He bore a crestfallen appearance.
He looked as if he had been out in the rain all night without
cheeks were
a paletot.His
flabby,his mouth drooped
the

his eyes were

vacant, and his whiskers
longerstuck out horrescent and assertive.

at

"

corners,

Dear

vicar,"said Leveridge, I cannot forgive

myself."
have
would
Mr.
dreamed
not
times,
Leveridge
"

In

former

of

addressing the

manner,

no

but

it

reverend
other

was

gentleman

now

that

the

in

this familiar

latter looked

so

My dear vicar,I cannot

forgivemyself
It
for the trouble I have brought upon
has weighed
you.
as
a
on
me
nightmare,for I know that it is not you only
but also the whole
who
have suffered,
parish of Swanton.
I have here
he waved
Happily a remedy is at hand.

limp and

forlorn.

"

"

to

the parson

of his

creation, I have here

and henceforth,if you
"

give to you,
yourselfagain,you will be
parishand the diocese." He waved
In the twinklingof an eye all was
of

can

Swanton.

He

an

individuality

will not

be precisely

personalityin
his hand.

changed

himself.
straightened

His

"

your
Presto ! "

in the Vicar

expression

altered

to

became

firm,and

what

it

look

eager

vicar walked

The

Bless

have

After

"

he

to

said,

I must

go

off."

And

in streamers

in the

to

sank

into

all your

At

"

Stork

though shakingout
swelled,he threw
was
"

you,

former

had

"

as

of

one

I abhor

clerks.

my

his hand.

waved

shook
up and
from his trousers.

crumbs

back

his

on

eye

family solicitor he had

stood

head, his

steady.
Mr. Leveridge,"
said he,
sir

"

you.

I have

eye

duplicity.I

have

I have

been

his

shone

long had
marked

uncompromising probity.

I could

purpose

and to supply
energy,
possiblyhave lacked previously."

you

Mr.

once

air of lack

an

Leveridge, it is my

fictitious being,and

into

in with

chair.

you with what you may

He
signed to the white-haired
called

The
up Mr. Stork.
if he had been exposed

behind, ushered

dear old master,"said

restore

and

the barber's

to

he hurried downstairs.

faded appearance,
as
strong sunlight
; he walked

My

the mantelshelf.

proceedings,Mrs. Baker, now

blue ribbon round
her neck hanging

and
of interest,
"

over

"

little pause

trim, with

too

eye assumed

distances,as seeking something

the mirror

to

whiskers

lawyer had
to

me

these

very
down

far

indicative

mouth

the

of self-restraint. The

and

into

about

cheeks

The

before.

been

lines formed

as

GHOSTS

the horizon.

beyond
''

had

never

of force of character
an

OF

BOOK

136

I hate

legs,as

His

breast

clear and

my

eye

your

on

acter
char-

shiftiness,

disappointedwith

my

always trust them to do the right

thing. I want to strengthen and brace my firm. But I
will not take into partnershipwith myself any but one
of
the strictest integrity.Sir! I have marked
I have
you
marked
to-morrow
ing,
mornyou, Mr. Leveridge. Call on me
not

"

and

will consider

we

Don't
"

I have

"

I know

talk to

not

you

done
have

me

of

the

for a partnerpreliminaries
ship.
buying a partnership."

so, sir."
not.

I will take you

in,sir,for

your

intrinsic value.

gold,and

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

is as

honest

An
scarce

as

the

is worth

man

137
his

weight

in

preciousmetal."

Then, with dignity,Mr. Stork withdrew, and passed

Mr. Box, the grocer, mounting the stairs.
Well, Mr. Box," said Leveridge, how wags the world
"

"

with
'*

to

you

"

Badly, sir,badly since

you,

sir,that

while go on
the momentum

by

I trusted

its own
has

booked

my

little business

me.

would

I can't

downhill.

for

has,sir,it has, but

It

momentum.

been

I mentioned

you

it.

control

personalityto do so, to serve as a drag,to

in daily expectation,sir,of a
I am
it upwards.
urge
up."
regular smash
I am
said Leveridge. But I think
sorry to hear this,"
of puttingall to rights. Presto !
I have found
a
means
of the
He
his hand
and the imaginary character
waved
had actualised himself in the body of Mr. Box.
stockbroker
the
I see
how to do it. By ginger,I do ! exclaimed
little
I'll run
my
grocer, a spark coming into his eye.
look
on
concern
quite other lines. And
ye here, Mr.
Leveridge. I bet you my bottom dollar that I'll run it to
second Lipton,and keep
a
a tremendous
success, become
a yacht."
and proceeded
bounced
As Mr. Box
out of the room
to run
downstairs,he ran againstand nearly knocked over
Mrs. Baker ; the lady was
whispering to and coquetting
the landing. That
with
Mr. Wotherspoon, who
on
was
like
was
gentleman,in his condition of lack of individuality,
a teetotum
spun in the hands of the designingMrs. Baker,
or
who
supposed
put forth all the witchery she possessed,
in an amorous
that she possessed,
to entanglehim
intrigue.
spoon,
Come
in,"shouted Joseph Leveridge,and Mr. Wotherlooking hot and frightenedand very shy,tottered
I have

not

the

"

"

"

"

'*

"

"

in and

sank

perturbedby
speak.

into
the

chair.

advances

He

was

of Mrs.

too

much

Baker

shaken
to

be

and

able

to

138

BOOK

There," said Joseph,addressinghis hero.

"

do better than animate

InstantlyMr.

George !
I'llat

"

volunteer
those

at

come

back

have

deserved

once.

old

to

with

of their

score

of my

well

what

"

Mr.

of

have

Follow

due
And

the

there,and

why

pray

"

me

gone

did you

If I

Well,"said Poppy,

Poppy dear, I

me.

did

that odious

fine.

but you
you
she is a substantial
"

I think

I had

"

I think

not.

down
make

not

But

"

will

serve

littlewidow.

"

at

8.33 p.m.

lady."
her

make

not

bachelor's

my

all very

"

there ?

here instead

come
"

appointment
apartments."

an

with

there."

am

imaginary character,

only an
reality."
are

you,"said Lady Mabel.

ladyshipwill kindly occupy
my

better accompany
If your

fauteuil till I return, that chair will

Come
me.
along,Poppy."

after be sacred

ever

game," said she.

On reachingthe riverside Joseph saw
was
walking there in a listless manner,
swerving from side to side. She saw
"

Boers.

"

is another

so

all the way

lady in

That's

"

said Joseph
riverside,"

I could

"Yes,
and

Africa,and have

paid out."
to

me

Because

young
"

before.

me

woman."

got for

you

luggingme
"

By-

"

Wotherspoon was

she is well

am
"

"

my waist,I shall
I will volunteer
at

country.

If you will come

with
you as well as the rest."
"
I hope better than you

"

scalpsat

"

"

clear that hulking,fat

say, Leveridge
and
She blocks the stairs,
landladyout of the way.
But

When

But

cannot

feet.

struck

to South

out

go

his

to

sprang
that never

You

Go

canting,lying,treacherous

I can't kick down

"

I wonder

"

"

that feeble creature.

Wotherspoon

said he.

once

shot

GHOSTS

OF

to

I'm

quickenher

pace,

nor

"Now,then,"said he

did her face

to

that Miss

Poppy," what

but
straight,

not

him,

lightup

Vincent

but

did

not

with interest.

do you

think of her?"

She

"

SECRET

PROFESSIONAL

139
;

she

extend

her

the fictitiouscharacter

ain't bad," answered

*'

but inanimate."
pretty certainly,
will change all that."

is very
"

You

"

I'lltry" you

Asphodel

bet."

came

bowed, but did

She

up.

not

hand.
Miss

"

Vincent," said Joseph.

"

of you

good

How

to

come."
"

at all.

Not

When

help.

not

Come

wrote

you

have

I could

no

free-will left.

do

no

other.

of resistance."

initiative,
no
power

no

I could

I came,

"

I have

hope, Miss Vincent, that the thing you so feared

has not happened."
What
thing?
You have not been snapped up by a fortune-hunter ?
No.
People have not as yet found out that I have lost
individuality.I have kept very much to myself that
my
I
is to say, not to myself,as I have no
proper myselfleft
of myself. People have thought I
to the semblance
mean
"

I do

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

anaemic."

was

"

Leveridgeturned aside : Well, Poppy !

Right you are."
his hand.
Instantlyall the inertia
Leveridge waved
passed away from the girl,she stood erect and firm. A
"

"

and

kindled

twinkle

merry

said she,
feel,"

"

Oh

"

That

! I

flush

another

"

as

was

her cheek,

on

her

lips.
person."

glad.Miss Vincent."
prettyspeechto make to

am

is

devilryplayed about

mischievous

"

in her eye,

so

different from

what

was

lady!

Glad

am

before."

that as
fact,I meant
and as you are you are always charming."
you were
"Thank
you, sir!" said Asphodel,curtsyingand laughing.
to me
Ah ! Miss Vincent, at all times you have seemed
"

I did not

mean

that

"

I meant

"

in

"

the

ideal of

ground you

womanhood.
have

trod

I have

upon."

worshipped the

very

I40

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

"Fiddlesticks."
He

looked

at her.

For

the moment

he

bewildered,

was

oblivious that the old

into his
invaded

of Asphodel had passed

personality
book and that the new
of Poppy had
personality
Asphodel.
"

Well," said she, is that all you have to

I could say a great deal
All ? oh, no.

"

"

"

my

"

supper

obtuse

"

ordered

are!

men

you

Come

is this

"

leap

that it is."

reallybelieve

"Then
you

"

year ?
"

me

for nine o'clock."

how

"Oh,

say to
I have

I shall take

hand

my

remains

and

the

the year, and offer

there ! Now
it only

of
privilege

heart and

fortune

"

the day."
with you to name
! Miss Vincent, you overcome
me."

"

Oh

"

Stuff and

Call

nonsense.

Asphodel,do Joe."

me

Leveridgewalked back to his lodgingsas if he trod

air. As he passed by the churchyard,he noticed the
on
shaven and shorn, labouringat a laden wheelbarrow.
vicar,now
He
halted at the rails and said :
Why, vicar,
Mr.

"

what

you

about ?

sexton

has

are

"The

begun

and

it is unfinished.

over

the wheelbarrow

"

But what

"

Burying

The

are

"

He
and

you

grave

must

for old

Betty Goodman,

dig another."

shot its contents

doing ?

the Mitre

clock struck

"

turned

He

into the grave.

again asked Joseph.

hymnals,"repliedthe

vicar.

quarter to nine.

"

hurry ! exclaimed Joseph.

On
reaching his lodgings he found
Major Dolgelly
the edge of his table
on
Jones in his sitting-room,
sitting
tossingup a tennis-ball. In the armchair, invisible to the
major,reclined Lady Mabel.
I am
so
apologisedJoseph. How
sorry to be late,"
"

I must

"

"

you, sir ?

are
"

Below

"

par.

I have

been

so

ever

since you

put

me

into

in

justified

But

Fiction.

observed

caused,

by

of

course

and

since
that

that

such
have

known
with
and

explanation,
remained

and

others
the

professional

of

who

freshly

explanation
secret.

arise,

to

the

bag,

have

use

consistent
in-

their

to

ism,
vulgarknow
writers

the
This

created.

up

will

novel

replaced

has

they

by

up

out

stagger

to

so

entirely

so

as

used

been

them,

individualities

out

of

Writers

breaking

actions,

conduct

cat

only

perplexity

Henceforth,

have

persons

of

suddenly

into

or

former

the

much

persons

friends.
let

have

known

secret,

Confraternity
so

conduct,
their

with

acquaintances

the

to

have

friction

much

professionial

belong

as

GHOSTS

OF

revealing

such

among

into

BOOK

142

the

stolen
is

the

present

H.

THE

the

river Vez^re

P.
life among

leaps to

forms

the

graniteof

fine

cascade,the Saut de la
over
Virolle,then after a rapid descent
mica-schist,it
into the region of red sandstone
at
Brive, and
passes
trict,
swelled with affluents it suddenly penetrates a chalk disLimousin,

where

it has

for itself a

scooped out

two
to
some
precipices
These precipices
are

the upper

crust

three hundred
not

but overhang,because
perpendicular,

is harder

it caps ; and

than the stone

atmospheric influences,rain and

the

valleybetween
feet high.

frost,have

gnawed

into

below, so that the cliffs hang forward as penthouse

And
these
roofs,forming shelters beneath them.

chalk

shelters have

been

utilised

by

man

from

the

first occupants of the district arrived

almost uninterruptedly
to the
remote
period,
the

When

peasants live beneath

these

roofs

of

periodwhen
at
a
vastly
present day.

nature's viding,
proends
to form

they simply wall up the face and

of construction,
with the
houses of the cheapestdescription
and one
wall and the roof of livingrock,
earth as the floor,
into which they burrow
to form cupboards,
and
bedplaces,
cellars.
refuse of all ages
above
book, one stratum

is

like the leaves of a

superposed,
in orderlysuccession.
another
If
shear down
we
through these beds,we can read the history
of the land, so far as its manufacture
goes, beginningat
the present day and going down, down
to the times of
Now, after every meal, the peasant casts
primeval man.
down
the bones he has picked,he does not stoop to collect
The

^43

144
and

cast

falls and

of

dust

in the

if

pot, and

broken

sou

tions
gloomy habita-

of these

to form
gets trampled into the soil,

it

token

another

period of occupation.

of the
When
were

forth the sherds

rolls away,

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

first man

the

The

different.

hyaena,the

settled here the climatic conditions

mammoth

bear, and

cave

woolly elephant,the
reindeer ranged the land.
or

the

using only flint tools,crouched under

these rocks.
They knew nothing of metals and of pottery.
They hunted and ate the horse ; they had no dogs, no
no
sheep. Glaciers covered the centre of France,
oxen,
the Vezere
and reached down
valleyas far as to Brive.
Then

naked

These

savages,

peoplepassed away,

whither

we

know

not.

The

reindeer retreated to the north,the hyaena to Africa,which

then united to Europe. The mammoth
became
tinct
exwas

altogether.
After long ages another
culture,but

people,in

also used

who

flinttools and

higher condition of
weapons,

appeared

rock
the scene, and took possessionof the abandoned
on
shelters. They fashioned their implements in a different

by flakingthe flint in placeof chippingit. They

flax and
understood
the art of the potter. They grew
linen.
wove
They had domestic animals, and the dog had
the friend of man.
their flint weapons
become
And
they
manner

succeeded

in

bringingto

high polishby

incredible labour

and

perseverance.
in the
Then came

Age

of Bronze, introduced

from

abroad,

great depot was in the basin

of the Po.
arrived the Gauls, armed
Next
with weapons
of iron.
subjugated by the Romans, and
They were

probablyfrom

Roman

Gaul

Frank.
The

the East, as

in turn

became

History has begun

mediaeval

age, and

its

and

prey to the Goth

is in full swing.

the
periodsucceeded, and finally

and

the

modern

of all
top of the accumulation
and stages of civilisation. In no
precedingepochs of men
other part of France, indeed of Europe, is the story of
man

now

lives

on

H.
told

man

that
plainly,

so

P.

145

he who

read ; and ever

may
this fact was
nised,
recog-

runs

of last century, when

the district has been studied,and

since the middle

been

made

few

others
slovenly,

there, some
ago I
to examine

years

regionand

induced

was

visit this remarkable

I had
it attentively.
from

letters of recommendation

with

to

have
explorations
scientifically.
furnished

been

of the

the authorities

Antiquitiesat St. Germain, to

researches unmolested
enable me
to prosecute my
by oversuspiciousgendarmes and ignorantmayors.
cabaret or tavern,
a
Under
one
overhanging rock was
announcing that wine was sold there,by a withered bush
of National

great Museum

the door.

above

place seemed to
exploration. I entered
The

to
not

labourers,and
below

between

coming

arrangement

for my

probablespot

with the proprietor

to

me

into the vast

the tavern

on

the

scene

of

the

polishedstone implements
at
Although it may seem

next

race,

and

had

bed

of debris.

first

sightas

of

horse,and
wild

weaving, of pottery,and
the

cow.

condition

These
of the

new

that

which

had

folk had

hunter, and

if both

races

Age, yet
men

tamed

an

had
mous
enor-

had

learned

the

dog, the

passed out
had

used

animals.

domestic

savage, as both lived in the Stone

had been taken when
stride forward

the arts

mere

an

much.
me
depositsdid not concern
mine,
and if possible
to deterinvestigate,
the approximate length of time that had elapsed
the disappearanceof the reindeer hunters and the

was

been

be

series of
upper
pointI desired to

The

The

into

to

that I should
dig,he stipulating
I engaged six
his walls.
and throw down
began proceedingsby drivinga tunnel some

enable

undermine

littleway

me

become

of the
toral
pas-

agricultural.
for determining the length of a
the data
Of course,
a
period might be few, but I could judge whether
very
had
between
the
two
brief
elapsed
period
long or a very
chalk fallen from the
occupationsby the depth of debris
and

to

some

extent

"

BOOK

146

GHOSTS

OF

of
in which
traces
no
were
by frost,
human
workmanship.
It was
with this distinct objectin view that I drove my
adit into the slopeof rubbish some
way below the cabaret,
hit on
the level of the depositsof
and
I chanced
to have

roof,brought down

the

of bronze.

men

secured

broken

pottery marked

with

we

of

Not

thong
My

men

so

but

pin
"

we

much

and

for about

the face of the chalk

I had

as

detached

from

cliff. We

anticipated.Masses
and

above

had

bronze
on

came

the chevron

engaged

were

easy

found

we

all

"

fragments

nail and

peculiarto that peopleand

ornament

reached
not

was

that

twisted

age.

before

week
found

we

the work

of rock had

that
so
fallen,

we

come
behad

either to
The

them.
through them or to circumvent
quarry
soil was
of that curious
coffee colour so inseparable

from

the chalk

down

formation.

from

of the

coin

above, a
and some
Bastille,

We

found

commemorative
small

But
all of these
emperors.
solid ground below, but near

When

we

sinkinga

had

shaft

reached

reached

the bottom

piecesof

thingsbrought
of the storming
the later Roman

of course,
the surface.

not

were,

in the

instead
the face of the cliff,

I determined

incline,
keeping the

an

many

rock

on

as

of

carrying a gallerydown
wall on my
right,till I

of all.

The

advantageof making an incline was that there was

no
hauling up of the earth by a bucket let down over a
and it was
easier for myself to descend.
pulley,
I had
made
tunnel
not
wide enough, and it was
my
When
I began to sink,I set two of the men
tortuous.
to
smash

the

up

the

of fallen chalk

masses

tunnel, so

that

rock, so

as

to widen

I gave
strict
might use barrows.
orders that all the material brought up was
to be picked
of the men,
outside in
over
by two of the most intelligent
the blaze of the sun.
I was
desirous of sinking too
not
to
expeditiously
proceed slowly,cautiously
; I wished

observingevery

stage

as

we

went

deeper.

H.
We

got below

P.
which

layerin

the

147
the relics of the

were

of polishedstone, and then we

Age and of the men
feet of earth that rendered
nothing,
passed through many
and finally
the traces of the reindeer period.
came
on

Bronze

To

understand

depth

of

of

debris

the

be

that there should

how

the

of

men

considerable

rude

the

plements
im-

stone

made
their
explainedthat these men
their fires,
hearths on the bare ground, and feasted around
throwing about them the bones they had picked,and the
ashes,and broken and disused implements,till the ground
Then
encumbered.
was
they swept all the
inconveniently
established
their old hearth, and
refuse
together over
from generation
another on top. So the process went
on
to generation.
For the scientific results of my
explorationI must refer
of learned societies.
and memoirs
the reader to the journals
be

it must

I will not

On

day

the ninth

and
cliff,

when

uncovered

some

after

reached

human

bones.

so
specialprecautions,

With
and

the utmost

back, with
He

so, he

would

rock

the soil
a

day

to

seem

doubtless

posture, with

of the

One

half

us

did not

rock.

contracted

care

considerable

depth,we
immediately adopted

should

these

that

not

be disturbed.

from

removed

was

the face of the

to

come

over

them,

completelyclear a perfect
that of a full-grownman,
It was
lying on his
the skull supported against the wall of chalk

it took

skeleton.

had

we

had

we

here.

with them

trouble him

men

lay beyond

to

have

have
the

pointedout
his

feet,and

been

laid

been
chin
to

had

buried.

his

on

restingon
me

that

Had

he been

side in

the
mass

apparentlyshut

knees.
of fallen
him

in,

through suffocation,buried under the

with it.
earth that the rock had
brought down
hotel to fetch my
I at once
to my
despatcheda man
take a photograph of
that I might by flashlight
camera,
I sent to get from
another
it lay ; and
the skeleton as
arabic and isinglass
and grocer as much
the chemist
gum
so

that

he had

died

could be

as

BOOK

148

OF

GHOSTS

procured. My objectwas

give to the bones

brittle when
removed,
to

less
of gum
to render them
restoringto them the gelatinethat had

bath

Thus
four

lime in which

and

the earth

above

men

absorbed

by

they lay.

left alone at the bottom

was

been

being engaged

of my

passage, the
in straightening
the adit

the earth.
sifting

and

to be

alone,so that I might at my

of personal ornament
search for traces
worn
ease
by
had
thus met
The
his death.
who
the man
place was
in it for
somewhat
cramped,and there reallywas not room
I

quite content

was

than

more

Whilst
followed

down

shot

of rubble

to

person

was

by

work

freely.
thus engaged, I suddenly heard a shout,
avalanche
crash, and, to my dismay, an

one

inclined

the

passage
hastened
to

of descent.

effect my
skeleton,and
exit,
of the superbut found that this was
impossible. Much
incumbent
had
earth and stone
fallen,dislodged by the
vibrations caused by the picks of the men
smashing up
was
the chalk blocks,and the passage
completely choked.
at

left the

once

I was, and thankful

sealed up in the hollow where
had not fallen as well, and buried
that the earth above me

was

me,

not

eightthousand

of

primevalsavage
A

present enlightenedage, along with

of the

man

of matter

largeamount

hear the voices of the

the

years

ago.

have

for I could
fallen,

must

men.

workmen
The
would
seriouslyalarmed.
and labour indefatigably
to release me
procure assistance
I

not

was

of that

I could

fallen ?

How

long would

they

uncertain.

and

it

was

was

how

of the passage
take before I was

not

I had

cleared.

What

the

enclosed would

was

much

earth

choked,

and

released .? All

had
how
that

bit of one,
last till the passage

candle, or, rather, a

it would

probablethat

questionwhether
I

But

certain.

much

was

was

be

made

supply

me

most

anxious

of air in the hollow

suffice.

was

the

in which

I50

BOOK

total darkness.

have

might

GHOSTS
used

period of

the

illumination

the

up

after another,but to what

matches,one

prolong

OF

of my
they would

rest

good ?

"

for but

little

very

while.
A

of numbness

sense

yet sensible
that

the

hard, but

over

deficiencyof

of

stone

stole

which

on

I did

not

but

me,

air

breathe.

to

seated

as

found

pointed and
positionfor fear of

was

like to

was

shift my
disturbingthe bones, and

and
gettingamong
desirous of having them

not

was

photographedin

still

was

situ before

they

moved.

were

alarmed

situation ; I knew
that I must
be released eventually. But the tedium of sitting
there in
not

was

the dark

and

Some

time

pointedstone was becoming intolerable.

have elapsedbefore I became, dimly at
must
of a bluish phosphorescent
aware
distinctly,

on

and then
first,
it like

faint smoke, which

took form, and

distinct ; and
form of a naked man,

I saw, yet it gave

vaporous, and yet it was

what

this

with

eyes,

my

or

whether

it

was

of the

; if I raised

portion of

"

you

rip you with

have

What

And

here

either of

us;

the

with
my

no

of eyes deeply
I thus describe
; it

was

vision

dream-like
no

lighton

it did not

nails of my

the walls

obscure
I

Then

me.

of

any

heard:

fingersand

toes,

teeth."

I done
I must

hand

my

presentedto

form

the

I will tear

and

with wolfish countenance,

Indeed, I cannot
say
this apparition
actuallysaw

Though luminous, it cast

cave

the

me

articulate.

whether

moment

before

saw

idea of substance

no

me

the brain.

"

prognathousjaws,glaringat me out
brows.
under projecting
Although

sunk

rise above

to

graduallygained consistency,

became

misty,luminous

at

seemed

This

the skeletion.

from

emanation

at my

to

injureand
No

word

have

been

explain.

word

could

incense

you?"
was

I asked.

uttered

uttered

by

by
this

material lungs,nor throat, nor

It had no
form.
vaporous
It had but the semblance
mouth
to form vocal sounds.

H.
of

It

P.

151

spook,not a human being. But from

it proceeded thought-waves,odylicforce which
smote
on
the tympanum
of my
mind or soul,and thereon registered
the ideas formed by it. So in Hke manner
I thought my
communicated
and they were
back in the same
replies,
had
If vocal words
manner.
passed between us neither
would
have been intelligible
No dictionary
to the other.
was
ever
compiled,or would be compiled,of the tongue
the grammar
of prehistoric
of the speech
man
; moreover,
of that race
would be absolutely
to man
incomprehensible
be interchangedwithout words.
But thoughts can
now.
When
do not think in any language. It is
think we
we
our
thoughts to
only when we desire to communicate
into words
other men
and express
that we
shape them
The
them
vocallyin structural,grammatical sentences.
beasts have never
cate
attained to this,yet they can communiwith one
another, not by language,but by thought
man.

was

vibrations.
further remark

I must
a

conversation,I have

that when

to render

passed between
and me,
man
prehistoric

the

that

"

it.

I knew

him

in

as

in

English,nor

spoke,"I

no

mean

best I

English as
that

use

that

the

"

on

screamed

my

"

"

or

sharp

came

they

came

and

in

when

laughter.

I will tear

I will rend

in

you

piecesabout
or

said

"

or

of my

soul,

of
sequence
the
words

laughed," that
fashion,conveying the
choppy, irregular
swift ; and

of

you

tongue

shrieked,"I signifythat those vibrations

idea,not the sound

"

"

impression was

drum
brain-panor the receptive
was
produced by the rhythmic, orderly
thought-waves. When, however, I express
formed

render

can

in any

words

the

the

"

speakingto

not

was

Latin,nor

than

more

Praehistoricus

Homo

French, nor

Moreover, when

whatever.
"

in

conversed

we

the

givewhat ensued as
cation
thoughtintercommuniI

this

cave

primevalman.

!"

I say

you

to

shrieked

"

bits and
the

Homo

throw

historicus
Prae-

Again

OF

BOOK

152

GHOSTS

remonstrated,and inquiredhow

I had

incensed

yellingwith rage, he threw himself upon me.

In a moment
I was
haze, strips
enveloped in a luminous
laid themselves
of phosphorescentvapour
about me, but I
received no injury whatever, only my
nature
was
spiritual
After a
subjected to something like a magnetic storm.
the spook disengaged itself from
few moments
and
me,
drew back to where it was
mations
before,screamingbroken exclaof meaninglessrage, and jabberingsavagely. It
rapidlycooled down.
Why do you wish me ill? I asked again.
I cannot
I am
hurt you.
matter, and
spirit,
you are
injurematter ; my nails are psychicphenomena.
spiritcannot
Your
soul you
lacerate yourself,but I can
can
effect nothing,nothing."
Then
is the cause
why have you attacked me ? What
of your impotent resentment?"
him.

But

"

"

"

"

"Because

are

you

son

of the

twentieth

century, and

eightthousand years ago. Why are you nursed in

tion
lap of luxury? Why do you enjoy comforts,a civilisathat we
knew
nothingof? It is not just. It is cruel
We
had nothing, nothing,literally
us.
nothing, not

lived
the

on

!"

lucifer matches

even

he

Again

fell to

rendered

furious

could not

reach.

screaming,as

by failure

to

might

obtain

an

caged monkey
apple which he

very sorry, but it is no fault of mine."

"
it be your fault or not does not matter
Whether
to me.
You
have
these things we
had
not.
Why, I saw
you
strike a lighton the sole of your
boot.
It was
just now
"

am

"

done

in

it took

moment.

half

day

We

had

with

us

with
flayed our knuckles
had
nothing,nothing no
"

no
travellers,

no

only flint and iron-stone,and

to

kindle

continuous

fire,and

knocking.

lucifer matches,

Benedictine,no pottery, no
chocolat metziery
no
elections,

no

then
No

it
we

commercial

metal, no

tion,
educa-

H.

P.

153

How

do you know
about these productsof the present
feet of soil for eightthousand
age, here,buried under fifty
"

"

years ?
"
It is my
spiritwhich speaks with
spook does not always remain with my
rocks

up;

hold

and
down.

me

overhead.

and

stones

drink

men

seen

bottle of Benedictine.

heaped
I

above.

often

am

I have

earth

your
bones.

spirit.My

over

I
me

can

go

do

not

in the tavern

am

there.

I have

seen

I have

appliedmy psychicallips
to it,
but I could taste, absorb nothing. I have seen
mercial
comtravellers there, cajolingthe patron into buying
They are mysterious,marvellous
thingshe did not want.
their powers
of persuasion
littleshort of miraculous.
are
beings,
What
do you think of doing with me ?
first of all photographing you, then
Well, I propose
soakingyou in gum arable,and finally
transferring
you to
"

"

museum."
screamed

He

don't do it.
"

oak
"

"

But

Don't

You

will be

more
spirit

in

ages

less attached

or

We

celts,torques, scarabs.

what

bones

very far from

of my
conceive

Here
see

can

pass

get drunk, and

men

the

patron, and

been

induced

beat

his wife and

to

buy

"

in

hear

then
what

smack

humorous,

human,
"bah

glass
among
the
to hear

here, it

I like into

when

up

Now

alone.

men

the

commercial

when

is otherwise.

tavern, and

can

wink
travellers hood-

the taverner

he did

not

want,

his children.

There

that, but

me

travel

cannot

our

of scientific

polished

my

and
containing prehistoricantiquities,

cases

talk

"

it will be to

is limited.
And
range
for centuries condemned
to wander
feelings
our

Don't !

body, to spend ages

fibulae,
triskelli,
palstaves,

to

with

museum

in
glass,

under

understand

cannot

"

insufferable."

It will be torture

why so ? You
mahogany box."

or

upon

though with pain,and gasped:

as

finds he has
I

can

is

see

him

something

fibulae,
palstaves,
torques

154
"

You

to have

seem

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

I
livelyknowledge of antiquities,"

observed.
Of

"

There

I have.

course

above

their sandwiches

eat

tillI

sick.

am

here and
archaeologists
and talk prehistoric
tiquities
anlife! Give me
something

come

me,

Give

me

"

!
interesting

do you

what

But

"

when

mean

your bones ?
that there is a sort

mean
our

is like

spiderand

it is with

So

of luminous

thread

dissolved

to the other

black

to

news

Yes,"

some

body,but
he

and

bond
in

he

got into that.

If

our

gets

blackbeetle

have

never

know

of any

of

cases

"

old father,after he
He

that of
It

could

young

happened

was

dead
he

broken, and
not

find his

own

female of seventeen,
most
singularlythat

had got its

inconsiderate,
also broken, and she,that is her spirit,
strayingabout

quest of her
so

you

disconsolate.

on
lighted

parent, and
It

to

us

It sometimes

paralysis.I

got his link of attachment

spook,being

her

?
"

about

faint

feared to do so,
like a large
at that creature

Do

replied. My

he

years,

wandered

that unites

its

the Train."

me.

rupture of connection
"

attachment,

an

water.

of

sort

look

to

called
caterpillar
is

by

to

side of the river,I have

anxious

very

This

"

it it suffers

across

though

is

matter
spiritual

broken, sometimes
been

never

break

web.

the

It

remains.

the soul to be the

It is liable to accidents.

earthlyhusk.
crawls

mortal

our

If you
find its way
back

be

there

us;

that

filmy attachment

Suppose

to

spiderwill

the

the thread
home.

skeleton

the

of

with

psychicnature
spiderand its web.

connects

cannot

"

travel far from

"

say that you

you

body, lightedon
of

for want

chanced

and

frolicsome

that

after

a
a

that

better

took

while

they

of my

venerable

possessionof
met

and

it.

became

there is no marriage,but
spirits
there grow
attachments, and these two got
up spiritual
could puzzleit out
rather fond of each other, but never

chummy.

In the world

of

H.
which
had

which

was

entered

taken

into

of which

out

education.

no

old male

an

in

female

each

I know

But

; for

was

body,

sex

155

each

what

its residence

up

riddle

and

P.

and

male

body.
You

was.

female

soul

soul had
could

Neither

they

see

had

father's soul became

that my
woman's

skeleton."
quitesportivein that young
Did they continue chummy
?
No ; they quarrelled
to which
was
which, and they
as
I have two great-uncles.
not now
on
are
speaking terms.
Theirs is a sad tale. Their souls were
out wandering one
day, and inadvertentlythey crossed and recrossed each
threads of attachment
other's tracks so that their spiritual
got twisted. They found this out, and that they were
of them should have done
one
gettingtangledup. What
would
have been to have stood stilland let the other jump
"

"

"

his brother's thread

dive under

and

over

tillhe had

cleared

great-unclesI think I forgot

related to me
to say they were
they
through my mother
could
stand
not underof peppery
were
men
tempers and they
So they jumped one
this. They had no education.
this way
and one
another, each abusing the other, and
six
about
made
the tangle more
was
complete. That
knotted up that
thousand
so
years ago, and they are now
I do not suppose
they will be clear of one another till time
himself.

But

maternal

my

"

"

is

more."

no

He
Then
be

to

paused and laughed.

I said
without

"

have

It must

pottery of any

been

very

hard

for you

sort."

Praehiswas," repliedH. P. (thisstands for Homo

or
toricus,not for House-Parlourmaid
Hardy Perennial),
"

It

"

very
"

"

hard.

Oh

! you
had
Nor

docile and
them
about

We

had

had

milk.

we,

but

be tamed.

for water

skins
I
the

If

we

up to be pets for
that as they grew

and

"

milk

supposed you

had

reindeer

beginning to get
deer we brought

caught
our

up

were

young

children.
we

found

And
out

cows."

no

so

that

it
we

came

could

them

milk

into skins.

desired

we

but to lie flat on

for all we
did

It

saddled

and

fair that

that gave

But

to

It

hard.

was

that

us

mounted.

Oh

should

have

you

it a

! it

"

could

be

and

tamed
It

right.

have

suck

hunted.

were

everythingand
you

for it

reindeer and

not

was

should

nothing nothing! Why

had naught ?

nothing

was

Horses

they

ever
when-

and

smack,

draught there
ground under a doe

worth.

occur

GHOSTS

fresh

the

were

not

OF

BOOK

156

not

was

nothing

we

"

all and

have

we

"

belong to the twentieth century. ThirtyThere

three generations
some
are
years.
go to a thousand
and sixty-four
and seventy
hundred
hundred
two
two
or
Each gengenerationsinterveningbetween you and me.
eration
makes
that
advances
civilisation
some
discovery
the discoveries of the preceding
enters
a stage,the next
on
and so culture advances
generations,
stage by stage. Man
is infinitely
the brute beast is not."
progressive,
That
is true,"he replied. I invented butter,which was
"Because

"

''

unknown

ancestors, the unbuttered

to my

"

Indeed

"

It

so,"he said,and

was

I suppose

the emanation.
"

It

fire out.
skins

thus.

about

came

was

very

of milk, I

fell insensible

exertions

curdled
so

had

it to

the

head
But

of
at

with her hand

glow

At

wives

me,

woman

found

was

out

of self-satisfaction.
had

the head

other

nearlylet

came

I found

that

that

butter could be made

very
drink,for

what

it,and

years
down

was

it was,

she nounced
proThat was

as

myself.

milk-skin

knocked

were

the milk

know

four hundred
a

it tillshe

with

take

the

of the

one

wives
to

first I did not

For

lightrippleover

catchingup

The

When

till she

woman
a

was

made, by banging

was

last

it

earth.

invented.

was

it

way

flush of

of my other wives taste

be good, I ate the rest

one

butter

her about

heated

into butter.

I made

how

the

saw

of my
angry, and

banged

to

One

applauded.

pleasedand
my

man."

"

that
about

was

the

insensible.

by churning the
equallywell,and

milk
then

mammoth
us

was

or

"

so

not

"

hunted

as

as

"

We

"

But

our

great sport."

he said. "Now,
sport is sport,"

and killed
business, and had littlefights
suffered to kill

another."

one

the case," said he, " that

pretty wife, and you want

take

or

one

sport."

not

are

with

huntingis business

But

it is our

us

is business and

"Business
another

myself.
sport."

with

Nevertheless

"

we

for

meat

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

158

has

man

the

or

one

ring,
nose-

other.

of what you
Surelyyou might kill him and possess yourself
so
ardentlycovet ?
I went
on,
Now, to change the topic,"
By no means.
**you are totallydestitute of clothing. You do not even
the traditional garment of figleaves."
wear
in them."
avail figleaves ?
There is no warmth
What
but out of delicacy,"
Perhaps not
There was clearly
is that ? I don't understand."
What
of
no
corresponding sensation in the vibratingtympanum
his psychicnature.
I inquired.
clothes ?
Did you never
wear
cold we
when it was
wore
skins,skins of the
Certainly,
"

"

"

**

"

"

"

"

'*

beasts

killed. But

we

in

what

summer

them

Besides, we only wore

entered our
we
homes, made
rock overhead, we threw them

is the

of doors.

out

of skins hitched

off. It

of clothing?

use

up

When
the

to

hot within,and

was

perspiredfreely."

we
"

What,

wives ?

naked

were

in

your

homes

! you

and

your

"

It was
Why not?
very warm
within with the fire always kept up."
good graciousme ! I exclaimed, that would
Why
be tolerated nowadays. If you
never
attempted to go
"Of

we

course

were.

"

"

"

"

the country unclothed, even

freelyat home, you would be sent
about

get
to

out

of your

lunatic

kept there."
"

Humph

!"

He

again lapsedinto silence.

clothes

asylum

and

P.

H.

off

better

were

without

sport

wives

according
could

head,

the
to

There

that

At
The

moment

had
I

entered.
"

Oh

felt

forth.
came

up.
British

country
We

H.

P.

pretty,

and

enjoy
off

every

and

social

we

as

period

of

flash

of

we

were.

man.

gasped

lie

where
I

Adieu,

shout

pour

barrier.

vit

of

rush

light.

fresh

air

"

in

is.

He

toujours

the

hole

shall

enough
la

dragged

was

throat.

my

Fill

had

"

me.

down

encore

grasped

he

have

saw

"

feet.

my

poured

Museum.

antiquities.

the

hands

was

myself

Monsieur

Kind

Brandy

Let

to

Dieu

dizzy.

to

heard

pierced

staggered

mon

at

squaws

and

best

were

life

in

sit

or

more

or

old

knock

"

workmen

dozen

enjoy

to

could

we

young

naked.

stark

liberty

la

the

compensations

are

Vive

have

circumstances,

about

home,

at

another,

one

even

chocolat

able

were

we

we

ago,

education,

then

could

we

our

career

chat

kill

could

we

"

on

for

that

years

Benedictine,

commercials,

think

thousand

eight

matches,

and

all,

After

'*

were

we

as

your

vieniery
real

exclaimed

he

Presently

159

Vezere."

When
!

not

of

Fill

go

I
it

to

all
the

prehistoric

GLAMR
The

following
story isfound

in the Gretla,an

Icelandic

Saga, composed
given

to us in the form then

in the thirteenth century, or that comes
earlier date.
to it ; but it is a redaction of a Saga of much

Most

corroborated
and its statements
are
thoroughly historical,
by other Sagas. The followingincident was introduced to account

of it is

for the fact that the outlaw

Gretter

spend the long winter nights alone

AT

beginning of

the

would

any

risk rather than

in the dark.

eleventh

the

run

century there stood,

in the north of
Valley of Shadows
Iceland,a small farm, occupiedby a worthy bonder, named
farmer
not
was
Thorhall, and his wife. The
exactly a
well enough connected
to be considered
chieftain,but he was
respectable; to back up his gentilityhe possessed
flocks of sheep and
a
numerous
goodly drove of oxen.
little way

Thorhall

would
his

"

Not

up

have

the

been

happy

would

but for

one

stance
circum-

haunted.

sheepwalkswere

herdsman

man

remain

with

him

; he

bribed,he

threatened,entreated,all to no purpose ; one shepherdafter

another
left his service,and things came
to such
a
pass
that he determined
on
asking advice at the next annual
his horses, adjusted his packs,
council.
Thorhall
saddled
provided himself with hobbles, cracked his long Icelandic

whip,

and

reached

cantered

along

the

road, and

in

due

time

Thingvellir.

Skapti Thorodd's
everyone
able
and
of Shadows

considered
to

son

him

lawgiver at

was
a

man

of the

utmost

give the best advice,our friend

made
straightfor his booth.
i6o

time, and

that

from

as

prudence
the

Vale

GLAMR
"An

awkward

droves

of

i6i

predicament,certainlyto
"

sheep

and

Skapti,nibblingthe

no

head

crop

is stuffed with blaeberries.

as
a

head

have asked

you

"

strong
I do

as

not

"

them," said

shaking his
ptarmigan's

I'lltell you

Now

large

what

"

advice,1 will helpyou to a shepherd;

his way, a man
of dull intellect,
to be sure

character in

but

as

after

nail of his thumb, and

stuffed with law as a

wise

"

look

to

one

have

my

bull."

care

about

his wits

so

he

long as

look

can

after

sheep,"answered Thorhall.
You
rely on his being able to do that," said
may
Skapti. He is a stout, plucky fellow ; a Swede from
if you
know
where
that is."
Sylgsdale,
Towards
the break-upof the council
Thing they call
it in Iceland
hall
horses belongingto Thortwo
greyish-white
slippedtheir hobbles and strayed; so the good man
"

"

"

"

"

"

had

to

hunt

servants

he

his way

after them
was.

himself,which shows how

crossed Sletha-asi,
thence

He

short of
he

bent

and justby the Priest's Wood

he
Armann's-fell,
met
a
strange-lookingman
driving before him a horse
laden with faggots. The fellow was
tall and stalwart ; his

face

to

attracted
involuntarily

eyes, of

jaw

was

around

an

Thorhall's

attention,for

the

the powerful
largeand staring,
grey, were
furnished with very white protrudingteeth,and

ashen

the low forehead

hung bunches

of

coarse

wolf-grey

hair.
"

"

Pray,what Is your name, my man ? asked the farmer

pullingup.
the wood-cutter.
Glamr, an pleaseyou,"replied
Thorhall
stared ; then, with
a
preliminarycough, he
asked
how
liked faggot-picking,
Glamr
Not much," was
I prefershepherdlife."
the answer
;
asked
"Will
with me?"
Thorhall; "Skapti
you come
"

"

has

"

handed

winter
"

you

over

to

me,

and

I want

shepherdthis

uncommonly."

If I
M

serve

you, it is

on

the und

that
:rstanding

come

or

thingsdo
"

count

Wait

be any
"

"

"

services ?

your

So I

"

have

! You

moment

"

told

not

there

whether

me

drawback."

acknowledge that there

I must

in

bit truculent if

justto my thinking."
objectto this,"answered the bonder.

on
a

am

go

I shall not

may
"

not

I tell you

it pleasesme.

as

go

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

i62

fact,the
Pshaw

sheepwalkshave

! I'm

the

not

got
to

man

one," said Thorhall

is
bad

be

for

name

scared

bogies."

shadows,"

at

laughed Glamr ; so here's my hand to it ; I'll be with

you at the beginning of the winter night."
Well, after this they parted,and presentlythe farmer
his ponies. Having thanked
found
Skapti for his advice
and
assistance,he got his horses together and trotted
"

home.

passed,but not a word about

the new
The
shepherd reached the Valley of Shadows.
winter
storms
began to bluster up the glen,driving the
flyingsnow-flakes and massing the white drifts at every
winding of the vale. Ice formed in the shallows of the
and

Summer,

then autumn

river;and the streams, which

ribbed
One
in the

stood

scarps,

gusty night a violent blow

farm.
in the

hair matted

In

hall

trickled down

summer

another

moment

glowering out

at

in the centre

Glamr, tall
of his wild

in

be very
Weeks

startled all
as

of the hall.

Thorhall
was

troll,

eyes, his grey

snapping with

and
rattling
the glareof the fire which

greetedhim warmly, but the housewife

to

the door

his teeth
with frost,

cold,his face blood-red

the

into icicles.

transmuted

now

were

in

dered
smoul-

jumped up and
too frightened

cordial.

passed,and

the

shepherd was dailyon the

with his flock ; his loud and deep-toned voice was
moors
often borne down
the blast as he shouted to the sheep
on
drivingthem into fold. His presence in the house always
produced gloom, and if he spoke it sent a thrill through
who
the women,
openlyproclaimedtheir aversion for him.
new

GLAMR
There

an

Gldmr
"

"

see,

!"

Meat

"

are

Day,

better

no

time.

Bring

"

As

far

as

in the

they were
make

meat, and

me

is

To-morrow

fast."

Glamr.

than

now

calling

man

no

to-day.

this is

and

"

bonny
ado

more

no

can

it."

You

Glamr

quite certain,"protestedthe good wife,

be

may

if Church

kept,ill-luck will follow."

rule be not

ground his

I will have

The

flesh

"

men

woman

housewife

the

!
roared
superstition

All

about

for meat.

shouted

touches

holy Christmas

byre, but Gldmr never

psalmody ; apparentlyhe
of the Nativity
the vigil

the

near

exclaimed

Christian

heathen

"

earlyand

rose

himself
the

church

the threshold ; he hated

indifferent Christian.
On

crossed
was

was

163

teeth and

or

obeyed.
day was

raw

and

windy;

"

Meat!

tremblingthe

In fear and

"

meat,

his hands.

clenched

of grey

masses

poor

vapour

pilesabout
and then a scud of frozen fog,
of ice,swept along the glen,
composed of minute particles
As the
with featheryhoar-frost.
covering bar and beam
began to fall in large flakes like the
day declined,snow
rolled up from the Arctic
the mountain-tops. Now

Ocean, and

down

One

of the eider-duck.

moment

hung

there

in

was

lull in

deep-tonedshout of GMmr, high

heard distinctly
by the congregawas
tion
slopes,
up the moor
Day.
assembling for the first vespers of Christmas
Darkness
abysses of
came
on, deep as that in the rayless

the wind, and

then

the

the lava,and still the

sent
the church windows

under

the

caverns

The

from
lights
into the night,and

out

swept within
for evensong,

the

ray.
and the

glen ; perhaps it
Someone
caught a
could

not

the church

for
tell,
eaves,

fell thicker.

yellowhaze far
flake burned
golden as it
every
The bell in the lych-gateclanged
wind
puffedthe sound far up the
the

reached
distant

sound

the wind

and

snow

then

herdsman's
or

muttered
with

ear.

shriek,which
and

mumbled

fierce whistle

Hark
it was

!
he

about
scudded

the service
would

man

for

night

dog

be

to

out

The
deep in snow.
trembling; but
listening,

foot

and

wan
last,

broke

at

down

like

; and

him

accompany

no

Gldmr

not

was

Dawn

home.

came

clouds hung

The

blear in the south.

bursting.
formed to search for the missing man.
the
to high land, and
brought them

party was soon

A
sharp scramble
ridgebetween the two

rivers which

snow-drift.

No

almost

snow,

to

join in
an

Vatnsdalr

was

found

the

icicled rock, or

half

there

Here
and
thoroughly examined.
scattered sheep,shuddering under
in

! it

wonder

no

no

a
in; besides,the tracks were
family sat up all night,waiting,

great sheets,full of

buried

when

returned

not

suggesteda search,but

Thorhall

over.

was

had

Glamr

graveyardfence.

the

over

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

i64

were

yet of the keeper. A

trace

lay at the bottom of a crag ; it had staggered

in the gloom, and had been dashed to pieces.
over
called togetherabout
Presently the whole party were
a
trampled spot in the heath, where evidently a deathdead

ewe

about, and

the

gory

blood.

place,for

taken

strugglehad

was

snow

earth

the

stone

tossed

were

large splashesof

with

blotched

track led up

and

mountain, and

farm-

the

of agony,
a
followingit,when
cry, almost
In looking behind
them
of the lads,made
turn.
from one
the corpse of the shepherd;
come
a rock,the boy had
upon
It lay
livid and swollen to the size of a bullock.
it was
servants

were

with the

its back

on

The

extended.

up

face

been

the

by

into

overhead.

the

canopy
vaporous
the purple lipslolled the tongue, which

had

had

snow

puffedhands in the death-agony,and

turned
staringglassyeyes gazed out of the ashen-grey,up-

scrabbled
the

arms

bitten

been

stream

With

trouble

through by
which
the

had

dead

the

flowed
man

was

in the last throes

white
from

fangs,and

it was

raised

now
on

an

to

coloured
dis-

icicle.

and
litter,

but beyond this he could

gill-edge,
the
and
more
borne ; his weight waxed
more,
toiled beneath their burden, their foreheads became

carried

From

not

be

bearers
beaded

i66
"

I will not

terrible

BOOK
you

engage

things you

GHOSTS

OF

may

without
have

to

forewarningyou of
encounter
during

the
the

winter

night."
Pray, what may they be ?
answered
the farmer ;
Ghosts and hobgoblins,"
a fine
dance they lead me, I can promiseyou."
I fear them not,"answered
Thorgaut ; I shall be with
time."
you at cattle-slaughtering
the man
At
the appointed season
and
soon
came,
established himself as a favourite in the house ; he romped
"

"

"

"

"

"

the maidens
under the chin,
children,chucked
by
helped his fellow-servants,gratifiedthe housewife
liked as his
admiring her curd, and was
just as much
with

the

had
predecessor

been

fellow,too, and

made

detested.
no

bones

He

look grave, and

devil-may-care

of his

ghost,expressinghopes of meeting
his master

was

him

contempt for the

face to face,which

his mistress

shudderingly
As the winter came
and
herself
cross
on, strange sights
sounds began to alarm the folk,but these never
frightened
Thorgaut ; he slepttoo soundly at nightto hear the tread
too
to catch
of feet about the door, and was
short-sighted
striding
glimpsesof a grizzlymonster
up and down, in the
before its cairn.
twilight,
At last Christmas
Eve came
round, and Thorgaut went
out as usual with his sheep.
Have
a
care, man," urged the bonder ;
go not near
lies."
where Glamr
to the gill-head,
I shall be back by vespers."
Tut, tut ! fear not for me.
God
grant it,"sighed the housewife ; but 'tis not a
day for risks,to be sure."
feeble lighthung over
the south,
on
: a
Twilightcame
made

"

"

"

"

"

one

white streak

off in southern

lands

it

apace, and
to herald in the

gatheredin
Eve

How

the

above

was

men

heath

land

to

the

still day, but here

came

night when

from

different in Saxon

the darkness

Vatnsdalr

Christ

was

Far

south.

for

born.

England !

song,
even-

mas
Christ-

There

the

GLAMR

167

great ashen faggotis rolled along the hall with torch

and

taper ; the

their

with

dance

mummers

gildedtusks, bedecked
brought in by the steward

bells ; the boar's head, with

holly and

rosemary," is

flourish of trumpets.
How
different,
too, where
the

imperialthrone

Wisdom

breathingover
beneath

the

Outside, the

hour.

The

stars.

to

Varanger cluster round

mighty church of the Eternal

orange

air is soft from

flashes

Bosphorus,which

the

with

the

in the

this very

at

jingling

merry
"

tremulously

laurel leaves in the

and

palacegardens are stillexhaling fragrancein the hush of

the Christmas
night.
But it is different here.
The wind is piercingas a twoedged sword ; blocks of ice crash and grind along the
are
Aloft,
coast, and the lake waters
congealedto stone.
the Aurora
flames crimson, flinging
to the
long streamers
into a sea
of pale
zenith, and then suddenly dissolving
light. The natives are waiting round the churchgreen
door, but no Thorgaut has returned.
Gldmr's cairn,
They find him next morning,lyingacross
with his spine,his leg,and
is
arm-bones
shattered.
He
conveyed to the churchyard,and a cross is set up at his
head.
He sleepspeacefully.Not so Glamr ; he becomes
more

furious than

hall now,
except an
the family,and
who
master

"All
"

on

fear of

one

old cowherd
had

long

never

cattle

has

who
ago

lost if I

will be

be told of

with Thorserved

always

dandled

his

present

leave,"said

the carle;

that I deserted Thorhall

me

spectre."
Matters grew rapidlyworse.
into of a night, and
their

from

shattered ; the house door

torn away
piecesof it were
also

will remain

his knee.

the

it shall

No

ever.

pulledfuriouslyto
One morning before

and

was

Outbuildingswere
woodwork

was

broken
and

rent

shaken, and great

violently
the gables of the house were

fro.

dawn, the old

man

went

to

the

i68
stable.

An

BOOK

hour

OF

later,his

followed
milking pails,

mistress
As

him.

stable,a terrible sound

the

GHOSTS

from

and

arose,

she

reached

within

the door

the

"

the

the cattle,mingled with

taking her
of

bellowingof
an
unearthly-

deep notes of
her back
voice
Thorhall
sent
shriekingto the house.
and hastened
to
leaped out of bed, caught up a weapon,
On opening the door, he found the cattle
the cow-house.
the stone
that separated
goring each other. Slung across
the stalls was
something. Thorhall
stepped up to it,felt
the cowherd, perfectly
it,looked close ; it was
dead, his
"

feet

on

side of the slab,his head

one

the

on

other,and

his

The
bonder
moved
with his
now
spine snapped in twain.
family to Tunga, another farm owned by him lower down
winter
the valley; it was
too venturesome
livingduringthe midnight at the haunted farm ; and it was not tillthe

returned

bridegroom out of his chamber, and

had dispelled
night with its phantoms, that he went back
of Shadows.
In the meantime, his little girl's
to the Vale
had
health
given way under the repeated alarms of the
winter ; she became
palerevery day ; with the autumn
had

sun

flowers

she

in time

of

the

north

hauntings of
visitingthe
ride,mounted
rein at
he

the

might

the

"

his
door

matters

were

So

about

horse, and

the

farm

there

and

as

resolved

himself

with

for

of time

course

for the

native
the

gossipthroughout

them,

in due

of Thorhall's

coughed

of

Grettir busked

be accommodated

"Ahem!"

"

inquired

scene.

spread a virgin

to

hero of great fame, and

island
in Iceland, and
was

this vale

district,he

the

first snows

of the

the mould

grave.

Grettir
of

laid beneath

was

for the

small

her

this time

At

faded, and

churchyard

pallover

as

the

on

cold

drew

request that

night.

bonder; "perhaps

you

are

not

"

aware
"

am

aware
perfectly

of all.

I want

the troll."
"

But

your

horse is

sure

to be killed."

to

catch

sightof

GLAMR
**I will risk it. Glamr
I

"

meet,

so

there's

end of it."

an

bonder

you," spoke the

see

befall you, don't

mischief

time, should

same

I must

delightedto

am

169

"

at

the

lay the blame

door."
my
"
Never
fear,man."

at

So

they

strongest stable,Thorhall
he

visitor

was

into

put

was

Grettir

made

able,and then, as the

was

horse

the

hands;

shook

the

good cheer as
sleepy,all retired

as

to rest.

and no sounds indicated the

night passed quietly,
of a restless spirit.The
was
horse, moreover,
presence
found next morning in good condition,enjoying his hay.
the bonder, gleefully.
This is unexpected! exclaimed
"Now, where's the saddle? We'll clap it on, and then goodbye,
and a merry journey to you."
Good-bye ! echoed Grettir ; I am going to stay here
another night."
if mishad
fortune
You
best be advised," urged Thorhall
;
The

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

should
visit it

would
looked

from

the stable.

to

driven

stay,"said Grettir,and he
opposed him no more.

night; not
Next morning

his slumber.

kinsmen

head."

my

quietnext

was

that all your

I know

mind to
up my
dogged that Thorhall

so

All

on

you,

made

I have

"

overtake

The

sound

he went
door

strong wooden

roused

Grettir

with the

farmer

was

shivered

and

in.

it ; Grettir called to his

They stepped across
no
horse,but there was
responsivewhinny.
afraid
I am
Grettir leaped in,
began Thorhall.
"

"

and

found

"

Now,"

horse
hours
you
"

"

"

"

the poor brute

said
Thorhall
skewbald

"

down

dead, and

its neck

quickly, I've got

by Tunga, I shall not

fetchingit ; your saddle

will justhave time to reach
in

with
"

is

here, I

broken.

capital

be

think,and

"

I stay here another

Grettir.
night,"interrupted
I imploreyou to depart,"
said Thorhall.

My

horse

is slain !

"

many
then

I will

OF

provideyou

with

"

But

"

Friend," answered

that

the

demon

not

from
"

of my

horse.

He

lesson."

that he

!"

were

face him.
me

the death

been

has

taught

Would

must

an

me

another."

Grettir,turning so sharply round

jumped back, half frightened,"no man
injury without rueing it. Now, your

herdsman

be

must
"

farmer

did

ever

GHOSTS

BOOK

I70

Go

for what

groaned Thorhall

in peace

has

and

"

mortal

but

receive

tion
compensa-

happened."

I must

"An

revenge my horse."
obstinate man
will have

run

your

you

get

head
a

againsta stone
broken pate."

Night came
rightjovial;

; Grettir

on

way ! But if you

wall,don't be angry because
his

ate

own

hearty supper and was

had his misgivings.At

Thorhall,who
bedtime the latter crept into his crib,which, in the manner
of old Icelandic beds, opened out of the hall,as berths do
out of a cabin.
on
Grettir,
however, determined
remaining
bench with his feet against
a
up ; so he flunghimself on
the posts of the high seat, and his back against Thorhall's
not

so

crib ; then he wrapped one

lappetof his fur coat round his
feet,the other about his head, keeping the neck-openingin
front of his

face,so that he

could

look

throughinto the hall.

There was
fire burning on the hearth,a smouldering
a
heap of red embers ; every now and then a twig flared up
and
crackled,giving Grettir glimpses of the rafters,as
he lay with his eyes wandering among
the mysteries of
the smoke-blackened
The
roof
wind whistled softly
head.
overThe clerestory
windows, covered with the amnion
and
of sheep,admitted
then a sicklyyellow glare
now
from

the full moon,

which,
silver through the smoke-hole
howl

however,

hall door

was

in

sad

in the roof

began to
cat, which
; the
stood
demurely watching the fire,
then darted behind
tail,
bristling
The

shot

had
up

plight. It

long

with

some

beam

dog
been

raised

chests in
had

of pure
without

been

sitting

back
a

and

corner.
so

riven

GLAMR
the spectre that it was

by
the

river,not

yet frozen

it

round

as

swept

Grettir heard

the

Soothingly the
its shingly bed

crevices.

the

over,

by wattles only,and

firm

made

glinted athwart

moon

171

prattledover

knoll

which

on

in the

breathingof the sleepingwomen

adjoiningchamber, and the sigh of the housewife
turned

farm.

the

stood

the

she

as

in her bed.

Click! click !
"

It is only the frozen turf

on

ing
the roof crack-

completely. The night

is very stillwithout.
Hark
! a heavy tread,beneath which
the snow
yields. Every footfall goes straightto Grettir's
A crash on the turf overhead
heart.
! By all the saints in
For one
is treadingon the roof
paradise! The monster
moment
the chimney-gap is completelydarkened
: Gldmr
it ; the flash of the red ash is reflected in
is looking down
the moon
Then
the two
lustreless eyes.
glances sweetly
is audibly
in once
and the heavy tramp of Glamr
more,
he
moving towards the farther end of the hall. A thud
at his back
has leaped down.
Grettir feels the board
for Thorhall is awake and is tremblingin his bed.
quivering,
with the cold.

The

lulls

wind

"

The

steps pass round

the

snapping of
some

of the

to

the wood

the back
shows

by

hall. The

the uncertain

that the creature

is destroying

tires of this ently,

apparclear towards the main entrance

is veiled behind

moon

then

He

doors.

outhouse

for his footfall comes

to the

of the house, and

glimmer Grettir
the

fancies

door.

watery cloud,and
that

he

sees

His

two

apprehensions
are
verified,
for,with a loud snap, a long stripof panel
Snap snap! another porbreaks, and lightis admitted.
tion
becomes
Then
and
the
the
larger.
gives way,
gap
and a dark arm
wattles slipfrom their places,
ripsthem out
There
is a cross-beam
them
in bunches, and flings
away.
slides into a stone groove.
to the door, holding a bolt which
a
huge black figure
Against the grey light,Grettir sees
Crack ! that has given way,
the bar.
heaving itself over
dark

hands

thrust

in above

"

and

the rest of the door

falls in shivers to the earth.

BOOK

Oh, heavens

above

the
Stealthily

dead

172
"

he

as

comes

him.

OF
!"

GHOSTS

exclaims

the bonder.

creeps on, feelingat the beams

stands in the hall,with the firelight
man

; then

he

fearful

sight;the

tall

figuredistended with the

fallen off,the wandering,
corruptionof the grave, the nose
vacant
them, the sallow
eyes, with the glaze of death on
of decay; the wolf-greyhair
flesh patchedwith green masses
in the tomb, and hang matted
about
and beard have grown
the shoulders and breast ; the nails,
too, they have grown.
It is a sickeningsight a thing to shudder at, not to see.
Motionless,with no nerve
quiveringnow, Thorhall and
on

"

Grettir held their breath.

Gldmr's

lifeless

glance strayed round the chamber ; it

rested on the shaggy bundle by the high seat.
Cautiously
he stepped towards
it. Grettir felt him groping about the
cloak did not give
lower lappet and pullingat it. The
Another
jerk; Grettir kept his feet firmlypressed
way.
againstthe posts, so that the rug was not pulledoff. The
vampire seemed
puzzled,he plucked at the upper flapand
tugged. Grettir held to the bench and bed-board, so that
he was
in twain, and
not
rent
moved, but the cloak was
the corpse staggered back, holding half in its hands, and
gazing wonderinglyat it. Before it had done examining
his body, flung
the shred,Grettir started to his feet,bowed
the carcass,
his arms
about
and, driving his head into
and snap
the chest,strove
it backward
the spine.
to bend
A

vain

attempt !

with

The

cold hands

down

came

on

Grettir's

diabolical

from
their hold.
force,riving them
about the body again ; then the arms
Grettir claspedthem
closed round
him, and began dragging him along. The
and
brave
man
clung by his feet to benches
posts, but
the greater ; posts gave
the strengthof the vampire was
arms

benches
way,
wrestlers
at

heaved

were

each

moment

from

neared

writhingloose,Grettir flunghis
He

was

dragged from

their

hands

his feet ; the

the

places,and the
door.
Sharply

round

numbing

arms

roof-beam.
clenched

OF

BOOK

174

GHOSTS

looked

through them with a brown halo round her. The

of Jorundarfell,
however, glowed like a planet,
snow-cap
then the white mountain
ridgewas kindled,the lightran
the bright disk stared out of the veil
down
the hillside,
full on
flashed at this moment
the vampire'sface
and
Grettir's strengthwas
failinghim, his hands quiveredin
the snow, and he knew that he could
the dead
man's
from dropping flat on

lip. The eyes

the cold glare of
to

hot

grey

lipssaid

with

the

stream

sent

"Thou

of the corpse

His

moon.

head

his brain.

to

swam

Then

his heart

as

from

voice

the

"

acted

hast
Now

me.

were

support himself
face,eye to eye, lip
fixed on him, lit with
not

in

madly

learn

seeking to

henceforth

that

match

thyself

ill-luck shall

stantly
con-

exceed
thee ; that thy strengthshall never
is,and that by night these eyes of mine shall

attend
what

it now

stare

at thee

through the darkness

that for very horror thou

Grettir at this moment

to

be alone."

that his dirk had

noticed

slipped
veniently
lay conoppressed

and that it now

during the fall,
The giddinesswhich had
his hand.

near

endure

dying day, so

its sheath

from

him

shalt not

till thy

the

severed

blow

clutched

he

passedaway,

the

at

vampire's throat.

sword-haft,and with
Then, kneeling on

tillthe head came

off.
the breast,he hacked
Thorhall
appeared now, his face blanched

but when

he

how

saw

frayhad

the

terminated

with

terror,

he assisted

the top of a pile

to roll the corpse
on
gleefully
which had been collected for winter fuel. Fire
of faggots,
the valleythe flames of
far down
was
applied,and soon
them
wonder
what
the pyre startled people,and made
horror was
new
being enacted in the upper portionof the

Grettir

Vale

of Shadows.

Next
remote

What

day the charred

from

bones

the habitations

Gldmr

did Grettir dare

had

were

of men,

predictedcame

to be alone

conveyed
and
to

in the dark.

were

pass.

to

spot

there buried.
Never

after

COLONEL

HALIFAX'S

GHOST

STORY
HAD

back

just come

some

India,and

in

years

England, after having been

to

was

whom
there
friends,among
my
anxious
than Sir Francis
to see

was

none

Lynton.

Oxford

college.Then

had

to

was

We

together,and for the short time I

before enteringthe Army we had been

Eton

at

lookingforward

more

had

had

meet

been

been

at the

at

same

into the
parted. He came
of the family in Yorkshire
title and estates
the death
on
of his grandfather his father had
predeceased and I
had
One
been
over
a
good part of the world.
visit,
we

been

"

made

I had

indeed,

"

him

in

his Yorkshire

home, before

leavingfor India, of but a few days.

It will easilybe imagined how
pleasantit was, two or
arrival in London, to receive a letter
three days after my
from
Lynton saying he had just seen in the papers that
down
I had arrived,and begging me
at once
to come
to
his place in Yorkshire.
Byfield,
"

come.

You

are

not

I allow

to

you

tell me," he said, " that you

in which to order and
week
a
the War

cannot

try

on

clothes,to report yourselfat

Office,to pay
respects to the Duke, and to see your sister at
your
In
Hampton Court ; but after that I shall expect you.
I have a couple of
on
Monday.
fact,you are to come
horses which
will just suit you ; the carriageshall meet
have
and all you
at Packham,
got to do is to put
you
yourselfin the train which leaves King's Cross at twelve
your

o'clock."
175

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

176

day appointed I started ; in due

time on
detestable
a
time reached Packham, losingmuch
branch
line,and there found the dogcart of Sir Francis
to Byfield.
I drove at once
awaiting me.
It was
a low, gabled structure
The house I remembered.
old-fashioned
lattice windows,
of no
great size, with
deer,by a charming
separatedfrom the park,where were

Accordingly,on

terraced
No

the

garden.
did

sooner

the

wheels

crunch

the

gravel by

the

before the bell was

entrance, than, almost
rung,
principal
and
there
stood
door
the porch
Lynton himself,
opened,
for so many
I had not
whom
seen
years, hardly altered,
and with all the joy of welcome
beaming in his face.
into the house,
Taking me by both hands, he drew me
all over, and
looked
hat and
me
wraps,
got rid of my
to see
glad he was
then, in a breath, began to say how
at last under
to have got me
me, what a real delightit was

his roof,and what

a
like the old days over
He

ready

had

sent

for me,

my

and

good time
again.
luggage up

he bade

me

would

we

to

my

make

have

together,

which
room,
haste and dress

was

for

dinner.

saying,he took me
and showed
oak staircase,
So

through a panelledhall

up

an

which, hurried as
I was, I observed was
hung with tapestry,and had a large
fourpostbed, with velvet curtains,oppositethe window.
down, despite
They had gone into dinner when I came
been
in dressing; but a place had
all the haste I made
next
Lady Lynton.
kept for me
Colonel
their two daughters,
Besides my hosts,there were
Lynton, a brother of Sir Francis,the chaplain,and some
I do not remember
others whom
distinctly.
in the hall,and
music
a
some
After dinner there was
of whist in the drawing-room, and after the ladies
game
had gone
Lynton and I retired to the smokingupstairs,
where
sat up talkingthe best part of the night.
we
room,
me

my

room,

I think it must

STORY

HALIFAX'S

COLONEL

have been

sleptso soundly that

morning failed to arouse

the

servant's entrance

in bed, I

my

next

me,

when

I retired. Once

three when

near

177

and

it

past

was

nine

I awoke.

After

Lynton

and

breakfast

the

disposalof

and
retired to his letters,

I asked

the

newspapers,

Lady Lynton

if

daughtersmight show me the house. Elizabeth,

was
summoned, and seemed in no way to dislike
eldest,
of her

one

the

the task.
The
it

house

was,

occupiedthree

as

sides of

end

of the

was

full of interest

hall,were

alreadyintimated,by

stables

making

square,

no

the entrance

the fourth side.

passages, rooms,
in
panelled dark wood and
"

means

The

large;
and

one

interior

well as
as
galleries,
hung with pictures.

and then on
ground floor,
the firstfloor. Then
guide proposed that we should
my
ascend
narrow
a
twistingstaircase that led to a gallery.
and entered a handsome
We
did as proposed,
long room
at one
end, in
or
leading to a small chamber
passage,
her father kept books and papers.
which my guide told me
I noticed a
I asked if anyone
as
sleptin this gallery,
of which
curtains
and rods, by means
bed, and fireplace,
might be drawn, enclosingone portionwhere were bed and
it into a very cosy chamber.
to convert
so
as
fireplace,
She answered
No," the placewas not reallyused except
a
as
playroom,though sometimes, if the house happened
to be very
time, she had
full,in her great-grandfather's
heard that it had been occupied.
I had
the house, and
By the time we had been over
duced
the garden and the stables,and introshown
also been
to the dogs, it was
nearly one o'clock. We were
to have
an
early luncheon, and to drive afterwards to see
of the grand old Yorkshire
the ruins of one
abbeys.
and we
This was
a pleasant
got back justin
expedition,
there was
some
time for tea, after which
reading aloud.
in the same
The evening passed much
way as the precedI

shown

was

everythingon

"

the

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

178

business,did
except that Lynton, who had some
I took the oppornot
to the smoking-room, and
tunity
go down
for
order
write
letter
the
in
of retiring
to
a
early
Indian mail,something having been said as to the prospect
of hunting the next
day.
which was
I had finished my
a long one, together
letter,
I
with two or three others,and had justgot into bed when
of someone
heard a step overhead
as
walking along the
I now
knew
ran
immediately above my
gallery,which
I
tread which
It was
room.
a
slow, heavy, measured
could hear gettinggraduallylouder and nearer, and then

ing

one,

graduallyfadingaway

as

startled

was

the

gallerywas

me

that

for

having been informed

moment,

unused; but the

I had

told

been

into the distance.

it retreated

as

it occurred

instant

next

with

it communicated

that

to

chamber

I knew
he had
kept books and papers.
the matter.
on
some
writingto do, and I thought no more
I was
down
the next
morning at breakfast in good
last night!
How
I said to Lynton,
late you were
time.

Sir Francis

where

"

"

in the

middle

of breakfast.

"I

heard

overhead

you

after

o'clock."

one

Lynton repliedrather shortly, Indeed you did not, for

in bed last night before twelve."
was
There
last
was
someone
certainlymoving overhead
"

"

as
night,"I answered, for I heard his steps as distinctly
I ever
heard anything in my life,
going down the gallery."
that he had often
Upon which Colonel Lynton remarked
"

fancied he had
that
say

no

when

more,

not

his

to

They

find in the

have

met

coverts

improbable,they would
with them

about

one

when
his staircase,

on

He

interruptedhim

asked
a

horse

if I should

me

and

go

considerable

they
come

o'clock and

out

and

off,but
firstdraw,

way

should
our

he knew

apparently disposed to

was

brother

fancied,and

after breakfast

hounds.

steps

about.

was

one

as
curtly,

heard

way,

and

have

we

run.

somewhat
feel inclined
look

for the

if

they did
a thing not
might fall in
I said there

STORY

HALIFAX'S

COLONEL

179

on
me
Lynton mounted
nice chestnut,and the rest of the party having gone
a very
ladies being otherwise
gaged,
enout
shooting,and the young

nothing I should like better.

was

eleven o'clock for

I started about

he and

beautiful,soft,with a bright sun,

day was
delightfuldays which so frequentlyoccur

The

those

early part of November.

On reaching the hilltopwhere
the hounds

meet

They

found

at

had

we

different
slightly
We

had

old chalk

I recollected

Sir Francis
!

on
"

the hill before

descended

not

of

the remains

and

said

I.

"

Do

you

engaged removing chalk, and

to

see

under
it

whether

removed,

and

till it could

be

the

the

result ?

Sir Francis
"

"

No.

Wolds.

you said
examined

or

you

"

with

Why

There

they
We

would

have

what
had

came

went

"

on

together
it preserved

British,Danish,

or

"

modern.

What

"

hesitated for

It is true, I had
"
Was
there an

before ?

rubble.

an

by some
ethnologistor
other of those dry-as-dusts,
to decide
are
dolichocephalousor brachy-

remains

cephalous,whether
was

depth of

some

one
anthropologist,

with you

was

here

Lynton,

remember,

been

on

kiln.

I had
been
the spot at once.
many
years ago.
my former visit,

here when

skeleton

wiches,
sand-

our

came

we

disused

happened
men

eaten

hopes of falling
home
return
by a

would

we

different

route.

quarry

me

said

hounds, and

the

the

all

abandoned
Lynton reluctantly
in with

in

discovered.

in

run

of

one

expectedto

be

to

was

and

once,

o'clock,after

three

At

Lynton had

of them

trace

no

have

must

direction.

bless

ride.

our

the remains

and

moment,

then answered

removed."

"

I had

inquest?
been
opening

I had

sent

crouched

some

of the

skeleton

tumuli

and

to the

some

on

the

skulls

This I was
doubtful about,
Scarborough Museum.
it was
whether
in fact,to what
a
prehistoricinterment
date it belonged. No one
thoughtof an inquest."
"

i8o

BOOK

GHOSTS

OF

took
who
reachingthe house, one of the grooms
the horses,in answer
to a question from Lynton, said that
Colonel and Mrs. Hampshire had arrived about an hour
of the horses being lame, the carriage
ago, and that, one
in which
they had driven over from Castle Frampton was
found
to put up for the night. In the drawing-room we
Lady Lynton pouring out tea for her husband's youngest
On

sister and
"

her

have

We
It

come

husband, who, as we came

in,exclaimed
to beg a night'slodging."

appeared that they had been

and
in

notice

had

been

obligedto
of

consequence

on

visit in the

leave

sudden

at

death

bourhood
neigh-

moment's

in the

house

where

they were
staying,and that, in the impossibility
of gettinga fly,
their hosts had sent them over
to Byfield.
We
that
thought," Mrs. Hampshire went on to say,
as
we
were
coming here the end of next week, you would
mind
not
having us a little sooner
; or that,if the house
would
be willingto put us
were
quite full,
where
up anyyou
"

"

tillMonday, and

let

us

back

come

later."

Lady Lynton interposedwith the remark that it was

all settled ; and
then, turning to her husband, added :
I want
for a moment."
But
to speak to you
They both left the room
together.
back almost immediately,
Lynton came
and, making an
in the hall the point to
to show
excuse
on
me
a
map
"

which
a

we

had

ridden,said

look of considerable

ask
much

you

to

change

I think

as

soon

as
"

annoyance
your

room.

make

were

we

am

Shall

alone,with

afraid
you

we

mind

must

very

quite comfortable upstairs

in the gallery,which
available.
only room
Lady Lynton has had a good fire lit; the place is really
Your
not
cold, and it will be for only a night or two.
has
been
told to put your
servant
things together,but
Lady Lynton did not like to give orders to have them
before my
actuallymoved
speaking to you."
in the very least,
that I did not mind
I assured him
?

we

can

you
is the

i82

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

all my
faculties. The wind had risen,
and was
intensify
blowing in fitful gusts round the house.
A minute
two
or
passed,and I began almost to fancy I
I distinctly
have been mistaken, when
must
heard the creak
of the door, and then the click of the latch fallingback
into its place. Then
I heard a sound on
of
the boards
as
and
I
one
as
moving in the gallery. I sat up to listen,
did so I distinctly
heard steps coming down
the gallery.
I heard
them
approach and pass my bed. I could see
dark ; but I heard
the tread proceeding
nothing,all was
towards
the further portion of the gallerywhere were
the
to

uncurtained
the

and

unshuttered

windows,

; but

in number

two

shone

through only one of these, the nearer

;
the other was
other
dark, shadowed
by the chapelor some
buildingat rightangles.The tread seemed to me to pause
and again,and then continue as before.
now
the one
fixed my eyes intently
I now
illumined window,
on
if some
and it appeared to me
dark body passed
as
it : but what ?
I listened intently,
and
heard
the
across
step proceedto the end of the galleryand then return.
the lightedwindow, and immediately
I again watched
that the sound reached that portionof the long passage
it
ceased momentarily, and I saw, as distinctly
I ever
as
saw
with
anything in my life,by moonlight,a figureof a man
marked
features,in what appeared to be a fur cap drawn
over

moon

the brows.
in the embrasure

It stood

of the
as

it moved

I could

was

again

he was,

the
was

wood

of charred

on

thing,whatever it was,
approachingmy bed.
in the

bed, and

the hearth

fancy sparks,that gave

by that red as blood"I

"

and

"

cry,

over

the outline

in silhouette ; then it moved

on, and
I was
heard the tread.
certain as
as

myself back

I threw

With

be that

whoever

flash of

face

of the window, and

which

I had

as

fell down
out
saw

as

the person,

or

I did

and

so

sent

mass

up

ness,
glarein the dark-

a
a

face

near

little control

me.
as

the

uttered

scream

I called

There

by

sleeperin

of

the agony

183
nightmare,

"

Who

"

STORY

HALIFAX'S

COLONEL

you ?
instant during which

are

was

an

hair bristled

my

on

head, as in the horror of the darkness I prepared to

grapple with the being at my side ; when a board creaked
if someone
had moved, and I heard the footsteps
as
retreat,
and again the click of the latch.
my

The

Lynton burst
bed, crying:
you ill?"
I could

without

"

the

not

was

just as
sake, what

"

he had

has been

There

stairs and

is the matter

lightand

of

out

sprung

Are

leant

and

by the arm,
something in

him

I seized

Then

the

on

Lynton struck

answer.

rush

room,

God's

For

moving

this

said
room

in thither."

gone

"

into

bed.

the

over

there

instant

next

words

The

hardly out of

were

when

mouth

my

Lynton,

of my
to the end
eyes, had sprung
the door there.
thrown
open

followingthe direction
of the corridor and

He
and

into the

went

said

By

"You

this time

room

must

was

beyond,looked round it,returned,

have been dreaming."

out

of bed.

said he, and he led me

into the little
yourself,"
It was
room.
bare,with cupboards and boxes, a sort of
lumber-place. There is nothing beyond this,"said he,
Look

"

for

"

"

door, no

no

"

Now

to

pull on

your

sanctum."
my
I followed him, and

who
of

staircase.

It is

cul-de-sac!^ Then

dressing-gown and
after he had

standingwith the door

he turned to
great agitation,

have

was

been
are

You
in your room.
close below, and no

see
one

my

Lady Lynton,
ajarin a state

to

room

said

and

me

downstairs

come

spoken

of her

and

could

he added:

come

"

No

my

one

wife's
up

the

can

ments
apart-

spiral

You
have had a
must
passing my door.
nightmare. Directlyyou screamed I rushed up the steps,
and met
no
one
cealment
descending ; and there is no place of constaircase without

in the lumber-room

at the

end

of the

gallery."

i84

he took

Then

OF

BOOK

GHOSTS

into his

me

privatesnuggery, blew up the

said :
I shall be really
gratefulif

fire,
lighteda lamp, and

"

will say nothing about this. There

are
some
house and neighbourhood who
are
sillyenough

in the

you

stay here,and if you

You

read
a

here

"

good
He

then

to his

went

far

Sleep,as

as

Lady Lynton, who

go to
does not

and
frightened,

deal

is

like to be left alone."

bedroom.
of the tion,
queshis wife sleptmuch

concerned, was

was

do I think that Sir Francis

nor

it is.

feel inclined to go to bed,

not

I must

books.

are

do

as

out

or

either.
I made

up

and
the fire,

tried to read, but it

in
I sat absorbed

after

time took

up

book, and

useless.

was

tillI heard
thoughtsand questionings
in the morning. I then went
the servants
to my
stirring
left the candle burning,
and got into bed. I had
own
room,
just fallen asleepwhen my servant brought me a cup of
tea at eighto'clock.
At breakfast Colonel
Hampshire and his wife asked if
anything had happened in the night,as they had been
disturbed by noises overhead, to which
much
plied
Lynton reI had

that

his

the

I said

am

true,

well,and

had

upstairsto

see

an

look

wished

that he

attack
after
to

me

of

me.

be

nothing accordingly.

about

last

said, that

brother
my
this house, but

gone
said : "

and

that matter

as

had

everyone

into his snuggery

me

sorry

very

had

afternoon, when

took

Francis

very
been

I could

manner

silent,and
In

he

that

and

cramp,
From

been

not

steps

Halifax, I
It is

night.
have

out. Sir

been

quite
heard

heed to such things,

gave
puttingall noises down to rats. But after your experiences
to tell you
I feel that it is due to you
something, and

about

also
was

to
"

make

no

one

the skeleton
were

here

to

you
in the room

that

many

was

never

explanation.

an

at the

discovered

years ago.

end

of the

in the

I confess

There

is
"

there

corridor,except

when
chalk-pit
you
had not paidmuch

COLONEL
heed

it.

HALIFAX'S

STORY

185

fancies passed; I had no

archaeological
visits from anthropologists
never
; the bones and skull were
shown
to experts,but remained
packed in a chest in that
lumber-room.
I confess I ought to have
buried them,
scientific use for them, but I did not
on
having no more
word, I forgot all about them, or, at least,gave no
my
heed to them.
However, what you have gone through,
to

My

"

and

have

has

described

also

given
body in a

that

to
a

me

has

me,

made

suspicionthat
that

manner

had

me

uneasy,

can

account

occurred

never

and
for
to

me

before."
After

is known
you

no

death

the

to

to

brother

and
Sir

in my

Richard.

that

afterwards
in the

keeper,of
and

see

"

One

was

of

going to

am

be

not

know

if any

to

came

he

was

out

tell you

mentioned

now

by
that,owing
I and

my

grandfather.
old, imperious,short-

an

was

what

I have

our

made

out

of

for

long,and I will tell you

unravel it. My grandfatherwas
at night with
undera
young

mystery

going

whom

enemies, were

He

I will tell you

how

habit

What

"

of my
father when
quite young,
sister were
brought up here with

tempered man.
matter

else,and must
lifetime.You

one

anyhow,

"

he added

pause,

very

fond, to look

poachers,whom

he

after the game

regardedas

his natural

about.

night,as

I suppose,
grandfatherhad been out
my
in question,and, returningby the
man

with

the

that

the hill is steepest, and not far from

on
chalk-pityou remarked
yesterday,they came

young
where
plantations,

upon

man,

who, though
well known

not

in it as

actuallybelongingto
of

the

tinker
travelling
of indifferent character,and a notorious
poacher. Mind
at the place I mention
this,I am not sure it was
; I only
surmise
it. On the particular
now
night in question,my
have
grandfatherand the keeper must
caught this man
been
have
must
a
tussle,in the
settingsnares
; there
of which
have led me
course
as
subsequent circumstances

country,

was

sort

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

i86

fightand was knocked down

or the keeper.
grandfather
by one or other of the two
my
I believe
various attempts to
that after having made
restore
was
him, they found that the man
actuallydead.
and
both in great alarm
concern
They were
my
He had been prominentin putting
especially.
grandfather
down
some
factory riots,and had acted as magistrate
had
with promptitude,and
given orders to the military
to fire,
whereby a couple of lives had been lost. There
vast
a
was
outcry against him, and a certain political
imagine,the

to

showed

man

"

"

"

party had
acted

No

assassin.

an

man

was

conscience, I believe that

my

and

pluck,and arrested a
that might have
led to much
it may, my
impression is that he

as

this fatal affair with the tinker,and that

the keeper together buried the body secretly,
not

and

far from

over

place where

the

after there
Good

he

killed.

was

and that the

chalk-pit,
belonged to this man."

in the

rushed

that

Be

lost his head

"

as

discretion

movement

bloodshed.

was

both

with

mischievous

he

him

vituperated
; yet, in

more

he

denounced

heavens

back

the

to

!"

exclaimed,

at

as

think

now

skeleton

the fur cap

figurewith

it

found

years

my

mind

once

that I had

seen

againstthe window.
Sir Francis

went

the tramp, in view

mode

but,

later

one

on,

for

not

or

was

remembered

in

absent
question was
grandfatherhaving sent
in-law of his who
one

noticed

I know
of the

the

habits and
time

some

foot,and

on

examined

afterwards
at

him

lived upon
if

disappearanceof

circumstances

two

an
suspicion,
inquirywas set
keepers were
grandfather's

It

sudden

The

of his well-known

life,did

of

"

on

the

time

with

some

the

moors

excite

surprise;
having led to
others,my

among

before
that the
of

ing
wander-

the

dogs
; but

the

trates.
magis-

under-keeper
inquiry,my
to

brother-

whether

no

to be silent,
they did, preferred
observations
made.
were
not, no
Nothing came
and
the whole
investigation,
subjectwould have

fact,or

dropped if

it had

I do

reasons

STORY

HALIFAX'S

COLONEL

that

been

not

understand, but

not

later,for

two

years
at the

187
some

of
instigation

magistraterecentlyimported into the division,whom

my
grandfathergreatlydisliked,and who was opposed to him
fresh inquirywas
instituted. In the course
in politics,
a
of that inquiryit transpired
that,owing to some
unguarded
words
about
warrant
a
was
dropped by the under-keeper,
had
had
who
to be issued for his arrest.
My grandfather,
a

fitof the gout,

hearingthe

warrant

all his

"

had

himself

unable

No

depressed. The

the
day, but in the meantime
disappeared. My grandfathergave orders to
peopleto do everythingin their power to assist

own

was

much

looked

that

the authorities in the search

but

who
the young
man,
in the servants' hall

the next

issued

was

keeper

he

that

on

evening he

The

at once.

long interview with

after he had
supped

observed

was

home

came

the time, but

at

left the house

It

home

from

away

he

news

he had

returned

was

of the

trace

the

of

graduallydropped out
allowed

been

having

man

foot,

on

share in it.

circulated that he had

But

never

set

once

found, although at

keeper was

periodrumours
in America.

take any

to

at

was

been

heard

unmarried,

and

remembrance,

quent
subse-

subjectto be
have
probably never

he

father
grand-

as

my
mentioned

the

of

in his

known
I should
anything
presence,
tradition which
about it but for the vague
always attaches
for this fact : that after my
to such events, and
father's
grand-

death
in

the

different from

and

letter

United

with

it

mentioning the
explanation. I
I

am

able

learned
niy next

to

where

"

of

death

of Sir

the

so

man

him

someone

an

of the

much
had

letter to the fellow

been
was

name

the

past,
secret, and, of

Richard, and
and

where
some-

the

alludingto

common

answer,

from
"

request for money.

came

did get

to

but

keeper

presence

fill in

from

States

that of the

implying the

course,

addressed

came

replied,
asking for an

it is from

story.

killed

returned

and
with

that that

But

never

buried, and
'

Deceased

'

i88

written

be

might

"

it

"

And

said

in

ought

the

After

word.

after

gone,

will
to

report

well,

then
"

left

friend,

again."

brief

for

sleep
if

you
you

burial

the

see

form
after.

day
but

to

of

week

in

or

hear

your

own

Before
the

point

tinker.

said

will

till

me

the

pit
chalk-

now

most

I.
I

"

pause,

"

my

in

skeleton

done,"

be

Francis,

Sir

to

churchyard."

the

to

occurred

never

poaching

buried

certainly

That

the

of

that

have

assuredly

it

possibly

that

story

your

GHOSTS

OF

Somehow,

it.

across

heard

"

BOOK

the

and

bones,

the
bed

in

the
If

anything.

give

you
are

you

and

gallery,
all

quiet,

be

conclusions."
I

long
"

All

got

quiet,

letter
old

from

boy

my
come

determine
what

to

BOOK

I90

OF

GHOSTS

or coins
by the discoveryof flint tools,potsherds,
clue should be
epoch they belong,and that some

I was
their purport. But at the time when
in Essex, no such study had been attempted;whether
any
unable to say.
since I am
has been undertaken

discovered

to

as

I mentioned

of the

Donellysome

to

Hills

originof these Red

salt-makingworks, that they
to the

as

That

keep

"

there is morass,

and

which

platformon

to

friend,I'd

dear

bed

of

red hill

every

There

these

is

by
Accordingly,on
a

rower

started
The

"

our

on

for

could

we

good

extent

here,
boat

Blackwater

the

on

day

manage

one

thing to

where

engaged a

we

been

it between

they

boat
us,

"

and

expedition.

country around

slides into the

fine

the next

hills have

certainlydetect
you can
the colour of the soil."

were

look

Now

tick down

but

ploughed down,

of

number

vast

of
quite aware
burnt clay as a

find."

can

quiteready,"I replied.

am

of the

like to take

to

"

remember.

not

inlets,and
we

clayis

curse

sides of the

exploreboth

ordnance

map

their hovels.

its

it. To

Africa,in the districts that

uncommonly

most

the

was

are

erect

about

that burnt

the natives

along with you, and

to begin with, and
"

which

form
systematically

fact,and

doubt

no

know

not

you

In Central

land ?

marsh

lie low

my

Do

ague.

againstague,
protection

Essex

the

it,"said the major,

is

off the

sure

were

artificialbases for the huts of fishers.

they were
"

offered
suppositions
; that they represented
funereal erections,
that

sea

and

and the land

flat,
with so slightan
that
incline,
ground exists,which may be

Blackwater

the

river

of debatable

is

found
Vast marshes
are
belonging to both.
flooded,covered with the wild lavender, and
occasionally
in June flushed with the seathrift. They nourish a coarse
marshes
These
are
threaded,
grass, and a bastard samphire.
cobweb
fashion,by myriads of lines of water and mud that

reckoned

as

intercommunicate.

Woe

to

the

man

who

either

stumbles

MEREWIGS

THE

into,or

in

surface

of

He

times, when

certain

no

leap

to

high

tides

these marshes
upon
the
the runnels,and

threatens,and

side

in

myriads.

danger

know
up, none
the land
of soil,and
on

tracts

thrown

mosquitoes
trees, and

in

themselves

in

up

in the evening swaying in such

be seen
may
to be
the trees that these latter seem
above

and

swarms,

to

manage

when

aware

oak
grow
mosquitoes betake

the

these

to

summer

dense

They

off.

dykes

Further

At

expected,sheep are

invariablystagnant ditches,where

are

breed

shepherd is

are

certain

reclaim

to

are

in the

mud.

in

waist

thrive.

and

be driven

must

mainland

the

Nearer

when,

they

his

sinks

driven

breaks

of these

falls into,one

jumping
land.

191

clouds

smoking. Major Donelly and I leisurely

paddled about, running into creeks, leaving our boat,
our
positionon the map, and marking in the
identifying
positionof such red hills or their traces as we lightedon.
Major Donelly and I pretty well explored the left bank
he proposed that we
should
up to a certain point,when
fire and

on

push

to

across

the other.

advise

"I should

doingthoroughlythe

Blackwater," said he,

"

to

right,"I responded,and

All

have

completed

before

ebbing, and
"

it !

Confound

What

fix

solid

purpose.
Then
of

will do

us

to

that.

don't matter."

to

"

The

the bank

onto

I have

oars

obtain

to

Donelly :
step

Moreover, the
grounded.

tide

very long we
said the major, "

with the

ground,
said

that

we

are

on

the
was

mudbank.

in."

are

we

laboured

We

"

the boat's head

calculated

not

full of mudbanks.

was

turned

we

had

Unhappily,we

cross.

estuary

one

shall then

we

of the

section."

one

no

and

"

reach

upper

on

an

old

thrust off,but could

purchase sufficient
only thing
and

to be

touch

for

done

our

is for

thrust the boat off. I

shabby pairof

trousers

that

"

BOOK

192

No, indeed,you shall

I will

not.

But the
I sprang overboard.
and simultaneouslywe
the

It had

GHOSTS

OF

go,"and

at

major had jumped

sank

the word

ously,
simultane-

in the horrible

consistencyof spinach.

I do not

slime.
such

mean

as

and
often
English cooks send us to table,half-mashed
but the spinachas served at a French table d'hote,
gritty,
that has been pulped through a fine hair sieve. And
what is
had no bottom.
For aught I know
it apparently
it
more,
might go down a mile in depth towards the centre of the
globe,and it stank abominably. We both clung to the sides
ourselves from sinkingaltogether.
of the boat to save
There we were, one on each side,clingingto the bulwarks
For a moment
another.
neither
two
and lookingat one
or
his presence of mind,
spoke. Donelly was the firstto recover
the gunwale from the mud
and after wiping his mouth
on
Can you get out ?
that had squirted
over
it,he said :
Hardly,"said I.
We
tugged at the boat,it squelchedabout, splashingthe
heads
and faces and
slime over
us, till it plasteredour
"

"

"

covered
"

hands.

our

will

This

do," said he.

never

Look

and by instalments.

in your left leg if you can

"
best."
I will do my
"

Now,

I
your body whilst
the boat."
"

don't

throw
three,'

be

and

sneak

leg,or

my

both

so

one

in what

All

said
right,"

the

may

How

are

you?"

be the throes

major.

asked

drew
over

he.

One

"

our

"

two

left

at

the

get in
you will upset
try

sneak," I retorted angrily, and

was

All but my
off my foot."
"

do

must

we

puttingin

Instantly both of us
them
mud, and projected
"

"

never

will not be
"

am

I say

get it out of the mud."

"

moment.

get in together,

must

here ! when

And," he said further,

same

We

"

to

certainly

of death."
"

three !

legs out

"

of

the

the sides into the boat.

"Got

your

boot," I replied,and that

"

leg in
has

all

been

right?"
sucked

THE
bother

"Oh,

safe

have

disturbed

have

within,and has

breath, and
We

the

stentorian voice,shouted

boat.
on

One

and

writhed

both
effort,

were

next

"

must

we

Take

within.

two

"

landed

the

caked, so

were

then

long

bottom

of the

seated ourselves,each

another.
from

foul slime

were

"

after
finally,

in the

and

Donelly,in

three !

"

strained,and

were

with

covered

were

clothes

we

picked ourselves up
bulwark, looking at one

We
our

"

We

one

off. That

strain ; then

the

paused,panting with

convulsive

your
would

till I call 'three.'"

wait

we
Instantly

sucked

been

not

193

major,"so long as

the

equipoise. Now
and
right legs

trunks

our

WIGS

boot,"said

the

leg is

MERE

hands

our

head

and

to

foot,

faces.

But

secure.

shall have

"

Here," said Donelly, we

hours tillthe tide flows,and
"

for

earthlyuse
heard,no

one

and

make

must

will cake

us

shout

to

is lifted.

the boat

for

Even

help.

for six

remain

to

It is of

if our

calls

no

were

Here, then, we stick

is hot,and
the best of it. Happily the sun

could

the mud

to

out

come

us, and

about

us.

then

pick off

can

we

some

of it."
The

inviting.But

not

prospect was

saw

of

means

no

escape.

Presently Donelly
our

luncheon

with

the

staff of

life.

us, and

Look

"

"

"

there

is the

"The

faces

is

I wish

it

fellow.

not

hands

and

the sink

in

bottle of claret

"

and

whisky

water

dear

Is there

"

our

some

brought

we

whisky,which

stinkingstuff off our

scouringpoured down

Yes, I put one in."

Then," said he, the best

wash

that

good

all

above

faces ; it smells like the

back kitchen.
Satan's own
in the basket

It is

here, my

this

possibleto get

were

said

hands
to

in it.

fall back

has all ebbed

clean ourselves

use

in that."

we

can

put it

Claret is poor

to

Is to

drink,and

on."

away," I

remarked

"We

not
can-

Then

"

GHOSTS

the Saint

Julien"
help for it.

uncork

There

OF

BOOK

194

The

reallyno
and it turned one's
disgusting,
the cork, and we
performed our

was

out

That
each

on

That

was

done, we
side,and

to

looked

time
of

Neither

the Blackwater.

and

hamper,

to the

head

foot in the ill-savoured mud.

to

When

the chicken

had done

we

returned

whisky jar,we
It

wet

to

on

mudflat

inclined

the

to

of the

contents

our

and

ham, and drained the

several positions
vis-d-vis.

essential that the balance

was

Six hours

justiceto the whisky

from
skin,and beplastered

For

were

gunwale, one

full

bottle.

we

pulled

speak.
hour,the major proposed
crept together into the

there discussed

did
certainly

we

spend
much

lapseof a quarter of an
refreshments.
Accordingly we
of the boat and

the

on

in the claret.

another.

to

After the

bottom

So

ablutions

one

was

us

stomach.

seats

our

sadlyat

interminable

an

was

returned

smell of the mud

of the

boat

should

be

maintained.

Major Donelly was

informed

and

I would

not

replied
"

face made
Not

it
at

communicative

he ;

What

"

Do

met

with

in

Chelmsford."
record this remark

I dare

say

I blushed

red, anyhow.
I

all.

but for what

always

"

but

:
replied

say

what

"

it led up to.
claret in my

the
You

flatter me."

I think.
your

You

have

wings,and

put

colours."

rainbow
*'

the best-

are

I have

plentyof information,and you'llgrow

on

mood.

that you

"

agreeable man

most

and

Colchester

"

this,"observed

I will say

"

in

now

? " I inquired.
do you mean
know," said he, that we shall all of

earth

on

not

you

"

do
angels! What
that ethereal pinions spring out of?
They
suppose
you
nihilo nihil fit. You
do not develop out of nothing. Ex
think that they are the ultimate produce of ham
cannot
some

and
"

day, develop wings ?

chicken."
Nor

of

whisky."

Grow

us,

into

MEREWIGS

THE
"

the
"

"

whisky,"he repeated.

of

Nor

195
it is

with

You

know

the

That
caterpillar.

so

grub."
is

Grub

"I

do

ambiguous," I observed.

not

victuals,but

mean

spends its short life in eating,eating,eating.

it is riddled with holes ; the grub
Look
at a cabbage-leaf,
all that vegetablematter, and I will inform
has consumed
and
It retires into its chrysalis,
for what
purpose.
you
and in spring
during the winter a transformation takes place,
it breaks forth as a glorious
butterfly.The paintedwings

creature

of the

cabbage
"

Quite so.

"

We

moment

suppose

that to do with

has

What

larva condition.

our

that the

the sublimated

are

of larva."

in its condition

devoured

it has

also in

are

stage of existence

in its second

insect

wings

we

me

But

shall put

"

do not

for

with

on

bow
rain-

of ham
paintingare the produceof what we eat here
and chicken,kidneys,beef,and the like. No, sir,
certainly
have
we
not.
They are fashioned out of the information
absorbed, the knowledge we have acquiredduring the first
"

stage of life."
*'

do you

How

that?

know

"

I had
remarkable
a
you," he answered.
have
It is a rather long story,but as we
experienceonce.
five hours
and a half to sit here looking at one
some
"

"

I will tell

tillthe tide rises and

another

floats us, I may

as

well tell

help to the layingon of the colours on your

would like to hear
You
acquirethem.
you

it will

you, and

pinionswhen
the tale .?"

all things."

**

Above

"

There
well

want
"

"

to

By

is

sort

of

prologueto it,"he

dispensewith
say."
all

It is

means

let

me

went

it as it leads up to what
have

the

begin,justpass

me

if
prologue,

he said.
eminently instructive,"

on.

"

the bottle,if there is any

"

not
can-

particularly

it be instructive."
But

before

whisky left."

BOOK

196

OF

"

It is drained,"I said.

''

Well, well,it can't

from

moved

be

GHOSTS

When

helped.

I had

placeto another,and

one

him

Alec.

He

in

stood

had

was

honest

as

rob

me

We

But

curious

it was

accustomed

he

off my property.
informed
tent
you, my

Well,

allow

not

that,and

to

He

anyone
of
mine
filched things
think

nothing of

of the
kept the fingers
night,when, as I have

satisfaction that he

others

It

would

course,

ghosts

saw

world.
spiritual

the

He

go.

but, of

are

he

They thought that

natives
;

the other servants

fellow,and

dealingswith

familiar

himself
it.

of him.

awe

and

else to

was

in India,I

pitchedmy tent
I forgetwhat
I always called

certain spot. I had a native servant.

his real name
was, and it does not matter.
in

was

one

sidered
pitched on a spot I coneminently convenient, I sleptvery uncomfortably.
as
me.
though a centipede were
crawling over
ences,
morning I spoke to Alec, and told him my experi-

was

Next

and

bade

him

was

search

well

and

mattress

my

the

Hindu's
A
face is impassive,but I
tent.
my
thought I detected in his eyes a twinkle of understanding.
I did not give it much
Nevertheless
thought. Next night
of

floor

it

bad, and

as

was

head

slit from

in

foot.

to

the

morning

I called Alec

I found
to

me

panjams
my
and held up the

I had been.
Ah !
garment, and said how uncomfortable
sahib,'said he, that is the doings of Abdulhamid, the
*

'

scoundrel
blood-thirsty
"

Excuse

"

"

him

"

"

me," I interrupted. Did

Turkey ?
No, quiteanother, of the same
I beg your pardon,"I said.
a

as

he

mean

the present

"

of

Sultan

!'

name."
"

But

when

you

scoundrel, I supposed
bloodthirsty

mentioned
it must

be

he."
"

It

was

the other
"

One
be

not

he.

Abdul.

It

But

Call him, if you

to proceed with my
story."

was

another.

inquirymore," said I.
a

Hindu

name?"

"

SurelyAbdulhamid

like,
not
can-

wickedness

favoured.

so

this

was,

"

aunt, and

and

he

did

not

illustrious namesake,
with
opportunities

the

the very
bloodstained

same

GHOSTS

course,

he

had

but

that

that

was

the other
I then

perpetratedhis
and

his father

After

in

up

which

villain had

murdered

his children.

come

identical spot where

On

iniquity

worst

Of

his

to

he lacked

because

OF

character.

atrocious

is

BOOK

198

he

mother,

taken

was

and

his soul parted from

his body, in the
hanged. When
it would have entered into the shell of a
ordinary course
other noxious
creature, and so have
scorpion or some
mounted
through the scale of beings,by one incarnation
after another,tillhe attained once
to the high estate
more

of man."
the

"Excuse
intimated
the

said I, "but
interruption,"

Prophet do

you

and
Mohammedan,
believe in the transmigration

that this Abdulhamid

of the

sons

I think

was

not

of souls."

That," said Donelly,

"

"

to

Alec.

But

told

he

accommodated

with

is

the objection
I raised
precisely
souls

that

me

after death

are

not

according to the creeds they

Destiny : that whatever a man

future

hold, but according to

might suppose during life as

to

the condition

of his future

but one
truth to which
they would all
state, there was
have their eyes opened the truth held by the Hindus,
of souls from
viz. the transmigration
stage to stage, ever
"

progressingupward

night'
gravely. He
so

to

The

out

must

was

went

of

too

one

then

to

forth

of them, and

of that mole

pluck out

must

and

to be

wicked
rung

native

that

grow

planton

servant

of the ladder

man

three

very

suffered to set his foot,

against him that he

crimes,till he found
on

the

recommence

'So,'said I, 'it was

was
ticklingmy ribs

the lowest

of his former

scenes
over

'

speak,on
doom

and

scorpionwho
No, sahib,'repliedmy

in the form

all

man,

circle of reincarnation.

interminable
Abdul

to

must

hairs.

the grave

of existences.
haunt

must
a

be

man
a

These

the

sleeping
mole, and
hairs he

of his final victims,

MEREWIGS

THE
and

them

water

firstdrops of

with

199

enable

penitencewould

flowingof

the

And

his tears.

him

to

pass

these

at

once

into the first stage of the circle of incarnations.'

Why/
said I, that unredeemed
ruffian was
mole-hunting over
'

me

the

last two

slit

panjams

his nails.
so

to

as

'

Sahib,' repliedAlec,
he turned
back

at your

I'llhave

induce

'

I presume

get

mole.'

do

what

But

nights!

and

say to these
you
'
he did that with

feel for the so-much-desired

Nothing will
accursed spot.'

said
shifted,'

the tent

I.

sleepanother night on this

Donelly paused,and proceeded to take
to

me

of mud

that had

formed

his sleeve.

on

rippedthem

and

over,

you

"

off

flakes

some

We

reallywere

as
drying we stiffened,
mud
hard about us like pie-crust.
became
So far/'said I, we have had no wings/'
I am
coming to them/' repliedthe major ; I have
concluded
the prologue."
the prologue,
Oh ! that was
it?
was
the
It was
"Yes.
Have
you anything againstit?

beginningto get drier,but

"

"

"

"

Now

I will go

story. About
and

pay,
for

now

"

"

did

the

in

not

year

returned

know,

little over

on

with

the

after that incident

England.
a
care
hang.

to

nor

main

years, when

What
I had

substance
I retired

became
been

on

logue.
proof my
half-

of Alec
in

England
walking

was
day
along Great Russell Street,and passingthe gates of the
Hindu
British Museum,
I noticed
ing
a
standing there,looktaining
wretchedly cold and shabby. He had a tray conin
made
bangles and necklaces and gewgaws,
Germany, which he was
sellingas oriental works of art.
As I passed,he saluted me, and, lookingsteadily
at him, I
Why, what bringsyou here? I inquired,
recognisedAlec.
well ask/ he replied. I
Sahib may
vastly astonished.
condition.
because I thought I might better my
came
over
I had
heard
tablished
Society esspeak of a Psychical Research
with my
in London
reallyextraordinary
; and
I
I
gifts, thought that might be of value to it,and be taken
a

two

one

'

'

200

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

suppliedit continuouslywith
first-hand ghost stories.' Well,'said I,
well-authenticated,
in and

paid an

annuity

if I

'

'

and

have

succeeded

you

'

'

No, sahib.

I cannot

find it.

after it from several of the crossing-sweepers,

inquired
of its whereabouts
if I
and they could not inform me
; and
they bade me take myself off,there was
appliedto the police,
such a thing. I should have starved,sahib,if it had not
no
been that I had taken to this line ; he pointedto his tray.
Does
that pay well ? I asked.
He shook his head sadly.
live that is all. There
'Very poorly. I can
goes in a
of these rubbishy banglescan
Merewig.' How
you
many
dispose of in a day?' I inquired. 'That depends,sahib.
small.
So
and the profits
It varies so greatly,
are
very
small that I can
barelyget along. There goes in another
all these things made ? I asked.
are
Merewig.' Where
I
In Germany or in Birmingham ?
Oh, sahib,how can
from a Jew dealer.
He suppliesvarious
I get them
tell?
it does not pay
But I shall give it up
street-hawkers.
and
shall set up a stall and
Delight.
disposeof Turkish
that.
You
is always a run
There
on
English have a sweet
That's
tooth.
a
Merewig,' and he pointed to a dowdy
I have

'

'

'

"

'

'

'

'

'

"

"

female, with

reticule

her

on

arm,

who,

at

through the painted iron gates.

Does
not
by Merewigs ? said I.

went

'

mean

expressedgenuine surprise.
great reading-room,he will see

Alec's face
into

the

It is their

there.

the

day,mainly in
the

as

is

museum

remain

all

there

knowledge.'
students, but
a

discernment

By

the

Hindustani

moment,
do

What

sahib
If sahib

you

know

will go
of them

scores

haunt

"

mean

the

largepercentage
is

aware

that

students.'

Not

I know

of them.
I have

all
them

the
in

great giftsfor the

of

spirits.'
way," broke off Donelly,

"

"

'

they pass in all

in very early,
so
soon
are
morning some
And
they usually
open at nine o'clock.
day picking up information, acquiring
great London

You

Sahib

moment.

"

that

do

you

understand

"

Not

"

of it,"I

word

WIGS

MERE

THE

201

replied.

what

I could tell you

for that,"said he, because
easier in Hindustani.
passed between us so much

able to

"

am

am

and

sorry

the

tongue
"

speak
I

matter

much

so

You

might

It

was

Wait

Don't

"

We

was

have

cracking."
sensiblyaffecting
my

am

resembled

traversed

and

is stained

myself,and splitin

fine old

by

of cracks.

network
a perfect
fissures,

several

places.

to curl at

muddy envelopebegan

my

be

have

Go

"

"

advised Donelly.
great a hurry to peel,"

be in too

on,

When

what

I have

the

us. Christians

the
pass

dusky

and

and

people,it is not
After
yellow races.

into the bodies

and ought
privilege

aftbrd

us

the

immense

my
in
went

that with

me

death

with

as

same

do

we

is

animals, which

of the lower
to

Hindu

The

informed

He

white

the

do

must

of Alec's communication

epitomiseit.

"

cannot

you

"

this fashion.

explainin

to

I will

wings ?

if
Well, then
in Hindustani, I

to

give you
vulgar tongue.

the

to

"

say
substance
the

best to

coming

we

are

Directly,"replied he.

receive

I want

narrative."

my

then.

stillbefore us, and

of time

abundance

proceed with

on

I should

edges.

"

to

sun

of which

Moreover, portionsof
the

language."

I must

stretched

and

up

off my

come

it in Chinese.

moment.

of the

I think

painting,the varnish
of minute
an
infinity
I stood

speak

heat

The

so.

of mud.

crust

well

as

readilyas English,

relate would

to

in that

easier

the wiser.

none

going

am

it as

understand

and

not

great

satisfaction.

We

develop
progress into a higher condition of life. We
from
its
dition
conwings,as does the butterflywhen it emerges
the wings are
of grub. But the matter
out of which

at once

produced is nothing gross. They

out

of the information

during life.
here,a largeamount
brains

and
philosophic,

like

with

are

formed, or

which

we

form

have

selves,
them-

filled our

lay up, during our mortal career

of knowledge, of scientific,
historical,
and these form the so-toacquisitions,

We

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

202

speak psychic pulp out of which, by an internal and

mutation
inexplicable
mysteriousand altogether
process, the transtakes place into our future wings. The
more
we
varied the
have stored,the largerare our wings ; the more
nature, the

When,

at

coloured

and

radiant

more

is their

death, the brain is empty, there

development.

of

Out

nothing,nothing can

painting.

be

can

wing-

no

arise.

is

That

application.
this is why you will never
And
have to regret stickingin
the mud
to-day,my friend. I have suppliedyou with such
of fresh and valuable knowledge,that I believe
amount
an
paintedhereafter with peacock'seyes."
you will have pinions
I am
into a
most
obliged to you," said I, splitting
thousand
cakes with the emotion that agitated
me.
Donelly proceeded. I was so interested in what Alec
told me, that I said to him, Come
along with me into the
law

absolutelyinexorable

of nature

in its

"

"

Nineveh
out'

and

room,

shall be able to thrash

we

this matter

Ah, sahib,'he replied, they will not allow me to

take in my
tray.' Very well,'said I, then we will find
a step before the portico,
not too much
one
frequentedby
'

'

the

'

will sit there.'

pigeons,and

porter at the gate demurred

agreed. But the

lettingthe Hindu through.

to

He

He

allowed
the
protested that no
was
on
trafficking
was
premises. I explained that none
purposed; that the
and I proposed a discussion on psychological
man
topics.

This

seemed

to

pass through with

of the steps as we

side,and

then

Donelly
facingeach
the

course,
same

the
"

other

When

men

mean

could,and

on

were

aromatic
we

were

went
now

must

we
one
a

tint,and,

warm
same

porter,and he suffered Alec

We

me.

the Hindu

and

chocolate

the

content

sees

much

pickedout

as

clean

seated ourselves
on

with what

he

in

looked

of course,

As

also,we

did

sat

we

like

much

confectioners'

larger scale,and

by
saying."

was

very

portion

it side

on

drying rapidly.
have

to

shops
"

of

not

of

not

exhale

the

odour.

seated,"proceededDonelly,

''

I felt the

MEREWIGS

THE
cold of the stone
I have
I stood

had

203

steps strike up

touch

two

or

into my
system, and as
of lumbago since I came
home,

again,took a copy of the Standard out of my

pocket, folded it,and placed it between
myself and the
taining
step. I did, however, pull out the inner leaf,that conthe leaders,and presentedit to Alec for the same
Orientals are
insensible
to kindness, and
are
purpose.
up

deficient

in

the

gratitude. But this delicate

trait of attention
His
did touch the benightedheathen.
than ever
lip quivered,and he became, if possible,more
He
communicative.
nudged me with his tray and said,
There
out
a
why she leaves
Merewig. I wonder
goes
in a gown
of grey,
I saw
so
?
a middle-agedwoman
soon
with greasy
at the
splotcheson it,and the braid unsewn
'What
the Merewigs?'
in a loop behind.
skirt trailing
are
I learned in my own
words.
I asked.
I will give you what
and
I allude only to Europeans and
All men
women
virtue

of

'

"

Americans

morally, and
up

bound
first stage of their life are
in their own
interest,to acquire and store

in

"

the

in their brains

for it is out

second

as

much

information

of this that their

wings will

stage of existence.

this information

is,the better.

Of

as

be evolved

the

course,

Men

these will hold,

more

in their

varied

accumulate
inevitably

they assimilate very little at school,

they necessarilytake in a good deal
men,
yet, as young
learn anything.
of course,
I exempt the mashers, who never
in sport they obtain something ; but in business,by
Even
reading,by association,by travel,they go on piling up
conversation they cannot
that in common
You
a store.
see
social questions,points of
doing this ; politics,
escape
natural history,scientific discoveries form the stapleof
is necessarily
of a man
their talk,so that the mind
kept
is
the
not
this
case.
Young
replenished.But with women
but novels
they might as
girlsread nothing whatever
well feed on
soap-bubbles. In their conversation with one
another they twaddle,they do not talk."
knowledge.

Even

if

"

"

"But," protestedI,"in

freelywith

associate

is

"That

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

204

civilised society
young

our

women

men."

true," repliedhe.

"But

is their

what

to

jokes. Men
for they know
talk to them
rational topics,
do not
on
and
interest girls,
well enough that such topicsdo not
to
of applying their minds
that they are wholly incapable
them.
It is wondered
Englishmen look out
why so many
the American
is because
That
for American
wives.
girl
takes pains to cultivate her mind, becomes
a rational and
dialogue

limited ?

well-educated
she
interests,
She

if she

maid,
she

can

becomes

can

head

is

almost

on

That

as

into her

enter

him

with

companion.

Her

be.

the

hollow

as

and
marries, or even
up
is altered ; she takes to

grows
the case

converse

his

frivolous

ragging,to

She

woman.

becomes

girlcannot

to

"

of

fond
passionately

fund

of information

of the domestic

servant.

The

on

husband's

modern
a

topic.
English

every

Now,

drum.

remains

an

old

keeping poultry,
quires
gardening,and she ac-

the

habits

consequence

and

customs

of this is,that

die early,
who
majorityof English young women
die with nothing stored up in their brains out of which
In the larva condition they
be evolved.
the wings may
have consumed
nothing that can serve them to bring them
into the higherstate."
So," said I, we are all,
you and I,in the larva condition
well as girls."
as
Quite so, we are larvae like them, only they are more
To proceed. When
so.
girlsdie,without having acquired
profitable
knowledge, as you well see, they cannot
any
rise. They become
Merewigs."
Oh, that is Merewigs,"said I,greatlyastonished.
"Yes, but the Merewigs I had seen
pass in and out of
the British Museum, whether
to study the collections or to
work
in the reading-room,were
middle-agedfor the most
part."
do you explain that ? I asked.
How
the vast

"

"

"

"

"

"

2o6

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

in the reading-room
why they swarm
formati
of the British Museum.
They are there picking up inhard as they can
as
pick."
said I, and novel."
This is extremely interesting,"
How
I thought you would say so.
goes on the drying?
been
I have
pickingoff clots of clay while you have
been talking."
I hope you are interested,"
said Donelly.
Interested,"I replied,is not the word for it."
I am
glad you think so," said the major ; I was
interested in what Alec told me, so much
so that
intensely
I proposed he should come
into the reading-room,
with me
able
such as he perceivedby his remarkand pointout to me
of spirits
actual Merewigs.
were
giftof discernment
of his tray was
But
objected,and
again the difficulty
Alec further intimated that he was
missing opportunities
of disposingof his trinkets by spending so m ach time
As to that,'said I, I will buy half
conversingwith me.
dozen
of your
to my
a
bangles and present them
lady
friends;as coming from me, an oriental traveller,
they will
believe them to be genuine
As your experiences,"
I.
interpolated
What
do you mean
by that ? he inquiredsharply.
than this,"
rejoinedI, that faith is grown
Nothing more
females nowadays."
weak among
is certainlytrue.
credulou
"That
It is becoming a sadly inI further got over
about
Alec's difficulty
sex.
the tray by saying that it could be left in the custody of

Merewigs

are, and

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

'

'

' "

"

"

"

"

one

We

"

of the

officials at

the entrance.

Then

he

consented.

passedthrough the swing-doorand depositedthe tray

umbrellas
and
with the functionarywho
presides over
Then
I went
forward
along with my Hindu
walking-sticks.
the reading-room. But
here another
towards
hindrance
and therefore might not enter
Alec had no ticket,
arose.
beyond the glass screen
interposedbetween the door and
the readers. Some
demur
made as to his being allowed
was

MEREWIGS

THE

that
'

by

'

the

where

the

pieceof

me

I do that?'

can

chalk,'

French

walk
up and
go within, sahib, and
tables,behind the chairs of the readers,or

circular

cases

students

are

the

that contain

looking

out

for

and
catalogues,
the books
they

you pass a female,either seated

glance towards the glassscreen, and when you
standing,
by a Merewig I will hold up my hand above the screen,

desire to consult.

are

with

to be

as

'You

the

by

'How

elsewhere.'

here

I have

answered.

around

or

marking the Merevvigs,so

recosrnise them

to

down

suggest your

inquired.

he

'

of

means

I should

able

time, but I got over

little persuasion. Sahib/ said Alec
considerable

there for any

to remain

207

and

M,

you
or

upon
you

When

her

will know

letter

any

her

back

or

with

to be one;

cabalistic
the

refreshment,on

infallibly.'Not
'

that

symbol

French

her in the street,in

meet

justscrawl

then

at
society,

an

to

occurs

Then

chalk.

or

you,

whenever

A. B. C.

placeof
recogniseher

railwayplatform,
you will
I objected. Of course,
likely,'
*

so

You
she gets home, she will brush off the mark.'
*
When
of the Merewigs,' he said.
much
know
not

soon

do

as

the

in their first stage of

girlswere
about
their personal
most
existence,they were
particular
of their
the neatness
and stylishness
about
appearance,
dress,and the puffingand pilingup of their hair. Now
all that is changed. They are
so
disgustedat having to
lay hold of in
body that they can
get into any unsouled
such a body being usuallyplainin features,
the garde-robe,
middle-aged,and with no waist to speak of,or rather too
ample in the waist to be elegant,that they have abandoned
dress and
tidiness. Besides, they are
all concern
about
of knowledge, and the burning
engrossed in the acquisition

of
spirits

those

desire that
cases

as

frivolous

them

consumes

be.
may
and their hair

speedilyas

they are dressed

all they care
about.
chalk

is to

marks

on

get

out

of these borrowed

Consequently, so long
done
up anyhow, that

as

is

threads,or feathers,or French

think of
not
their clothes,they would
As

to

2o8

lookingfor
of French

BOOK

them.'

OF

Then

chalk,such

as

GHOSTS

Alec

handed

to

tailors and

littlepiece

me

dressmakers

employ

indicate alterations when

to

on
fitting
garments. So provided,
into
the
spacious reading-room,
passed wholly

leaving the Hindu behind the screen.

the firstline of desks and chairs,
I slowlystrayeddown
which
were
men
there,
fullyengaged. There were
many
with pilesof books
also some
There were
at their sides.
I steppedbehind one, and turned my head towards
women.
made
the screen, but Alec
ever,
no
sign. At the second, howhis hand above it,and I hastily
scrawled
M,
up went
her back as she stooped over
I had time,
her studies.
on
she was
what
She was
to see
engaged upon.
moreover,
corded
working up deep-sea soundings,beginning with that reby Schiller in his ballad of The Diver,'down to
"

'

the last scientific researches

of the Atlantic

in the bottom

and the dredgings in the North

Sea.
She
Pacific,
was
engrossedin her work, and was picking up facts at
rate. She was
a woman
a prodigious
of,I should say, forty,
with a cadaverous
face,a shapelessnose, and enormous
and her boots
hands.
Her dress was
grey, badly fitted,

and

the

knotted

made.

worse

even

were

Her

hair

behind, with

bunch

drawn

was

and

back

the

It
pins stickingout.
I passed on
behind
her
might have been better brushed.
back ; the next
gentlemen, so I
occupants of seats were
of desks, and looking round
saw
stepped to another row
I was
behind
Alec's hand go up.
a
lady in a felt
young
in

hat, crunched
she

beneath

boots.

brown
As

it

top, and

with
pea-jacket,

wore

in at

with

feather

large smoked

at

buttons, and
and
the skirt,

green
gown,
very short in
Her
hair was
cut short like that

dull

halted,she looked

round,

and

saw

side ;

the

of

that

man.

she

had

ness
without
a
gleam of tendereyes, like pebbles,
this was
I cannot
sympathy in them.
say whether
the body she had
assumed, or to the soul which

hard, brown
or

due

to

had

entered

into

the

body

"

whether

the lack

was

in the

MEREWIGS

THE

209

organ, or In the psychicforce which

I merely state the fact. I looked over
what

she

engaged upon, and found

through Herbert
diligently

was

the organ.

employed

her shoulder

to

that she

ing
work-

was

see

Spencer. I scored
The
next
and went on.
a
Merewig I had
old lady,with little grey curls
to scribble on
was
a wizen
the temples,
on
very shabby in dress,and very antiquated
in costume.
Her fingers
were
dirtywith ink,and the ink
did not appear
to me
to be all of that day's application.
I
that she had been
rubbing her nose.
Besides, I saw
and she had done this with
it had been tickling,
presume
a
on
smear
a
fingerstill wet with ink,so that there was
She had
her face. She was
engaged on the peerage.
getting up
Dod, Burke, and Foster before her, and was
the authentic
pedigreesof our noble families and their
her way
W
her back
on

I noticed with

ramifications.

wigs,that

they had
they held up

the other

with

as

swallowed

when

information

her

certain

their heads

much

Mereof

amount

like fowls after

drinking.
"

The
I

age

quite unable

was

and

nose,

that I marked

next

dressed

was

to

was

thin

very

She

determine.

looked

She

in red.

of

woman

an

had

pointed

like

stick of

sealing-wax. The gown had probablyenough been good

and showy at one
time, but it was rippedbehind now, and
the

stitches
There

throat

before.

was

I drew

bit of
my
she
what

was

round

asked

and

French

breathingon

had

note

of

chalk.

been

back

it three

into

sewn

her

on
interrogation

I wanted

studying, but
sharplywhat

the

neath.
be-

was

or
ruche,or tucker,about
frilling,

I think

that

little bit of what

showed, besides,a

of her

could
I

was

neck.

the

weeks

back

with

find

much

to

not.

She

turned

stoopingover

for and

So

was

forced

out

to

This was
to the next.
a
lady fairlywell dressed
go on
in the dingiestof colours,wearing spectacles.I believe
that she

and

wore

walk, I
p

divided
cannot

but
skirts,
be

certain.

she

as

am

did

not

stand

never
particular

up
to

2IO

make

engaged

was

various
and

she

land, and

Russian

under

on

Venus, the Virgin, and

marked

in

back

the

further.

went

it up.

I had

to

of land

tenure

zodiacal
But

sign for

when

had

alreadygone

over

L, beginningbackward, and that sufficed,

so
I returned
to
Alec, paid him for the bangles,and we
separated.I did,however, givehim a letter to the Secretary
of the Psychical
Research Society,and addressed it,having
the

desks

laws

property in land

mir, and the

her

I gave

seventeen

land

devotingher specialattention

time

I scrawled

absolutelycertain.

subject of the

the constitution of the

it.

not

am

common

at that

was

the

upon

countries,on

GHOSTS

OF

of which

statement

She

BOOK

to

found

what

in the

reading-roomof the British Museum.

Hindu
once
met, by appointment,my

later I

I wanted

the last time.

He

in the London

had

been

not

which
Directory,

received

as

was

Two

days
and

more,

he had

for

pated
antici-

by the Psychical Research Society,and thought of

gettingback to India at the firstopportunity.
It is remarkable
in the
that,a few days later,I saw
"

Underground one of those I had marked.

stillquitedistinct. She was
not in
was
but I noticed her as she stepped out on

my

compartment,

to the

platformat

Street.

Baker

I suspect she was

her way
to Madame
on
waxwork
exhibition,to instruct her mind there.

Tussaud's
But

chalk mark

The

was

fortunate

more

St. Albans.

I had

an

uncle

week

later when

at

was

livingthere from whom

I had

and I paid him a visit. Whilst there,a lecture

expectations,
the spectroscope, and as my
to be given on
was
ance
acquaintwith that remarkable

limited,I resolved

to

Have

of modern

you, my
the subjectof the photosphere of the

up
"

Never."

"

Then

let

me

go.

invention

press it upon

you.

times

friend,ever
sun

It will

we

are

from

taken

"

really
supply a

of wing-pulp,if properlyassimilated.
large amount
a most
astonishingthought that we are able,at the

distance at which

was

It is
remote

the solar orb, to detect the

incandescent

various

WIGS

MERE

THE

which

metals

211

make

to

go

the

up

Not only so, but we are able

envelopeof the sun.
to discover,
by the bars in the spectroscope,of what Jupiter,
Saturn, and so on are composed. What a stride astronomy
!"
has made
since the days of Newton
luminous

No

"

about

doubt

it.

bars,but of the chalk

Well, then, I noticed

the
"

I do not

But

marks
two

to hear

want

about

the

Merewigs."
elderlyladies sittingin
on

the

if sketched
in
as
distinctly
only yesterday were the symbols I had scribbled on their
I did not have
backs.
an
opportunityof speaking with

before

row

and

me,

there

as

"

"

introduction
then ; indeed, I had no
to them, and
could hardlytake on me to address them without it. I was,
successful a week
two later. There
or
however, more
was
them

meeting of
organised,to

Hertfordshire

the

last

ArchaeologicalSociety

week, with

excursions

ancient

to

other

Verulam

and

to

objectsof interest in the county.

in fact,
Hertfordshire is not a largecounty. It is,
of the
one
in the pointsof
smallest in England, but it yieldsto none
interest that it contains,apart from the venerable abbey
church
that has been so fearfully
mauled
and maltreated
by ignorant so-called restoration. One must reallyhope
that the next
which will be more
generation,
enlightened
than

own,

will undo

our

all the villainous work

been

it in our
own.
perpetratedto disfigure
secretaries and
had
arranged for
managers
brakes

and

take

to

thinkingthemselves
"

we

On

saw.

at

which

that this
v/ith

three

was

days

information,and

to

all the

remains

excursions.
of

the

old

learned,or
antiquities

the spot

there

would

explanatoryof what
to be evening gatherings,

were

read.

be

You

may

conceive

opportunityfor storingthe

supreme

takingadvantage of

on

what

knowing

it. I entered
On
Roman

local

char-a-bancs
"

papers
a

The

the party about, and men

to be learned,on the several

to deliver lectures

were

that has

the

my

did, I resolved

name

first day

mind

as

we

went

city of Verulam,

on

subscriber
over

and

the
were

212

OF

BOOK

GHOSTS

plan and walls,and further,the spot where the

the stream, and the hill
protomartyr of Britain passedover
he was
which
on
martyred. Nothing could have been
those
instructive.
more
interestingand more
Among
of the female
three middle-aged personages
present were
shown

its

sex, all of whom

these

marks

whose

gown

the back.

on

effaced,as

scored

was

it. The
"

somewhat

was

it off,but

brush

chalk-marked

were

had

though

made

their favour

lady

had

tired of the attempt and had abandoned

other two scorings
were
quitedistinct.

I did

Merewigs,

the

of

faint effort to

this,the firstday,though I sidled

On

One

in

succeed

not

up

to these three

ingratiating
myself
with

to converse
sufficiently

You

them.

into
may

opportunityof
of their Merewigian experiences
gettingout of them some
the second day I was
to slip. On
not to be allowed
was
I managed to obtain a seat in a brake
successful.
more
between
where
"

two
a

was

Well,

of them.

We

excursions

who
archaeologists

introductions
to

the

lady

next

to

till after luncheon, a

most

liberally
given
property, to

whose

o'clock.

There

I did not

stint

Am

share

of

When,

however,

them, and no
For instance,you

squeezing you

sumptuous
the

to

house

we

was

after the
spirits,

say

And

pagne,
cham-

gentleman of
drove
one
up just about
champagne supplied,and
a

to take

of the

in

broaching
lay near my

got into the conveyance,

conclusion

right-handlady,and
before
a long time

monious
cere-

'

repast,with

Society by

Dutch

we

interest.

freemasonry exists

plenty of
myself I felt it necessary

of

distant spot

in

before
courage
companions in the brake the theme that
amount

not, however, attempt to draw

I was
those between
whom
seated,

from

information

to

architectural

sort

needed.

are

you,
I did

the ice is broken.

any

an

to drive

were

of considerable

church

in these

the

between

such

friend,that

well understand, my

tain
cer-

to

my

heart.

all in

lunch, I turned

great
to

my
said to her: 'Well,miss,I fear it will be

you

become

angelic' She

turned

her

214

known

has

received,
for

been

for

To

"

Tell

do

rejected,

by

not

that

mean

you

Research."

whom,
it

by

the
the

way

in

Secretary

which

Alec

was

of

the

Society

it to

the

Society

Research."

Psychical
"

GHOSTS

OF

damped

rather

or

Psychical
"But

BOOK

to

then

the

Horse

"

Marines."

should

tell

"BOLD

THE

VENTURE"

little fisher-town

Portstephencomprised
facingeach other at the bottom

THEstrings

of houses

down
valley,

narrow

The

vehicles to pass

wheeled

for the most

was

back

set

the merest

part

so

street

one

Such

as

not

were

percentage remained
baker, the smith, and

that

stream

that

narrow

accorded

was

that each house

door

the wall,to

permit the footavoid being overrun

by

lived upon
fishers were

inhabitants

so

of

way
road-

to step into the recess

to
passenger
the wheels of a cart that ascended
or

The

was

two

another,and the

narrow

depth of

in the

trickle of

that sufficient space

at intervals alone

for two

was

which

into the harbour.

decanted
it was

of

were

the

descended
and

sea

mariners, and
neither

the street.
its
but

produce.
a

small

the butcher, the

"

the doctor ; and these also lived

lived upon the sailors and fishermen.

the sea, for they

For the most
part,the
The

largefamilies.
almost

as

furnished with
were
seafaringmen
in which
they drew children was
the seine in which they trapped

net

filled

well

by

as

pilchards.
Jonas Rea, however,

was

an

exception;

he

had

been

for ten years, and had but one

child,and that a son.
You've a very poor haul, Jonas,"said to him his neighbour,

married
"

Samuel
and
"

**

I've twelve.
It's not

I may

have

Jonas had
When

Carnsew

but
a

wife has had

My

poor

I've been

"

married
twins

so

long as

you

twice."

haul

one

for me, Samuel," repliedJonas,

child,but he's a buster."

mother

he married, he

alive,known
had

proposed
215

as

that

Old

Betty Rea.

his mother, who

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

2i6

But
man
widow, should live with him.
proposes
did
commend
not
and woman
disposes. The arrangement
itself to the views of Mrs. Rea, junior that is to say, of
Jane,Jonas'swife.
She had
Betty had always been a managing woman.
managed her house, her children,and her husband ; but
was

"

made
that her daughter-in-law
aware
speedilywas
refused to be managed by her.
: she kept
Jane was^ in her way, also a managing woman
she

clean,her husband's clothes in order,her child neat,

and herself the very pink of tidiness. She was
a somewhat

her house

hard

given to grumbling and findingfault.

much

woman,

did not come

to an
Jane and her mother-in-law
open
waxed
them
and flagrantquarrel,but the fret between
of which the text and
intolerable ; and the curtain- lectures,
Old Betty, were
so
topic was
frequentand so protracted
that Jonas convinced
smoother
himself that there was
water

in the worst

He

sea

constrained

was

information
softened

than

the

to

in his

house.

own

break

his mother

to

the

pleasant
un-

go elsewhere ; but he
informingher that he had secured

that she

blow

must

by
for her residence a tiny cottage up an alley,
that consisted
of two rooms
only,one a kitchen,above that a bedchamber.
old

The

She

annoyance.

considered

the

received

woman
rose

that

the

Accordingly,

with

quarters, and

soon

to

the

offer,for

situation

had

goodwill, she
made

the

without

communication
she

become

removed

house

look

also herself

had

unendurable.
to

keen

her
and

new

cosy.

Jane gave indications of becoming a

mother, it was
agreed that Betty should attend on her
After all,
daughter-in-law.To this Jane consented.
Betty
But,

could

so

not

soon

be

than

another

woman,

stranger.

in bed, and unable to quit it,then

Jane was
Betty once more
reignedsupreme in the house and managed
everything even her daughter-in-law.
But the time of Jane'slying upstairs
was
brief,and at
And

when

worse

as

"

VENTURE"

"BOLD

THE

pale indeed

and

of

the grasp

the reins from

withdrew

leaving her son's house, the

the baby. To that
regrettedwas
In

and she did

affection,
the deaf
babe

Jane

instructions

thousand

devoted

son,

Jonas

returned

never

his mother, and when on

visiting
He sat with her by the hour, told
him

"

his

his wife

except about

the

from

without

sea

saw

communicated

babe, whose
of

to

name

of listening

be

to

over

her all

Peter,

was

talkingor

Jonas bring the child

by his grandmother.
Jane raised objections the weather

and

to how

as

into

her every day.

her of all that concerned

shore

neither wearied

which

often did

; and

and

"

The

wishes.

hopes and
a topicon

was

poured forth

had

fed,clothed,and reared.

to be

was

As

of

ear

Betty.
only thing that Betty
she had taken a mighty

quittillshe

not

firm hand

with

resolute,and

but

weak,

reappearedin the kitchen,

she

moment
the earliest possible

217

kissed

admired

child would
and

take

chill ;

dress in which
He

point he

was

love,and
And
when

to be
was

seen

mild

inflexible

she could

sweetstuff ; it had
but Jonas overruled

and

his child should

as

the infant

have

on

the

grow

not

tidy

all her objection

this

on

to

up

one

know,

self.
sincerelyas did he him-

hours
delightful

were

but

yieldingman,

his mother

reverence

these

"

and

inconsiderate,

grandmother was

with

upset its stomach

cold

was

"

her

to

the

lap,croon

old

woman,

to

it,and

talk to it all the

that flows from the lips

nonsense
delightful
of a woman
when
caressinga child.
the boy was
not
ting
knitMoreover, when
there,Betty was
socks or contriving
or
pin-cases,
making littlegarments
for him ; and all the small savingsshe could gatherfrom the
allowance
made
of
by her son, and from the sale of some
her needlework, were
devoted to the same
grandchild.
As

the

toddle,he

little fellow
often

approval of Mrs.
he

found

his way

wanted

found
to

his feet and

"

go

to

granny,"not

when
Jane. And, later,
to

was

her cottage before

he went

allowed
much
to

he returned

to

to

the

school,
home

2i8
so

soon

his work

as

did not

family that

accord
had

of the

he is my
all of us

"

son,

been
"

sea-dogs,so

He

over.

very

and

the

on

she

land, and

But," remonstrated

I and

and

were

ships.
Jane'sideas ;

sea

with Mrs.

ever

sea.

GHOSTS

in class

hours

love for the

earlydevelopeda
This

OF

BOOK

her

of

came

approved
dis-

she

husband,

father and

grandfatherwere
that,naturally,
my part in the boy
my

takes to the water."

And

an

now

idea entered

the head

Betty. She
Peter.
She providedherself
suitable size and shape,and

making a shipfor
with a stout pieceof deal of
proceededto fashion it into the
resolved

scoop

on

out

the interior. At

of Old

form

of

cutter, and

to

this Peter assisted. After school

grandmother watching the process,

givinghis opinionas to shape,and how the boat was to be
had but an old
riggedand furnished. The aged woman
tools,consequently the proknife,no proper carpentering
gress
slow.
at the ship
made
was
Moreover, she worked
only when Peter was by. The interest excited in the child
by the process was an attraction to her house, and it served
at home, he
there.
to keep him
Further, when he was
was
being incessantlyscolded by his mother, and the
he developed for granny'scottage caused many
preference
of jealousyin Jane'sheart.
a pang
the only
nine years old, and remained
Peter was
now
child,when a sad thing happened. One evening,when the
littleshipwas
riggedand almost complete,after leavinghis
Peter went down
to the port. There
happened
grandmother,
to be no one
about,and in craningover the quay to look into
hours

he

was

with

his

his father's boat, he overbalanced, fell in,and

The

grandmother supposed that

home, the mother

that he

was

with

the

his

was

drowned.

boy had returned

grandmother,and a

coupleof hours passedbefore search for him was

and the body was
brought home an hour after
Jane'sgriefat losingher child was united with
againstOld Betty for having drawn the child

instituted,
that.

Mrs.

resentment

away

from

THE

VENTURE"

"BOLD

219

for having encouraged it.

home, and againsther husband
She poured forth the vials of her wrath upon
Jonas. He
it was
who
the boy killed,
had done his utmost
to have
and had
because he had allowed him to wander
at large,
by allowinghim to tarry with
providedhim with an excuse
Old Betty after leavingschool,so that no one
knew where
he was.
Had
Jonas been a reasonable man, and a docile
husbandjhe would have insisted on Peter returningpromptly
home
this disaster would not have
every day, in which case
have conoccurred.
sidered
But," said Jane bitterly,you never
and
I believe you did not love Peter,
feelings,
my
'*

and

wanted

"

blow

The

be rid of him."

to

to

her heart-strings
were
terrible;

Betty was

wrapped about the little fellow ; and his loss was to

the death of all her happiness.
eclipseof all light,
When
to the

Peter

in his

was

the old

house, carryingthe littleship. It

with sails and

'Twere

Peter.

I can't

now

was

I want

"

made

keep

it

for

be put in with
I can't let another have it,

he, and

myself."

Nonsense," retorted Mrs. Rea, junior. The

be no use to he, now."
"

I wouldn't

if Peter

rumpus
"You

So

say
I'm

But

matters.

old

the

that.

woman

"

"

; I'll have

none

Then

"Very

see

on

departed,but

was

She
want

them

went

you

the coffin is too

of it,"
said
not

Jane.
disposedto

to the undertaker.
to

put this here boat in wi'

It will go in fitty
Peter.
at his
gran'child
Very sorry, ma'am, but not unless I break
You

"

naught revealed

can

that up aloft there'll be

don't find his ship."

up and

it away

accept discomfiture.
Mr. Matthews, I
my

There's

boat

cruel certain

wakes

take

may

complete

thickeyshipto

"

"

went

woman

rigging.

"Jane,"said she,
and

then
coffin,

her the

feet."
off the bowsprit.

narrow."

put'nin sideways and longways."

sorry,

forced to break

ma'am,

but

that

as

so

the mast
to

is in the way.

get the lid down."

I'd be

220

BOOK
old

Disconcerted, the
suffer Peter's

the

of

one

Mrs.

be

attend

place beside

her

son,

of the

the close

For

and

house, Old

the

and

certain

church

the

at

processionleft

the

would

carried

the

the

service at

not

grandmotherappeared

principalmourners.

did not

Jane

As

At

to

retired ; she
maltreated.

woman

the
the occasion of the funeral,

On
as

boat

GHOSTS

OF

reasons,

grave.

Betty took

boat

in

she

grave,

her

her

hand.

said

to

the

I'll trouble you, John Hext, to put this here little

shiprighto' top o' his coffin. I made'n for Peter,and Peter'U
"

sexton:

expect

This

have'n."

to

done, and

was

not

step from the

grave would the grandmothertake tillthe firstshovelfuls had

buried the white ship.
fallen on the coffin and had partially
When

folded

and

heart

Her

cottage, the fire was

to her

seated herself beside the dead

She

out.

returned

Rea

Granny

coursingdown

the tears
dead

as

was

and

hearth,with hands
withered

her

that hearth.

drearyas

cheeks.
She

had

and she murmured

a
objectin life,
prayer that the
Lord
might pleaseto take her, that she might see her
Peter sailinghis boat in paradise.
Her
by the entry of Jonas,who
interrupted
prayer was
shouted :
Mother, we want your help again. There's Jane
no

now

"

bad ; wi' the worrit and the

earlier than she reckoned, and
took

quick

as

hath

taken

away

and

Betty

rose
"

assumed

for

not

along

as

Lord

the

at
as

once,

and

nine

years

went

previously
"

of the house

management

reign of Betty in

long.

The

her

came
reappearance
And
now
began once

initiated nine

years

that

the house

mother
the
more

of

soon

was

with her son,

for a while she

to the house

arrived,another boy, she managed

The

come

bit

but
away,
is givin'
again."

again

and

you're to

on

and
the Lord
gave
topsy-turvy, the Lord hath taken

'Tisn't the

can.

you

it's come

sorrow

; and
as

when

baby

well.

Jonas and Jane

downstairs,and

was

with

departure of the grandmother.

the

same

previously.The

old life as

had

been

child carried to

its

GHOSTS

OF

The

"

I'm

"

I think not, Mrs. Rea."

been
have
the Bold
It must

she

sure

What

of

Jack Smithson,
sure
enough he

such

no

who

jumped

broke

name

of

out

bone

of his

Bold

or
as

venture, unless

her entitled the Bold

I'llhave

Venture

is there in such

sense

heard

never

Ventured

the Bold

was

her."

I remember

Bonaventura, I think.

"

"

BOOK

222

turer.
Adven-

Boneventure?

it

that of

were

garret window, and

Mr.

leg. No,

Elway,

Ventured

gainsay you. Bold Venture she shall be."

and daintily
Then
the paintervery dexterously
put the
in black painton the white stripat the stern.
name
asked the old woman.
Will it be dry by to-morrow
?
and I promised to have
"That's
the littlelad's birthday,
his schooner ready for him to sail her then."
Mr. Elway,
I've put dryers in the paint,"answered
and you may reckon it will be rightfor to-morrow."
she
unable to sleep,
That night Betty was
so
eager was
for the day when the littleboy would attain his ninth year
of the beautiful ship she had
the possessor
and become
"

I'llnot

"

"

"

**

for him

fashioned

with

her

hands, and

own

fact,she had been engaged for

Nor

meal,
child

and

Vejzture
She
he

the door

made

over

to

his littlefeet

on

his
him

delightwhen
as

his

which, in

twelvemonth.

old heart with

her

was

expectation of

was

heard

came

thrilled

so

simplebreakfast

her

she able to eat

was

than

more

on

and

day
noon-

love for the

the

Bold

own.

the cobblestones

of the

alley:

at the lock,threw
on, dancing,jumping,fidgeted
open and burst in with a shout
"

granny! my new ship! Mother has giveit me.

A real frigate with three masts, all red and green, and cost
Fair yesterday." He bore
at Camelot
her seven
shillings
aloft a very magnificent
toy ship. It had pennants at the
Granny ! look ! look ! ain't
mast-top and a flagat stern.
I shan't want your drashyold schooner
she a beauty ? Now
I have my grand new
when
frigate."
"See!

see,

"

"

THE
"Won't

No, granny
rubbish,mother

"

beauty ?
Oh, Jonas ! look

"

No,

Then

at the Bold

I can't stay.

granny,

beautiful

my

frigate.

my

Venture!''

I want

to

be off and

swim

seven-shilling
ship."

he dashed

as

away
shut the

and

forgotto
elder Jonas returned

boisterous

door.

home,
of

with exclamations

son

bang, on

"

Ain't it a
"

off with

that will go

cannon

223

Venture?^'
your ship the Bold
It's a shabby bit o'
it away.
; chuck
a
says ; and see ! there's a brass cannon,

have

you

"

real

VENTURE"

"BOLD

It

and

was

and
delight,

dashed

evening when
welcomed
by

was

he

he had

as

shown

was

the

in,
the
his
new

ship.
"

But, daddy, her won't sail ;

her will

over

flopin

the

water."
There

"

"The

vessel

Then
vexed.
the

is

lead

no

keel,"remarked

is built for show

he walked
knew

He

the

on

deliberate

cottage. He

was

that his wife had

; and

bought the toy with

and
disappointing
wounding her

of

intent

mother-in-law

father.

only."

to his mother's

away

the

he

afraid

was

that

he

would

find the

lady deeply mortified and incensed. As he entered

the dingy lane,he noticed that her door was
partlyopen.
The
the seat by the table at the
on
was
aged woman
window, lying forward
claspingthe ship, and the two
masts
were
run
through her white hair ; her head rested,
partlyon the new ship and partlyon the table.
old

"

There
The
had

! " said he.

Mother
was

no

"

Mother

answer.

feeble old heart had

ceased

to

!"

given way

under

the

blow, and

beat.

*****

accustomed,

was

couple

of

months

at

few

summers

past,

Portstephen. Jonas

to

Rea

spend
took

me

often in his boat, either mackerel

or
excursions
on
fishing,
to the islets off the coast, in quest of wild birds.
We

224
became

in his

him

of

the chances

and

and
Portstephen,
Thus

affairs.

it

GHOSTS

I would

familiar,and

evening with

OF

BOOK

spend

an

the

sea,

refuge being made

at

cottage, and

harbour

sometimes

then

and

now

of

talk about

spoke of our own

family
the story of the
that,little by little,

was

we

ship Bold Venture was told me.

in the house.
Mrs. Jane was
no
more
said Jonas Rea, "but the firstship
"It's a curious thing,"
mother made
done than my
no
was
sooner
boy Peter
my
died,and when she made another,with two masts, as soon
finished she died herself,
and shortlyafter
it was
ever
as
wife,Jane, who took a chill at mother's funeral. It
my
settled

her chest,and

on

she died in

fortnight."
Is that the boat ? I inquired,
pointingto a glass case
in which was
schooner.
a rudely executed
a cupboard,
I'd like you to have
"That's her,"repliedJonas; "and
on

"

"

look close at her."

I walked

cupboard and looked.

asked
.'"'
anything particular

the

Do

"

you see
I can't say that I do."
Look at her masthead.

"

"

After
like
"

to

pause

I said

"

is there ?

There

is

grey

"

hair,that is all,

pennant."

What

the fisherman.

I can't say whether

that,"said Jonas.
my
hair
from
her
there
for
white
head
the
put a
"

mean

old mother

fixed itself when

she
it caught and
purpose, or whether
and
fell forward
claspingthe boat, and the masts
spars
all tangledin her hair.
and shrouds were
Anyhow, there

be, and that's one

put in a glass case
chance
get brushed
it

you
"

"

see

that

"

the

from

away

nothing more

I've had

why

reason

white

it.

the Bold

hair may
Now, look

Ve^iture

by no
again. Do

never

"

Can't say I do."

Look
at the bows."

I did

so.

some
perhaps,

PresentlyI

remarked

bruises,and

"

nothingexcept,
red paint."

see

littlebit of

"Ah!

VENTURE"

"BOLD

THE

that's it,and

did the red

from?"
paint come
suggest an explanation.

where

of course, quiteunable to
Presently,after Mr. Rea had waited
I was,

the

me

you

"

can't tell. It

the Bold

he said

expected

he

answer

When

thus.

was

225

Ve^tture here and

from

Well, no, I reckon

mother
died, I brought
"

she

her where

set

if to draw

as

"

is now, on
ship,all red

the

and
cupboard, and Jonas, he had set the new
Will
called,on the bureau.
green, the Saucy Jane it was
the
downstairs
morning when I came
you believe me, next
of her spars broken
and
frigatewas on the floor,and some
all the riggingin a muddle."
"

"

There
It

began
"

How

"

Run

into

the bottom.

once

that

happened.

night ; and
every
to show
signsof

thing

away

not

was

on

lead

no

was

so

what

It fell down."
It

is more,

having fouled

the

to

came

the

Bold

same

Venture

her."

"

bruises,and had brought

of the paintof the Saucy Jane, Every morning
some
if she were'nt
the floor,were
the frigate,
rammed
on
a

But

"

Of

battered

and

corner,

"

She

against her.

it is

had

if she'd been

as

in

bad

sea."

impossible."
lots o'

course,

but they happen

thingsis impossible,

all the same."

*'

"

she

Well, what
Jane, she
got

And

wus

"

and
ill,

was

it took

so

the

on

next

night

she

took

wus

as

wus

and

well with

died, I reckon

wus,

the

that

and

just as

Saucy Jane,
there

was

reg'larpitchedsea-fight."
"

But

not

at

sea."

; but

the

been

no

frigateseemed to have been rammed,

and she was
the floor and splitfrom stem
to stern."
on
Venture
made
"And, pray, has the Bold
no
attempt
is not broken."
since ?
The glasscase
"Well,

"

no

There's

of the

Saucy Jane

occasion.

I chucked

into the fire.'*

what

remained

MUSTAPHA
I

X~\

at

dealers

hangers-onat the Hotel de I'Europe

donkey-boys, porters,guides,antiquity
named
a
man
Mustapha, who
young

the many

AMONG

was

"

proved

Luxor

"

one,

generalfavourite.

I spent three

winters

at

Luxor,

partly for

health,
studies,as I
my

artistic
partly for pleasure,mainly to make
to know
am
Mustapha
by professiona painter. So I came
three
in
three
those
winters.
fairlywell
stages, during
his acquaintance he was
in the
first I made
When
He had
transition condition from boyhood to manhood.
an
face,with bright eyes, a skin soft as brown
intelligent
silk,with a velvetyhue on it. His features were
regular,
and if his face was
little too round
to quite satisfyan
a
English artistic eye, yet this was a peculiarityto which
became
He
accustomed.
was
one
soon
unflaggingly
and
A
obliging.
mongrel, no doubt, he
good-natured
and
native
was
Egyptian blood were
mingled in
; Arab
But the result was
his veins.
the
happy ; he combined
with the
patience and gentlenessof the child of Mizraim
and pluck of the son
of the desert.
energy
Mustapha had been a donkey-boy, but had risen a stage
higher,and looked, as the objectof his supreme
ambition,
to become
some
day a dragoman, and blaze like one of
these gildedbeetles in lace and chains,ringsand weapons.
To become
a
dragoman one of the most obsequiousof
"

226

MUSTAPHA
of the veriest tyrants when

tillengaged,one

men

227

engaged

higher could an Egyptian boy aspire?

and
to go in broadcloth
To become
a dragoman
means
his fellows are half naked ; to lounge
with gold chains when

"

what

to

and

his kinsfolk

when

twist the moustache

under
toiling

are

from

backsheesh
the water-buckets; to be able to extort
introduce
he can
the tradesmen
a master
to whom
himself

nothing
able
his

to

look

work

with

himself

; to do

for him

to

four wives

purchase two, three,even

to

contented

father

others

make

and

one

; to

all

when
out

soar

be
of

region of native virtues into that of foreignvices ; to

and
be superiorto all instilled prejudicesagainstspirits
that is the ideal set before young
wine
Egypt through
the

"

with

contact

all liked

We

Some

of him.
broken

had

tourist.
Englishand the American
Mustapha. No one had a bad word to say
pious individuals rejoicedto see that he

the

the

with

Koran,

as

if this

were

first step

the Bible.

free-thinking
fessor
proto find that Mustapha had
was
emancipated
those
which
of
shackles
himself from some
religionplaces
on
august, divine humanity, and that by gettingdrunk he
pation,
gave pledge that he had risen into a sphereof pure emanciin ideal perfection.
which
eventuates
I made
studies I engaged Mustapha to carry
As
my
or
glad to have
camp-stool. I was
my easel and canvas,
him stand by a wall or sit on a
him as a study,to make
pillarthat was
prostrate, as artistic exigenciesrequired.
There
He
was
an
was
me.
always ready to accompany
drove
of tourists
that when
us
a
understanding between
for the day to pick up
he might leave me
to Luxor
came
towards

taking
glad

what

could

him

he

could
he

get

consumed
He

more

above

was

then

always

not

who

with

up

keen
from

the

the natural

from
to

be

off

duty

the occasional

prey
to

; but

I found

Though he

me.

visitor than

from

appetitefor backsheesh

ravenous

me,

which

his fellows.
has

much

to

do

with

the

native

Egyptian

will

228

have

discovered

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK
that there

are

in him

fund

of kindliness

good qualities.He is delightedto be

treated with humanity, pleasedto be noticed,and ready to
with
attention
touching gratitude. He is by no
repay
as
means
rapaciousfor backsheesh as the passingtraveller
and

; he

supposes
man

of

treasure

; likes this

one,

will do

and

The

Egyptian

quitetrue

is

and

to

in

now

walk, there

man

him

and
rewarded,
un-

bribe.

transitional state.

If it be

England is restoringlifeto his

the voice of England bidding him rise

that the touch

crippledlimbs,and
up

between
distinguish
will do anything for
and
naught for another for any

is shrewd

are

of

occasions

which

on

association

with

Such an instance
disadvantage to him.
is that of poor, good Mustapha.
It was
not
place to caution Mustapha againstthe
my
perniciousinfluences to which he was
subjected,and, to
I did not know
what line to adopt, on what
speak plainly,
ground to take my stand, if I did. He was breaking with
and taking up with what was
the old life,
retaining
new,
bad in it,and
of the old only what
was
acquiringof the
of its good parts.
Civilisation
none
new
European

Englishmen

is

"

civilisation
"

is

does

gulp,nor

excellent,but

cannot

be

it wholly suit the oriental

swallowed

at

digestion.

impelledMustapha stillfurther in his course

towards
him by his own
relatives
the attitude assumed
was
and
the natives of his own
strict
village. They were
the highway
on
Moslems, and they regarded him as one
with mistrust,
to becoming a renegade. They treated him
him
showed
aversion, and loaded him with reproaches.
and he resented rebuke.
Let
Mustapha had a high spirit,
said he ; they would
his fellows grumble and
objurgate,
he
became
a
dragoman, with his
cringe to him when
pockets stuffed with piastres.
That

which

There

fellow
money,

was

of

the

in
name

our

hotel, the second

of

Jameson,

good nature,
superficial

man

winter,
with

young
plenty of

little intellect,
very

con-

BOOK

230

his fate in the

met
stop the conflagration,

daughter of Ibraim
By the Hght of
resolved
No
He

amassed

wife and

set up

of four mud
an

the domestic

her, and

saw

girlhis

sufficient

household

walls and

Egyptian

he

flames

the

at

once

wife.

obstacle intervened,so

reasonable

had

of the

shape

Farrier.

the

that fair

make

to

GHOSTS

OF

house

is

to

sum

of his

thought Mustapha.
entitle him. to buy a

own.

house

consists

low

as

architecture.

thatch,and housekeeping
elementary and economical
The

maintenance

of

family is not costlyafter the firstoutlay,which

indemnifyingthe father for the

been put in rearinga daughter.
of courting is
The ceremony

expense

to

in
as

wife and

consists in

which

he has

also

elementary,and the
addresses of the suitor are
not
paid to the bride,but to
her father,and not in person by the candidate,but by an
intermediary.
Mustapha negotiatedwith a friend,a fellow hanger-on
at the hotel,to open
proceedingswith the farrier. He"
the worthy man
that the suitor
to represent to
was
entertained
of Ibraim

the

his.

ardent

that
personally,

ambition,which
as

most

He

was

was

to

he

admiration

assure

the

the

inspiredwith

was

alliance with

for

so

virtues
but

one

a family
distinguished

father of the

damsel

that

to
Mustapha undertook
proclaim through Upper and
of
Lower
Egypt, in the ears
Egyptians, Arabs, and
the most
remarkable
was
man
Europeans, that Ibraim
that ever
existed for solidityof judgment, excellence of
ness
parts,uprightnessof dealing,nobilityof sentiment, strictof the precepts of the Koran, and
in observance
that finally
Mustapha was anxious to indemnify this same
of genius and
virtue for his condescension
in
paragon
having cared to breed and clothe and feed for several
his daughter,if Mustapha might have
years a certain girl,
his wife.
that he cared
Not
that daughter as
for the
whereby he might
daughter in herself,but as a means

MUSTAPHA
have

the honour

of

and

less

alliance

He
with

who

one

Ibraim

tinguish
dis-

so

the Farrier.

barrier he had
blood.

own

to the

set

now

had

not

his fellows

between

had

He

himself
and

known

daughterin childhood,till she

face ;

the

on

realised how
and
and

himself
the

great
"

what

of his

men

refusal of his suit struck

The

quick.

up

back

his

have

beer.

Mustapha

the alienation between

would

Ibraim

turned

had

bottled

Till this moment

as

Moslem.

bad

was

Prophet and drunk

was

of Allah

one

intermediary,and to the
mortification of the suitor,Mustapha

surpriseand

refused.

was
no

with

alliance

the infinite surpriseof the

To
no

enteringinto

esteemed

so

231

that he had

had

the young
man
played with the farrier's
come

her in her

seen

of age

to

veil her

ripecharms, his heart

deeply stirred and engaged. He entered into himself,

he there made
and going to the mosque
that
a solemn
vow
if he ever
touched wine, ale,or spirits
again he would cut
was

that he had done so,

his throat,and he sent word
to Ibraim
and begged that he would
not
disposeof his daughter and

finallyrejecthim till he had

turned
in thought and
manner
would

return

seen

of

how

that

life from

with firm resolution to the

he

who

the

had

Prophet

rightway.

II
He
Mustapha changed his conduct.
was
obligingand attentive as before,ready to exert himself
what I wanted, ready also to extort
to do for me
money
from the ordinarytourist for doing nothing,to go with me
and
I went
forth painting,and
tools when
to
carry my
avoidably
unjoke and laugh with Jameson ; but, unless he were
detained, he said his prayers five times daily
From

this time

and no
inducement
whatever
in the mosque,
would
him touch anything save
sherbet,milk, or water.

Mustapha

had

mistrusted

no

easy

time

this sudden

of it. The

make

strict Mohammedans

conversion,and

believed

that

he

BOOK

232

relatives maintained

His

gave

him

their

reserve

Ibraim

playinga part.

was

GHOSTS

OF

ment.
encourage-

no

and

stiffness

him.

towards

in the transitional
who were
companions, moreover,
stage, and those who had completely shaken off all faith in
Allah and trust in the Prophet and respect for the Koran,
His

he

him, the

fellows mimicked

young

his

change

to

laid himself

heart,and

of his pot of scruples.

ain't any sport at all now," said he.

Mustapha
hanged if he has
he
bribes in gold,
"

united
and

on

availed.

Mustapha

before,but

him,
he had

again leave
1 have

I'm

"

offered

He

out

him

he turned
ridicule,

Nothing
employ him.
courteous, obligingas
respectful,

refused

was

to

faith and

returned,he said,to the

he had

life in which

para from me."

with the others in

another

his back

"

insulted
ridiculed,

was

elder scoffed at him.

Jameson took
bring him out

to

The

beaten.

waylaid and

was

He

at his desertion.

incensed

were

been

brought up,

and

he

would

rule of
never

it.

sworn," said he,

"

that if I do

I will cut

my

throat."
I had

been, perhaps,negligentin cautioningthe young

fellow the

likelyto

be

contrary

to

against the harm

done him by taking up v/ith European habits
of his
and prejudices
his law and the feelings

first winter

that

people. Now, however,

to him

that

him

I had

no

him

hesitation

in

expressing

mined
and deterthe satisfaction I felt at the courageous
with acquiredhabits
in which he had broken
manner

good. For one thing,we

who
and I felt that as one
acquaintances,

could

better

I knew

for

more

do

him

than

no

few

months

in the

were

had

now

known

winter, I had

good right to speak. And, again, it is always easier or

pleasanterto praisethan to reprimand.
One day when sketchingI cut my pencilwith a pruningknife I happened to have in my
pocket ; my proper knife
of many
blades had been left behind by misadventure.

MUSTAPHA

Mustapha
if it had

cost

Not

"

great sum.
all,"I answered.

at

and

asked

I ordered

when

he

sent

case

"

the

consignment

he

It

it.

man,
seeds-

included

worth

It is not

present.

buy

even

seeds from

flower

some
me

as

I did not

more

in England."
shilling

He

turned

It is

"

it,and

this knife in the

than

admired

the knife and

noticed

given me.

was

233

it

about, with looks of admiration.

just the

sort

that would

suit

me,"

he

said.

"

but

It is very fine,
blades.
your other knife with many
it is too small.
I do not want
it to cut pencils. It

has

other

know

things in it,a hook

hoof,a pair of tweezers

horse's
not

want

is

such, but

knife such

for
for
as

taking stones from a

removing hairs. I do
this,with such a curve,

just the thing."

Then

"

It

was

Egypt
I

shall have it,"said I. " You

welcome.
are
you
for rough work
only that I brought the knife to
with

finished

satisfaction.
Luxor
over

me."
a

It

painting

that

of the

was

with
by evening light,

the distant desert

winter

great

that

court

gave
of the

temple

glare of the
eastern
sky above

the last red

and the
hills,

real

me

of

sun

of

colours
I used ! the intensest on
purple depth. What
and yet fell short of the effect.
palette,
my
The
nably
picturewas in the Academy, was well hung, abomirepresentedin one of the illustrated guides to the
as
sort of photographicprocess
a blotch,
galleries,
by some
of
most
on
me
picturesold,which concerned
gelatine
; my
but it
all,and not only did it sell at a respectablefigure,
also brought me
three orders for Egyptian pictures.
two
or
So many
English and Americans
go up the Nile, and
with them
of the Land
pleasantreminiscences
carry away
of the Pharaohs, that when
in England they are
fain to
them
of scenes
in that
buy pictureswhich shall remind
a

land.
I returned

to my

hotel at Luxor

in

November,

to

spend

there

fellaheen

The

third winter.

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

234

about

saluted

there

which I am
delight,
quitecertain was not assumed, as they got nothing out of
save
kindly salutations. I had the Egyptian fever on
me
off
is not to be shaken
once
acquired,
me, which, when
for everything Egyptian, the antiquities,
enthusiasm
an
friend with

as

me

affectionate

an

"

history of the Pharaohs, the very desert,the brown

blue
sky, the
Nile, the desolate hill ranges, the ever
marvellous colorations at rise and set of sun, and last,
the

of the
least,the prosperity

but not
I

accorded

to

said

he

words

to

on

me

peasants.
welcome

warmest

very

Mustapha, and almost the first

meeting him again were :
my

from

was

me

the

that

quite certain

am

poor

I drink

good. I say my prayers.

wine, and Ibraim will give me his daughter in
what you call January."
lomada
"Not
before,Mustapha?"

"

been

I have

very

no

the second

"

"

is

he

and
"

Then

"

I have

whole

one

year,

right."
after Christmas

soon

got

happy

in

man

you

made

and

house

will be

there

Christmas
very

be tried for

I must

No, sir ; he says

one

"

happy !
it ready. Yes.
one
happy man
will be

very
and that will be

Egypt,

After
very,

"

your

humble

servant, Mustapha."

Ill
We
not

were

numerous,

For

the

admired
could
that

most

very

for the

but

part

Queen

we

were

Hatasou

and

the
distinguish
of

another.

We

at

most

Luxor, this third winter,

part of congenial tastes.

keen
we

Rameses

hated

of

artistic work
were

we
hieroglyphics,

on

learned

one
on

II.

We

dynasty from
cartouches, and

knowledge before the tourists dropping in.

Oxford
an
don,
of those staying in the hotel was

flourished
One

pleasantparty

good

our

company,

interested in

and
everything,

able to

MUSTAPHA
talk well

on

remotely
health

"

with

connected

fellow who

everything
had

been

were

weak.

He

attache

an

very

as
anti-Gallican,

naturallyis,who

keen

was

Another

less

or
a

was

Berlin,but

at

was

young
of

out

lungs,but they
and
the political
situation,
has been in Egypt
who
with his

matter
on
man

every

is not

everything more

mean

Egypt.

nothing organicthe

"

235

Frenchman.

lady,
staying in the hotel an American
twinkled
fresh and delightful,
whose mind and conversation
fullof good-humour,
in the sun, a woman
like frost crystals
of the most
sympathies,and so droll that she
generous
kept us ever amused.
back again,not enteringinto
And, alas ! Jameson was
littlejokes,not
not understandingour
pursuits,
any of our
He
to be there.
at all content
grumbled at the food
and, indeed,that might have been better ; at the monotony
doctor for puttingthe
of the life at Luxor, at his London
rather the absence
Cairo because of its drainage,
veto
or
on
did our
utmost
to draw
of all drainage. I reallythink we
to amuse
him, to interest him in
Jameson into our circle,
something ; but one by one we gave him up, and the last
the littleAmerican
to do this was
lady.
From
he had
attacked
the outset
deavoured
Mustapha, and enoff his
to persuade him
to shake
squeamish
I'll tell you
nonsense," as Jameson called his resolve.
out
withhe said, life isn't worth living
what it is,old fellow,"
and as for that blessed Prophet of yours,
good liquor,
There

also

was

"

"

"

"

he showed
But

become
"

I'm

as

he

was

fool when

Mustapha was
justas great a

sick

of the

As

bore

whole

of fresh dates,
about.

not

he

put

bar

drinks."

on

"
He's
gave him up.
old Rameses," said he.

pliablehe
as

that

and

concern,

that

fellows

you
for that stupidold Nile

"

I don't

make

think

there

ain't

such
a

anything
fuss

fish worth

those old Egyptains were

of it. And
out
eating comes
arrant
here,
humbugs. I haven't seen a lotus since I came
too."
such a fuss about them
and they made

BOOK

236

little American

The

GHOSTS

OF

lady

weary
and
life,

questionsrelative to English home

country-houselivingand amusements.
"

Oh,

spend

"

said
in

Christmas

There

is

"

she,

I would

old

fine

the

asking

to
especially

give
fashion

to

ears

my
in

good

in the

country."
in that,"said
nothing remarkable

manor-house

ancient
"

dear !

my

of

not

was

an

English

lady.
"

Not

to you,

read

we

maybe

live.

you

your

hunting."
That,

facts

Your

what

"

picturesof

make

of and

would

there

; but

in

like,is fun," threw

if you

fancies,that

our

in

myself think anything save Luxor

bore than country-houselife at Christmas
the boys are back from school."
us," said

little American,

the

the

Look

Jameson.

I don't

"With

What

us.

fairytales.

our

are

be to

be

can

time

whole

at

But

bigger

when

"

"our

"

is

all

sportsmen
and

canter
thing
pink like yours
after a bag of anise seed that is trailed before them."
Why do they not import foxes ?
Our
fox would
Because
not
a
keep to the road.
farmers object pretty freelyto trespass ; so the hunting
of necessitybe done on the highway, and the game
must

in

dress

"

"

"

"

"

is but

meet

and

This

"Oh,
chef

like to

see

an

English

run."

subject was
unduly for
dear

could

I would

of anise seed.

bag

me!"
be

thrashed
the sake
said

out

of

the

persuaded

to

after

having

been

longed
pro-

Jameson.
Yankee
lady. "If but that
give us plum-puddings for
in

England."
"Plum
-pudding is exploded,"said Jameson. "Only
A good trifle or a tipsy-cakeis
children ask for it now.
here can
much
taste ; but this hanged cook
to my
more
give us nothing but his blooming custard pudding and
burnt
sugar."
Christmas, I

"

I do

not

would

think

try

to

it would

think

was

be wise

to

let him

attempt

BOOK

2t;8
o
would

with
finally,

catch,and

not

GHOSTS

OF

plum-pudding as served.
"I say, chaplain!" exclaimed
"

be

To

it is."

sure

Jameson

pudding in
By Jove !

"

he

"

said,

the

and

but
anyone,
in the world, and do

beef
And
We

left the

he

paid no

heed

can

we

not

to

which

himself, and
as
insipid

In

ten

were

the

minutes

two

anything Jameson
was

in

puddings."

quailsof
he

was

said

did.

or

the room,
he
"larks"
certain

We

and

of

quite

were

we

out

the

about

ourselves

concern

England, that are

produce the finest roast

room.

rather relieved that he

were

other.

the

in

in

thingor

plateof plum-

these fellows to open their

We
know
how
to feed.

I'llteach

to

sauce-boat

that we
them
I'll show
eyes.
can't turn out scarabs and cartouches

good

short,as

was

it,I'llpractisewhere

table with

started from
hand

one

"

no

It

You

Then

our

Jameson, "practice is

good sermon.
gave us a deuced
it ought to be ; but I'llgo better on
and have larks,too !"
you preached,
"

to take

it not?"

precept, is

better than

had

sigh,we

did

promised

would

be

as

the Israelites.

back, laughing and

red

in the

face.
"

been

fun,"he
splitting

I've had

said.

"

You

should

have

there."

"Where,

Jameson?"

and
lot of old moolahs
a
Why, outside. There were
other hoky-pokies sittingand contemplating the setting
I gave
and all that sort of thing,and
Mustapha the
sun
pudding. I told him I wished him to try our great national
English dish,on which her Majesty the Queen dines daily.
Well, he ate and enjoyed it,by George. Then I said, Old
to
fellow,it'suncommonly dry, so you must take the sauce
It's
flour and water.
it' He asked if it was
only sauce
bar on the
said I, a little sugar to it ; no
sauce, by Jove,'
him
sugar, Musty.' So I put the boat to his lipsand gave
"

'

"

MUSTAPHA
a
was

1 said.

He'd

It is best

have

eaten

I've done
He

I believe

"

I wish

just splittingfun.

was

cognac'

me,

have

should

pull. By George, you

justthunderingfun.
'

239

at

you

you

such

walked

had

It

last,old Musty,'

me

gave
and he

face!

his

seen

look

It

away.

there

been

to

see

it."
I went
the

dinner, to take my usual stroll along

the evening lightsdie away
to watch

after

out

river-bank,and
the columns

on

that

obelisk.

and
had

something

On

happened

the

of
the servants
among
the salon before I inquired what
The

"

boy who
Mustapha is dead.
could

He

mosque.

He

had

the

help himself.

not

once
motion
com-

reached

I had

the matter.
round

coffee

his throat

cut

at

saw

produced

hotel.

was

taking

was

return

my
which

at

He

the
had

said

door

of the

broken

his

vow."

Indeed, I could
Jameson without a word.
not
lady was
speak ; I was
choking. The little American
trembling,the English lady crying. The gentlemen stood
silent in the windows, not speaking a word.
Jameson's colour changed. He was honestly distressed,
I looked

and

uneasy,
a

at

tried to

his confusion

cover

bravado

with

and

jest.

all,"he said, it is only a nigger the less."

lady. He was no nigger,
Nigger ! said the American
but an
Egyptian."
"

After

"

"

"

"

Oh

blacks
your
"

He

up.

My

meant

pretend

and

was

But

I do

mean

to

dear, don't,"said
no

any

"

harm."

It's

distinguishbetween
more

than

do

your

between

Jameson.

say

the

American

that I consider

lady, standing
you an utterly

"

black

down.

to

black," said

no

unredeemed

other

don't

whity-browns
cartouches," returned

"

"

"

no

Englishwoman, drawing the

He
good. The thing is done.
the

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

240

IV
I could
I could

not

not

Luxor.

leave

Coventry

was

finish in

I tried to

when

notebook
and

up

mind

on

to

Egyptian

an

room,

lay

my

was

made

in

my
pencilaside.

very

my

shook,

hand

but

Then

fix my
still. Everyone had
could

but

grammar,

hotel

The

study.

I had

little sketch
in my

was

constrained

was

took

sleep. My blood was in a boil. I felt that

speak to Jameson again. He would have to
us.
That
was
tacitlyunderstood
among
the place to which he would be consigned.

not

early hour that night,disinclined for

No one
conversation.
was
moving. There was a lamp in
Jameson's room
the passage ; it was
partlyturned down.
bed

to

gone

an

mine.

to

next

was

at

watch, and

pillow. I

him

stir as

he undressed, and

quiet. I wound
up my
emptying my pocket,put my purse under the
not in the least heavy with sleep. If I did
was

himself.

talk to

I heard

Then

he

was

be able to close my
go to bed I should not
if I sat up I could do nothing.
to undress, when
about leisurely
I was

eyes.

But then

"

cry,

or

exclamation

adjoiningroom.

of

mingled pain

In another

and

moment

I heard

sharp

alarm, from

there

was

rap

the
at

in
He
in.
was
opened, and Jameson came
and looking agitatedand frightened.
nightshirt,
"Look
here, old fellow," said he in a shaking voice,
He
has been hiding there,
room.
there is Musty in my
that knife of yours
and just as I dropped asleep he ran
my
his

door.

"

into

throat."

my

knife?"

"My

gave
you
pruning-knife
I must have the placesewn
here"
Look
doctor,there's a good chap,"
is the place?"
Where
Here on my rightgill.'*
"Yes

"

"

that

him,
up.

know.
you
Do
go for a

MUSTAPHA

There

lamp.

"

no

was

I told him
"

his head

turned

Jameson

241
the left,and

to

sort there.

of any

wound

so.

I felt his knife go in."

Oh, yes ! That's fine" I tell you

Nonsense, you were dreaming."

"

Dreaming !
see
you."

"

This

now

I raised the

is

Not

I.

Musty

saw

delusion,Jameson," I replied.

as
distinctly

as

"

The

poor

fellow is dead."
"

of

spinning.
know
a

he is not.

"

has

He

and

room,

he made

Jameson,

of anyone

trace

and

in the bedroom

in which

anyone

this and

showed

bed

opened
a

while

again,and

attempt

to

court

and
steadiest,

As

been

to

could

have

that it was

I left his

sleep.

I wrote

did my

accounts.

room.

was

in the

the nut-wood

pacified
Jameson, and
then

There

about.

having

place but

no

was

looked

himself

beside

Moreover, there

After

him

run."

I followed

the

dead, but I

was

throat

my

and

cut

to

believe he

got into my

you've been

that

with your pruning-knife."

I'llgo into your room
with you."
Do
Trust
But he's gone by this time.
so.

dig at
"

tried to make

You

the first

It is not

"

said Jameson.
that's very fine,"
April,and I don't believe the yarns

Oh,

no

room.

wardrobe

secreted himself

empty.

induced

him

I did

letters with

not

hand

to go
now

not

the hour

approached midnight I was again startled

and
in another
by a cry from the adjoining room,
door.
at my
moment
Jameson was
That
said
still,"
blooming fellow Musty is in my room
He has been at my throat again."
he.
You
nations.
are
Nonsense," I said.
labouringunder halluci"

"

"

"

You

locked

Oh, by Jove,yes
hole,neither doors nor
"

"

good, and
R

your door."
of course
I did ; but,hang it,in this
windows
and the locks are no
fit,

the bolts nowhere.

He

got in again somehow,

if I had

and

he'd have
had

done

I wish

But

of you to say there is

with words.
won't gullme

you

glass,there

the

he insisted

Again

good

in my
windpipe,and if I had
"
You
locked your door.
in

would, by George.

knife,

on

my

his throat.

It's very

he.

I felt the

the moment

Jameson'sroom.

into

looking at
"

started up
He
for me.

revolver."

I went

"

not

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

242

is not

not

jumped

No

one

even

wound,"

no

I felt his knife

out

could

"

of bed

Look

enter.

is pure

This

scratch.

said

imagination."
I
what, old fellow,

"I'll tell you

with

again. Change
anyhow

"

you

can

try if he's solid

if the knife felt like

me
"

I do

quite

not

hurt

see

or

that

room

If

buffer.

charitable

Musty, Musty won't

don't believe in

you

there's

me,

sleepin

won't

you,

maybe
Blow

phantom.

phantom."

my

way

changing rooms,"

to

If you like to go to
but this I will do for you.
replied
;
bed again in your own
apartment, I will sit up with you
till morning."
if Musty comes
And
answered
All right,"
Jameson.
Swear
and do not spare him.
in again,let out at him
"

"

"

that."

accompanied Jameson

Little

presence
his

I liked

as

and

assistance

were

nerves

his relation

the

to

man,
at

once

I could

not

this time.

It

by what
Mustapha much

shaken

to

more

had
more

his

bedroom,

deny him
was

obvious

occurred,and
than

he

he

cared

my

that
felt
to

of the
thought that he had been the cause
preyed on his mind, never
strong, and
poor fellow's death
it was
now
upset with imaginary terrors.
I gave
brought my Baedeker's
up letter writing,and
Upper Egypt into Jameson's room, one of the best of all
I seated
crammed
with information.
and one
guide-books,
back
and with my
the light,
to the bed, on
myself near
had once
which the young
man
more
flunghimself.

show.

The

MUSTAPHA

say,"said Jameson, raisinghis head, "is it too late for

brandy-and-soda?"
Everyone is in bed."
What
One never
can
get anything
lazydogs they are.
"

243

"

"

here."

wants

one
"

Well, try to go

He

tossed

from

while, either
Baedeker, and
At

the

and

last stroke

to

heard

time, but after

some

then

and

snort

looked

I started up, and

with his feet onto

bed.

the

side for

engrossed in my
quiet,or I was
nothing till a clock struck twelve.

was

I heard

cry from

side

he

sleep."

to

gasp

round.

the floor.
slippingout
"Confound
you!" said he angrily,
"you are a fine watch,
tiptoewhilst you are
are, to let Mustapha steal in on
you
cartouchingand all that sort of rubbish. He was at me
again, and if I had not been sharp he'd have cut my

Jameson

was

throat.
"

Well,

sit up.

"

That's

fine.

to

can't hear

You
It
have
"

them

no

till they

knife

the

use

three

reasonable

"And

been

prey
much

"

rest

dawn

as

The

came

to

ladies

formed
be

done

had

risen

in knots
in the

at

and
the

up

with

here."

your

about

back

like cats.

my

throat

where

you

notice?

don't

of the
on,

I let him

so

night.
and

He

he
"

came
be-

inclined to

others
sat

on

"

Jameson
at

was

table when

retired,and the gentlemen

window, discussingwhat was

had
to

afternoon.

Suddenly Jameson,
started

had

been

fancies.

did
as
day passed very
dull and sulky. After dejeuner he
the

You

steal

placesin

in," said he.

that he had

admit

has

at

are

speak with difficulty."

So we
sat up
together the
more

one

you."
arguing with Jameson,

his way.
feel all the
I can

ran

of

was

devils of fellows

these

and

me,

!"

more
go to bed any
But I assure
you no
How
can
you tell?

I won't

an

oath

whose
and

head

threw

had
down

begun

to

his chair.

nod,

fellows ! "

You

"

said,

he

to stick his knife

try

has

"

He

"

It's

drive

You
away.
to murder

me

Mustapha

tried to cut

in without

come

combined

are

don't

like
This

me.

to

You

me.

is the

in the salle

throat, and

my

league against
a

word,

and

here."
You

plant.

all in

are

you

me."

into

been

not

GHOSTS

"

Mustapha

let that

You

me.

OF

BOOK

244

bully
have

fourth

and

me

engaged

time

he

has

too, with
manger^
to be ashamed
to call
a

You
ought
standing round.
I'llcomplain."
yourselvesEnglishmen. I'llgo to Cairo.
that the feeble brain of Jameson was
It reallyseemed
all

you

affected.

don

Oxford

The

undertook

following night.
man
was
fagged
young

to

sit up

in

the

the

room

The

did his eyes

sooner

he

than

fancy

or

was

dream.

clouds

close,and

brought
The

to

sleep-weary,but no
form
about
his head,
again by the same

and

wakefulness
don

Oxford

had

more

trouble

with

night than I had on the first,for his

more
frequent,and each such lapse
lapses into sleep were
succeeded
was
by a start and a panic.
and
felt that he could
The
next
we
day he was
worse,
The
third night the attache sat
no
longer be left alone.
him

on

to

up

the

watch

second

him.

He
would
sunk into a sullen mood.
Jameson had now
then only to grumble.
not speak,except to himself, and
of it,the young
During the night,without being aware
had
taken
a
couple of magazines with him
attache, who
off he did not know.
he went
to read, fell asleep. When
of terror
and
He
woke
just before dawn, and in a spasm
that Jameson's chair was
empty.
self-reproachsaw
He
his bed.
could not be found in
not
on
Jameson was
the

hotel.

At

mosque,

dawn

with

he

was

his throat

found
cut.

"

dead,

at

the

door

of

the

JOE

LITTLE
"

'HT^

HERE'S

mossul

"

"not
him,"said his stepmother,
these words she thrust littleJoe

in

good

no

With

knee

by applying her

forward

thereby jerkinghim

and

before

the

him, whack
Little

him

been

discarded
when

you

the
no

middle

of his back,
of the school

making nothing out

will."
a

was

third-hand

soldier's scarlet uniform, that had

had
dealt it to a
to a dealer,who

the carter

had

of

child of ten, dressed in secondhand,

garments that did not fit. His coat

Joe Lambole

nay,

had

as

the small

to

into

There's

"

master.

GANDER

worn

it out

it was

reduced

gone

when

carter, and
and

adapted

nether garments had, in like

wear
served a full-grown
tillworn
out ; then they
man
manner,
had been cut down
at the knees.
Though shortened in
the

to

of the child.

leg,they maintained
served

as

an

littleJoe

was

of
"

The

their former

inexhaustible
"

licked

"

copiousnessof seat, and

receptaclefor dust. Often as

there issued

from

the

dense

mass

drapery clouds of dust. It was like beatinga puff-ball.

child,"said Mrs. Lambole
Only a seven-month
temptuously,
con"

born

they growed later.

without
His

his nails

wits have

on

never

deal, a deal of larrupingit will take

to

and toes ;
fingers
and a
come
right,
make

'em

grow.
the rod ; we won't grumble at you for doing so."
Little Joe Lambole
when
he came
into the world had
been expected to live. He was
not
a
able
poor, small,miserUse

baby, that could not roar, but whimpered. He had

been privatelybaptiseddirectlyhe was
born, because,at
the first,
Mrs. Lambole
said, The child is mine, though
"

245

246
it be such

like

be buried

I wouldn't

creetur, and

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

like it,according,
to

dog."
called Joseph. The scriptural
He was
Joseph had been
into Egypt ; this little Joseph seemed
sold as a bondman
been brought into the world to be a slave. In
to have
all proprietyhe ought to have died as a baby, and that
almost desired,but he disapwas
pointed
happy consummation
expectationsand lived. His mother died soon
after,and his father married again, and his father and
stepmother loved him, doubtless ; but love is manifested
showed
theirs in a rough
in many
ways, and the Lamboles
The
father was
by slaps and blows and kicks.
way,
the stepof him because he was
a weakling,and
ashamed
mother
child.
he was
because
ugly,and was not her own
little fellow,with a long neck and a
He
a
was
meagre
cheeks, a pigeon breast,and a big
white face and sunken
He

stomach.

pale blue
if he

he

his head

with

walked

and

his great

staringbefore him into the far distance,as

His
walk
always looking out of the world.

waddle, and he tumbled

looked

never

forward

eyes

were
a

was

something beyond

obstacle,because

every

going, always

was

looked

to

the horizon.

of his walk

Because

he

where

over

his

and

long neck, and staring

eyes

Gander
big stomach, the villagechildren called him
not sorry, for
; and his parents were
Joe Gander
Joe or
should be known
that such a creature
ashamed
they were
"

and

"

as

Lambole.

The
like

"

"

Lamboles

were

sturdy,hearty people,with cheeks

quarrenderapples,and

bones

firm and

set

knit with

a
hard-working,practical
people
They were
Lambole
fattened pigs and kept poultryat home.
In breaking stones
one
roadmaker.
day a bit of
a

iron sinews.
who
was
one
a

had
black

struck his eye

patch

upon

and

it

blinded

He

saw

it.

well

missed seeinghis own

other ; he never
with
few pence
could have made
a

After that he

enough

out

wore

of the

interests. Lambole
his

son

had

his

son

JOE

LITTLE
been

GANDER

247

anything. He could have sent him to scrape

the road, and bring the manure
off it in a shovel to his
took heartily
to scrapingthe dung
garden. But Joe never
In a word, the boy was
good for nothing.
up.
worth

had

He

hair like tow, and

littlestraw

hat

his head

on

with

the top torn, so that the hair forced its way

he walked
the top bobbed about like the lid of

as

out, and
a

boiling

saucepan.
When
sent

tin

the whortleberries

Joe

ripein June, Mrs.

were

with other children

out

collect the berries in

to

for

fourpence a quart, and any

child could earn
eightpencea day in whortleberry time ;
active might earn
that was
one
a shilling.
remain
with
the other children.
But
not
Joe would
They teased him, imitated ganders and geese, and poked
out

can

; she

Lambole

sold

their necks

them

and

sounds

uttered

voices of these birds.

in

of

imitation

the

Moreover, they stole the berries

he

had

cans.
picked,and put them into their own
When
Joe Gander left them and found himself alone in
the woods, then he lay down
the brown
heather
among
and
green fern,and looked up through the oak leaves at
the sky, and
listened to the singing of the birds. Oh,

wondrous
air among
the
flov/ers,

music

of the

! the

woods

hum

of

the

summer

leaves,the drone of the bees about the

and pipingof the finches
and fluting
twittering
and blackbirds
and
thrushes,and the cool soft cooing of
the wood
pigeons,like the lowing of aerial oxen
; then
the tapping of the green woodpecker and a glimpse of its
crimson
head, like a carbuncle running up the tree trunk,
and the powdering down
of old husks of fircones
or of the
tender
rind of the topmost shoot of a Scottish pine ; for
aloft a red squirrelwas
barking a beautiful tree out of
the

wantonness

the

bracken

the

fore paws

and

frolic. A

rabbit

would

sit up in the sun, and

and
stroke its long ears

and

soiled red coat, would

skip up

"

come

clean
;

little Joe

forth

from

its face with

then, seeing the

lyingvery

still
"

and

skip
and
a

its

screw

then

days ! days of listeningto mysterious music, of

of spiritual
and foliage,
into mysteries of sun
with the great mother-soul

intercourse

I'llmake

without

came

to

say

his

so

stick

of nature.
his can,

stepmother:
singing."

nice ; everythingwas
sing in the chorus too !" cried Mrs.

you

bole,and laid

Joe

empty, he would

can

Oh, steppy ! it was

"

Gander

evenings,when
his

with

or
"

tail.

flash of white

In the

side to side,and

from

its eyes

turn

again,till it was quite close to Joe Gander ;

with
the boy laughed,and the rabbit was
gone

nearer

Happy
looking

and

nose

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

248

Experience had

his shoulders.

across

Lam-

of dustingat a lower level.

futility
Gander
Then
Joe cried and writhed, and promised to
be more
diligentin pickingwhortleberries in future. But
he went
when
again into the wood it was again the same.
him ; he forgotabout
of the wood
The spell
on
was
spirits
his back and
the berries at fourpence a quart, and lay on

taught her

the

whisperedand sang to him

for his beating,and the wind
him
played
the fir spines and whistled in the grass,
clashed its myriad tiny cymbals together,

consoled

and

wood

the whole

And

listened.

lullabies among
and
the aspen

producingan orchestra of
dreaming boy with love
yearning.
fared

It

in.

set

season

better

no

Joe

the brambles

where

rubble thrown
their fruit

out

sent

their

runners

the

fruit swelled, how

On

the road

the

sun

and

the

from

grew

thick

About

yellow

and

of

they

quarry
their bark

was

the blackberries
black

quarry

masses

and

marvel

were

old

the

warmed

was

blackberry

an

over

in this deserted

side of the
out

It

to

can

pits,and

stones.

unutterable

the

when

autumn,
his

blackberries

sweetness.

in

with

the

drew

delight and

and

went

the hot

on

that filled the soul of the

sound

to

of

ripened
see

how

large
quarry ; how
like mulberries.

"

belt of

scents

hovered

moths, beautiful

of

pines,and

unsurpassed
spottedwhite

as

butterflies.

LITTLE
Butterflies did not

GANDER

JOE
fail either.

The

249

red admiral

was

there,

restingon the bark of the trees, asleep in the sun with

wings expanded, or driftingabout the clumps of yellow
ragwort, doubtful

whether

to

perch or

not.

the leaves of
Here, hidden behind the trees, among
rubble,was a one-story cottage of wood and clay,
overgrown
covered with thatch,in which lived Roger Gale,the postman.
livering
Roger Gale had ten miles to walk every morning, deof miles every evennumber
and the same
ing,
letters,

twenty miles he received the liberal pay of

six shillings
He
had to be at the post office at
week.
a
for which

six
half-past
seven

about

in the

in the

morning

to

receive

evening to deliver them.

the letters,
and at
His work took him

self
day he had to himand enjoyed a pension.
Roger Gale was an old soldier,
He occupied himself,when
at home, as a shoemaker
; but
the walks took so much
of him, being an old man,
out
that he had not
do much
the strength and energy
to
Therefore
he idled a good deal,
cobblingwhen at home.
and he amused
his idle hours with a violin. Now, when
before the return
of the
to the quarry
Joe Gander came
postman from his rounds, he picked blackberries ; but no
his door, taken down
his
had Roger Gale unlocked
sooner
than Joe set
the strings,
fiddle,and drawn the bow across
when
And
old Roger began
down
the can
and listened.
air from the Daughter of the Regiment,then Joe
to play an
six hours.

crept towards
and

hunger

The

middle

of the

his cottage in little stages of wonderment

and
hear better,much
in the
to hear more
and

in the

wood

the

inquisitive
approached his red jacket. PresentlyJoe was
the doorstep,with his ear
seated on
against the wooden
door, and the blackberries and the can, and stepmother's
orders and father's stick,and his hard bed and his meagre
had passed away
the whole world
as
a scroll
meals, even
that is rolled up and laid aside,and he lived only in the
same

way
rabbits had

world

as

now

of music.

again

OF

BOOK

250

Though his great eyes

through them ; though the

GHOSTS
he

wide

were

rain

began

nothing

saw

to

the

fall,and

blow, he felt nothing: he had but one

facultythat was awake, and that was hearing.
and
sudto his door
One
opened it denly,
day Roger came
his
that the child,leaning againstit,fell across
so

north-east

wind

to

have

we

threshold.
do

you

the postman.
Then
Gander
Joe stood up, craning his long neck
staringout of his goggle eyes, with his rough flaxen

and

"

Whom
?

want

"

asked

standingup

in

But

bit of bread

the

from

boy

and

"

the

smartly, you
who

woman

To

break
and

At

idle

ing.
laugh-

that he had

presentlydrew
been listening
to

empty

an

him

and

and

can

fiddle

so

it

was

said

beautiful !

:
"

back
Fiddle ! I'll fiddle your
pretty
"
truthful
a
vagabond ; and she was
fell short

never

he

out

"

of his bad

uselessness

school

burst

cider,and

Roger Gale did

Master

him

of

with

home

came

said

woman

Roger

to the postman,
flattering
friendshipbetween them.

Joe

Oh, steppy,

his great stomach

was

the initiation of
when

drop

and

hair

off'the step ; he gave

him

kick

confession

the

the fiddle. This

But

nothing. So

said

did not

he

his head

ruffle above

protruded,and
a

What

is this ?

What

here ?

had

of her
habits

Mrs. Lambole

"

bad

time

"

word.

ness
is,of his dreamitook Joe to school.

that

of it.

He

could

not

learn

traction
mentally incapableof doing a subHe
bench
sat on
a
sum.
staringat the teacher,
unable to answer
and
an
was
ordinary questionwhat the
tormented
school-children
about.
The
lesson was
him,
littleJoe
beat. Then
the monitor
scolded,and the master
He
took to absenting himself from school.
Gander
was
off every morning by his stepmother,but instead of
sent
going to the school he went to the cottage in the quarry,
and listened to the fiddle of Roger Gale.
Little Joe got hold of an old box, and with a knife he
the letters.

He

was

the window

of

there

were

also

some

very

low, and

covetous

not

but

care,

high priced,and
Joe lingeredwith loving,

little violins,
some

some

these

over

There

eyes.

dolls and

were

Joe did

these

For

little carts.

and

horses

the window

In

toy-shop.

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

252

little fiddle to

one

was

his

which

and sixpence.
only three shillings
to it,and
drawn
Each day, as he passed the shop,he was
stood lookingin,and longed dailymore
ardentlythan on
the previousday for this three-and-sixpennyviolin.
and
the
lost in admiration
on
One
so
day he was
he framed as to how he might eventuallybecome
schemes
of
unconscious
possessedof the instrument, that he was
some
boys stealingthe meat out of the sort of trough on

out, that cost

heart went

This

he carried it about.

in which

his shoulder

his misdeeds

of

climax

the

was

"

he

had

at

his blunders, deliveringthe wrong

in
doors ; for his dilatoryways
the customers'

on

his errands.

reprimanded for

and

sent

to his

home

him

butcher

The

endure

could

him

no

thrashed him,

father,who

been
meat

going
more,

his

as

welcome.
carried

he

But

home

with

the

him

tions
haunting recollecits fine black

with
of that beautiful little red fiddle,

keys. The

bow, he remembered,

horsehair.

Joe had

have
were

He

Roeer
A
"

me,

ambition

fixed

Gale

He

would

white

something

"

be

said he would

consider

the matter.

couple of days after the postman

lad to sweep
a
Gander, they want

drive

strung with

perfectlyhappy if he could
how
But
fiddle.
that three-shillings-and-sixpenny
and sixpence to be earned ?
three shillings
to postman
confided his difficulty
Roger Gale, and

live for.

to

now

was

at

and

house.

the

great

mentioned

you.

The

the

Joe

"

leaves

You'll

have

home

to

and

do

the

in

told

coachman
squire's

Saturday, and be paid sixpence."

Joe's face brightened. He went

stepmother.

said to

it

told

on

his

LITTLE
"For
"

once

you

are

GANDER

JOE

goingto

253

said Mrs. Lambole.

be useful,"
the drive ; then fivepencewill

shall sweep
shall have
a
to us, and
penny
you
in sweetstuff at the post office."

Very well,you

come

spend
Joe tried to reckon how
purchase the fiddle,but
powers
would

take

Little

asked

he

so

the

fortyweeks

him

Joe was

calculation
who

postman,

that is,about
What
cast down.
was

not

to

be before he could

long it would
the

week

every

"

beyond

was

assured

his

him

it

months.

ten

time

with such

Jacob served fourteen years for Rachel,

and this was
only fortyweeks for a fiddle !
Joe was diligent
every Saturday sweeping the drive. He
entered to dive behind the
ordered whenever
a carriage
was
of a too
and laurels and disappear. He was
rhododendrons
in a gentleman's
to show
ragged and idiotic appearance
grounds.
the squire and
stood
Once
twice
he encountered
or
quaking,with his fingersspread out, his mouth and eyes
The
at his feet.
squirespoke kindly
open, and the broom
to him, but Joe Gander
too frightened
to reply.
was
Poor
I
fellow,"said the squire to the gardener.
it is a charityto employ him, but I must
suppose
say I
should have preferred
else with his wits about him.
someone
I will see
to
to having him
sent
an
asylum for idiots
There's no knowing,"said
in which
I have some
interest.
the squire, no
knowing but that with wholesome
food,
end

an

in view

"

"

"

and
cleanliness,
understand
has

kindness

that two

and

his feeble mind

make

two

may
which
four,

Every Saturday eveningJoe Gander

in

got

to

I learn he

yet mastered."

not

home

be

to his

stepmother. The

brought his sixpence

woman

was

his penny
out.
edication costs such a lot of

not

so

regular

allowinghim
"

"

Your

"

I go to school any more

his mouth
to call her mother.

Steppy, need

could

Of

frame
course

money,"

you

must.

You

haven't

"

she said.
He

never

passed your standard."

BOOK

254

I don't think

"

But

"

Then,"
do

you

it would

"

to

Eating

you will be content

instead of two, and

swede

eat

the
are

lot does

no

You

cost

us

have

my

for supper,

same
so

If

for breakfast
shall have

you

hungry

very

good.

one

slice of bread

one

you

always

can

mangold out of Farmer

Eggins'sfield.
mangolds are cooling to the blood and sit
or

Swedes

and

lighton

the stomick," said Mrs. Lambole.

So

food

good

if I may

much

so

such

with

If you

penny.

get

of

masses

"

Very well.

your

what

"

perfectlyinsatiable.
keep a cow."

"Oh, steppy, I won't

penny

shall."

ever

Lambole,

You're

eat.

than

more

that I

said Mrs.

GHOSTS

OF

nearly killed Joe.

chest fell in deeper and
His cheeks and
deeper, and his
His
than ever.
stomach
legs seemed
protruded more
hardly able to support him, and his great pale blue
wandering eyes appeared ready to start out of his head
the

compact

of

the horns

and

toneless,like the

notes

on

it

for his

his

voice, it

thin

was

on
improvisedfiddle,

played incessantly.
child will always be a discredit

which

he

The
"

think

; but

As

snail.

like

"

made

was

might
given his

look

feel like

and

he

don't

He

have

to

human
The

Christian.

brought to

heart

like

it !

cover

our

to

bole.
us,"said Lam-

child.
shovelfuls

garden if he

He

don't

of

dung
had only

"

and
said Mrs. Lambole
changelings,"
;
hands
I mainly believe the tale.
our
with this creetur
on
of
the babies
They do say that the pixies steal away
Christian folk,and put their own
bantlingsin their stead.
The
only way to find out is to heat a poker red-hot and
"

"

of

I've heard

ram

it down

the throat

that

the door

runs

off with

opens,
her own

behind.
"

That's

what

I doubt, wife,the

and

child ; and
do
when
you
and
the pixy mother
in comes

of the

child,and
we

law

ought

babe
proper
your
wi' Joe."
to ha' done
leaves

wouldn't

have

upheld us," said

GANDER

JOE

LITTLE

Lambole, thrustinghot coals back

255

to

on

with

the hearth

his foot.
I don't suppose
yet we call this a

it

"

would,"

land

of

said

!
liberty

poor, but for the rich."

"
It is wickedness
argued the

the
"

with

same

with

the

colts

"

Mrs.

Law

ain't made

father.
You

all wickedness.

"

Lambole.

"

must

It is

And
for

just the

drive

it out

stick."

Joe.
great temptation fell on little Gander
squireand his family were at home, and the daughter

And
The

now

Her
mother
musical.
Amory, was
lady on the violin.
played on the piano and the young
had
this instrument
for ladies to play on
fashion
The
come
in,and Miss Amory had taken lessons from the best
She
in town.
masters
played vastly better than poor
Roger Gale, and she played to an accompaniment.
Sometimes
whilst Joe was
sweeping he heard the music;
and nearer
then he stole nearer
to the house, hiding behind
rhododendron
bushes, and listeningwith eyes and mouth

of

the

house, Miss

nostrils and

and

ears.

The

music

exercised

on

him

an

to work
forgot his obligation
;
orders he had received not to approach

irresistibleattraction.

He

forgotthe strict
acted on
music
The
him
the garden-frontof the house.
from
his dream
roused
like a spell. Occasionallyhe was
him
by the gardener,who boxed his ears, knocked
over,
and
bade him get back
a
to his sweeping. Once
servant
from Miss Amory to tell the ragged little boy
out
came
in front of the drawing-room window
not to stand
staring
found
he was
occasion
another
in. On
by Miss Amory
behind
bush outside her boudoir,listening
crouched
a rose
whilst she practised.
drew
him.
No
one
supposed that the music
They
thought him a fool,and that he had the inquisitiveness
he

of

the

half-witted

to

peer

in

at

windows

and

see

the

pretty sightswithin.
He

was

reprimanded,and

threatened

with

dismissal.

OF

BOOK

256

GHOSTS

gardenercomplained to the lad's father and advised

as
a good hiding,such
Joe should not forget.
These
sort of chaps," said the
gardener, have no
and
like rational beings,except only the feeling,
senses
The

"

"

teach

must

you
the

of

end

One

them

as

bears

"

with

Amory, seeinghow thin and hollow-eyed

and hearing him
cough, brought him out a

Miss

day

hat

and

shock

of

tow

bread.

some

word, only pullingoff his torn

throwing it at his feet,exposing the full
of
-like hair; then he stared at her out

it without

took

straw

his

feed the Polar

stick."

the child was,

cup of hot coffee and
He

you

great eyes, speechless.

"Joe," she said,"poor littleman,

Dun'now," he answered.

how

old

are

you?"

"

"Can
"

No."

"

Nor

"

No."

"

What

"

Fiddle."

"

Have

"

Yes."

do

?"

sums

can

you

you

got

do ? "
fiddle ? "

like to

it,and hear you play."

Next day was
Sunday. Little Joe forgotabout the day,
and forgotthat Miss Amory would probablybe in church
in the
in the morning. She had asked to see his fiddle,
so
with it to the park.
down
morning he took it and went
within the grounds, and he had to pass it.
The church was
he went
As
by he heard the roll of the organ and the
He stopped to hearken, then went
strains of the choir.
A desire came
up the steps of the churchyard,listening.
and he
his improvisedviolin,
the air on
him
to catch
on
"

I should

write?"

read and

you

see

put it to his shoulder

cords.

The

sound

was

by the greater volume

and

drew

very

his bow

faint,so faint as

of the organ

and

the

across

to

slender

be drowned

the choir.

Never-

LITTLE

JOE

GANDER

theless he could hear the feeble tones

257

close to his ear, and

paniment,
pleasureof playing to an accomThe choir,the congregation,
like Miss Amory.
singingthe Advent hymn to Luther's tune

his heart danced

were

the

at

"

"

Great God, what

The

end

of

do

hear ?

and

see

thingscreated."

Little

Joe,playinghis inaudible instrument,came

ing
creeptreadingon the fallen yellowlime leaves,
up the avenue,
passingbetween the tombstones, drawn on by the solemn,
beautiful music.
Presentlyhe stood in the porch,then he
unconscious of everythingbut the music
went
on
; he was
and the joy of playing with it ; he walked
on
softlyinto
without even
the church
removing his ragged straw cap,
though the squire and the squire'swife, and the rector
and the reverend the Mrs. Rector, and the parishchurchwarden
and
and

the

his

had

present. He

were

the

the rector's churchwarden, and the overseer

waywarden, and all the farmers and their wives

delightthat made
pale cheeks.

Then

with

when

the

saw

hard

looked

red

turned
the

at

shock

the

and

parson

ragged urchin coming up the

of the sacredness
regardless
sacredness

D.L., the
his

the

as

his broken

the tears fillhis eyes and

with his hat on,

all of the
and above

squire,J.P. and

forgottenabout

of the

coughed

rector

in

November

in

trickle over
the churchwardens

fiddling,
place,

nave

of the

of the
presence
loud
and
very

churchwarden, Farmer

sun

cap

Eggins,

fog,and

rose.

who

At

instant the

same

advanced

upon

people'schurchwarden
rose, and both
from opposite sides of the
Joe Gander

church.
At the moment

that

singing ceased ; and

from a golden dream
looked
other

up
:

with

both

dazed

they touched him

to Joe a
it was
to

black

face first at

their faces blazed

and
one

with

the organ
sudden
raw

man,

and

the

wakening
reality.He
then

at

the

equal indignation
;

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

258

with wrath.
They conducted
equallyspeechless
the
him, each holding an arm, out of the porch and down
behind
him the droning
avenue.
Joe heard indistinctly
He
looked
of the rector's voice continuing the prayers.
both

were

back

and

shoulder

his

over

through the open

reachingthe steps

placesnear it. On
flightof five leading to
their

his

heavy

loud

"

slappedthe

hand

there

was

warden
people'schurchdisgusted Ugh ! then with
road

the

and

from

door

him

strainingafter

uttered

children
of the school-

the faces

saw

"

the

"

"

head

of the

child towards

the

parson'schurchwarden, who with his still heavier hand

churchwarden
boxed it back again ; then the people's
gave
him
which
him
sent
a blow
staggeringforward, and this
warden,
was
supplemented by a kick from the parson's churchthe five
which
sent Joe Gander
spinning down
steps

at

and

once

he fell and

crushed

the

Then

re-entered

cast

his

prostrate into the road, where

him

extemporised violin.
turned, blew

churchwardens

the church, where

they

in their hearts
service,grateful
that

day

The

sat

that

churchwardens

no

the

had

of

rest

and
the

enabled

been

sinecure.

that in

unaware

were

out

they

that their office was

to show

their noses,

banging

and

kicking the littleboy out of the churchyard and into the

road they had flunghim so that he fell with his head upon
of slate,
of the footpath,which
stone
the curbstone
was
and sharp. They did not find this out through the prayers,
But when the whole congregation
nor
through the sermon.
startled to find littleJoe Gander
left the church
they were
his head

with
insensible,

cut, and

pool of

blood

on

the

his wife and

shocked, as were
footway. The squire was
in consternation.
were
daughter, and the churchwardens
the church, and
near
Fortunately the squire'sstables were
was
there was
a
running fountain there, so that water

procured,and
Mrs. Amory
returned

with

child

the

had
a

revived.

in the

roll of

meantime

hastened

diachylonplasterand

home
a

and

pair

of

26o
He

out.

BOOK

his road

on

had

He

tired.

GHOSTS

being seen, so he crept along in the

he thought anyone
was
coming he got
in a ditch,till he was
some
lay down

afraid of

was

hedge, and when

through a gate or
way

OF

the

to

Then

town.

bandage

round

his

he

till he

ran

head, and, as

was

his head

hot, he took

was

his head

round

distinct purpose,
He held the
objecteasilyattainable,before him.

clearer than
and

an

it

in his

money

pressedit to
could

He

the rag off,dipped it in water, and tied it

again. Never in his life had his mind been

was

hand,

his

and

for

he had

now

looked

at

beatingheart, then

no

run

now,

more.

He

sat

kissed it ; then
He lost breath.

it,and
ran

down

on.

in the

hedge

and

streaming off his face.

perspirationwas
he thought he heard
Then
steps coming fast along the
he got up and
road he had run, and as he feared pursuit,

gasped.

The

on.

ran

He
as

him

four miles
through the village
children were
leaving school, and

went

the

of the elder

some

cried

out

that

from

home

when

here

was

just

they
"

saw

Gander

Joe ! quack ! quack ! Joe the Gander ! quack ! quack !

joined in the banter. The
quack ! and the little ones
boy ran on, though hot and exhausted,and with his head
swimming, to escape their merriment.
He
beyond the villagewhen he came
way
got some
he felt dizzy,and he timidly asked
to a turnpike. There
He would
if he might have a piece of bread.
pay for it if
at the 'pike
they would change a shilling.The woman
pitiedthe pale,hollow-eyed child, and questionedhim ;
but her questionsbewildered him, and he feared she would
nothing,or in
send him home, so that he either answered
her think him
made
which
distraught. She gave
a
way
him
watched
bread and water, and
going on
him some
of sight. The
till he was
out
day
towards the town
already declining; it would be dark by the time he
was
"

reached the town.

not

consider

where

But

he did not

he would

think of that.

whether
sleep,

He

he would

did
have

GANDER

JOE

LITTLE

261

He
thought
strength to return ten miles to his home.
only of the beautiful red violin with the yellow bridge
hung in the shop window, and offered for three shillings
and
sixpence. Three-and-sixpence! Why, he had five
other thingsbeside
to spend on
shillings.He had money
the fiddle.
He
had
been
sadly disappointedabout his
savings from the weekly sixpence. He had asked for
them ; he had earned them, not by his work
only,but by
When
his abstention from two piecesof bread per diem.
that she
his stepmother answered
he asked for the money,
had put it away
If he had it he would
in the savingsbank.
it on
hoarded
waste
sweetstuff; if it were
up it would
help him on in life when left to shift for himself; and if
he died,why it would go towards his burying.
So the child had been disappointedin his calculations,
and
had
for nothing. Then
worked
and starved
came
Miss Amory with her present, and he had run
with
away
should
take it from
him
to put in
that, lest his mother
the savings bank
for setting him
for his
up in life or

burying.
was

have

to

cared

What

and
fiddle,

for either?

he

and-sixpence.
tired.
was
Joe Gander
intervals on
the heaps of
His

shoes

the

stones

never

He

very poor, with

hurt his feet. At

was

be had

of

this time

broken

year
stumbled

was

Before

shone

him

the red

yellow bridge,and the beautiful bow

he had that all
shining white hair. When
would pass as a dream
hunger no
; he would
the bow

no

over

catgut,and

more

sickness

the

stringsand

the

the

at
rest.

that
the

over
metalled, and as he
stones
they cut his soles and his ankles
footsore and weary in body, but his heart

failed him.

feel

for three-

by the roadside to
soles worn
through,so

the

more,

ambition

sit down

fain to

fresh

were

He

to

was

his

stones

were

highways
the newly
turned.

fiddle

All

waves

faintness.

or

play with

of music

would

He

his

violin with

strung

with

his weariness
more,

cry no
would
draw

fingerson the
thrill and flow,and

262

from

melodious

those

on

away

OF

BOOK

trouble,far

from

the stones

which

on

tears, into

shining,

he fell,
and

when

up

float far

his soul would

waves

want, far from

sunny world of music.

So he picked himself
his feet from

GHOSTS

he

staggeredto
rested,and pressedon.

He went
settingas he entered the town.
straightto the shop he so well remembered, and to his
the coveted
inexpressible
delightsaw still in the window
and sixpence.
violin,pricethree shillings
he timidly entered the shop,and with trembling
Then
The

hand
"

sun

was

held

the money.
do you want
?"
out

What

It,"said the boy. It. To him the shop held but one
article. The
horses, the tin steamdolls,the wooden
had
He
unconsidered.
engines,the bats, the kites,were
"

only one
thing the red violin.
It,"said the boy, and pointed.
When
little Joe had got the violin he pressed it to his
as
shoulder,and his heart bounded
though it would have
and into
His dull eyes lightened,
burst the pigeon breast.
remembered

and

seen

"

"

sunken

his white

cheeks

his head

forth with

turned

father and
to
stairs,

and

stepmother,to
his scanty

Then,

when

himself
scarlet

in

with

the bow

tillhe
he
the

flame.

hectic

went

firm foot,holding his

in hand.
Now

his little bed

he would
at

return

the head

to

of the

to his

had

out

was

and
stepmother'sscoldings
his

fiddle,and

of the town

he

cared

before he

on

tried

his

instrument.

years in the shop window, and

many
old and the glue had lost its tenacity. One

hung

he tried to

screw

up

Alas

his
for

tried it.

lonelypart of the road, he

hedge, under a holly tree covered

was

berries,and

then when

He

meals, to the school,to the sweeping

park drive,and
father's beatings. He
nothing else.
waited

his face homeward.

of the

He

and

erect

fiddle to the shoulder

He

shot

seated
with

! it had

the catgut was

stringstarted ;

second, it sprang

as

well,

LITTLE
and

on

Then

the

the violin
As
and

his knees

on

he cried

he

heard,

heed

and

done

so

but

and

heard

the clatter of

He

263

bridge collapsed and fell. Moreover, the

unresined.
the bow
out.
came
They were
and
He laid the bow
littleJoe'sspirits
gave way.

then

hairs

GANDER

JOE

he

would

the sound

to

cry.
of approachingwheels

horse's hoofs.
was

raise his head

he

began

immersed
to

who

see

in

did

and

sorrow

Had

coming.

was

not

he

nothing, as his eyes were

swimming with tears. Looking out of them he saw only
who
his eyes when
as one
sees
diving.
opens
shaver !
do you
Halloa, young
Dang you ! What
mean
giving me such a cursed hunt after you as this
have

seen

"

"

you as
The

ain't worth

him.

Mr.

voice

the
that

was

Lambole

trouble,eh?"
of his father,who

had

made

drew

inquirieswhen

up before
it was
covered
dis-

that

Joe was lost,first at the school,where it was

most
unlikelyhe would be found, then at the public-house,
the gardener's and
the gamekeeper's ; then
he had
at
the well and
down
then up the chimney. After
looked
that he went
to the cottage in the quarry.
Roger Gale
knew
Presently someone
nothing of him.
coming from
that he had been seen
the nearest
there ;
villagementioned
borrowed
Farmer
whereupon Lambole
Eggins's trap and
after him, peeringrightand left of the road with his
went
one

eye.

enough he had been through the village. He had

there
described
him
passed the turnpike. The woman
of a tottle
a sort
(fool).
accuratelyas
not
Mr. Lambole
was
a pleasant-looking
man
; he was
The
backs of his hands
as
solidlybuilt as a navvy.
were
so
hard, and his blows so weighty,
hairy,and his fist was
Sure

"

"

blow

for sport he was

wont
to
the oxen
sent
to Butcher

that

he

that

head

did

between

with

knock
Robbins

down
for

his fist alone, hittingthe

the

horns,

little forward

and

kill at

and
slaughter,
animal
of

the

on

the

horns.

264

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

and Lambole
was
proud
great feat of strength,
of it. He had a long back and short legs. The back was
not
hard, braced with sinews
pliableor bending ; it was
tough as hawsers, and supported a pairof shoulders that

That

was

could

sustain

face

His

was

and

under

had

hair,looked
Mr.

like

an

Lambole

his chin

Mr.

who

came

acquiredit,the fiddle

would

he

six,and
"

Lambole

of

turned

his black

the bottom
Mr.

ashamed

trouble,eh, Viper ?

Mr.

Lambole

active

eye

by

fog bow.

in

the

faces and

soused

and
roughly by the arm
into the tax cart.
The
ance.
boy offered no resistwas
broken, his hopes extinguished.For
spirit
had yearned for the red fiddle,
pricethree-andhe had
that,after great pains and privations,

Ain't you

such

had

now

surrounded

him.

near

his

months

Newgate

It grew about
collar ; there

face,encircled by the pale

his

; it flew

took

His

was

home

Lambole

lifted him

as

It

him.

He
bottled up his
temper.
queer
it blew
the cork out it spurted over
and

splashed all his

everyone

from

red face.

moon

angry

had

but when

anger,

derived

his dark

great deal of it,and

ox.

only feature his son

too lightfor
light,

very
his neck

an

to
colour,caused by exposure
coppery
drinking. His hair was light:that was almost

of

was

the air and

the

weight of

the

son

sound.

not

yourself,
givingyour dear dada

"

the horse's head

homeward.

He

patch towards

the little Gander, seated in

of the cart,hugging his wrecked
violin. When

spoke
to bear

he turned

the

on

his face round

bring the

to

shrinking,
crouching little figure

below.
The

Viper made

no

turned

answer,

his face away,

horse's ears, and the black

and

but
the

patch

was

looked

seeingeye
towards

hollow

were

the

cheeks,

how

bole
Lam-

watched

the

frightened,
with the lightof

piteous,pleading little face,lookingup,

the evening sky irradiating
it,showing how
how

Mr.

up.

sunken

wan

the

it was,

eyes,

how

LITTLE

sharp the

JOE

little pinched

that held the

the

bow.

"

Now,

"what

!"

then

darn'd

up his arm,
his sleeve.
In

boy put
with

eyes

the end

Lambole

Mr.

with

of

oath,

an

be you up to now, Gorilla?"

and the
the whip in one
hand

reins

the

child

insolence

If he had

not

in the other

exclaimed

265

in the ribs with

his father

doing he poked

so

The

nose.

wiped his

and

bow,

GANDER

held

he would

taken

have

from

bow

the

himself with
flung it into the road. He contented
rapping Joe'shead with the end of the whip.
What's that you've got there,eh ? he asked.
The child repliedtimidly:
Please,father,a fiddle."
and

"

"

"

"

Where

did you

get 'un

steal it,eh?

"

"

Joe answered, trembling: No, dada, I bought it."

Bought it ! Where did you get the money ?
Miss Amory gave it me."
"

"

"

"

"How

much?"

"

five

shilling."
blessed
! And
what
Five shillings
(he did
blessed,"but something quite the reverse)fiddle
say
you?"
Three-and-sixpence."
left?
So you'veonly one-and-six

The

"

answered

Gander

Her

gave me
did that

"

"

"

not
cost
"

"

"

"

I've none,

"

Why

dada."
?

not

"

shillingon a pipe for you, and

for stepmother as
thimble
a
a
present,"
sixpence on
flicker of hope in his dim
the child, with
answered
a
propitiatehis father.
eyes that this would
"

Because

"

Dash

nor

What

one

me," roared
Mr. Chamberlain,
in the

I've

name

as

roadmaker,
would

rob

of Thunder

and

as

the

to-morrow,
o' holes

the

precious money
got my pipe,black as

squandering
for?

spent

and

I'll make

mother
your

has

skin

us

"

Bones

over

your
an

before

ain't

if you
of the

worse

loaf!

cheap

do

mean
you
fooleries like that

back

shall be

old thimble
the

as

night is

fore
be-

full

much

266
Wait

older.

BOOK

get home, and

tillwe

of that there fiddle !

out

Joe

shivered

Mr.

Lambole

justyou

in his seat, and

had

of the child like

head

expecting

if I don't."

his head
He

fell.

beguiledhis journey

his humour

flashed

lightning.
"

summer

of

abundance

the

pretty music

I'll make
see

playfulwit.

by indulgingin it,and

home

GHOSTS

OF

the

supper

above

the

You're

hardly
awaiting

that's

you,"he said,with his black patch gloweringdown at the

of the cart.
No stinting
heap in the corner
irresponsive
tell you.
like your meat
well
You
I can
of the dressing,
The
basted, don't you?
basting shall not incur your
?
Oh, dear, no !
disapprovalas insufficient. Underdone
Pickles ?
for me.
I can
promise you
Nothing underdone
that there is something in pickle for you, hot
very hot
and
mutton
and
stinging. Plenty of capers
capers.
the tip
the request for that on
Mashed
potatoes? Was
of your
Sorry I can give you only half what
tongue?
is nothing
the mash, not the potatoes. There
you want
mind
to young
pig with crackling.
comparable in my
the neck
to the
The hide is well striped,
cut in lines from
tail. I think we'll have
crackling on our
pig before
morning."
threw his seeing eye into the depths of the
He
now
"

"

"

"

cart, to note

effect his fun

the

disappointed.It
fallen asleep,exhausted
was

with

by

his
on

the

on

evoked

had

his head

had

hilarity.Joe

no

walk,

child,but

worn

with

out

his fiddle,that

lay

on

he
had

appointm
dishis

joggingof the cart, the attitude,affected his

wound
given way, and the blood was
; the plasterhad
the little red fiddle and
dripping into its
running over
hollow
body through the S-hole on each side.
The

knees.

It
his

was

too

lips.His

dark

self-esteem

his waggery.
Mrs. Lambole

drew

Lambole

for Mr.

hurt

was

observed

up at the cottage and

it

to
at

notice

this.

the child not

He

relishing

when, shortlyafter,the

she lifted the

set

sleepingchild

cart
out.

white

coarse

very

He

linen.

both

his

with

Then

got into bed, and

spread

said his

and

down

knelt

hands

prayers,

he

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

268

fiddle.

his

over

stepmother fetched

until his

the
instrument.
lamp he examined
that the bridge might be set up again with a
saw
littleglue,and that fresh catgut stringsmight be supplied.
He would
take his fiddle next
day to Roger Gale and ask
He
it for him.
him
sure
to help to mend
was
Roger
would
take an interest in it. Roger had been mysterious
of late,hinting that the time
was
Joey
coming when
and learn to play like a
have a first-rate instrument
would
Paganini. Yes ; the case of the red fiddle was not desperate.
Just then he heard the door below open, and his father's

benzoline

the

away
He

step.
"

is the toad ?

Where

"

Lambole.

said Mr.

breath,and his blood ran cold.

below.
hear every word, every sound in the room
Mrs. Lambole.
He's gone
to bed," answered

Joe

held

could

He

his

"

"

Leave

alone to-night,
Samuel
the poor little creetur
; his head
He's overdone."
been bad, and he don't look well.
"

"

Susan," said the roadmaker,

the way

town, and bubbling and

to

busting is what
Little Joe sat up

and

hair stood

with

his

on

fear ; in the

grown

big,and deep, and solemn.

him
must
"

is

I've put

right,and

what
He

Without
went

my
of

his towlike

great stupid eyes

the

iris in each

had

I've promised
stick,"said Mr. Lambole.
it,and a taste won't suffice to-night; he

gorge of it."
it away," said Mrs.

I'm not

he deserves, but
wants

and
violin,

"

me

taste

have

I will."

His

dark

wide

Give

simmering all
boilingall the way back,

head.

stared

"

I've been

I be now, and bust

in bed, hugging the

up

has

feeding up

one

to

stand

between

he ain't in condition
to

"

Samuel, right
the

child

for it

and

to-night.

it."

wasting another

upstairs.

Lambole.

word

on

her

the

roadmaker

JOE

LITTLE

GANDER

269

first the red

shuddering,cowering littlefellow saw
face,surrounded
by a halo of pale hair,rise above the floor,
then the strong square shoulders,then the clenched hands,
and then his father stood before him, revealed down
to his
The

boots.

thick

The

in the bed

crept back

child

againstthe

wall,and would have disappearedthrough it had the wall

in fairytales,and opened to receive
been soft-hearted,
as
He
him.
clasped his little violin tight to his heart,and
then
ran

the

blood

down

his

had

that

fallen into

shirt,staining it

it trickled
the

upon

"

and

out

bedclothes,

But the father did not see

this. He was
stainingthem.
with fury. His pulses went
and
at a gallop,
effervescing
his great fists clutched spasmodically.
here !" he shouted.
"You
come
Judas Iscariot,
But the child only pressed closer againstthe wall.
"

What

! disobedient

and

Do

daring?

you

hear ?

Come

"

to

me

pretty little pipe on

had
drawn
it from
his pocket and
the bedclothes.
He
off it, and
laid it there, and
stuck the
taken the paper
silver-headed
thimble
in the bowl for his stepmother when
she came
upstairsto take the lamp.
Come
here, vagabond !
He could not ; he had not the courage
the strength.
nor
He still pointed pleadingly
to the little presents he had
bought with his eighteenpence.
You
won't, you dogged, insulting
being? roared the
the pipe,
roadmaker, and rushed at him, knocking over
fell and broke
which
the floor,and trampling flat the
on
"You
thimble.
won't yet?
Always full of sulks and
defiance ! Oh, you
Then
he had
ungratefulone, you !
him by the collar of his nightshirtand dragged him from
his bed, and with his violence tore the button off,and with
The

tremblingchild pointed to

"

"

"

"

"

his other hand

child

bed.

over

he wrenched

the back

with

the violin away

and
it as he dragged him

beat

the

from

the

270

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

! " cried

Joe.
He was
not crying out
stepmother. It was the
heart for the one
only being
agonisedcry of his frightened
"

Oh,

my

who

had

from

him.

! my

mammy

loved

ever

mammy
for his

had

God

removed

started back.

Lambole

Suddenly Samuel

whom

and

him,

him
and the child,stood a
him, and between
pale,ghostlyform, and he knew his first wife.
and quaking. Then, graduallyrecovering
He stood speechless
and seated
the stairs,
himself,he stumbled down
himself,looking pasty and scared,by the fire below.

Before

What

"

I've

not

he

when

at the

was

Don't

"

her,"he gasped.

seen

Now

you, Samuel

with

is the matter

"

"

ask

asked
no

more

little Joe, filled with

gone,

had

he

which
apparition,

not

his wife.
tions."
ques-

terror

"

for his eyes

apprehension of

seen,

it,but with
out of the
that awaited
the chastisement
him, scrambled
and dropped on the pigsty roof,and from thence
window
dazed

too

were

to

the

he

ran

jumped
Then

behold

to

ground.
"

fast

as

ran

still hugging his instrument

he

reachingthat
sobbed

"

Oh,

threw

to

"

himself
mammy

mammy,

legs could carry him,

the churchyard; and on

his

as

! father wants

beautiful violin
take away
my
violin won't play."
and

form

of his lost

Joe
"

he

when

And

had

Mammy

and
shillings

!"

said

but

"

he had

he,

no

oh, mammy

out

looked

and

and
grave
to beat me

the grave rose

kindly on him.

spoken,from

mother,

her, and

saw

his mother's

on

! my

the

fear.

"

my
mammy,
can't
and
make
I
sixpence,

violin cost
it

three

play noways."

the
spiritof his mother passed a hand over
and smiled.
the strings,
Joe looked into her eyes, and
his chin,
he put the violin under
And
they were as stars.
the strings and lo ! they sounded
and drew the bow across
his heart bounded, his dull
wondrously. His soul thrilled,
Then

the

"

MA.M.MY,

SAID

HE,

".MAMMY,
AND

I\IV
CANT

VIOLIN
MAKE

COST

TIIKKK

SUII.I.INGS
'

IT

TLAY

NOWAYS

AND

SIXl'ENCE,

LITTLE

JOE

GANDER

271

as
though caught up in
eye brightened. He was
of fire and carried to lieavenlyplaces. His bow

rapidly,such

chariot

worked

poured from the little instrument as

he had never
heard
It was
before.
to him
as
though
heaven opened, and he heard the angelsperforming there,
and he with his fiddle was
taking a part in the mighty
He felt not the cold,the night was
not dark
symphony.
His head no longer ached.
It was
to him.
as
though after
long seeking through life he had gained an undreamed-of
prize,reached some
gloriousconsummation.
There
Plall.

strains

was

musical

Miss

party that

evening

same

the

at

with extraordinary
played beautifully,
feelingand execution,both with and without accompaniment
the piano. Several ladies and gentlemen sang
on
and played ; there were
duets and trios.
During the performancesthe guests talked to each other
in low tones
about various topics.
Said one
lady to Mrs. Amory : How
strange it is that

Amory

"

the

among
music."
"

There

rector's

English

is

none

has

wife

lower

classes

there

is

love

no

of

Mrs. Amory ;
all,"answered
our
given herself great trouble to get up
"

at

parochialentertainments, but we find that nothing takes

with the people but comic
these,instead of
songs, and
elevating,vulgarisethem."
The only people with
They have no music in them.
"

in their souls

music
"

Yes,"

true

music
"

You

said

there
among
have

love of music
"

Never

The

Mrs.

are

the Germans

Amory

with

and

the Italians."

sigh; it is sad, but

is neither
picturesqueness,
poetry, nor
nor
the English peasantry."
never

heard

of one,

in this country ?

such do not

was

with
self-taught,

real

"

exist among

parishchurchwarden

"

us."

walkingalong the

road

on

272
his way

to his

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

farmhouse, and

the road

passed under

the

churchyardv/all.
As he walked
with a not too steadystep,
alongthe way
for he was
returningfrom the public-house he was
prised
surand frightened
to hear music
proceed from among
"

"

the graves.
It

dark

too

was

tombstones

loomed

quake, and

to

his pace

for him

to

him

on

in

finallyturned

till he

reached

figurethen, only the

ghostlyshapes. He began

see

any

and

the

ran,

shouting: There's ghosts abroad.

churchyard making music,"
revellers

"

Shall

"

I'llgo

did

tavern, where

"

The

nor

he
he

I've heard

slacken
burst

'em

in

in the

from

their cups.
hear ? they asked.

rose

go and
for one," said

we

"

"

"

man

if others will go with me."

Ay," said a third, and if the ghosts be playinga jolly

good tune, we'll chip in."
So the whole
half-tipsy
party reeled along the road,
themselves
and the others,
talkingvery loud, to encourage
till they approached the church, the spireof which stood
up dark againstthe night sky.
There's no lightsin the windows," said one.
"

"

"

No," observed

myself; it

was

the dead

was

Hush

!"

"

"

"

I'm

the
graves
squeakin'like pigs."

men.

"

Nor

"

Well,

music

I don't

churchwarden.
All of the

not

"

"

I didn't notice

music

came,

sound

could

as

any
if all

be heard.

afore,"said the churchwarden.

ale I did."

music

no

there

more

One

kept silence

gallon of
ain't

the

the

I heard

"There

sustained

from

All

sure

I'llbet

the churchwarden,

now,

though,"remarked

one

of

said others.
ain't,"

care

"

I say

I heard

it,"asseverated

the

Let's go up closer."
to the wall of the graveparty drew nearer
yard.

man,

himself

''

incapableof maintaininghis legsunaided,

on

the

arm

of another.

FINGER

DEAD
I

WHY

Galleryshould

the National

visitors as, say, the British

The latter does not contain

not

attract

so

many

plain.
Museum, I cannot exmuch
that,one would

appeals to the interest of the ordinarysightseer.

flints and scratched bones ?
What
knows such of prehistoric
? The
Of Assyriansculpture
? Of Egyptian hieroglyphics
The paintGreek and Roman
ings
statuary is cold and dead.
and
in the National
are
Gallery glow with colour,
suppose,

saunter

life. Yet, somehow, a few listless wanderers

yawning through the National Gallery,whereas

swarms

pour

instinct with

talk and

pass
the date and

through the
remarks

meaning

halls of the British

about

the

of which

Museum, and

objectsthere exposed, of
they have not the faintest

conception.

thinkingof this problem, and endeavouring to

for
unravel it,one
morning whilst sittingin the room
the
at
English masters
great collection in Trafalgar
time another thought forced itself
Square. At the same
devoted
to
been
I had
me.
through the rooms
upon
into that given over
foreignschools,and had then come
to
Reynolds, Morland, Gainsborough, Constable, and
Hogarth. The morning had been for a while propitious,
umber-tinted
but towards noon
a dense
fog had come
on,
and
the
all
but
quite
pictures,
impossibleto see
making it
impossibleto do them justice. I was tired,and so seated
myself on one of the chairs,and fell into the consideration
I

was

274

firstof all of
it should

as

secondly,how
beginnings,like

it

be ; and

had

School

no

We

Netherlands.
first initiation

275

Galleryis

the National

why

"

FINGER

DEAD

not

as

popular

that the British

was

Italy and
the art of the painterfrom
see
Italian peninsula,and
among

can

in the

those

of

the
its

the

like a child,and we
its progress
trace
can
every stage of its growth. Not so with English
It springsto life in full and splendidmaturity. Who
art.

Flemings.

It starts

Reynolds and Gainsboroughand Hogarth?

and subjectpainterswho
of those portrait

there before

were

The

great names
left their

have

on

canvases

upon

the

walls

of

our

country

foreigners Holbein, Kneller, Van

and Monnoyer for flower and
Dyck, and Lely for portraits,
all importafruit pieces. Landscapes, figuresubjects
were
tions,
that about?
Was
came
none
home-grown. How
houses

there

those

were

limner

no

of

that

"

was

native?

Was

it that

fashion

beginningsas it flouted
trampledon home-grown pictorial
and spurned native music ?
food for contemplation. Dreaming in the
Here
was
brown
fog,looking through it without seeing its beauties,
Fenton as Polly Peachum,
at Hogarth'spaintingof Lavinia
without wondering how so indifferent a beauty could have
held him
for thirty
and
of Bolton
captivatedthe Duke
recalled to myself and my
surroundingsby
years, I was
had seated herself on a
of a lady who
the strange conduct
also discouragedby the fog,and awaiting
chair near
me,
its dispersion.
the present
noticed
her particularly.At
I had
not
what she was
like.
I do not remember
moment
particularly
recollect she was
So far as I can
middle-aged,and was
quietlyyet well dressed. It was not her face nor her dress
that
my

attracted

my
the
thoughts;

strange
She

movements

had

been

nothing at all,or

attention

and

effect I

speak

and

disturbed
of

was

the current

produced by

of

her

behaviour.

sittinglistless,probably thinking of
when, in turning
nothing in particular,

276

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

her eyes round, and findingthat she could see nothing of

she began to study me.
This did concern
the paintings,
look
at the
greatly. A cat may
king ; but to be
contemplated by a lady is a compliment sufficient to please
not gratified
gentleman. It was
vanity that troubled
any
that my
thoughts,but the consciousness
my
appearance
then undisguised
produced first of all a startled surprise,
indescribable
horror.
alarm, and, finally,
sit quietlyleaningon
Now
the head of his
a
can
man
warmed
and illumined
umbrella, and glow internally,
by
that he is beingsurveyed with admiration
the consciousness
when
he is middle-agedand not
even
by a lovelywoman,
his commaintain
can
posure
fashionablydressed ; but no man
he
discovers
when
himself to be an
object of
me

"

and

aversion
What

terror.

chin and
passed my hand over
my
lip,thinking it not impossible that I might have
upper
forgottento shave that morning, and in my confusion not
considering that the fog would
prevent the lady from
had
it occurred,
discovering neglect in this particular,
it had
I am
which
little careless,perhaps, about
not.
a
shaving when in the country ; but when in town, never.

The

it?

was

idea that occurred

next

black,curdled

London
descended

on

silk handkerchief

my

passed

it

over

turned

eyes
my
whether
by

see

in
objectionable
I

Then

saw

riveted,not

My
have

my
What

leg !
in

there had
my

on

hotel

it

so

been

my
and

nose,
my
into the corners

my
that

was

then
and

I had

means

Had

smut.

each

it,and

cheek.
at the

looked

atmosphere,
hastilydrew

pocket,moistened

I then

lady,to

got rid of what

was

personalappearance.
her

eyes,
face,but on
on

earth

dilated

with

turned

up

horror,were

leg.
my
could that harmless

terrifying?The morning
and I admit
rain in the night,

I had

"

pea-soup
blackened
it ?
I

and

from

this

me

in that dense

nose

my

to

the

bottoms

had
that

of my

member
been
on

dull;

leaving
trousers.

That

is

to

as

proceeding not

were

Then

saw

about

leg

my

"

so

outrageous
eyes.

down.
which

she sat

but stillwith her eyes fixed

She had let fall
the level of my knee.
was
grasping the seat of her chair with
from

further removed

one

on

for the stony stare

all I would
trousers
turn
my
her shrink from the chair on

account

not

uncommon,

so

277

of this woman's

If that

to

FINGER

DEAD

her

umbrella, and
both hands, as she

me,

from

backed

me.

hardly say that I was greatlydisturbed in mind

and feelings,
and forgotall about the originof the English
the British
the question why
schools
of painters,and
is more
Museum
popularthan the National Gallery.
Thinking that I might have been spatteredby a hansom
whilst crossingOxford
Street,I passed my hand down my
all at once
and
of annoyance,
side hastily,
with a sense
touched something cold,clammy, that sent a thrill to my
I need

heart,and

made

raised hands

feet,and

with

umbrella

where

There

it had
other

were

what

had

hardly knew
explain what
had

noticed

and

had

he

had

return

visitors to

claim

to

in the
I

room

I told
little better

to

came

in such

was

answer.

occurred

had

best take

Gallery besides

the Picture

passing through the saloon,and

and looked in surpriseafter her.

what

behaved

to

happened.

that

the

fallen.

they turned at her cry,

The
policeman stationed
asked

At

step forward.

been

had

ourselves,who

to her
cry of horror,sprang
fled from the room,
leavingher

lady,with

the

moment,

same

take

and

start

me

me

and

agitationthat

him
than

that

I could

himself

odd
an
expression,
lady had worn
in most
extraordinaryfashion,and that
charge of her umbrella, and wait for her
the

it.

vexing, as it prevented
the spot investigating
from
and
at once
on
me
of her alarm
the cause
and
mine
hers at something she
have seen
must
on
leg,and mine at something I had
my
felt creeping up my leg.
distinctly
This

questioningby

the

official was

"

numbing
objectI had

The
the

Indeed,

I felt as

and

sickeningeffect

not

seen

hand

washed
possible,
produced.
if

hand, and,
been

I looked

on

I examined
the floor,

my

seat

the

thing,whatever

my

overcoat

There
from

my

fallen

the skirt had

shook

and

nothing

was

leg,but

I looked

it,then
on

the
had

nothing.
risingfrom

saw

in

and

trousers

my

I therefore

was.

whatever

when

overcoat

my

it

once.

thoroughly washed
the feelingthat

my

over

off at

of

contaminated, and

probablethat

overcoat, it was

As

wore

away

of the touch

me

were

rest till I had

no

on

be shaken

to

not

was

though my

have

I could

that

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

78

hidden

hastilyremoved
at^my trousers.

leg,and nothing fell

my

shaken.

Accordingly I reinvested myself,and hastilyleft the

Gallery; then took my way as speedilyas I could,without
the
actuallyrunning,to Charing Cross Station and down
into
I went
narrow
way leadingto the Metropolitan,where
Faulkner's bath and hairdressing
establishment,and asked
hand
and well soap
for hot water
to thoroughly wash
my
it. I bathed

my

hand

in water

hot

as

I could

as

endure

it,

employed carbolic soap, and then, after having a good brush

hand
had enleft side where
on
countered
down, especially
my
my
the objectthat had so affected me, I left. I had
entertained the intention of going to the Princess's Theatre
of securing a ticket in the morning ;
that evening, and
from
I
but all thought of theatre-goingwas
me.
gone
could

not

that had

of

free my heart from the sense

been produced by the touch.

nausea

and

cold

into Gatti's

I went

lunch, and ordered something, I forgetwhat, but,

I could
served, I found that my appetitewas
gone.

have

to

when
eat

inspiredme with disgust. I thrust

untasted, and, after drinkinga couple of glasses

nothing ;

it from

me

the food

of claret,left the restaurant, and

Feeling

sick and

sofa-back,and
I do

not

cast

know

returned

faint, I threw

myself

on

that there

my
was

my

to

my

overcoat

hotel.
over

the

bed.
any

particularreason

for

doing

my

but

so,

FINGER

DEAD
I

as

lay

my

279
on

were

eyes

coat.
great-

my

densityof the fog had passed away, and there was

but sufficient for a Londoner
lightagain,not of first quality,
to swear
by, so that I could see everything in my room,
though through a veil,darkly.
I do not
think my
mind
was
occupied in any way.
About
the only occasions
on
which, to my
knowledge,
mind
when
is
inert
is
actuallypassiveor
crossingthe
my
The

Channel

in The

always,in

as

knowing

condition.

mental

something that
First,it appeared to me
in movement,
pocket were
I

was

and

attention

But

as

Calais,when

"

for

not

in

was

am

as

the

same

long.

me.

if the

lappetof

being raised. I
I supposed that

this,

to

why

startled

saw

much

to

"

squeamish, without
inactive

Dover

and
weather, abjectlyseasick
less.
thoughtI now
bed, uncomfortable,
lay on
my

every

But

from

Foam

my

overcoat

did

not

the

garment

pay

down
to the seat of the sofa,from the back,
on
sliding
that this displacement
of gravity
caused the movement

I observed.

which

But

moved

the

this I

soon

lappetwas

saw

the

not

was

something in

the

That

case.

pocket that

I could see
that it was
now
strugglingto get out.
working its way up the inside,and that when it reached
the opening it lost balance and fell down
again. I could
in the
this out by the projections
and indentations
make
was

cloth ; these moved

its way
worked
up
"

mouse,"

interested.
to

seat

"

The

himself

the

creature,

or

whatever

it was,

the

lining.
said, and forgot my
littlerascal !

in

my

pocket?

However
and

"

seediness ; I
did
I have

he
worn

was

contrive

that

But no
it was
not a mouse.
morning 1
I saw
something white poke its way out from under the
revealed
an
object was
lappet; and in another moment
that,though revealed,I could not understand, nor could
what
it was.
I distinguish

overcoat

all the

as

"

Now

In

BOOK

28o
roused

GHOSTS

I raised myself
by curiosity,

on

elbow.

my

stantly
Innoise,the bed creaked.
the something dropped on the floor,
layoutstretched
and then began,with the
to recover
itself,
moment,

doing

for

OF

of

motions
There
when

this

is

it

I made

some

to

maggot,

along the floor.

run

called
caterpillar

*'

The

Measurer," because,

it draws

advances,

its tail up
its full
forward

to

where

its head

length,and again
draws
up its extremity,forming at each time a loop ; and
with each step measuring its total length. The
object
I now
the floor was
on
saw
advancing preciselylike the
measuring caterpillar.It had the colour of a cheeseis and

then

maggot,
It

throws

and

in

about

lengthwas

not, however, like

was

three

and

which
caterpillar,

the other.

For

moments

some

was

inches.

is flexible
it seemed

throughoutits entire length,but this was, as

it two places,
one
jointbeing more
me, jointed
than

half

so

to

conspicuous
completely

that I remained
motionless,
paralysed by astonishment
looking at the thing as it crawled along the carpet a dull
"

carpet with darker green, almost black,flowers in it.

to me,
a
had, as it seemed
glossyhead, distinctly
I could not
marked
not
brilliant,
; but, as the lightwas
the rapid movemake
out
ments
and, moreover,
very clearly,
green
It

close

prevented

scrutiny.

with a shock
still more
than that
Presently,
startling
produced by its apparitionat the opening of the pocket
of

great-coat, I became

my

was

was

no

The
no

was

a human
finger,

other

fingerdid
sign of
be, but

should
faded
out

than

away

the root
I could

whatever

to

convinced

and
forefinger,

that

that the

what

saw

glossyhead

the nail.

not

blood

the

to have

seem
or

been

laceration

extremity of

the

and
indistinctness,

of the

amputated.
where

or
finger,

was

the

knuckle

rather,

root

unable

There

to

make

finger.
see
no
hand, no body behind this finger,
nothing
life
except a fingerthat had littletoken of warm

OF

BOOK

282

GHOSTS

this latter he knows

better than

about

thingsthan

with

other

me

of linen and
and

the

There

flannel.

destinations
proper
has
A
servant
a

but, then, I carry

dress suit,and changes
letters,
papers, books

I do ;
a

are

"

of these

known

are

only

to

myself
singularand evil knack of
and
in such
odd volumes
putting away
literarymatter
half a day to find them
places that it takes the owner
uncomfortable, and my head in
again. Although I was
a
whirl, I opened and unpacked my own
portmanteau.
As I was
I
thus engaged
saw
something curled up in my
collar-box,the lid of which had got broken in by a bootheel impinging on it. I had pulledoff the damaged cover
collars had
if my
when
to see
been spoiled,
something
end
curled up inside suddenly rose
and
on
just like
leapt,
the edge of the
a
cheese-jumper,out of the box, over
Gladstone
the floor in a
bag, and scurried away across
manner
already familiar to me.
I could

doubt

not

the

fingeragain.

the

country.

Whither
I

was

for

It had

it went

moment

what
with

come

in its run

bewildered

too

over

it

was

from

me

"

here
London

the floor I do not

was

to

know,

to observe.

Somewhat

towards
later,
evening,I seated myself in my
I was
took up a book, and tried to read.
tired
easy-chair,
with

the

journey,with

the

discomfort

and

the

finger. I

felt

attention

to

what

Roused

alarm
worn

read, and

before

was

aware

was

by the fall of the book

from
hands, I speedilyrelapsedinto unconsciousness.
my
I am
that a doze in an
does good.
not sure
armchair
ever
It usuallyleaves me
in a semi-stupidcondition
and with
Five minutes
in a horizontal
a headache.
positionon my
bed
is worth
thirtyin a chair. That is my experience.
In sleepingin a sedentarypositionthe head is a difficulty;
it drops forward or lolls on one
side or the other,and has
asleep.

for

knocking about in town, and

produced by the apparitionof
I was
unable
out.
to give my

the

an

instant

DEAD

FINGER

be

the

brought back into

of gravity runs
centre
head carries the body

out

of the chair

to

the

on

283

positionin which the h'ne to

through the trunk, otherwise
in a sort of general capsize
over
a

to the floor.

of which
I am
the occasion
on
speaking,pretty
slept,
because
healthily,
deadly weary ; but I was
brought to
waking,not by my head fallingover the arm of the chair,
and
trunk
tumbling after it,but by a feelingof cold
my
I
I awoke
extending from my throat to my heart. When
in a diagonal position,
with my
was
rightear restingon
rightshoulder,and exposing the left side of my throat,
my
and it was
that I felt
where
the jugularvein throbs
here
the greatest intensity
I shrugged my
of cold. At once
left
shoulder,rubbing my neck with the collar of my coat in
so
doing. Immediately something fell off,upon the floor,
and I again saw
the finger.
intensified when
I perceived
My disgust horror, were
that it was
dragging something after it,which might have
I took at first glance for
been an old stocking,and which
something of the sort.
The
evening sun shone in through my window, in a
brilliant golden ray that lightedthe objectas it scrambled
able to distinguish
along. With this illumination I was
It is not easy to describe it,but I
what the object was.
I

"

"

"

will make

the attempt.

The

saw

fingerI

after it

neither,or

was

The

condition.

curdlinginto
attached

to

and

arm

this

was

solid and
was

fingerwas

matter

the hand

and
was

belonged

in

material ; what

nebulous, protoplasmic

attached

arms,

and
and

to

hand

that

was

in process of acquiringsolidity
;
in
an
arm
a very
filmycondition,
to a human
body in a still more

condition.
This
immaterial
vaporous,
along the floor by the finger,just as

pull after

it drew

being dragged
silkworm
a
might
I could see
it the tangle of its web.
legs and
lacing
head, and coat-tail tumbling about and interdisentanglingagain in a promiscuous manner.
was

284
There
the

bone,

no

were

members

muscle,

no

attached

were

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

the

to

in the

substance

no

figure;
was
less,
spinewere
wholly
along in a

which

trunk,

they had evidently no functions, and

the finger which
pulled them
dependent on
jumble of parts as it advanced.
but

I think

that

was

looking

one

of

the

on

not

it

as

The

moment

the

shadow

call

cannot

with

it

managed
into

me
"

on

the

I sat

it

saw

ray

the
of

of

this

saw

which

only so
sunlight.

beam

into

it, only the

drained

out

it went,

how

seemed

know.

not

physical force in
finger,and grind it

finger,whither

itself,I do

secrete

I had

of
it

lost the

chair,chilled,staring before

in my

space.
voice

said,

over

"

there's

Mr.

Square

below,

engineer."
"

I looked

dreamily

"

the house

and

see

round.

would

be

Oh, indeed

Yes

"

show

glad

to

be

allowed

that all the electrical apparatus

is in order."
"

of

or

the

Both

at the door.
My valet was
Please, sir,the gentleman

to go

eyeballs

that

name

the

energy

floor.

of

Please, sir," a
Eh

the

lollingout

that

moment

athwart

stamp

the

inquire.

electrical
"

but

so,

tongue

smoke.

moral

and

became
to

to

power

seem,

of the

pulled jerkily out of

I could
see
nothing

was

into

heel

What

me.

the

was

one

another

by

than

sufficient

not

my

it

that

"

being dragged

was

rise,pursue,

to

me

for

only

beyond,
crawling finger.
I had

was

matter

vaporous

certain

nostril,and

substance

more

long

for

mind

however,

was,

whole

say

my
at

out

the

ears.

germ-body
had

I cannot

"

left

impression

It

did

confusion

such

In

him

up."

FINGER

DEAD

285

III
I had
hands

recentlyplacedthe lightingof
of an
electrical engineer,a very

watch

every

house

my

in the

intelligent
man,
Mr. Square,for whom
I had contracted a sincere friendship.
He
had built a shed with a dynamo out of sight,
and
had entrusted
the laying of the wires to subordinates,as
he had been busy with other orders and could not personally

force to

he

and

was

he

be

played with.
insufficiently
protect

will often
insertion

But

unobserved,

pass
not

detail.

of the lead

which

the

not

knew

Bad

that
or

let anything

to

man

was
electricity

careless workmen

neglectthe
in the
safety-valve

the wires, or
as

serves

be
being too strong. Houses
may
set on
shocked, by the neglect
fire,human
beings fatally
of a bad or slovenlyv/orkman.
The
but just completed,
was
apparatus for my mansion
that
and Mr. Square had come
to inspectit and make
sure
of

event

all

was

He

be

current

right.
was

for it

saw

the

enthusiast

an
a

in the

the
perspective,

vast

and
electricity,

of

matter

limits of which

could

not

predicted.

forces,"said he, "are correlated. When

force in one
form, you may justturn it into this
"All

form
it is motive
like. In one
you
Now
is light,in another
heat.
we

you
or

have

that,as

in another

power,
have

it

for
electricity
freelyas in the

employ it,but not as

should
have
we
States, for propelling vehicles.
Why
should
buses ?
We
horses drawing our
use
only electric
shins ?
There
trams.
our
Why do we burn coal to warm
does
is electricity,
which
throws
out
as
no
filthysmoke
their energiesin
coal. Why should we let the tides waste
illumination.

We

the

in other

Thames?

There

estuaries?

Nature

nothing with all the

force we
for heating,for lighting.I
for propelling,
want
said Mr. Square.
will tell you something more,
my dear sir,"
of force,and have
I have mentioned
but three modes
supplying us

"

"

free,gratis,and

for

have

we
"

286

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS
to which

electricity
Is not
How
is it with photography?
be turned.
may
I bet you/'said
electric lightbecoming an artistic agent ?
a therapeutic
he,"before long it will become
agent as well."
Oh, yes ; I have heard of certain impostors with their
instanced

but

limited number

of

uses

"

life-belts."
He
Square did not relish this littledig I gave him.
the charge.
We
don't know
to
winced, but returned
how
that is all,"said he.
I haven't
to direct it aright,
taken
shall
the matter
up, but others will,I bet ; and we
have electricity
used as freelyas now
use
we
powders and
pills.I don't believe in doctors' stuffs myself I hold
because he lacks physical
that disease lays hold of a man
force to resist it. Now, is it not obvious
that you
are
beginning at the wrong end when you attack the disease ?
What
is to supply force,make
up for the lack
you want
of physicalpower, and force is force wherever
find it
you
I don't see
here motive, there illuminating,
and so on.
why a physician should not utilise the tide rushing out
under
London
Bridge for restoringthe feeble vigour of all
who
are
languid and a prey to disorder in the Metropolis.
that is not all. Force is
It will come
to that, I bet, and
moral
force,everywhere. Political,
force,physical force,
all are
tidal waves, and so on
dynamic force,heat,light,
how
In time we
shall know
to galvanise
one, all is one.
into aptitudeand moral
all the limp and crooked
energy
and wills that need taking in hand, and such
consciences
there always will be in modern
civilisation. I don't know
how
how
it will be done, but in
to do it. I don't know
will turn
tricity
electhe future the priestas well as the doctor
he
his principal,
on
as
nay, his only agent. And
can
get his force anywhere, out of the running stream, out
of the wind, out of the tidal wave.
I'll give you
Mr.
an
instance," continued
Square,
chucklingand rubbing his hands, to show you the great
Mr.

"

"

"

"

"

"

in electricity,
used
possibilities

in

crude

fashion.

In

certain

all up
union

and

working

men

everywhere. The

to

that

demanded

company

But

off.

the

off the union

Instead, it turned

it.

see

roads

turned

be

should

non-unionists
didn't

for the

States,a go-ahead

York, they had electric trams

along the

and

down

New

than

so

287

in the

far west

great city away

place,too, more

FINGER

DEAD

the

company
It

men.

of the others,and filled all

sufficiency
didn't like it,and passed word
Union men
placesat once.
to be
that at a given hour on a certain day every wire was
of its spies,
and
this by means
knew
The
cut.
company
into all the
turned on, ready for them, three times the power
the strikers
At the fixed moment,
wires.
up the poleswent
dozen
times
down
the cables,and
a
to cut
they came
wires
quicker than they went up, I bet. Then there came
from all quarters for stretchers to carry off
to the hospitals
with broken
the disabled
some
legs,arms, ribs ; two
men,
had

its sleeve

up

three

or

their necks

had

wonderfullymerciful

was

make

of

cinders

might

have

not

them
liked

I reckon

broken.

the

company
sufficient force to

it didn't

put on
then and there; possiblyopinion
it. Stopped the strike,did that.
"

all done

by electricity."
He
to rattle on.
In this manner
Mr. Square was
wont
that there might be
to think
interested me, and I came
not
something in what he said that his suggestionswere
I was
mere
nonsense.
glad to see Mr. Square enter my
I did not rise from my chair
shown
in by my
man.
room,
moral

Great

effect
"

"

to

shake

so.

In

take

to do
his hand, for I had not sufficient energy
him and signedto him to
languid tone I welcomed

seat.

"Why,

what's

looked

Square

at

me

?" he said.

the matter

have
got the 'flue,

Not
"

Mr.

with

surprise.

some

"You

seem

unwell.

you?"
"

pardon ?
The influenza.
Every third person is crying out that
he has it,and the sale of eucalyptusis enormous,
that
not
microbes
indeed !
Influenza
eucalyptus is any good.

beg

your

"

What

care

?
they for eucalyptus

You've

gone

down

some

288

BOOK

steps of the ladder

How

do

OF

of

life since

saw

last,squire.

you

for that?"

account

you

GHOSTS

I hesitated about

stances
mentioning the extraordinarycircumthat had occurred; but Square was
who
a
man
would
allow any beating about the bush.
He
not
was
and in ten minutes
had got the
downright and straight,
of

entire story out

"

Rather

he

After

"

I'm

fond

kinder

time
He

story taken

queer

"

on

crawling

end."

few minutes

and
fittings,
again,and see

Mr.

It's

that

nerves

your

silent,
considering.

was

at the
over

for

boisterous

said he.
finger/'
Then

me.

he rose, and said : " I'llgo and look

then I'llturn this littlematter
of yours
if I can't knock
the bottom
out of it,

of these sort

of

things."

Yankee, but he had lived for some

in America, and affected to speak like an American.
used
of speech common
in the
expressions,terms

Square was

States, but
a

was

had

of

none

the

Transatlantic

twang.

He

affectation in every other

his sole weakness, and it was
harmless.

absolutelywithout

man

particular
; this
The

not

was

thorough in all he did that I did not

expect his return immediately. He was certain to examine
every portionof the dynamo engine,and all the connections
This would necessarily
him for some
and burners.
engage
As the day was
hours.
nearly done, I knew he could not
that evening, and
ingly
accordaccomplish what he wanted
should be prepared for him.
gave orders that a room
head
skin was
full of pain, and my
was
Then, as my
absence
to apologise for my
burning, I told my servant
from dinner, and tell Mr. Square that I was
reallyforced
bed by sickness,and that I believed I was
to my
to return
about to be prostratedby an attack of influenza.
who has been with me for six
The valet
a worthy fellow,
concerned
and urged me
at my
to
was
appearance,
years
man

was

so

"

"

allow

local

him

to

send

for

and
practitioner,

doctor.

I had

no

if I sent for another

confidence
from

in the

the nearest

moving it. The hand

coveringsand rested

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

290

the eider-down

on

under

the

coverlet,with

the

drawn
leisurely

was

from

extended.
forefinger
The
figurewas that of a man, in shabby clothes,with a
forehead,with hair cut after
face,a retreating
sallow,mean
The jaws and
the French
fashion,and a moustache, dark.
covered with a bristly
chin were
growth, as if shaving had
for a fortnight.The figuredid not appear
been neglected
to be
thoroughlysolid,but to be of the consistencyof
of the complexion of curd.
As
curd, and the face was
in
I looked at this object it withdrew, slidingbackward
and
odd
sort of manner,
as
an
though overweighted by
the most
indeed the only
the hand, which was
substantial,
the figureretreated
substantial portion of it. Though
stooping,yet it was no longerhuddled along by the finger,
if it had

as

material

no

acquireda consistencyand

it did

which
solidity

it had

same,

not

before.

possess

it vanished

How

The

If the

existence.

I do

know,

not

opened, and Square

door

"What!"

he

exclaimed

whither

nor

it went.

in.

came

cheery voice; "influenza

with

is it?"
"

I don't know

I think it'sthat

"

fingeragain."

IV
"

that
I

Now, look here,"said Square,

"

at its

cuss

now

was

pranks any

so

Tell

more.

exhausted,

I'm

not
me

feeble,that

so

going

to

all about
I

not

was

have
it."
able

of what
had taken place,but
account
give a connected
Square put to me justa few pointedquestionsand elicited
the main facts. He piecedthem togetherin his own
orderly

to

mind,

so

feature

in the

and
then

a-

as

to

form

case,"said he,

"

important. At first
"

nebulous

backbone, without

whole.

connected
that
a

strikes

"

me

There
as

fingeronly,then

is

able
remarka

hand,

the hand, without

to
figureattached
consistency. Lastly,a complete form,

FINGER

DEAD

291

consistencyand with backbone, but the latter in a

condition,and the entire figureoverweightedby
gelatinous
and
the hand, just as hand
weighted
previouslyoverfigurewere
ing
by the finger.Simultaneouslywith this compactof the figure,
and consolidating
came
your degeneration
with

vital force

and,

in

and

loss of

you

and
lose,that objectacquires,

by

contact

I dare

"

I suppose

where

see

it

on

was.

must

think

for you,

if I can't deal with

will prove

employed

it gains
acquires,
enough, is it not ?
it

"

not; the facultyof thought is drained

well,I

Very
you.
is force,and
as

what

What

That's clear
with you.
I don't know.
I can't think."
say.

*'

way

of health.

word,

the

just as trulya
union

That's

not

men

I will.

of

Force

visitant in such

your

moral

dissuasive

strike

on

to the

and

out

in

"

never

as

that
mind

point."
lime-juice?"I

entreated.
kindly giveme some
I listened
I sippedthe acid draught,but without relief
to Square, but without
hope. I wanted to be left alone.
of everything,
of life.
of my pain,weary
I was
even
weary
"

Will

you

It

was

or

slippedout
"

the

matter

of indifference to

me

whether

I recovered

of existence.

said the engineer.

As
again shortly,"
vient en mangeant.
It has been at
French
say, Vappetit
thrice,it won't be content without another peck. And

It will be here

you
if it does

get another, I guess

finish

"

it will

pretty

well

about

you."
into
his chin,and then put his hands
Mr. Square rubbed
his trouser
pockets. That also was a trick acquired in the
His hands, when
not
actively
States, an inelegantone.
into his pockets,inevitably
they gravitated
occupied,went
like
did
Ladies
not
thither.
Square ; they said he was
not
a
gentleman. But it was not that he said or did anything
he
looked
off colour,"only
at them,
spoke to them,
In his pockets.
with them, always with his hands
walked
I have
a
seen
lady turn her back on him deliberately
"

because

of this trick.

BOOK

292

with

Standing now

GHOSTS

OF

in his

his hands

pockets,he studied
and

contemptuously: Old-fashioned
bad, fourposter. Oughtn't to be allowed, I guess;
bed,

my

"

said

and

round."
all the way
to dispute this.
not in a condition

was

poster with curtains at head

draw
them, but it givesa sense
in

and

feet ; not

of

of your half-tester beds.

at one's
If there is a window

I like

is

four-

that

privacy that

wholesome
un-

ever

wanting

one

room

said for

lie in bed

can

glarein one's eyes, and yet without darkening

to
be
by drawing the blinds. There is much
but this is not the place in which to
fourposter,

the

without
the

feet,one

it.

say

Square pulled his hands out of his pockets and

the head
of
began fiddlingwith the electric point near
Mr.

bed, attached a wire, swept it

then thrust the knob
the floor,and

in

my

hand
"

your

covered.

and

at

semicircle

the end

along

into my

bed.

in the

Keep

eye open,"said
If that fingercomes

try it with the point. I'll manage

he,

"

and

your

hand

shut

again tickling
your ribs,
the

switch,from behind

the curtain."

Then

he

too

was

observe
my

disappeared.
indifferent

where

he

hand, and

my

was.

eyes

in my
misery to turn my head and
I remained
inert,with the knob in
and
closed, suffering

thinking of

shootingpains through my head and the

loins and back and legs.
aches in my
time
Some
probably elapsed before I felt the finger
again at work at my ribs ; it groped, but no longer bored.
and
the
felt the entire hand, not a single finger,
I now
I was
hand
substantial,cold, and clammy.
was
aware,
nothing but

how,

I know

the

not, that

if the

reached
finger-point

the

regionof my heart,on the left side,the hand would, so to

speak,sit down on it,with the cold palm over it,and that
heart would
it
to beat, and
then immediately my
cease

A
would

be, as

FINGER

DEAD

Square might

293
"

"

it, gone

express

coon

with

me.

I brought up the knob of the electric

self-preservation
I think
wire against the hand
againstone of the fingers,
I
and at once
of a rapping,squealing
noise.
was
aware
turned
head languidly,and saw
the form, now
more
my
substantial than before, capering in an
ecstasy of pain,
from under
its arm
to withdraw
endeavouringfruitlessly
the bedclothes,and the hand
from the electric point.
At the same
moment
Square stepped from behind the
curtain,with a dry laugh,and said : I thought we should
In

"

"

"

fix him.
Now

let

He
us

till I know
The

has

drop

the

last sentence

ready

with

the

catechise

to

circle of

me

take

"

my

can't

escape.

I shan't let you

addressed, not

was

figure being

it at

and

off

you."

apparition.
Thereupon he bade
of

him,

particulars.But

to

all about

hand

coil about

"

moment's

who
visitor,

wire,but could

not

the

notice.

escape

me,

point away

whatever

moved

to

it was,
He
then

but to the
from
but

to

the
be

proceeded
within the
restlessly
from it. It repliedin

from a
thin,squealingvoice that sounded as if it came
distance,and had a queruloustone in it. I do not pretend
a

recollect everything
said. I cannot
give all that was
that passed. My memory
affected by my
was
as
illness,
well as my
body. Yet I prefergiving the scraps that I
recollect to what
Square told me he had heard.
Yes
I was
swered
unsuccessful,always was.
Nothing anwith
world
The
was
me.
Society
against me.
hate
don't
work
I
like
did.
was.
neither,never
Society. I
But
I like agitatingagainst what
is established.
I hate
the parsons, everythe Royal Family, the landed
interest,
thing
that is,except the people that is,the unemployed.
I couldn't get work
I always did.
suited me.
When
I
as
died they buried
in a cheap coffin,dirt cheap, and
me
a
nasty grave, cheap, and a service rattled away
gave me
to

"

"

"

BOOK

294

cheap,and

want

discontented.

All

us.

GHOSTS

Didn't

monument.

no

lots of

are

OF

Oh

none.

Discontent

! there
That's

passion,it is it gets into the veins,it fills the brain, it

that takes
occupies the heart ; it's a sort of divine cancer
possessionof the entire man, and makes him dissatisfied
and hate everybody. But we
with everything,
have
must
for it
We
share of happiness at some
all crave
time.
our
"

in

one

blessedness
is

hope

other.

or

way

and
cable

have

so

and

anchor

have

when

any
We

future state,you must

didn't get it when
we

it after

we

of

is mouldered

us

attaches

is real.

sort, don't believe

in

happiness in life here.

seek to procure
so
we
alive,
do it,if we
can
get out of

can

But
If

away.

it,for

to

what

to

of

for

were

coffins.

future state

look to attain

of that

look

We

cheap and nasty

our

that

hope

no

dead.

are

there's

hope, and

But

you

think

Some

till the

not

fingeror

greater part
two
remains,

surface,those cheap deal

the only solid
coffins go to piecesquick enough. Then
pull the rest of us that has gone to
part of us left can
about after the living.
we
nothing after it. Then
grope
work

that

can

The

well-to-do
if

poor

if

can't

we

and

content

its way

get

can

we
"

to

up

hate

we

happy.

If

the

at them

"

the honest

working
they are

too, because

them

of these,and can
any
their vital force out of them

reach

we

them, then we can draw

into ourselves,and recuperate at their expense.
what
I was
about
going to do with you.
famous.
man
Nearly solidified into a new

touch

That

was

Getting on
given
; and
chance
in life. But I've missed it this time.
another
Just
Miss
luck.
like my
everything. Always have, except
misery and disappointment. Get plenty of that."
Anarchists out of
asked Square.
What
are
you all ?
employ ?
"

"

"

"

"

of

Some
but

monarch
a

"

we

us

go

are

by

that name,

all one,

and

own

Sovereign discontent.

distaste for manual

work

by other designations,
allegianceto but one

some

and

We
we

are

grow

bred
up

to

have

loafers,

grumbling
is

"

and

us

"And

what

Call

do

Socialists,

bacteria.
the

are

Influenza

discontented,
in

the

form

Did

"

If

then

so,

their
as

force

of

It

Here

is

in

It

Do

you
"

into
I

not,

negative

all

it

have

body
see

Politic,
that

land

believe

and

aspect

nay

I
of

that

of

absorbs

it

but

to

the

rots

are

Divine

acid,
whole

political

that

all.

in

one

to

paralysis
spite,

envy,

moral

system.

discontent

in

Anarchism

What

"

Influenza

is in

the

body

Physical.

"

believe

answered,

and

dropped

away

dreams.
What

that

Square
he

discontent

it is

social,
is

phantly.
trium-

correlated

force

Rubbish,

graves

Influenza."

were

of

Talk

generally

Square

forces

and
We

nasty

the

are

deficiences

moral,

"

recovered.
but

all

progress

the

and

exclaimed

that

inspires nothing,

Ye-e-s-e-s,"
the

"

fluenza.
In-

bacilli,
blowed

be

cheap

our

the

us

and

failures,

We

say

to

turns

form,
the

of

guess

negations,

impelling

you

another

not

social

manifestations.

energy.

gall.

all

several

are,

bacteria

disease.

physical

you

and

another

Anarchists,

call

they

now

in

once

microbes,

out

up

us."

same,

us

of

the

we

coming
of

There

"

bacilli,

Microbes,

the

called

talk

that

Society

now?"

are

we

Levellers,

learned

with

is above

yourselves

Folk

all.

is

The

that

Nothing;

that

Nihilists,

call

you

295

quarrelling

Providence

the

ourselves

condition,

and

everything

at

around

FINGER

DEAD

did

reduced

self-decomposing

with
it

the

again

condition.

Thing
to

its

know
former

BLACK
DO

know

not

I evening,

how

knew

good-humour.
and

so

enjoyed

dinner

The

the wines.

were

spent
dinner

pleasant

more

that

than

more

at

For one
house.
thing,the
hospitable
in
to keep her guests interested and

Mr. Weatherwood's
hostess

I had

when

had

or

RAM

all that could

was

all to my

above

conduced

what

But

be desired,

by Miss Fulton, a bright,

entertaining.My wife had
Miss Fulton and
had sent her excuses
a cold,and
by me.
the end
I talked of this,that,and every thing. Towards
I shall be obligedto run
so
soon
of dinner she said :
away
and your cigarettes
the ladies leave the room
to you
as
that at table I
pleasurewas
well read and
girl,
intelligent

sat

"

and

gossip.

has

villagefeast
cut
"

Mrs.

slice off my

Rather

rest
night's

unusual

an

"These

feast,"said I.

host of

be up at seven,

to

the

thingsare

is

and

our

thingson
do object

ends."

at both

of

time

Weatherwood

To-morrow

I have

Marksleigh,and

at

I shall have

hand.

to

but

mean,

forewarned, and understands.

been

my

It is rather

year

for

generallygot

village
in

over

the summer."
"

You

see,

is his

fashion
your

or

parts have
What

sort

"

That

if you

clock

before you

is dedicated

and
festival,

another

"

the

church

our

in

our

they any
of notions

it has

parishfrom
notions
?

to St.

observed

been
time

about

Mark,

and
in

morrow
toone

immemorial.

St. Mark's

eve

In
?

"

"

porch from midnight till

will see
the apparitionspass
to die within the year."

sit in the church

strikes one, you

of those destined

296

into

dipped

the river and

valley,where

case

bewilder

if he

water-meadows.

the

and

the horse
his wheel

ran

trap. We

were

I sang

Mind

"

out

both

mastered

of the

One

trace.

had

in such

that
useless

they
Dick

blame

that upset the

head.
I fell on
my

of stones

; I

the

all

am

right."
I did

horse.

rise

not

jarred by the fall ;

Dick engaged in mending a ruptured
shafts was
broken, and a carriagelamp

had

I found

I did

cob, Dick

over

has

who

I cannot

out, and

thrown

the

boy at once
immediately,for I
when

heap

fog hung

Anyone

driver.

the

over

The

had

white

dense

experiencein drivingat night is aware

than
the carriagelamps are
worse

much
a

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

298

somewhat

been

shattered.

been

Dick," said I, there are a couple of steep hills to

descend, and that is risky with a single shaft. I will
lightenthe dogcart by walking home, and do you take
"

"

at the

care

hills."

"

I think

"

I should

rather

sir."
manage,
preferto walk the rest

we

can

shaken

night will do

by
more

I am
way.
and a good step out in the cool
fall,
my
to put me
to rightsthan
anything else.

When

you get home, send up a

at
that she is not to expect me

time, and
"

It's

she is not

to

could get the shaft tied up

"

What

"

at this time

once.

of

you,

at

the

river

night?

with

outskirts

of

boot and

shoe

of

sir.

And

I dare

No, Dick, do as
off,and I started

say

we

I
on

say."
my

the

quarter of

Fifewell,a villageof

of the petty
factoryin it

shops,the seat

I shall arrive in due

clingingfog,when I
light
back, and by the starfilled with the mist, lying

bottom

apparently dense as snow.

After a swinging walk
the

mistress

your

Fifevvell."

drove
Accordingly the groom
I was
walk.
glad to get out of
reached higher ground. I looked
saw

to

message

be alarmed."

good trudge before

of the

an
some

hour

I entered

importance,

and with
sessions,

small

RAM

BLACK
The

street

deserted.

was

Some

299
windows

bedroom

were

lighted,for our people have the habit of burning their

shut, no one
paraffinlamps all night. Every door was
was
stirring.
As I passedalong the churchyard wall,the story of the
carpenter, told by Miss Fulton, recurred to me.
young
close upon
By Jove ! thought I, it is now
midnight,a
rare
opportunityfor me to see the wonders of St. Mark's
I will go into the porch and rest there for a few
eve.
I meet
that girl
minutes, and then I shall be able,when
again,to tell her that I had done what she challenged me
to do, without
any idea that I would take her challengeup."
walked
I turned
in at the gate, and
up the pathway.
The headstones
bore a somewhat
light.
ghostlylook in the starA cross
of white stone, recentlyset up, I supposed,
of phosphorescence. The
had
the appearance
almost
"

"

church

windows

I seated

"

dark.

were

myself in

the

porch on a
roomy
against the wall, and felt for my pipe. I
that I contemplated smoking it then and
because

Miss

I felt that

Fulton
it

not

was

it,but

forbidden

had

quite

the

bench

stone
not

am

sure

there, partly
also

right thing

to

because
do

on

ground. But it would be a satisfaction to

fingerit,and I might plug it,so as to be ready to lightup
I found
I left the churchyard. To my vexation
so
soon
as
that I had lost it. The
there,and the
tobacco-pouch was
matches.
My pipe must have fallen out of my pocket
a
when
I was
pitched from the trap. That pipe was
consecrated

favourite
"

of mine.

If I send Dick
howling nuisance,"said I.
to
to-morrow
the road
over
morning, ten chances
is market-day,and people
if he finds it,for to-morrow
be passing early."
"

What

back
one

will
As

I said

this,the
each

I counted
was

not

cold

"

in

clock

stroke.

fact,I

had

struck twelve.
I

wore

been

my
too

fur-lined coat, and

warm

walking

in it.

BOOK

300
At

the

last stroke

of

brilliant lightappear
door

must

show

about

Whether
see

in

"

but

did

ray
windows

not

lightstreaming from them

gravestones into prominence.

the

of

it,it

should

nature

that

remarkable

was

windows.

At

attention
Miss

through the

shine

should

none

very
with that

I did

then

brought

or

the

think

to

dazzling a

so

of the

give this

not

not,

were

come

I could

door, and
from

see,

the

thought ; my
For
I saw
distinctly
acquaintance,coming

taken

nice

Venville,a

you
lightof

as

I did not

otherwise

they

crannies

far

issue,as

the time

was

When

crevices.

brilliancy.

have

would

than

look, either

that

the

that

all the

at

to

me

pretty certain

am

The

more

no

illumined

were

to

occur

lightdid

of intense

very

into the church.

forth

gush

not

church

fact,it
"

the

lines of

noticed

the door

about

keyhole shot

the

later

or

twelve

did

it,and

the

GHOSTS

fitted well,as

have

from

But

OF

up.
of
girl my

swinging walk so characteristic of

an
lady.
How
I have been
often it has happened to me, when
sittingin a public park or in the gardens of a Cursaal
abroad, and some
girlshave passed by, that I have
young
I bet you a bob those are English."
said to my wife :
that by
see
Yes, of course,"she has replied
you can
;
the

path
English young

up

"

"

"

their dress."
I don't

"

judge by

know

This

is

look-out

the

of

joke,"said
for

of her wits.

; if I gave

cradle
whenever

screwed
of the
there

dinner,and

am

I.

"

ghosts,and
a

coming towards
She is going to

up

Hang

whiff it would

my

the

"

up or
it,I wish
reveal

I think

lips to begin

"

porch.

sit here

if I stand

alarmingher.

mortal,without

I had

said ;

Miss Venville

was

will be scared out

pipe now

dress,"I have

the walk."

Well, there
"

anything about

on

speak

she

I had

my

the

presence
I shall whistle."

Rocked

in

the

deep" that is my great song I perform

asked
is a villageconcert, or I am
out
to
entreated afterwards to sing I say I had
"

"

RAM

BLACK

301

something that
that I made
scared me
no
so
attempt at the melody.
shut off,
The
ray of light through the keyhole was
and
I saw
standing in the porch before me the form of
Mrs. Venville,the girl's
mother, who had died two years
The
before.
lightarrested by her filled her
ray of white
diffused as a mild glow from her.
as
a lamp
was
asked
the
"Halloo, mother, what brings you here?"
girl.
screwed

up

lipsto whistle,when

my

saw

"

enter

cannot

her
"

Yes,

everyone

own

key."

warn

back.

you

You

got the key."

not

unfit to enter.

have

his

or

I to get one?"

am

be

must

pass within must

would

who

where

Well,

"It

have

; you

to

come

key, mother?"

"The
"

have

"Gwendoline,

forged for
What
good

you,

Gwen.

have

you

You

are

done

ever

wholly

to deserve

it?"

"Why, mother,

knows

everyone

I'm

an

awfullygood

sort."
"

No

"

And

"

Nor

"

And

Her
"

in here knows

one

That

it.

is

no

qualification."

always dressed in good taste."

is that."
I

splendidat

was

mother

Look

shook

lawn

tennis."

her head.

here, little mummy.

won

brooch

the

at

archery match."
"

That

will not

done

ever

The

to

raffle at

orphanage
over

for half
"

You

give."

good have
yourself?"

else beside
anyone
girlconsidered a minute, then

put into
fun

What

do, Gwendoline.

and

bazaar

I drew

no,

"

it

you

laughed,and said:
was
a
bran-piefor

"

an

pair of braces. I had rare

those braces,I sold them
to Captain Fitzakerly
and that I gave to the charity."
crown,
"

went

for what

out

you

could

get, not

what

you

could

BOOK

302

the mother

Then

OF

stepped

directlyat the girl. I

quality of the X-ray.
or

in her

her flesh

brain

GHOSTS

on

one

that it

saw

It

not

was

muscles.

or

It revealed

penetratingher

"

side,and the ray shot

had something of the
arrested
by her garments,

whole

in her

body

hard, dark

"

breast,

core.
"

Black

Now
in

Black

bet,"said I.

Ram,

is the local

Ram

for

name

in the low ground

land, especially
but is not so, on account
most
fertile,

our

the

found

substance

that

found

ought

to

be

of this material

in it.

The

substance

surface,and

lies

forms

two

some

crust

or

three

feet below

consistencyof

of the

plough can possiblybe driven through it. No

can
percolateathwart it,and consequentlywhere
there the superincumbent soil is resolved into a
No

tree

Black

what

grow

the Black

touches
Of

can

Ram

in

Ram

it,for the
the tree

consists

is

more

iron.

cast

No

the

water

it is,

quagmire.
the taproot

moment

dies.
than

can

say;

the

Now
popularopinion is that it is a bastard manganese.
several fields accursed with the presence
I happen to own
fields that ought to be luxuriant
in them of Black Ram
"

meadows,
worth

but

which,

in consequence

of its presence,

are

nothing at all.

almost

No, Gwen,"
her, there is not
"

"

said
a

her

chance

mother, looking sorrowfullyat

of your admission
that is in you."

tillyou

have

got rid of the Black Ram

Sure," said I,as I slappedmy knee, I thought I knew
and now
the article,
my opinion has been confirmed."
I get rid of it?" asked the girl.
How
can
Gwendoline, you will have to pass into little Polly
Finch, and work it out of your system. She is dying of
into her body, and so rid
enter
scarlet fever,and you must
"

"

"

"

yourselfin
"

"

Mother

So

much

time
!
"

of the Black

the Finches

are

the better chance

Ram."
common

for

people."

you."

BLACK
"

And

ten."

to

become

little child if you

would

here."

enter
"

I don't like it.

"

To

must

And

into

pass

Well, then

Gwen
down

Gwen,

now,

here goes

"

path.

till you

in the darkness

Polly Finch's

Venville
the

is the alternative ? "

What

without

remain

better mind.

"

303

eighteen,Polly is about

am

will have

"You

RAM

to

come

lost ; you
before it grows cold."
time

no

body

is to be

"

her mother

accompanied her
and pouted.
reluctantly,

turned,and

girlmoved
churchyard,both

The

traversed
the street
Passing out of the
and disappeared within a cottage, from
the upper
window
of which
lightfrom behind a white blind was diffused.
I did not follow,I leaned back
againstthe wall. I felt
that my head was
throbbing. I was a littleafraid lest my
fall had done more
I
injurythan I had at firstanticipated.

hand

put my

to my

head, and held it there for

moment.

though a book were opened before me

of the life of Polly Finch
the book
rather of Gwendoline's
or
soul in Polly Finch's
but one
body. It was
page
in it were
that I saw, and the figures
moving.
The
girlwas
strugglingunder the burden of a heavy
him, she sang to him, she
baby brother. She coaxed
played with him, talked to him, broke off bits of her
bread
and
butter,given to her for breakfast,and made
him eat them ; she wiped his nose
and eyes with her pocketThen

it

was

as

"

"

handkerchief, she tried to

was
a fractious
urchin,and
her

good -nature,

brow,
heart

and
was

I drew
my

hand

her

never

limbs

to

hand

the

from
cold

him

in

her

He

arms.

exacting,but her patience,

failed. The
drops stood on her
tottered
under
the weight, but her

strong, and
my

dance
most

her
my

eyes

shone

head.

stone

to my
more
applied it once
Instantlyit was as though
I saw
Polly in her widowed

It

bench

with

burning.

was

to

love.

cool

it,and

put

then

brow.
another

page

were

revealed.

father's cottage. She

was

now

BOOK

304
grown

girl; she

bell tinkled.

turned
to

down

she

Again a
shop to a
drops.

"

scrubbingthe floor.
the soap and brush,
into the outer

went

pound of tea. That done,

the scrubbing was
renewed.
stood

up

child who

buy

pennyworth

desired to

about

rag

the bad

and

her littlebrother

came

at

Poll ! it hurts ! it hurts !

"

the

of lemon

crying he
"

and

had
then

member.

! don't

it will

into

went

applied cobweb,

once

the wounded

place,and

shop

again, and
tinkle,and again she

There, there. Tommy

kissed

down

and

with half

finger.Polly

stitched
"

put

her sleeves,rose

her return,in

his

cut

she

GHOSTS

her knees

on

back

was

On

was

Then

customer

serve

OF

cry
soon

sobbed

any

I have

more.

be well."
the

boy.

me," said his sister. She drew a low chair to

her lap, and
took Tommy
the fireside,
on
began to tell
him the story of Jack the Giant-killer.
I removed
hand, and the vision was gone.
my
other hand
to my
I put my
head, and at once
saw
a
"

Come

to

of Polly.
life-story
and had a cottage
She was
a middle-aged woman,
now
She was
of her own.
despatching her children to school.
neatly combed,
They had bright,
rosy faces,their hair was

further

scene

in the

white
after another,
One
as
snow.
pinaforeswere
before leaving,
put up the cherrylipsto kiss mammy
; and
she stood in the door
when
they were gone, for a moment
looking after them, then sharply turned, brought out a
the table. There
were
on
basket, and emptied its contents
littlegirls'
stockingswith "potatoes"in them to be darned,
seated,
torn
jacketsto be mended, a little boy's trousers to be reShe laboured
to be hemmed.
pocket-handkerchiefs
the greater part of the day, then put
with her needle
on

their

away
and

the

garments,

going to the
knead
dough, and
her

husband

and

finished,others

some

flour-bin
then

to

took

forth

roll it out

the children.

to

be

flour and
to

make

finished,

began to
pastiesfor

repentance
world

with

for my

You
never
prayer by me.
bad life,
and you let me
for my
all my
me."
sins about

urged

was

I, sir," said

"And
Mr.

I wanted

what

said

never

GHOSTS
medicine

stomick, and
You

OF

BOOK

3o6

"

Hexworthy

said

and

word

you never
and gave
me
have checked

me

laughed,and

said that

bit of

restrain

to

me

sent

never

warning and advice

justshrugged your
chap like me
young

You

me.

of the

out

go

to

me

another, thrustinghimself before

was
a
sir,going wild,
man,
young

"

soul.

for

would

which

and

shoulders
must

his

sow

wild oats."
"

you

And

the rest

we," shouted

"
"

we

taughtby

never

were

all."

anything at

I
really too bad," said the rector.
preachedtwice every Sunday."
"Oh, yes
right enough that. But preciouslittlegood
it did when
out of your
heart,and all out
nothing came
of your pocket and that you did give us was
copied in
did
of your sermons
ever
your library.Why, sir,not one
anybody a farthingof good."
We
were
sheep,"protestedothers, and you let
your
"

Now

"

is

this

"

"

"

"

where

wander

us

there

yourselfthat
"

good
a

we," said others,

got

ever

we

mite from

from

was

didn't

You

fold into which

was

"

And

would

we

us."

to draw

off to

all the

chapel,and
dissentingminister

went

the

know

to

seem

"

never

you."

us,"cried out others, went to the

did you
through your neglect. What
altogether,
washed
about our souls so long as your terriers were
were
combed, and your horses well groomed ? You
"

And

of

some

if

neglect
"

Then
never

to man,

of

some
no

us

turned

thanks

to

taught

us

we

no

grew

out

were

trout

in

well,it was

not

"

spiteof

bad
care

and
a

souls.
your

you."

children's

some

and

fished for

all you

fisherman, but
And

"

voices

Catechism,
up

raised

were
nor

our

duty

regularheathens."

"

to

Sir, you
God

and

RAM

BLACK
That

"

our

this is

"Come,
**

Get

"

taught us

Hexworthy.

Mr.

shouted
intolerable/'

thing."
any-

with

I can't be bothered
all of you.
to go in there."

I want

can't,parson ! the door

You

got

duty."

of the way,

out
now.

you

your fathers' and mothers'

never
fathers and mothers

was

"But

307

key."
Hexworthy

is

have

not

irresolute.

He

shut,and

you

your

Mr.

his chin.

rubbed

the dickens

What

"

towards

the gate.
said.

I stood

I to do ? " he asked.

am

closed about

the crowd

Then

they

and

bewildered

stood

"

You

must

to follow.

up

It

him,
go

and

whither

curious to

was

shepherd, who, indeed, had

back

thrust him
send

we

see

you,"

flock drive

attempted to lead.
it seemed
I walked
in the rear, and
as
though we were
I did not gain
all swept forward
as
by a mighty wind.
going, till I found
breath, or realise whither I was
my
myself in the slums of a large manufacturingtown before
house such as those occupied by artisans,
with the
a mean
its

conventional

window

one

Out

above.

windows

side of the door

one

on

of

never

and

of these latter shone

one

two

scarlet

glow.
The
which
I

opened by a
stood hesitatingwhat
had
a

was

taken

mission

or

knees

verger

the
"

do,

to

opposite side

church, and

the

windows

there

belonging

smallpox.

of all this ?
"

said

It has

he,

"

been

was

score

sort

of

to

him

I said

street

lighted. I
of people,

lowest

the

to

of the

were

at least

were

door,

understanding

not

the

There
in prayer.
at the entrance, and

meaning
Oh, sir !

and

the

at

On

place.

entered,and saw that

shabbily dressed, and
their

Mr.

was

what

in

Hexworthy
hospitalnurse.

hustled

crowd

class,on

door-opener
"

What

is

"

Jie is

he has
ill,

raging

in the

been

attacked

place,and

he

by
has

been

all the sick,and

with

and

we

spare him
of those who

praying God
"

said

And

another

he took

rose

is

taken

it

himself,

So

dying.

kneelingturned

was

he gave
said : " I

and

up

he

has

are

we

us."

hungred,and

an

was

he

that
to

to

one

GHOSTS

now

terriblyafraid

are

Then

OF

BOOK

3o8

to

and

me

meat."

me
was

stranger,and

in."

me

naked, and he clothed me."

I was
And
a fourth :
sick,and he visited me."
with bowed
Then said a fifth,
head, sobbing : I was

Then

third said

"

was

"

"

prison,and he came
Thereupon I went
I felt

and

prayed.

tapped

I should

"

to me."
out

if I must

as

at

much

so

and

looked
the

see

at the red

up

for whom

man

window,
so

many

the door, and a woman

like to see him, if I

"Well, sir,"
spoke the

woman,

opened.
may," said I.
plain,middle-aged,rough

full of tears :
her eyes were
may, if you will go up softly. There
a great change. It is as
though a new

creature, but
you
him

in

Oh, sir,I think

"

has

come

over

lifehad entered

into him."

the

I mounted

it.

stepped to
looked

been

had

The

low

lamp

had

patient.He

smeared

an

steep steps and

all-pervadingglow

flame, and

no

bed, where
was

awful

an

some

stood

solution,with the
the skin,with the object

new

moving

were

breast.

the
he

was

have

new

fervour,a

in prayer,
The
nurse

passing away,

prevailed. A

and

new

the

great

I
a

love in them.
hands

whispered

but

to

me

thought I
new
light,
The
lips

folded

were
"

We

of those
prayers
change has come

the

face

dark

faith,a

His

I
I

nurse.

object.

saw

of

of

was

it.

over

keeping all lightfrom

saving it from permanent disfigurement.
sick priestlay with eyes raised,and
The
in them those of Mr. Hexworthy, but with

purpose

screen

scarlet shade

with

over

was

"

the side of the

the

on

was

fire

The

red.

before

There

the sick-room.

entered
of

staircase of very

narrow

over

thought
he
over

loved
him.

RAM

BLACK
last words

The
I

live,I

spoke were
live only only

will

nothing.
As

'

; and

he

now

God's

for my
is in

"

them

among

'

he

309
will be

dear

done.

If

sheep,and

die

ecstasy, and

an

says

for his

people."
praying still
what
might have been tears,
looking I saw

But

he

I stood

is

"

the

painted
in this body.
The
of Mr. Hexworthy was
cheeks.
spirit
Then, without a word, I turned to the door,went through,
groped my way down the steps, passedout into the street,
and found myself back in the porch of Fifewell Church.
Upon my word," said I, I have been here long enough."
and
I wrapped my
about
fur coat
prepared to go,
me,
that of Mr. Fothergill,
I saw
when
well-known
a
figure,
advancing up the path.
His age
have
I knew
must
the old gentleman well.
but seemed

to

Black

be molten

"

roll over

Ram,

"

rather

bald,
and had sunken
cheeks.
bachelor,livingin a
He had a good fortune,and
pretty little villa of his own.
He
old fellow.
was
a
prided
harmless, but self-centred,
his cook.
He
himself on
his cellar and
always dressed
I had
often played a
well, and was
scrupulouslyneat.
been

He

seventy.

was

of chess with him.

game
towards
I would have run
for

Fothergillhad
fever,and the man

with

to remonstrate

him

then

three

years
dangerously illwith

been

had

died

attended

typhoid
night and day.

him

to

before.

gentleman,as I heard, had been most irritable

his malady took a turn,
exacting in his illness. When
old

and

he

was

succumbed
This
said

had

David

him.

meet

to

Mr.

and

him

was

stalled.
foreexposing himself to the night air,but I was
Slipping past me, his old manservant, David,

went

The

he

spare man,
He
was
a

man
"

"

Not

"

on

the

way

in his turn, and

now

met

his

to

in

convalescence, David
three days was
dead.
touched

master,

Beg pardon, sir,you will not

admitted
?
Why not, Davie

reallyam

very

sorry,

sir.

his

cap,

had

and

be admitted."
?

"

If my

key would

have

BOOK

3IO

availed, you

would

there's such
must
"

"

have

OF

GHOSTS

been

welcome

terrible lot of Black

to

in you,

Ram

to have
I'm sorry, sir,

"

And

"

Yes, that

I've

to say

always subscribed

it ; but

expected of
those

with

sympathy

"

I'm

"

No, sir,and
for

"

"

That

sir.

sure

never

not

need, and

in
did

never

you,

anyone
anyone

that

was

because

yourself."
for money."
because
you

you

had

any

sickness,and suffering."

any
any

done

you'venever

asked

when

true, sir,but

is very

thought it was

"

but, sir,

be got out first."

I don't understand, Davie."

anyone
any good."
"
I paid you your wages regularly."
*'
Yes, sir,to be sure, sir,for my services to

me

it ;

harm."

good.

You'll

excuse

mentioning it."

?
I can't get in ?"
But, Davie, what do you mean
No, sir,not tillyou have the key."
Am
of me ?
But, bless my soul ! what is to become

here?"

to stick out
"

Yes, sir,unless

"

In this

"

There

"

Unless

what,

"

Unless

you

"

damp, and cold,and darkness?"

is no help for it,Mr. Fothergill,
unless

"

Davie?"

become

mother, sir 1"

"What?"
"

Of

twins,sir."

"

Fiddlesticks

"

Indeed, it is

so,

I can't do

"

it.

sir,and

you

will have

to

nurse

them."

I'm

physicallyincapable."
be done, sir. Very sorry to mention
It must
it,but
is approachthere is no alternative. There's Sally Bowker
ing
hard with her.
her confinement, and it's going terribly
The doctor thinks she'll never
pullthrough. But if you'd
"

"

consent
"

And

amount

to

pass

nurse

into her and

the twins ?

of stout."

become

Oh, Davie,

mother
I shall need

"

great

BLACK
"

Is there

too

alternative?"

no

"

None

"

I don't know

**

but you'llbe
Fothergill,

it,Mr.

say

311

to afford it."

poor
"

grieveto

RAM

If

in the

world, sir."
my

do

you'd

me

the

to

way
the

place."

honour, sir,to take

arm,

my

would

lead you to the house."

cruel hard on
It's hard
an

"

twins ?
"

It

It's a rather

and

him

conduct

into the house

I

was

so

curious

as

out

his face in his

I found

Seth

woman

were

with the

no

to

one

At
grew

my

the
in

sew

in the littleroom

on

my

Seth

and

looked

in heaven

I shall be

at

shirt-buttons !

man

fire with
"

Oh

she

littleways."
and

wife
the mid-

up, and

listened.

pity on
without

me,

her

"

and
and

"

feeble

the

the deal table,and

! have

lost

the

her ? and

all my

doctor

his knees

I heard

moment

volume,

knew

so

on

moaning

shall I do without

woman.

wife.

the

sittingover

was

trampling. The

"

me

spare

myself

Bowker

flunghimself on
Oh, good God

master

the street,

churchyard,across

breathed,and

as

was

he

his former

to

arm

hands, swaying himself,and

Overhead

prayed

of the

life! whatever

dear ! dear

Then

his

Bowker, the shoemaker.

interested in the fate of my old friend,and
that I followed,and went
into
to the result,

floor.

the best

lend

of Seth

cobbler's house.

ground

largeorder."

David

saw

it be

sir."

reallymust,

Then

Must

old bachelor.

"

presentlybecame

twitter

aloft,then

cries.

Seth

it

looked

bathed in tears.
Still that strange sound
up ; his face was
He
like the chirping of sparrows.
to his feet and
rose
and held on to the banister.
for the stairs,
the doctor, and
from
the chamber
Forth
above
came

made

the stairs.

descended
leisurely
"

two
"

Well, Bowker," said he,

fine
And

boys."
Sally
my
"

my

"

wife ?

congratulate
you
"

; you

have

"

has

She
Can

*'

In

I go up
minute

"

to her ?

two, not

or

soul,I

my

marvellously."

she rallied

But

time.

one

really,
upon

But

pulledthrough.

did fear for her at

"

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

312

justnow,

the babes

being

are

washed."
wife will get

"

And

"

I trust so,

my

Bowker;

it ?

over

"

into her

lifecame

new

she gave

as

birth to twins."

the

God

"

Seth's mouth
praised!
worked, and he claspedhis hands.
Presentlythe door of the chamber
"

be

looked

nurse

come

down, and

Your

up.

said

wife wants

beautifullest twins

that

all
quivered,

his face

upstairswas

opened,

Mr.

"

Lawk

you.

Bowker,
! you

you

will

see

may

the

was."

ever

It
and entered the sick-room.
upstairs,
humble
walls,all scrupuenough, with whitewashed
lously
her
the
in
clean.
The happy mother
bed,
pale
lay

I followed
was

Seth

lightedup with
pillow,but the eyes were
ineffable love and pride.
Kiss them, Bowker," said she,exhibiting
at her side two
them.
But her husband
little pink heads, with down
on
just stooped and pressed his lipsto her brow, and after
that kissed the tiny morsels at her side.
Ain't they loves ! exclaimed
the midwife.
But oh ! what
a
rapture of triumph,pity,fervour,love,
in that mother's face,and
the eyes looking on those
was
children were
the eyes of Mr. Fothergill.
Never
had I seen
such an
when
he had
claimed
exexpression in them, not even
face

the

on

"

"

"

"

"

Then
that

"

Checkmate

I knew

what

would

would

game

of chess.

follow.

nightand day

How

live

only for her twins, how she would

sacrificeher night's
rest to them
she would
cheerfully
; how
before it was
downstairs, even
judicious,to see to
go
her husband's
meals.
Verily,with the mother's milk that
fed

mother

over

those

babes,

soul.
JFothergill

the

There

Black
was

Ram
no

would
need

for

run
me

out
to

of

the

tarry. I

HAPPY

twelve

For

mourning

of his
and

The

Mosaic

draw
than

creatures

he

by

feelings
; for

He

to

ass

months

external,and

was

condition

the

WOOLFIELD

BENJAMIN

MR.
happy.

RELEASE

no

means

lifehad

been

not

unequally yoked

the

and

plough ;
Benjamin and
one

widower.

mourning. The
representedthe

on

been

forbade

law

put

his married

had

Kesiah

was

of the

union

two

and

ox

uncongenial
hardly have

more

could

Kesiah

gether.
to-

been

furrow.
coupled to draw the matrimonial
She was
a
Plymouth Sister,and he, as she repeatedly
whenever
him
he
informed
indulged in light reading,
laughed,smoked, went out shooting,or drank a glass of
wine, was of the earth,earthy,and a miserable worldling.
For

some

years

though

as

he

invited

had

pains to

have

about

moral

house

and
and

such

on

was

to
as

be trodden
were

of which

matters

to enter

such

themes

were

taboo, but

might

made

Kesiah

of her

meals, those
had

occasions

feel

to

own

spared

no

well served,for the elect are particular

if indifferent as to their drinks.
their feeding,

such

intervals

been

the table

worm

were

had

religious
pariah.

to

occasions,moreover,
of his own
bottom
table,he

the

at

Woolfield

such

On
he

the

to

thinking,and

of

way

were

Mr.

as

far
he

when

on.

had

been
The

made

to

topicsof

sat

at

feel that

tion
conversa-

cerned
beyond his horizon, and conwas
ignorant. He attempted

He

into the circle of talk.

football

had

Benjamin

matches, horse

races,

that home
he did suppose
interest the guests of Kesiah.
314

or

knew

and

that

cricket

foreignpolitics
But

he

soon

learned

this

that

RELEASE

HAPPY

the case,

not

was

to

the

fulfilment of

pudding.

But

even

tended

315

unless

such

matters

prophecy.
to
When, however, in his turn, Benjamin invited home
dinner some
of his old friends,
he found
that all provided
for them
hashed
was
mutton, cottage pie,and
tapioca
Mrs. Woolfield

not

these could
sat stern

have

and

been

stomached,

silent at the head

had

of the

utteringa word, but giving vent to occasional,

very audible sighs.
the year of mourning was
When
well over, Mr. Wooltable,not

field put

on

lightsuit,and

of bereavement, with
left arm.

He

also

be^an

contented
a

slightblack
look

to

himself,as

about

band
him

an

cation
indi-

round

for

the

someone

who

might make up for the years during which he had felt

like a crushed
strawberry.
in castinghis inquiring
And
eye about, it lightedupon
Philippa Weston, a bright,vigorous young
lady, well
and
educated
She was
aged twenty-fourand
intelligent.
but eighteenyears older,a difference on
he was
the right
side.
It took

Mr. Woolfield

but

short

courtshipto reach
engaged.

an

and he became
understanding,
On the same
factory
evening upon which he had received a satisto the questionput to her, and had
answer
pressed
for an
which
also
had
been
consent
early marriage, to
with his hands
his
on
accorded, he sat by his study fire,
and
knees, looking into the embers
buildinglove-castles
Then
he smiled and patted his knees.
there.
startled from his honey reveries by a sniff. He
He was
There
looked
familiar ring in that sniff
round.
was
a
which
was
unpleasant to him.
What
he then saw
dissipatedhis rosy dreams, and sent
his blood
At

beady
so

the

to

his heart.

table

black

sat

his

Kesiah, looking at him

eyes, and with stern lines in her face.

startled and shocked that he could not speak.

with
He

her
was

"

Benjamin/'said

It shall

OF

BOOK

3i6

know

apparition,I

the

"

your purpose.
accomplishment.I will vent
pre-

be carried to

never

GHOSTS

it."
"

his faculties to

that

you

lead her to the

"

"

Lead

"

I know

"

he

gatheredup

that infantile look of

assume

wife.

his deceased

innocence,"said
never

treasure

reply.

is in vain

"It

love,my

what, my

Prevent

"

shall

You

never

"

hymeneal altar."

astound me."
my idol ? You
all. I can read your heart. A lost beingthough

whom,

When
be,you have stillme to watch over you.
you
if you have given up taking
quit this earthlytabernacle,
to realise your fallen condition,
in the Field,and have come
you

there is
union

chance

becoming

distant chance

"

but yet

one

of

our

eternal."
Mr.

Woolfield,his

there is that to look to. That

lead you to
if you become

don't

"You

"

mean

to

say

so,"said

jaw falling.
"

There

turn

over

is
"

leaf

new

But

it

can

never

be

to

united to that

Flibbertigibbet."
Mentally,Benjamin said : I must hurry up with my
Vocallyhe said : Dear me ! Dear me !
marriage!
continued the apparition,
My care for you is stillso great,"
that I intend to haunt you by nightand by day,till
"

"

"

"

"

"

that engagement be broken

"
I would not put you to

off."
so

much

said he.
trouble,"

the late Mrs. Woolfield sternly.

duty,"replied
kind,"sighedthe widower.
oppressively
At dinner that evening Mr. Woolfield had a friend to
he had poured out
friend to whom
a
keep him company,
him the
To his dismay,he saw seated opposite
his heart.
"

"

It is my
You are

form
He
the

his
"

of his deceased
tried to be

wife.

lively
; he

cracked

grim face and the stony eyes

and all his mirth died
spirits,
You

seem

to be out of sorts

but
jokes,

riveted

on

the

him

sightof
damped

away.

said
to-night,"

his friend.

"

RELEASE

HAPPY

bad

sorry that I act so

"
Woolfield.
Two
is company,
am

"

But

we

"

My

wife is with

"

Which,
the

at

in

three is none."

to-night."
spirit."

in

me

she that was, or she that is to be ? "

Woolfield
looked
with timid eyes towards

Mr.
sat

host,"apologisedMr,

here

only two

are

317

end

table.

of the

holy horror,and

her face

His

to

friend

lovers !

said

They

are

She

left :

he

themselves

never

frowns.

with

when

himself

hands

raisingher

was

black

was

her who

"

long

so

Oh, these
fit

the

as

lasts."
Mr. Woolfield
screwed
a

himself

with

so

; he

Benjamin

in his grate.

burned

early to bed.
proposing to

up to
of him, and
out

great deal

was

retired

and

has

man

has

demands

sleepy.

was

lady,it

nature

undressed

He

When

taken
It

rest.

nice little fire

slippedbetween

the sheets.
he

Before
late

put

Woolfield

Mrs.

am

"

am

"

The

lighthe became
standing by his

that the

aware

bedside

with

cold."
cold,"said she, bitterly
sorry to hear it,my dear,"said Benjamin.
is cold as ice,"she said.
I am
going
grave

to

was

her head.

nightcap on
"

the

out

"

"

step into bed."

"

No

won't
heat

do.

It

the widower,

reallyv/on't.

You

of me,
and
I shall be laid
It will be ten times worse
than

am

inflexible
As

she

coming

to

as

in

ever

stepped

of the fire and

He

sat

cold,he

fetched

some

his

her

up

with

damp
the

all the

himself

vital

lady,

will.

time, and

dressing-gownand

It

rheumatic

deceased

crept out
by the grate.

considerable

"

sheets."

in Mr. Woolfield

seated

there

bed," repeated

carrying out

sitting
up.

will draw

out

fever.
"

!" exclaimed

never

"

on

the side

then, feeling

enveloped

himself

in that.
He

looked

at the bed.

In it

lay the

deceased

lady with

her

long slitof

eyes fixed
"

she said.

your
I shall haunt
use

no
"

her hard

rat-trap,and

him.

on

It is of

shut like

mouth

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

3i8

thinking of marrying,Benjamin,"
you tillyou give it up."

by his fire all night,and only dozed

off towards morning.
During the day he called at the house of Miss Weston,
ing
into the drawing-room. But there,standshown
and was
Mr. Woolfield

behind
folded
It

her

sat

his deceased

chair,was

of the seat, gloweringat him.

impossiblefor the usual tender passages
lovers with

the

between

say

never

tinuously
con-

He

she would

free,when

be

he would

when

eveninghe
"

said, put

hot bottles into my

two

Jemima,"
to-night. It is
"

for the housemaid.

rang

bed

chilly."

somewhat
"

Yes, sir."

"

And

let the water

be

boiling
"

not

with the chill off."

Yes, sir."
late Mr. Woolfield

somewhat

When

found,

her eyes

he

as

had

retired to his

his late wife

feared,that

She

"

My

was

lay in the bed with her mouth

like black balls,staringat him.
dear," said Benjamin, I hope you

him.

before

"

her inflexible

up.

In the

he

ensue

departed did not attend Mr. Woolfield

during the day, but appeared at intervals.

turn

"

and

dear

The

he

to

present,expressing by

witness

of such matters
gesture her disapproval
a rupture.
determination
to force on

not

arms

the back

on

was

could

wife with her

room

there

snapped,
are

more

comfortable."

cold,deadly cold."

"

I'm

"

But

"

you are enjoying the hot bottles."

I lack animal
heat,"repliedthe late Mrs. Woolfield.
I trust

Benjamin
where

fire was

fled

he unlocked

burning.

the
his
He

room

and

case
spirit

made

It up.

returned
and
He

to

filled his
would

his

study,
pipe. The
sit there all

RELEASE

HAPPY

319

not
night. During the passing hours, however, he was
At intervals the door was
left quitealone.
gentlyopened,

and

late Mrs. Woolfield

of the

night-cappedhead

the

was

thrust in.
"

think,Benjamin, that

Don't

"

anything,"she would

to

engagement will lead

your

it will not.

because

say,

I shall

stop it."

passed. Mr. Woolfield found it impossibleto

escape this persecution. He lost spirits
; he lost flesh.
of relief,
At last,
but one
after sad thought,he saw
way
So

time

and

that

to

one

to

her with

He

and
tickets,

sent

she

accept it and

theatre.
utmost

At

the

knew

he

theatre

Weston's, picked her

and

theatre

side

were
"

am
"

I
"

took

their

I have

most

afraid

reallymust

break

"

Break

off?

"

Our

"

Nonsense.
Your

evening

he

would

be

drove

the

that

what

"

been

but

able to

Miss

to

went

come,"

shocking disclosure
how
I hardly know

to

the

seats

said

to make
to

min.
Benjato

say it
"

you.

that

it off."
"

engagement."
what

I have
?

been

fitted for my

trousseau."

"

My

"

"

the

there.

stalls. Their

wedding-dresses."
"Oh, I beg pardon. I did not understand
pronunciation. I thought b it it does not
I thought."
Pray what is the sense of this ?
"

the

safe ; the

round

togetherthey

at

of

suffer her to enter

placesin

have

glad you

am

"

and

up,

request that

communicate

to

stall

side.

by
so

not

that

him

Mr. Woolfield

time

proper

the earnest

that

would

of Kesiah
principles

At

meet

something
importance.

the

with

had

He

off the

went

have

must

Philippa.
would

break

to

prolonged interview
the theatre and bought two

he

engagement

in order

And

submit.

to

was

"

your
matter

French
what

BOOK

320

OF

GHOSTS

Do
affection for you is unabated.
not
I am
whit the less. But
I love you
one

"Philippa,my
that

suppose

oppressed by
I

horrible

nightmare daymare
"

as

well.

haunted."

am

"

*'

Haunted, indeed !

"

Yes

has made
Oh

"

my late wife.
that
up her mind
I am
Is that all ?

by

She

allows

I shall not

haunted

me

no

marry

She

peace.

you."

also."

"Surely not?"
fact."

"

It is

"

Hush, hush !

"

from

persons

in front and

at

the

side.

Philippahad noticed that the curtain had

risen and that the play had begun.
We
are
disturbingthe audience,"whispered Mr. Wooland promenade
field.
Let us go out into the passage
there,and then we can talk freely."
Ben

Neither

nor

"

"

and went
into the couloir.
stalls,
said he, offering
the girlhis arm,
Look
here, Philippa,"
is serious.
I am
which she took, the case
badgered out
of my
out
of my
health,by the late Mrs. Woolreason,
field. She always had an iron will,and she has intimated

So both

rose, left their

"

"

to

that she will force

me

me

to

giveyou up."

her."

"

Defy

"

I cannot."

ghosts are exacting. Give them

and they take an ell. They are like old servants
yieldto them they tyranniseover you."
how
"But
do you know, Philippa,dearest?"
"

Tut ! these

"

Because, as

"

That

said,I

only makes

also

am

the matter

On

"

Philippa,it

dying she
that

we

her wordy

told

should

is

me
never

dreadful
she

was

meet

inch

; if you

haunted."
more

how
the contrary, it only shows
in one
box."
We
are
to each other.
"

an

hopeless."
well suited

we

are

wife was
thing. When
my
going to a better world, and
again. And she has not kept

322

to rid ourselves

thus haunted.

BOOK
of the
We

OF
nuisance

GHOSTS
for it is

"

all

spend
Marry

cannot

nuisance

in

time

our

being

theatre."

in spiteof them."
defy them.
wife when
she was
alive.
I never
did defy my
I do
know
that she is dead.
how
to pluck up courage
not
now
Feel my
She has broken
hand, Philippa,how it trembles.
When
I was
I could play spellikins
nerve.
young
my
I am
hand
was
so
steady. Now
quite incapable
my
of doing anything with the little sticks."
I propose,"said Miss Weston.
to what
Well, hearken
"

We

must

"

"

"

"

I will beard
"

"

"

the old cat

Hush, not so disrespectful

; she was
my
the
in
old
Well, then,
lady,
ghostly

wife."
her

den.

You

if I go to pay you a visit ? "

think she will appear
"
with jealousy. She
Sure of it. She is consumed

personalattractions herself,and

no

knew

never

whether

she

loved

have

you

me,

but

she

had

thousand.

was

always

confoundedly jealousof me."

have often spoken to me
You
about
Very well,then.
of your villa. Suppose I call
changes in the decoration
on
afternoon,and you shall show me what
you to-morrow
"

your
"

"

schemes
And
Most

your

are."

ghost,will

probably.

He

he attend
also

is

you

as

"

jealousas

ghost can

well be."

"Well,

so

be

it.

I shall await

Now, then, we

may

as

your

well go

patience
coming with imto our
respective

homes."

accordinglysummoned, and after Mr. Woolfield had handed

Philippa in,and she had taken her seat
in the back, he entered and planted himself with his back
A

cab

was

to the driver.
"

Why do you not sit by me ? asked the girl.

not
I can't,"replied Benjamin.
Perhaps you may
deceased
wife is in the cab, and occupies
see, but I do, my
the place on your left."
"

"

"

"

Sit

RELEASE

HAPPY

323

her,"urged Philippa.

on

to do it,"
gasped Ben.
effrontery
ing
Will you believe me," whispered the young
lady,leanto speak to Mr.
Jehu
Woolfield, I have seen
over
Post hoveringabout
the theatre door, wringing his white
and
hands
turning up his eyes. I suspect he is running
"

the

I haven't

"

"

after the cab."

As
her

at

Mr. Woolfield

as

soon

he

residence

home.

Then

he

the

alone

in the

opposite him,

face

cadaverous

him

drive

to

the

with

conveyance
passed the flash

was
ghost. As each gaslight

the

cabman

ordered

was

bride-elect

depositedhis

had

over

came

fire

sparks of

and

momentarily in the stony eyes.

Benjamin ! she said, Benjamin ! Oh, Benjamin ! Do
writhe and
that I shall permit it. You
not
may
suppose
twist,you may plotand contrive how you will,I will stand
kindled

"

"

between

"

her

and

you

wall of ice."

as

arrived at
the afternoon,PhilippaWeston
The
late Mrs. Woolfield had, however, apparently

day, in

Next

the house.

inklingof what was intended,for she was

alreadythere,in the drawing-room, seated in an armchair
with her hands
raised and clasped,looking stonilybefore
her.
She had a white face,no
lipsthat showed, and her
obtained

dark

hair

of the

In

of any
Miss

Weston,

she
predicted,

tall,gaunt

was

young
face and

and

behind
rubbed

injury

in

him,
his

up

in

man

laughing lips. As

and

followed

his

by
a

her attendant

black

back, under

spine where

cycling.

wore

dressed
coquettishly
pretty girl,

Almost

he

had

as

soon

she

spectre,

frock-coat,with

large ox-eyes.
melancholy
shyly,looking from side to side. He
and
and
long,lean fingers.Every now
hands

She

side

kind.

colours,with sparklingeyes

had
a

came

done

was

each

black slabs,one
on
in a knot behind.

in two

dressed

temples. It

ornaments

no

in

was

an

He

shambled

had

then

in

white

hands

he

put his

the tails of his coat,

received
his mortal
as

he

entered

he

324
the

noticed

ghost

smile of
"

of Mrs. Woolfield

that was,

Her

bow.

believe

GHOSTS

OF

eyebrows rose, and

recognitionlightedup her cheeks.

awkward

an

BOOK

the

have

of

honour

"

It is

wintry

assumed

he

Jehu."
find

you

Woolfield

late Mrs.

moment,

and

faint

sister
yourself,

of

out

"

the

"

The
a

do

how

And

flesh ?

so. Brother

even

made

saluting Sister

Kesiah," said the ghost of Jehu Post, and

posture of ecstasy.
"

and

if she

as

then, after

found

in answering,
difficulty

some

while,said

disconcerted,hesitated

looked

I suppose,

"

much

do

as

you,

brother."
**

detains

melancholyduty that
Jehu Post's ghost.

It is

said

*'The

of
the spirit
said of me," observed
"
Mrs. Woolfield.
Pray take a chair."

same

be

may

the deceased

"

greatlyobliged,sister. My back
Philippa nudged Benjamin, and unobserved
by
ghosts,both slippedinto the adjoiningroom
curtains.
which
over
hung velvet
"

am

In this room,
on
patterns of chintzes

the

There

would

curtains

and
"

table,Mr. Woolfield

the

books

and

of

''

I don't like them

walls.

it is

they be worth anything you

There

"

No,

is the
we

had

collected

wall-papers.

have

plateshung on
longer in good form.
have

must

with both.

harmonise

the

cabinet with

the

If

glass

"

carpets ?

drawing-room,"said Benjamin.

won't

Philippa.

said

no

about

How

for the china.

"

by the
doorway

engaged pair remained, discussingwhat

go with the chintz coveringsof the sofa

chairs,and what papers would

I see,"said Philippa, that you

doors

below,"

here

me

go
"

in

the

there

and

disturb

take

the

drawing

We'll

ghosts,"

room

for

granted."
"'

Well

reach

it

"

come

with

by another

me

door."

to

the

dining-room. We

can

I BELIEVE

THAT

THEV

AUE

TALKING

GOODY,

GOODY

In the

they

room

RELEASE

HAPPY

good condition, except

table,where
the bottom,
when

it

the

at

the case
at
especially
Mr. Woolfield had usuallysat.
There,
lectured,moralised, and harangued, he

was

This

worn.

where

his wife had

had

in fairlythe carpet was

of the
and bottom
head

entered

now

325

his feet up and

off the Brussels carpet.

was

nad

and

down

rubbed

fretted the

nap

it
turn
can
Philippa, that we
about,and by taking out one width and puttingthat under
there in its
the bookcase
the stripthat was
and inserting
"

room,

the

"

think," remarked

can

we

the

save

of

expense

"

you

think of

pointed to the two familiar engravingsof the

Winter," and
Dignity and Impudence."

She
in

"

"

dear ?

them, Ben,

do

What

engravings those Landseers.

But

carpet.

new

Deer

"

"

"

Don't

you

of those
"

My

think,Ben, that

?
pictures

did

late wife

has

one

got

little tired

"

object to them, they

not

were

so

harmless."
perfectly
will have something
We
But your
coming wife does.
more
By the way, I wonder how
up-to-datein their room.
the ghosts are gettingon.
They have let us alone so far.
and
have a peep
I will run
at them
back
through the
"

curtains."

livelygirl left the dining apartment, and her

husband-elect, studying the pictures to which Philippa
had
objected. Presently she returned.
Oh, Ben ! such fun ! she said,laughing. My ghost
The

"

"

has

up his chair close to that of the late Mrs. WoolBut

I believe that they
is fondling her hand.

drawn

field,and

only talking goody-goody."

are

And

"

in

"

about

now

closet

I will get a
had
it out

the

the

near

pantry

benzoline

only

elect brothers

when

and

china,"said
"

that

lamp, and
Mrs.

sisters.

Mr.

Woolfield.

"

It is

is to say, the best china.

will examine
it. We
we

Woolfield
I fear

had

good

party of her

deal

is broken.

326
I

that

know

we

soup

of

election
"

And

"

The

late

are

you

off for

in

are

really believe
took
the couple
I

them,
It

out

"

time

some

to

glass.
asked
And
the plate?
Philippa.
Oh, that is right. All the real old
Kesiah
preferred plated goods."

cut-

chipped
china

the

"

silver is at the

*"

as
"

How

"

Upon

my

word

cook,

and

step inside

the

"

Is she

here

"

No

"

Bless

look

still ?

Ben

me,

I wonder

the

late

had

We

say.

my

"

wife

never

nice-

rather

allowed

to

me

"

inquired Philippa sharply.

"

she

exclaimed

been

here

ghosts

have

dying, gave her

It
Philippa.
I really must
age.

the

was

an

not

"

worried

us.

is

sack."

growing

go

home.
another

I'll have

them."

at

She

tripped

In

five minutes

looking
hold
"

What

"

Oh,
show

so

bank,

kitchen."

I have

dark.

I cannot

wife, when

; my

utensils

kitchen

the

about

looking

to

wife

late

through

go

the

fancy

the

"

to

her."

part with

not

glass ?
fairlycomplete.
bad
My
way.
of spite."

wine-glasses are

made

had

who

one

was

would

wife

my

plates

many

parlour-maid,Dorcas,

she

as

sure,

decanters

glass

had

but

How

believe

lid,and

dishes.

We

know.

lost

has

tureen

smasher,

how

GHOSTS

OF

vegetable

not

sad

was

and

the

do

remain

her

BOOK

short

are

who

Mr.

at

her
is

off.
she

back.

was

Woolfield, laughing

She
so

stood

for

heartily that

minute
she

had

sides.

Ben

their

faces

"

he

inquired.
dare
They will never
happy release.
again. They have
eloped together."

it,Philippa

BOOK

328

GHOSTS

OF

station road commands

The

the line of the South

Downs

to Mount
Chantonbury Ring,with its cap of dark firs,
Woolbattle of Lewes.
Harry, the scene of the memorable
above
the dark Danny
sonbury stands out like a headland
which
the rooks were
woods, over
wheeling and cawing
themselves
in for the night. Ditchling
previousto settling
its steep sides gashed with chalk-pits was
beacon
faintly
flushed with light. The Clayton windmills,with their sails
motionless, stood out darkly against the green evening
sky. Close beneath opens the tunnel in which, not so
long before,had happened one of the most fearful railway

from

"

"

accidents

record.

on

The

kindled with
evening was exquisite. The sky was
though the sun was set. A few gildedbars of cloud
light,
forth
Two
three stars looked
or
one
lay in the west.
I noticed twinkling green, crimson, and
gold,like a gem.
field of young
From
wheat
hard by I heard the harsh,
a
Mist was
gratingnote of the corncrake.
lying on the low
"

like

meadows
cattle

the

of snow,
pure,
in it to their knees.

stood

singularthat

The

and

effect

white
was

up to look at it attentively.At
I heard
the scream
of an
engine,and
the downs

looking towards
out

of the

tunnel, its red

out

of

purple gloom

the

smooth,

I drew

moment

same

mantle

I noticed

;
so

the
on

the

up-trainshooting
signallamps flashingbrightly
which

bathed

the roots

of the

hills.

Seeing that I
and proceeded at
At

about
"

an

old man,

pony

on,

fast trot.

quarter mile from

the station there is a turnpike

tenanted
then by a strange
odd-lookingbuilding,
usuallydressed in a white smock, over which his

long white
he

late,I whipped the Welsh

was

is dead

flowed

beard
now

"

had

to his breast.

amused

himself

This
in

toll-collector

"

bygone days by

stuck
carving life-size heads out of wood, and these were
is the face of a drunkard, round
One
along the eaves.
and blotched,leeringout of misty eyes at the passers-by
;

THE
the next
with
and

has the

fourth

329

out
miser,worn
wild scowl of a maniac;

crumpled features of

toil and moil;

a

UP-TRAIN

9.80

third has the

of

the stare

idiot.

an

past, flingingthe toll to the door, and

shouting
in a vast hurry to
to the old man
to pick it up, for I was
reach the station before Dr. Lyons left it. I whipped the
littlepony
a
cuttingin the
on, and he began to trot down
greensand, through which leads the station road.
Suddenly, Taffy stood still,
planted his feet resolutely
refused
the ground, threw
on
up his head, snorted, and
I
to
a
tshed," all to no
move
gee-uped," and
peg.
I drove

"

"

not

purpose;
that he
and

the littlefellow

ears

back.

thrown

were

was

advance.

; his flanks

thoroughlyalarmed

was

his

step would

were
on

the

saw

quivering,
point of

leavingthe chaise,when the pony made a bound on one

side and ran
the carriageup into the hedge, thereby upsetting
the road.
I picked myself up, and took the
me
on
beast's head.
I could not
conceive
what had frightened
him; there was
positively
nothing to be seen, except a puff
of dust running up the road,such as might be blown
along
of air. There
was
by a passing current
nothing to be
heard, except the rattle of a gig or tax-cart with one wheel
loose : probably a vehicle of this kind was
being driven
down
the London
road, which branches off at the turnpike
at right angles. The
sound
became
fainter,and at last
died

in the

away

The

pony now
and was
violently,
"

Well,

exclaimed
''

upon
Dr.

no

distance.

longerrefused
covered

my

word,

Lyons, when

"

Oh,

can

Met

!"

reply; but something

that something was, is more
"

my

tell."

ah !

"

said

degree of
"

It trembled

been driving hard

you have
I met
him
at the station.

I have

advance.

with sweat.

not, indeed," was

has frightenedTaffy,but what
than

to

the

doctor,lookinground

interest in his face ;

what ?
"

"

so

you

met

with

it,did

certain

you

"

330

only

Oh, nothing;

"

OF

GHOSTS

I have

heard

BOOK
"

along this road after the

frightened
leave the moment
train. Flys never
a

become

the horses

in, or
"

But

what

"'

You

ask

of the

cause

make

no

this alarm

causes
me

than

more

yourself.I
inquiries.When

can't start

as

for

minute

can

the

being

thing for

"

"

saw

nothing!
I

answer.

take

two

or

wonderful

"

horses

arrival of the 9.30 upthat the train comes

isn't it ?
restive,

become

to
fly-horse

restive

of

am

ignorant

as

thingsas they stand, and

that he
flyman tells me
after the train has

arrived,

the station before the

his horses to reach
urges on
that his brutes
arrival of this train,giving as his reason

or

become

wild if he does

as

think

you

about
"

"

best,cabby,'and

search

shall

has

taken

that
superstition,

this

matter

place

so

I shall not

bother

my

merely
head

say,
no

Do

more

out," said I resolutely.

the
strangely corroborates

leave

it

uninvestigated."
banish it from
thoughts.
your
appointe
will be sadly disthe end, you

advice
and
my
have
to
come
you
will find that
and

Take

When

and

so, then

the matter."

What

"

do

not

leaves

the few

all the mystery evaporates,

It is best that
dull,commonplace residuum.

mysterieswhich

remain

unexplainedshould
disbelieve in supernatural

to

us

shall
or
we
mysteries,
the arcana
have searched
out
agenciesaltogether.We
of nature, and exposed all her secrets to the garisheye
that the poetry and romance
of day, and we
find,in despair,
the happier for knowing that
Are
we
of life are gone.
no
there are no ghosts,no fairies,
witches,no mermaids, no
ing
forefathers happier in thinkWere
not our
?
wood
spirits
of a fairy,
every forest to
every lake to be the abode
of yellow-haired
be a bower
sylphs,every moorland sweep
to be trippedover
by elf and pixie? I found my little boy
crying:'You dear,
one
day lyingon his face in a fairy-ring,
I will believe in you, though papa
dear little fairies,
says
childish days, to
I used, in my
all nonsense.'
are
you

stillremain

THE
think,when

silence fell upon

passingthrough the

was

UP-TRAIN

9.30

that

company,

Alas

room.

331

! I

angel

an

that it

know

now

subjectof weather having been talked

to death, and no new
subjecthaving been started. Believe
done
good to mankind, but it has done
me, science has
If we
wish to be poetical
romantic, we
mischief too.
or

results

only from

shut

must

mutual

hair

well

lover preserves a lock of his mistress's

well that
know
perfectly
relic,
yet he must

fair

lady,and

touch

her

feel

hand,

are

do

identical. If I adore

thrill through all my

consideration

moment's

hide would

bit of rhinoceros

constituents

the chemical

"

wage

holy
practical
purposes

as

the heart

and

head

The

facts.

to

eyes

now.

war

for all
as

our

the

veins

tells

when

that

me

touching phosphate of lime

I forgetmyself so
If for a moment
far as
and
cheer
for king, or queen,
to wave
cap
my
for having
or
prince,I laugh at my follynext moment
above
another."
to one
paid reverence
digestingmachine
I cut the doctor short as he was
lapsinginto his favourite
subjectof discussion,and asked him whether he would
the followingevening, that
lend me
the pony-chaiseon
I might drive to the station again and try to unravel the
phosphate of lime
No. 2
nothing more.

No.

is

"

mystery.
"

as

I will lend you the pony," said he, " but not the chaise,
I am
afraid of its being injuredshould Taffytake fright

and

run

Next

up

into the

evening I

hedge again.

was

before the time

on

got

saddle."

ably
to the station considerway
the train was
due.

my

which

at

I have

stopped at the turnpikeand chatted with the old man

who
kept it. I asked him whether he could throw any
the
which
I was
matter
light on
investigating.He
knowed
nothink
shrugged his shoulders,saying that he
I

"

about

it."

''

What

*'

I don't trouble

the

reply.

Nothing at
"

my

People

all ?

head

do

say

"

with

matters

that

of this

something

sort,"was

out

of

the

BOOK

332

GHOSTS

OF

the
along the road and turns down
other road leadingto Clayton and Brighton; but I pays no
attention to what them
people says."
Do you ever
hear anything ?
sort

common

passes

"

"

at times

hear

horse

along

the arrival of the 9.30 train I does

the rattle as of a mail-cart and the trot of

the

road

of the

was

loose.

"After

; and

sound

the

I've

been

out

but, Lor' bless 'ee! them

for to pay

go

"Have
**

don't

concern

"

Look

bar

of the train ?
"

Not

time

to

Anythink

"

said

toll

don't go for to pay

"

'ow

I knows

as

through
them's
so
toll,

no

Do

geatt in
odds
you

the road, immediately

to

many
a

day?

me."

objectto
on

my

the arrival

"

bit ! Please

to

"

this heer

man

across

as

think

ye

goes
don't pay

here,my

puttingthe

wheels

inquiredinto the matter?"

dogs

them

"

"

one

take the toll ;

if sperits
don't
them be
time

many

sperits

Do

me.

people and
Not

though

as

toll."

you never
should
I?

Why

is

lose,for

han't got much

yersel'
; but you
comes
thickey train out of Clayton

theer

tunnel."
I shut the gate,mounted
Taffy,and drew up
road a little way
the turnpike. I heard
below
arrive
heard

"

it puffoff. At

saw

the

moment

same

across

the

the

train

distinctly

of the wheels rattling

trap coming up the road,one
that I heard
as
though it were loose. I repeat deliberately
it
I cannot
for it but, though I heard it,yet
account
a

"

"

saw

At

nothingwhatever.
the

time

same

head, pricked up
a

bound

to

one

It tried

to

I had

throw

to

the pony
became
it tossed its
restless,
its ears, it started,
pranced,and then made

side, entirelyregardlessof whip and

scramble

up

myself off

glance behind me at
as
were
though someone
click,it flew open, and
a

the

the

and

sand-bank
catch

in its

its head.

rein.

alarm, and
I then

cast

turnpike. I saw the bar bent,

pressingagainstit ; then, with a
dashed
back against
was
violently

THE

UP-TRAIN

9.30

333

time.
usuallyhasped in the dayThere it remained, quiveringfrom the shock.
Immediately I heard the rattle rattle rattle of the
to laugh,
that my
first impulse was
I confess
tax-cart.
ludicrous ;
the idea of a ghostly tax-cart
so
was
essentially
but the realityof the whole
soon
scene
brought me to a
to the
mood, and, remounting Taffy,I rode down
graver
the white

post

which

to

it

was

"

"

"

station.

due

not

few

which

for

some

into

entered

and

master
a

takingtheir ease, as another train was

while ; so I stepped up to the station-

officialswere

The

occurred

to

the road,and

on

me

him.

After

the circumstances

I mentioned

desultory remarks,
had

with

conversation

my

to
inability

for them.

account

"

you'reafter ! said the master somewhat

bluntly. Well, I can tell you nothing about it ; sperits
don't come
in my
way, saving and excepting those which
be taken inwardly ; and mighty comfortable
can
warming
If you ask me
about other
thingsthey be when so taken.
I tell you flat I don't believe in 'em, though
sorts of sperits,
I don't mind
drinking the health of them what does."
"

So that's what
"

"

more
"

Perhaps you may have

communicative,"said
Well,

I'll tell you

answered
little,"
certain

"

that

the

the

know, and

between
always left vacant
Gate, by the 9.30 up-train."

is

"

For

what

purpose

"

man.

compartment

one

you

are

little

I.

all I

worthy

chance, if

of

that

I know

is

one

second-class

Brighton

and

precious
thing for
carriage
Hassocks

"

fullyexplain. Before the

orders came
into fits and that
to this effect,
people went
like,in one of the carriages."
carriage?"
"Any particular
of the second-class
The
first compartment
carriage
to the engine. It is locked
nearest
at
Brighton,and
"Ah!

that's

more

than

can

"

I unlock

it at

this station."

334
"

What

"

OF

BOOK

GHOSTS
"

peoplehad fits?
women
a-screeching
be let out ; they'dseen
some'ut
they was
passing through the
before they made
the arrangement

do you mean
by sayingthat
and
that I used to find men

mean

a-hoUeringlike mad to
them
had frightened
as
as
Clayton tunnel. That was
I told y' of."
Very strange ! said I meditatively.
Wery much so, but true for all that. / don't believe in
nothingbut speritsof a warming and cheeringnature, and
in Clayton tunn'l to my
them
ain't to be found
sort
thinking."
There
to be got out of my
was
evidentlynothing more
friend. I hope that he drank my health that night; if he
and

"

"

"

omitted
As

heard

to do

I rode
and

so, it was

home

his

revolving in

I became

seen,

fault,not
more

my
and

mine.
mind

all that

more

settled

I had
in my
The

the matter.
thoroughlyinvestigate
that I could
best means
adopt for so doing would be
out from
to come
Brighton by the 9.30 train in the very
of the second-class
carriagefrom which the
compartment
excluded.
considerately
publicwere
I felt no
Somehow
shrinking from the attempt ; my
all apprehension
intense that it overcame
so
was
curiosity
determination

as

to

My

the consequences.
next

execute

to

free

Thursday, and
day was
plan. In this,however, I was

my
that

found

evening,and

battalion
desirous

drill
of

was

fixed

hoped then to
as
disappointed,
for

that

very

what
attending it,being someof drills.
behindhand
in the
regulationnumber
I was
consequentlyobligedto postpone my Brighton trip.
On the Thursday evening about five o'clock I started in
regimentalswith my rifle over my shoulder,for the drilling
the railwaystation.
near
ground a pieceof furzycommon
I was
speedilyovertaken by Mr. Ball, a corporalin the
efficient in his drill.
most
rifle corps, a capitalshot and
Mr. Ball was
driving his gig. He stopped on seeing me
"

was

336
*ands

BOOK

trembled
in

wild

feed

gent relative

the

to

with

met

and

seen

to

he

had

was

by which
next

much

pay

his

on

the

latter with
that
that

he

Hodd,

his

to

have

must

wasn't

tax-cart

pass
arrival of the

he

was

been

the

that

saw

What

bound

not

given a
to the

servation
hob-

the

didn't

road

say

driver

shattered

was

tax-

driver

dead, the
curious,too, was

the brute's
the

over

trap

morning, when
a

was

round

driven

the

Next,

'orse and

the

broken.

along

been

hobserved

pit,they found

Well, folks

it ?

he

Clayton chalk-pits.He

the

and

neck

had

loose,but that

was

workman

it,but

to

bottom,

'andkerchief

an

above

went

that he would

hobservation

the 'ead of the 'orse.

legsat

at

made
which

come.

attention

the quarrymen
cart

take

downs

the

on

and

way,

The driver
correspondinghanswer.
off. He passed the turnpike,
went
the Brighton road hinstead of that

no

his 'orse and

reins,that the stranger

that the 'orse had

wheel

whipped

the

tendering payment

reminded
respectfully
of boats.
John Thomas

been

GHOSTS

habstracted

off without

driven

have

took

he

as

stared at him

OF

that

heyes,so

edge blindfold.

the

gent and

his

hevening after the

every
I don't believe it ; I ain't

9.30 train ; but

"

superstitiousnot I !
I was
Next week
again disappointedin my expectation
in execution
the
of being able to put my scheme
; but on
conversation
third Saturday after my
with Corporal Ball,
into Brightonin the afternoon,the distance being
I walked
I spent an
hour on
the shore watching
about nine miles.
the boats,and then I sauntered round the Pavilion,ardently
that
longing that fire might break forth and consume
architectural monstrosity. I believe that I afterwards had
a

bit

"

cup of coffee at the refreshment-rooms

and
they are,
capital refreshment-rooms
a

moderate

and

very

good.

I think that

oath
I could
my
of bun
floatingreminiscence
but

if

put

of memory,

on

but

I cannot

be

not

swear

of the
or

were

partook
to

station,
of

the

very

"

bun,

fact ;

lingers in the chambers

and I wish in this
positive,

THE
to advance

paper

9.30

UP-TRAIN

337
I

nothing but reliable facts.

in reading the advertisements

squandered
of baby-

precious time
which are
jumpers which no mother should be without
indispensablein the nursery and the greatest acquisition
in the parlour,the greatest discovery of modern
times,
I perused a notice of the advantage of metallic
etc.,etc.
the young
brushes, and admired
lady with her hair white
"

"

on

side and

one

black

commendatory of
and
English translation,

Horniman's

letter

in Great

counted

tea

At

"

"

and

the

to the

inferior

of agents

ticket-office

second

Gate,

class,

compartment
The

I wanted.

door

guard.

here,please."
Can't there,s'r ; next, please,
nearlyempty,
Put

in

me

one

woman

baby."
wish
particularly

"

"

Can't

What

this

said
carriage,"

I.

his heel.

for the

is there

reason

I ask ?

may

enter

to

be, lock'd,orders, comp'ny," repliedthe guard,

turning on
"

for

I shouted

locked, so

and

length the

for Hassocks
opened, and I booked
fare one
shilling.
I ran
along the platformtillI came
of the second-class
carriagewhich
was

the Chinese

the number

up

Ireland.

Britain and

; I studied

the other

on

public's
being excluded,

"

c'n't let
Dn'ow, 'spressord'rs
then, quick,pl'se."
pl'se
; now
"

"

you

in ; next

caridge,

for I often
by sight,
travelled to and fro on the line,so I thought it best to be
for making
told him my reason
with him.
I briefly
candid
in executing my
the request, and begged him to assist me
plan. He then consented, though with reluctance.
'Ave y'rown
way," said he ; only if an'thing'appens,

the

I knew

guard

don't blame

knew

me

"

were

me

!"

fear,"laughed I,jumping into the carriage.

guard leftthe carriageunlocked, and in two minutes

Never

The
we

he

"

"

"

and

off.

33^
I did

BOOK

GHOSTS

OF

feel in the

There
slightest
degree nervous.
but that did not matter, as
was
no
lightin the carriage,
there was
twilight. I sat facing the engine on the left
not

side,and
with

and then I looked

out
at the downs
every now
soft haze
of light still hanging over
them.
We

swept into

chalk,and
hammer,
teeth,the

and I watched
the lines of flintin the
cutting,
them with my
longed to be geologisingamong
and
sharks'
shepherds' crowns
picking out
and the quaint ventriculite.
delicate rhynconella
a

"

"

I remembered

which

on
very distant occasion
there,and been chased off

not

I had

actuallyventured
by the guard,
avalanche
of chalk
after having brought down
debris
an
in a manner
dangerous to trafiic whilst endeavouring to
I found, and
which
extricate a magnificent ammonite
alas ! left protruding from
the side of the cutting. I
"

"

whether

wondered
about
at

to

the
identify

that moment
There

that ammonite

them.

spot

as

whizzed

we

tunnels,with

tween
cuttingbewhich
is short,
first,

I felt that

the darkness

Many
well

We

sheet and

wet

someone

with

aware

wrap
was

his eyes

round

me

seated
fixed

second.
all of

sudden, a
over

me

round.

and

oppositeme
on

drop

to

in

someone

"

me.

possessedof keen nervous

they are in the presence

persons
when

and

bit of chalk

passed through the

and in another moment
plunged into the
I cannot
explainhow it was that now,
of terror came
over
me
feeling
; it seemed
like

along ;

shot into the tunnel.

we

two

are

exact

stillthere ; I looked

was

are
sensibility

of

another, even

though they can see no one, and I believe that I possess

this power
blindfolded,I think that
strongly. If I were
when
I should know
was
looking fixedlyat me,
anyone
know
that
certain that I should
and I am
instinctively
I

was

not

person

alone if I entered

seated, even

was

remember

tellingme

collegefriend
that

dark

though
of

room

he

in which

made

little Italian violinist once

noise.

no

mine, who dabbled

another

in

anatomy,

called

on

him

THE

UP-TRAIN

9.30

339

The
foreigner a
give a lesson on his instrument.
from the
moved
individual
restlessly
singularlynervous
place where he had been standing,castingmany a furtive
behind him.
glance over his shoulder at a press which was
At last the little fellow tossed aside his violin,
saying
weel look at
I can
note
give de lesson if someone
in de cupboard,
is somebodee
from
behind !
Dare
me
to

"

"

"

"

!"

I know
"

You

right,there

are

friend,flinging
open
a

the door

laughed

my

of the press and

anatomical

discovering

skeleton.
The

is ! "

few

horror

which

moments

oppressed me

I could

neither

For

numbing.

was

hands

lift my

nor

stir

tongue-tied.I seemed paralysedin every

I fancied that I felteyes staringat me
member.
through
face.
A cold breath seemed
the gloom.
to play over
my
chest and
I believed
that fingerstouched
plucked
my
heart
I drew back against the partition
at my
coat.
; my
muscles rigid.
stood still,
flesh became
stiff,
my
my
finger.

I do

not

was

know

whether

I breathed

before my eyes, and my head span.

of the train
The
rattle and roar
tunnel

drowned

"

blue

mist

swam

dashing through

every other sound.

rushed
past a lightfixed

the

againstthe wall
Suddenly we
that
in the side, and
it sent
a
as
flash,instantaneous
I saw
of lightning,
through the carriage. In that moment
face opposite
what
I shall never, never
a
forget. I saw
with passion like that
me, livid as that of a corpse, hideous
of a gorilla.
I cannot
describe it accurately,for I saw
it but for
I write,the
second ; yet there rises before
as
me
a
now,
low broad brow
seamed
with wrinkles,the shaggy,overhanging
which
eyebrows ; the wild ashen
grey
eyes,
mouth, with
glared as those of a demoniac
; the coarse
white ; the proits fleshylipscompressed till they were
fusion
of wolf-grey hair about the cheeks
and chin ; the

though

as

me

to

the

further

Then

opposite

! it

yes

to

on

! I

cool

The
hair

; the

brake

light

breeze

speed

of

to

put
I

end

blew

the

I heard

We

stopped

by my having
append a moral

as

too
"

many

Don't

sack

had

been

blankets

sleep

; and

the

on

There

awoke.

too

and

; the

bell

hot.

my

piercing

away.

tossed

my

lights of the

ringing loudly
then

vibration
my
and

! from

frightful dream

over

; it smote

platform,
now

way

ance
counten-

died

tunnel

; I felt the

train

whole

the

the

but

hold.

with

relaxed

was

head

my

mouth

face

my

for the

dropped
"

the

of

and

my

out

over

train

on.

till then

lost

rushed

window-jamb,

hellish

tunnel

the

away.

fingers had
have
given

that

have

and

mine

hand

floor

cold

seen

echoes

brighter.

was

not

"

and

from

the

would

mine

engine

roaring

the

was

carriage by the
opened the door,

the

on

the

it

over

my

round

If

I must

me,

fresh

way.

gave
then

at

people waiting

saw

the

head

The

became

station

feet

my

the

saw

The

whistle.

my

hands,

out

face.

my

with

carriage.

turned

peering
Ah

hands

woven

my

I but

had

the

my

down

the

horror

both

was

finger separately ;

in

place

frantic

in

it folded

wrenched

former

my

and

from

touched

seat

and

thought

each

felt

it.

on

let

to

for

hand,

cold, dully cold.

back

hand

my

something

was

contract

clinging to it with
myself out
swung
turned

lifted

touched

window,

open

the

slowly down,

moving

was

again.

and

began to
they were
I slipped

me.

flung myself along

terror, I

it

felt that

yes,

"

tear

towards

window.

me

window,
hand

of

madness

the

In

and

clutch

would

they

half-open,extended

and

raised

thm,bloodless hands,

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

340

bed.

as

fingers
then,

ning
begincaused

If I must

ON

LEADS

THE

realised

HAVING
having

in

competence

Australia,and

mainder
hankering after country life for the reof my
days in the old home, on my return to
England I went to an agent with the object of renting
sand
at least three thouhouse with shooting attached,over
a
acres, with the option of a purchase should the place
suit me.
I was
more
no
intendingto buy a country seat
posed
without having tried what it was
like,than is a king diswithout knowing something of the force
to go to war
rather taken with
I was
that can
be brought againsthim.
still
called Fernwood, and I was
photographsof a manor
further engaged when
I saw
the placeitself on a beautiful
October
St. Luke's
was
summer
turning the
day, when
a

country into

warm

sun,

and

like mountains.

shape
from

Fernwood

of the

letter

the time

opened into
stroke, and
at

blue haze tinted all shadows

soft vaporous
cobalt,
look
them
gave to the hills a stateliness that made

and

was

tints under

of rainbow

world

one

each

the

was

drawing-room

extremity of

about
the

old house, built in the

The

monarchs.

earlyTudor

hall which

inconvenience

an

therefore,presumably,dating

H, and

of the

the

was

on
was

the
on

the house

left of the
the

cross-

right. There

; it had

and
cross-stroke,

porch

there

staircase
was

no

wings of the
how this might
saw
The front door faced the south,and the hall
be remedied.
the north.
windowless
on
was
Nothing easier than to run
both
a corridor
along at the back, giving communication
between
the
upstair communication
I
mansion.
But, as a practical
man,

341

two

BOOK

342

OF

GHOSTS

upstairsand downstairs,without passingthrough the hall.

The whole thing could be done for,at the outside,two hundred
to the place.
pounds, and would be no disfigurement
of Fernwood
for a twelveI agreed to become
month,
tenant
I should
in which
time
be able to judge whether
suit me, the neighbours be pleasant,
and
the placewould
wife. We
agree with my
and settled ourselves
at once,

the climate

wood

house

furnished

was

; it

elderlygentleman,a bachelor
in

rooms

He

to

Fern-

comfortably in by the

in November.

firstweek
The

down

went

was

in town, and

spent

supposed

have

eschewed

he

after which

to

the

property of an
Framett, who lived

was

named
most

of his time

been

jiltedby his intended,

society,and remained

female

at

the club.

unmarried.
I called

him

on

before

found

wood, and

him

takingup
somewhat

residence

our

at Fern-

blooded
blase, languid, cold-

proud of having a noble

that had
manor-house
belonged to his family for four
centuries ; very willingto sell it,so as to spite a cousin
calculated on
who
coming in for the estate, and whom
found
Mr. Framett, with the malignitythat is sometimes
desirous of disappointing.
in old people,was
particularly
creature,

The

"
said I.
?
suppose
"
I believe so, several
yes,"he repliedindifferently,

"

Oh,

been

has

house

"

all

at

not

let

before,I

times."
"

For

"

No

"

o.

"

Have

the

remaining on
"

All

were

November
"

believe,not for long."

had

tenants

there

"

reasons
particular

any

if I may

be

so

bold

as

to

but what
to offer,
people have reasons
not supposed to receive as genuine."

you are
I could
if I

"

long?

get
you
was

no

from

more

I would

not

him

go down

than
to

this.

Fernwood

out."
"

But," said I,

I want

the

"

shooting."

for not
"

inquire?
they offer
I think, sir,
till after

344

OF

BOOK

GHOSTS

with the passage ? "

"
Would
Oh, nothing,sir,with the passage.
you
We
don't
know
what
to
?
to
see
sir,just coming
"

Whatever

is the matter

mind,
make

of it."
I put down
review with a
my
laid my
pipe aside, and followed

grunt of dissatisfaction,
the

maid.

through the hall,and up the staircase at the

western
extremity.
On reaching the upper
landingI saw all the maids there
and all evidentlymuch
in a cluster,
scared.
She

"

led

me

Whatever

is all this

about ?

nonsense

Please,sir,will you look ?

The parlourmaid pointed to

I asked.

can't

We

"

"

say."
an
light
oblong patch of moonthe wall of the passage.
The nightwas
on
cloudless,
shone
and the full moon
slantingin through the dormer
and painted a brilliant silver stripon
the wall opposite.
The
window
being on the side of the roof to the east, we
could not see that,but did see the lightthrown
through it
about
againstthe wall. This patch of reflected lightwas
feet above

seven

The

window

that will

reasons

The

itself

was

window

mullions,and

I enter

into

three

composed of four

was

the passage

particulars

presentlyappear.
divided

was

feet up, and

into these

ten

some

but four feet wide.

was

for

the floor.

parts by wooden
of

panes

glassin

each

compartment.
I could

Now

through
the
I

saw

see
distinctly

the window

division

the

of the

shadow

with

the

the black

But
panes.
of a lean arm

bars

down,
than

more

saw

with

and

up

hand

moon

and

that

and

thin,
portionof the window, apparently
the latch by which
the casement

across
a
lengthy fingers
groping at where was
could be opened.
My impression at the moment
burglaron the leads trying to

of this dormen

reflection of the

was

enter

that

there

the house

by

was
means

ON
Without
and

minute's

LEADS

THE

hesitation

345
the

into

ran

the window, but could

passage

only a portion
of it,as in shape it was
low, though broad, and, as already
at that moment
set at a great height. But
stated, was
somethingfluttered past it,like a rush of flappingdraperies
obscuringthe light.
I had placed the ladder,which
hooked
I found
up to
the wall,in position,
and
planted my foot on the lowest
wife arrived.
She had been alarmed
by
rung, when
my
the housemaid, and now
she clung to me, and protested
looked

that I
To

not

was

at

up

to ascend

without

see

pistol.

my

Colt's revolver that I always

got my
did she allow
kept loaded, and then, but only hesitatingly,
I ascended
to mount.
to the casement, unhasped it,
me

satisfyher

and

looked

through the

not

nimble

so

efforts,and
that would
succeeded

I could

out.

over-short,and
it

it

The

on

the leads.

to

in

oneself
am

After
younger.
after presentingfrom below
an
I

as

when

was

was

from

stout, and
one

or

two

appearance
other time, I

provoked laughterat any

getting through and upon the leads.
and down
the valley there was
absolutely

up
nothing to be seen
from

effort to heave

requiredan

casement

ladder

The

have

I looked

there

nothing.

see

"

except

the trees

situation

an

accumulation

of leaves carried

shedding their foliage.

vastly puzzling. As far as I could

that

was

were

ofl" the roof, no

other
window
no
judge there was
way
opening into the valley; I did not go along upon the leads,
it was
as
Moreover,
night,and moonlight is treacherous.
I was
wholly unacquainted with the arrangement of the

roof,and

had

no

I descended

the

upper

grotesque

rung
than

wish

from
of
my

to

risk

the window
the

ladder

fall.
with
in

my
manner

feet

groping for
even

more

through the casement, but

usually extremely alive to anything
ascent

wife
my
the domestics
ridiculous in my
in
nor
were
appearance
the window
I fastened
after me,
to make
a mood
merry.
neither

"

"

flickered

shadow

again a

before

of the ladder

the bottom

hardly reached

had

and

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

346

patch of moonlight.
I restood musing. Then
called
the house the ground rose ;
the

across

perplexed,and
fairly
that immediately behind
that,in fact,the house lay under a considerable hill. It
was
justpossibleby ascending the slope to reach the level
of the gutter and rake the leads from
one
extremity to
I

was

the other with

eye.
my
this to my

I mentioned
of

if there
We

They

us.

set
were

curious

they were

to

person on the leads.

back of the house, and ascended

the

at

out

till we

bank

the

the whole

once

reallysome

was

went

and

in the passage,

afraid to remain

at

stairs after

the

trailed down

maids

see

wife,and

the

level with

on

were

broad

gutter

this gutter did

the hall roof;

that

not
saw
gables. I now
sequently,
conrun
through, but stopped against
unless there were
some
opening of which I knew
nothing,the person on the leads could not leave the place,
save
by the dormer window, when open, or by swarming
down
the fall pipe.

the

between

It at

occurred

once

to

I had

that if what

me

were

seen

he might have mounted

by means
burglar,
how
had he vanished
of the rain-water pipe. But if so
the moment
head was
protrudedthrough the window?
my
the shadow

of

"

and

how

I had

lightimmediately after

the

It

it that

was

conceivable

was

shadow

my

withdrawal

fall pipe,and

to

descended

had

man

let himself
see

down
no

one

done, going outside

so

flicker past
the ladder?

shadow

had

taken
so

in

advantage
as

by that.
running
soon

himself

concealed

past the window

run

could,however,

have

I had

of the hall roof,and

the

that the

the

seen

to reach

away,
after his

as

of

the

I must

supposed

descent.
But

the whole

looking towards
with

affair became
the

leads, I

saw

more

in the

perplexingwhen,
thing
moonlight some-

fluttering
garments running up

and

down

them.

and
a

be

could

There
her

garments

LEADS

THE

ON

mistake

no

the

objectwas

could

We

tatters.

mere

were

"

347
woman,

hear

not

sound.
I looked

round

wife and

at my

they saw

the servants,
"

like
as
myself. It was more
objectas distinctly
a
being,and yet, that it was
giganticbat than a human

this weird
a

woman

could

we

then
moments

I must

where

back

go

the

to

ladder,"said

I ;

we

"

at
or

saw,

remain

ou

wife.

"

"

left the

had

went

staircase and

the

ascended

back

door

unlocked, and I
the passage.
Again
moonlit
patch on the

entered

flicker past the

wall opposite the window.
the

saw

shadow

the ladder and

I ascended
Then

myself

I endeavoured

from

wife's voice

Edward,
has

feet

All

vanished.

casement.

my

short

one.

great labour, and

body through the

the stairs,
and next
moment
below, at the foot of the ladder.
!

Edward

the sill with

to

up

thrust

to

I heard

when

opened the

the clock in the hall strike

I heard

I heaved

to

and

now

and
gesticulation,

in wild

! not alone,"pleaded my
Oh, Edward
My dear, who is to go with me ?

"

were

arms

watching."

are,

you

the

profilewas
presented,and then
long flappinghair, unbound.
saw,

thought we
"

the head

above

thrown

doubt, for

not

on

please do
at

dow,
win-

once.

not

out

go

There

is

there

my
"

Oh,
It

again.

nothing there

now

be seen."

with my feet,
returned,touched the ladder tentatively
the
refastened
elegantl
descended
window, and
perhaps indown
I then went
with my
wife,and with her
returned
stood clustered
up the bank, to the spot where
I

"

our

servants.

They

had
on

nothing further ;
spot watching for half

seen

the

and
an

although I
hour, I

also

mained
resaw

nothing more.
The

maids

were

too

frightenedto

go

to

bed, and

so

BOOK

348

OF

GHOSTS

agreed to sit up in the kitchen

and I gave them
by a good fire,
and
to

make

for the rest

bottle of

comfortable

themselves

of the

sherryto mull,

and

upon,

night

help them

to

their courage.

recover

I went

Although

bed, I could

to

baffled

had

by what I
the objectwas

explainwhat

sleep.

not

I could

seen.

and

it had

how

was

in

pletely
comno

way

left the leads.

and asked him to

mason
day I sent for the village
of the fall pipe,
set a long ladder against the well-head
the gables. At the same
and examine
the valleybetween
time I would mount
and contemplate
to the littlewindow
proceedingsthrough that.
The
had to send for a ladder sufficiently
man
long,and
that occupied some
time.
However, at length he had it
When
he approached the
planted,and then mounted.
Next

dormer
"

window

Give

"

hand," said I, and

like to
other

myself with
satisfy
of gettingupon
means

my

took

shoulders

He

"

under

me

I stood

and

with

There's
love

more

than

cedar

that grew

here

him

own

up ; I would
that there is no

me

eyes

leavingthe

or

in the broad

and

leads."

heaved

opening whatever,"

said

sir,I believe that what you

this,"and he pointed to a branch

bough

hard

the west

by

sir,"said he,

as

has

the wind

been

"

out,

me

lead gutter.

you,

I warrant,

here, and

both

other

no

Lord

"

haul

"

me

he,

saw

"

was

of

and.
no

noble

side of the house.

that

what

carried

by

last

night swept

any

wind

saw

you

and

storm

it up

was

and

this

thrown

down

the

leads."
"

But

there

was

"

I asked.

"

I do

not

member
re-

that there was."

"

I can't

and
asleep,

say,"said he ;
it might have

"

before twelve

blown

o'clock I

gale and

I hear

was

fast

nothing

of it."
"

"and

I suppose

there

that I

too

was

must

have

surprisedand

been
the

some

women

wind," said I,
too

frightened

observe

to

it" I

phenomenon

"So

laughed.

receives
throw

Mason,

LEADS

THE

ON

349

this marvellous

spectral
tion.
explana-

very prosaicand natural

the bough and we
will bnrn
down
a

it

to-night."
The

branch

of the

cast

was

house.

leads,descended, and going out

moned
branch, brought it into the hall,sum-

the servants, and

of

scared.

Now

and

up

the

"

"

is

by the

said

But, Edward,"

tration
illus-

an

get

women

ghost that we
nothing but this branch,blown

to be

out

the leads

down

derisively: Here

said

weak-minded
in which
way
the burglar or
will burn
we

It turns

saw.

fell at the back

edge, and

I left the

the cedar

picked up

the

over

wind."

my

wife,

there

was

been.

Only

where

we

"

not

breath

stirring."
"

There

have

must

sheltered

and

did not

roofs,and formed
lifted it,carried
it the

carried

it first one

reverse

So

the

bough

of the females

said

to

burned, and

were

Half

**

me

Indeed, I

Edward.

spiralmovement.
our

bough,

hope

and

the

now

you

fears

"

those

mean

allayed.

evening,after dinner, as

the

In

the

across

I am."

was

"

Aloft,it blew

were

it round
way, then spun
In fact,the wind
between

way.
a

all satisfied.

are

it.

we

eddy that caught the broken

an

assumed

roofs

two

observe

were

bottle

think

half

I sat with

would
a

have

bottle would

my

wife,she

been

enough,

be too

much

not
give the girlsa likingfor sherry,it may
you should
been elderberrywine, that
If it had
lead to bad results.

would

have

"But

been

there

is

different."
no

elderberry wine

in

the

house,"

objected.
"

Well,

mistrust
"

hope

no

harm

will

come

of it,but

greatly

"

Please, sir,it is there again."

The

door.

parlourmaid,with

blanched

face, was

at

the

BOOK

350

Nonsense," said I,

"

"

we

OF

GHOSTS

burnt

it."

sherry,"observed
will be seeing ghostsevery night."
"

This

comes

"

But,

my

of the

my

wife.

"

They

"

dear, you saw it as well as myself!

wife followed,and we went
to the landingas

I rose, my

enough, against the patch of moonlight

in the roof,was
the arm
cast
again,
through the window
if
cast by garments.
and then a flutter of shadows, as
If this had
wife.
It was
the bough," said my
not
been
seen
immediately after the sherry I should not have
it is most
it is now
but
been surprised,
as
extraordinary."
I'llhave this part of the house shut up," said I. Then
I bade the maids once
more
spend the night in the kitchen,
for I knew
and make
yourselveslivelyon tea,"I said
allow another
bottle of sherry to be
wife would
not
my
To-morrow
beds shall be moved
to
given them.
your
before,and,

sure

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

wing."
Beg pardon,"said

the east
"

don't

all. We
must

comes

"

we

remain

can

we

of the

tea,"said

in

in the

the

of

name

house, but

as

Sir,"said the cook,

don't want

to

leave

I to my

wife.

"

Now,"

I will
fright,
port to-night."

had

have
you
bottle of mulled

the cook, "

have

think

speaks

leave the situation."

That

"

the cook, " I

"

so

another

if you

good

can
a

to

let you

get rid of the ghost,

master.

We

withdraw

the notice."

day I had all the servants' goods transferred to

fitted up for them
to sleep
the east wing, and rooms
were
in. As their portionof the house
was
completely cut off
died away.
of the domestics
from the west wing, the alarm
A heavy, stormy rain came
next
on
week, the firsttoken
of winter misery.
caused
I then found that,whether
by the cedar bough,
I cannot
or
by the nailed boots of the mason,
say, but the
the roofs was
lead of the valley between
torn, and water
the walls, and threateningto
came
in, streaming down
Next

352

to

there

went

you

the

buy
I

buy

did

mischief

burnt

wing
The

to

mending

which

they

from

wing

to

the

not

was

of

haunted

that

say

the

we

have

result

so

house,

rebuilt,

and

leads

them,

me

that

liked

was

you

the

the

fire

purchased
undisturbed

be

the

to

do

setting

wing

was

the

separated

I, thinking
should

in

west

completely
that

this

ingenuity

succeeded

that

was

wall

been

with

display,

the

have

it."

leads,

should

decided

sometimes

of

rest

disappearance

happy

the

Happily,
the

of

What

and

roof,

GHOSTS

sick

am

Fernwood.

down.

apparition

in

the

OF

November.

in

place.

plumbers,

fire

BOOK

was

that
freed

Fernwood.
since.

arrested.
with

the

from

the
I

am

AUNT
the

IN

End

Land's

of Zennor.

There

JOANNA
district
is

little church-town

is the

villageto speak

no

farms, and here and there a

district is bleak, the soil does

"

few

cluster of cottages.
lie deep over
not

scattered

The

of

through the surface on exposed spots,

the land.
where
the
gales from the ocean
sweep
If trees ever
existed there,they have been swept away
by
the blast,but the golden furze or gorse defies all winds,
and
clothes the moorland
with a robe of splendour,and
granite that

peers
furious

flushes the

heather

the

slopeswith

crimson

them
of summer,
and mantles
in winter,like the fur of an animal.

in

decline

towards

the

brown

soft,warm

granite,rude and
simple of construction,crouching low, to avoid the gales,
but with a tower
that has defied the winds and the lashing
rains,because
wholly devoid of sculptureddetail,which
would
have afforded the blasts something to lay hold of
of the finest
and
In Zennor
eat
parish is one
away.
cromlechs
in Cornwall, a huge slab of unwrought stone
like a table,poised on
the points of standing upright
blocks as rude as the mass
they sustain.
In

Zennor

Near

this

is

one

little church, built of

of

monument

antiquity lived
cottage of

an

old

woman

hoar

and

indeed

unknown

by herself,in

story in height,built of

moor

stones

small
set

in

It was
thatched with
earth,and pointed only with lime.
heather,and possessedbut a singlechimney that rose but
of the roof,and had two
the apex
slates set
little above
on

the top to
2

protect the risingsmoke

353

from

being

blown

BOOK

354
the

down

from

the west
north

from

itself

or

door, and

The

little or

fuel burnt

only

solid black peat from

it was
none

wont

went

take

must

it drove

of

care

find its way

to

the

up

was

out

chimney.

in this cottage was

peat not the
deep bogs, but turf of only a spade
"

surface,and composed of undissolved

the other does not
Such fuel gives flame, which
out
the same
the other hand, it does not throw
half the time.
does it last one
of heat, nor

taken
graft,
roots.

but,

When, however,

the smoke

south, then

or

wind

the

cottage when

the

the east.

from

such occasions

On

of the

into

chimney

GHOSTS

OF

on

amount

The

from

lived in the cottage

who

woman

people of
family name

the

the

neighbourhood Aunt
but

was

She

herself much.

few
had

relations

called

nor

did it

her

concern

all,with the

at

the

by

What

Joanna.

remembered,
no

was

ception
ex-

who
married
to a
small
was
grand-niece,
But
the church.
Joanna
tradesman, a wheelwrightnear
The
not on
and her great-niece
were
speakingterms.
girl
had mortallyoffended the old woman
by going to a dance
It was
orders.
St. Ives, against her express
at this
at
that she had met the wheelwright,and this meeting,
dance
for
the girlhad met with from her aunt
and the treatment
having gone to it,had led to the marriage. For Aunt
Joanna was
very strict in her Wesleyanism, and bitterly
hostile to all such carnal amusements
as
dancing and playacting.
of

Of

the

latter there

was

in that

none

wild

west

afforded by a
temptation ever
setting up its booth within reach of
strollingcompany
But
Zennor.
dancing, though denounced, still drew the
had
more
independent spiritstogether. Rose Penaluna
and
district,

Cornish

with

been
a

was

and

her

been

Aunt

Joanna,

found

her

Her

great-aunt after her

and
livelygirl,

had

way

conduct

no

when

asked
she
to
was

she heard

mother's
of

dance

death.
at

She

St. Ives,

by
go to it,although forbidden
stole from
the cottage at night,and
to

St. Ives.

reprehensible
certainly.But

that of

JOANNA

AUNT
Aunt

Joanna

refused
been
farm
into
she

into service.

could enter

The

married

Since

her.

knew, Joanna

and

considered

had

done.

The

farm

Hockins.

the old

proposed,and

then

no

was

weeks

had

taken

occupied

Joanna'scottage was

day Elizabeth, the farmer's wife,

One

the cottage

outside

woman

in three

implacablein her resentments,

had been actingarightin what she

Aunt

to

go,
she had

grand-niece.As

her

and

not

how

communication

woman

that she

nearest

the

once

old

the

place between
Rose

at

did

service she

Into

the carpenter,heard

Hext,

Abraham

treated,he

been

saw

it.

re-enter

to

night at the nearest

obliged to take refugethe same
and
sleep in an outhouse, and next morning to go
St. Ives and entreat an acquaintanceto take her in till

for when

by

Rose

allow

to

her door, and

girlhad
poor

barred

she

left the house

girlhad

that the

discovered

she

so, for when

more

even

was

355

she

as

herself

was

returningfrom market ; and, noticinghow bent and feeble

Joanna was, she halted, and talked to her, and gave her
good advice.
See you now,
auntie,you'm gettin'old and crimmed
"

How

wi' rheumatics.
but

knowin'

ought

to

"

I don't want

"

Not

you'm

some

not

be

An'

in the

bad

took

little lass wi' you

auntie,but

on

come

get about

you

to

mind

there's

night.
you."

no

You

nobody, thank the Lord."

just now,

to

were

might

you

have

can

fit to

And

you.

abroad

go

then,

any chance
in the bad

after

the

suppose

weather,

turves, and

can't get all you want

tay and sugar and
be handy to have
It would
a
now.
"

ill-luck

you
for self
yourlittle maid
by
milk

you."
should

"

Who

"

Well,

I have

"

asked

Joanna.

do
better
couldn't
you
Hext's
eldest girl. She's a

now,

Mary, Rose
brightand pleasantto speak to."
"

No,"

answered

the old

woman,

"

than

take

little

handy maid, and

I'llhave

none

o'

they

Hexts,

"

The

I.

not

I know
"

BOOK

356

wife of

that.

ower

and

years,

that

maid

owdacious
their

goings

that

she'd

on,

the Lord

thank

to

twenty
wi' that

no

to

for

belief

it's my

fifty-seven.I

and

man

been

worrit

So

me.

life I don't see."

equal Sarah's
and

indoors

Hagar,

hundred

had

never

If it hadn't

and
a

and

seven

worritin' of her

Abraham
on

and

hundred

an

Sarah, the

Didn't

o' that ?

of

she went

Then

what

hern, Hagar?

I've

I shouldn't

why

But

of

held

ha'

family,

nigh on ninety."

be

spiteof him

in

all her

and

agin Rose

must

live to

Abraham,

GHOSTS

of them."

none

But, auntie,you
I be

is

Lord

I'llhave

it.

OF

the door.

shut

elapsedwithout Mrs. Hockin seeing

She passed the cottage, but no
the old woman.
Joanna
The
door was
about.
not
was
usually it was.
open, and
Elizabeth spoke about this to her husband.
Jabez,"said
she, I don't like the looks o' this ; I've kept my eye open,
Whativer
and there be no Auntie
Joanna hoppin' about.
be up?
It's my
can
opinion us ought to go and see."
"Well, I've naught on my hands now," said the farmer,
I reckon we will go."
so
The
walked
two
togetherto the cottage. No smoke
shut.
the chimney, and the door was
issued from
Jabez
that

After

week

"

"

"

there

but

knocked,
followed

in

was

bedroom

the

at

"

There's

"

I reckon

answer

no

The

side.

it'sthe

and

cottage but

the

some'ut

and, throwing

enough,

no

so

he

entered,

his wife.

by

There

came

the

hearth

was

kitchen, with

one

cold.

up," said Mrs. Hockin.

old lady be down," repliedher husband,

open

bedroom

the

mistake

there

"

door, he
her be, dead

said
as

Sure

dried

"

pilchard."
And

having

so

Joanna had
confidentlyaffirmed

live to the age

shall we
Whativer

would
"

in fact Auntie

of

do ?

hundred
"

asked

died
her

in the

conviction

and

Mrs.

night,after
that

twenty-seven.
Hockin.

she

JOANNA

AUNT
"

reckon," said

her

357

husband, us had better

here, lest wicked rascals

inventoryof what is
and steal anythingand everything."
Folks

"

bain't

observed
"

bad

so

as

these be

terrible wicked

corpse

in

come

house,"

in the

that,and

an

Mrs. Hockin.

Don't

be

o' that

sure

said the husband.

seein' what
"

take

"

"

And

"

the old creetur

is done

harm

I sez, sez
I,no
had got."

times,"

"

Well, surely,"
acquiescedElizabeth, there is

in

harm

no

in that."

the

In

farmer
in it
"

bedroom

and

his wife

"

opened.

and

"

reckon

came

Leastwise, I've heard

And

look

here !

look

But

here !

bain't chock-full
from

silver spoons.

Hockin,

Elizabeth, there's fine

"

cried

o' money

sheets

"

Jabez,

"

and

Whereiver

been

the

I wish she'd left it to me,

cruel bad."
another

Elizabeth.

her

bed, what

Who'll

never

"

linen be

wretched

But

just look
that

on

and

"

all in the chest."

and

silver taypot

get the

spoons,

and

the

inquiredJabez.

money?"
Her

and

torn

fine bedclothes

these

abide

if the taypot
did
she get it

of showing folk the Zennor

way
St. Ives and Penzance, and she's had

in

"

"

pillow-cases."

blessed

"

"

her

well off."

once

were

"

here

fancy

"

exclaimed

Quoit,visitors from
o' shillings
that way."
scores
Lord !" exclaimed
Jabez.
and I could buy a cow
; I want
said
Ay, we do, terrible,"
to

"

"

Her's

"

surprisethey found

their

she

how

as

"

beautiful linen underneath

and
"

To

this the

only Britannia metal."

of a good family,"said Jabez,

me

she

chest, and

oak

silver teapot,and half a dozen

Elizabeth
Well, now," exclaimed
I

"

old

an

havin' these
"

was

had

kin

no

Last

her.

naught
"

to

none

"

words
do

but Rose

her said to

Hext,
me

wi' the Hexts,

was

and

her couldn't

that she'd

'

have

they and all their

longings
be-

358
That

"

was

BOOK

OF

her last words

GHOSTS

"

The

her spoke to me
to anyone."
or
very last words
"
"
Then," said Jabez, I'lltell ye what, Elizabeth,it's our
moral dooty to abide by the wishes of Aunt
Joanna. It
"

"

does to go agin what is right. And as her

herself that strong, why us, as honest folks,must
never

her wishes,and
darned

and

But

"

Well

be

providethat
poor

"

"

I've

and

years,

couldn't

daycent buried.

savin's,to

"

now

and

And

word

Them

"

of

me

charged her

had

never

!
"

All

milk

Hexts

be

in

and

not

say

is,that

is the closest

Us

these ten

paying

That

me.

I have

a-hoardin'
not

were

right to

"

didn't she

Zennor

use

declared

I've let her

of harm's

way."
pillow-cases.My

'em, instead of

that

of her

of all,
we'll take the silver tay-

the spoons wi' us, to get 'em out

I'll carry the linen sheets and

why

of

honest,

some

bill and
the milk
it's butter
pay
and then in a liberal way."
Fust

twelve

or

thinking her

penny,
could, her were

her

But

Very well,Elizabeth.

pot

her removed, and

ourselves.

chargeson

have

afford it.

her money
and
what

"

"

go to, then ?
Fust
will have
us

take all the

neighbours."
and her
Ay

have

to them

and it do seem
couldn't afford the expense,
Elizabeth,as it would be a liberal and a kindly act

to

us

savingsgo

Hexts."

see.

her be

carry out

and

way,

to me,

in

of all her

none

they to

we'll

"

that

dratted

who

"

see

expressed

the

Hockins

them
were

"
rags ?

most

known
that
couple,when it was
themselves
to defray the funeral expenses.
said that she was
to the farm, and
Mrs. Hext
came
:
replied
willingto do what she could, but Mrs. Hockin
My good Rose, it'sno good. I seed your aunt when her
solemn
and nigh on death,and her laid it on
me
ailin',
was
that she'd have
to bury her, and
could be that we
was
as
at no
nothin' to do wi' the Hexts
price."

neighbourlyand
they took upon

generous

"

Rose

sighed,and

went

away.

and

Mr.

heard

Hockin

Mrs.

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

36o

their hearts swelled

this,and

ness
Nothing so swells the heart as the consciousundertone
virtue being recognised.Jabez in an
he were'nt goin'to stick at the
a neighbour that

within them.
of

informed
funeral
above

he ; he'd have a neat

not
expenses,
the grave with work
on
it,at twopence

and

age,

earth

two

being no

The

letter.

departure of Aunt Joanna, and her

lines of a favourite hymn
of his,all about
heaven
being properlyher
dwelling-place,

the date

and

name

erected

stone

of

home.
It

did this

day; she wept

and happiness at the
At

husband.
the

and

"It
"

old

winter

attended

day

her

closed

in,

funeral,and had
regaleafter it,departed,
the

day," said Jabez.

"

Ay," responded Elizabeth,

and

what

sighto' people

here."
This

here

buryin'of

I'd like to know

creetur

as

purty long bill

Aunt

who

is

no

to

me

Joanna have set us

of the neighbours."

else would

relation ; ay
for milk and

ha' done
"

and

it for

one

butter

Well," said Jabez, I've alius heard

poor
owed
a

through ten

"

bringsits own

deed

as

mendous
tre-

up

or

years."

twelve
"

herself and

to

left to themselves.

were

in the estimation
"

short

recruit and

to

beautiful

were

came
"

Hockins

the

the

had

Hockin

accorded

ovation

who

to the farm

returned

tears

length,as

last of those

cried,but she
of sympathy with the deceased,

Elizabeth

often that

not

was

reward

wi' it
"

and

say

that

it's a

fine

good
proverb.
a

I feels it in my insides."
P'rapsit'sthe gin,Jabez."
"

"

No

"

it'svirtue.

It's warmer

gin a long sight. Gin

good conscience is a blaze

nor

givesa smoulderingspark,but

of furze."
The

farm

of the Hockins

after his cattle himself

in the house.

All

were

One
wont

small,and

was

maid
to

Hockin

kept,but
retire earlyto bed
was

looked
no

man

; neither

JOANNA

AUNT
Hockin

wife

his

nor

had

much
disposed to consume
During the night,at what

Hockin

awoke

with

Hterary tastes,
oil,so as to read

and

were

at

night.

she did not

time

found

start, and

361

that

not

know, Mrs.
her

husband

that
a
moon
sittingup in bed Hstening. There was
full of
was
night,and no clouds in the sky. The room
heard
of feet in
silver light. Elizabeth
Hockin
sound
a
the kitchen,which was
of
immediatelyunder the bedroom
the couple.
There's someone
about," she whispered; go down,
Jabez."
I wonder, now, who it be.
P'rapsits Sally."
she can't get out
It can't be Sally how
can
it,when
o' her room
wi'out passin'through ours ?
was

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Run

"

It's your

"

"

down, Elizabeth,and

placeto

if it

But

was

go,

night-shirt? It
"

I reckon

us

"

We'll

so"

do

Jabez."

woman

and

"

And, Jabez, if it was

see."

me
a

man,

in my
robber

"

?
night-shirt

and

"

me

in my

'ud be shameful."

had

best go down
together."
"
but I hope it's not

"What?"

Mrs.

Hockin

crept from
descended
There

did

not

She

answer.

bed, and, treadingon

and

tiptoeacross

her

husband
the room,

the stair.
door

bottom, but the staircase was

boarded
up at the side ; it opened into the kitchen.
They descended
softly and cautiously,holding
very
each
other, and when
they reached the bottom, peered
timorously into the apartment that served many
purposes
and
kitchen,sitting-room,
dining-place.The moonlight
poured in through the broad, low window
a
figure. There could be no mistaking
By it they saw
it it was
that of Aunt
Joanna, clothed in the tattered
was

no

at the

"

"

sheet

that Elizabeth

clothes.

The

old

woman

Hockin
had

had

allowed

taken

one

for her graveof the fine linen

OF

BOOK

362

GHOSTS

cupboard in which it had been placed,

anfihad spread it over the long table,and was smoothing
it down
with her bony hands.
Hockins
The
trembled, not with cold, though it was
mid-winter, but with terror.
They dared not advance,
and they felt powerless to retreat.
Then
Aunt
they saw
Joanna go to the cupboard,open
it,and return with the silver spoons ; she placed all six on
the sheet,and with a lean fingercounted
them.
those who
She turned her face towards
were
watching
in shadow, and they could not
her proceedings,
but it was
with which
the features nor
note the expression
distinguish
she regarded them.
Presentlyshe went back to the cupboard,and returned
with the silver teapot. She stood at one
end of the table,
sheets out

and

now

cast

upon

of the

the reflection of the

her face,and

lips but
She

by

Hockins

at the

pieceof
so

in

on,

on

corner

row.

cloth in the

their sides below

all the time

them

metal, and
and

drew

along

the

table.

firstcoin

second

rolled,and

lodged
near

selves
ranged them-

the next

ten

same

manner,

and

woman

The
cast

rested

Then

dead

forth the

shadow

the

The

the

the firstrow

the

moving her

was

teapot and

pieces were
in

was

them.

it rolled.

as

money

order,ten

And

the

glintof

the

the white

across

ten.

rolled

further left-hand

it ; and

from

into the

and

one,

the

saw

each

over

issued

the linen sheet

that she

they saw

thrust her hand

coins,one

by

sound

no

"

on

moon

were

run

dropped

; thus also the third

was

mouthing,as

though counting,but still inaudibly.

The couple stood motionless
till
observingproceedings,
suddenly a cloud passed before the face of the moon, so
dense as to eclipsethe light.
Then

in

of terror
both turned and fled up
paroxysm
bolted their bedroom
the stairs,
door, and jumped into bed.

There
when

the

was
moon

no

sleepfor them that night. In the gloom

was
concealed,in the glare when it shone

SHE

THRUST

HEK
ONE

HANI)
BY

ONE,

INTO
AND

ITIF.
ROM.

TEAPOT
ED

THEM

AXn
AI,ON(;

DREW

FORTH
I HE

TAIiLE

THE

COINS,

AUNT

forth,it
of

the

the same,

was

coins
Was

over.

dead

coins.

all had

When

the

to

^^^

could

they

hear

along the table,and

the supply inexhaustible?

apparentlythe
moving

JOANNA

It

of

the

so, but

not

was

of

weary
ranged, she

been

h'ghtrolling
as
they fell

click

did not

woman

further end

the

the

the

counting the

could

be

table,and

heard

there

commencing
re-

proceeding of coin-roUing.
Not till near
daybreak did this sound cease, and not till
the maid, Sally,had begun to stir in the inner bedchamber
did

Hockin

same

and

his wife

venture

suffer the servant

girlto

descend

to

see

in what

condition

that the table had

been

the

the

folded,and replacedwhere
The

Hockins

did

kitchen

been

where

been

found
in

they had
was
neatly

sheet,moreover,

it had

down

all back

were

were

would

They

was.

coins

spoons

The

Neither

till they had

cleared,the

the teapot, and that and

themselves
placed them.

rise.

to

before.

another
of their
speak to one
in
experiencesduring the past night,so long as they were
the house, but when
Elizabeth went
Jabez was in the field,
and

said

I don't

know

him

to

*'

"

Curious

"

I don't

both

us

it

maybe

"

know

ha' dreamed

dreamed

us

like

more

real

Aunt

about

Joanna?'*

dream."

were

alike."

that ; 'twere the

gin,so

"'Twere

Husband, what

should

us

had

"

not

the

truth

made

gin

us

dream, and

thing."
dream," observed

same

than

Elizabeth.
"

We'll

take it

as

happen again."
the same
But precisely
night. The moon
neither

of

kitchen.
the

roll and

"Whatever

morning

sounds

the

they could

hear

two

click

shall

of her

of

we

the

by

on

thick

it won't

the following

clouds,and

to descend
to the
courage
the patter of feet,and then

asked
"

Mebbe

"

heard

were

coins.

do?"

husband.

Jabez.

obscured

was

had

the
But

said

dream,"

Us

Again sleep was

Elizabeth
can't

go

on

Hockin

possible
im-

next

like this wi'

364
the

dead

BOOK
about

woman

tellin'she

OF

might take

pullthe sheets

off

us.

GHOSTS
house

nightly. There's no
it into her head to come
upstairsand
As we took hers,she may
think it

fair to carry off ours."

"
I think,"said Jabez

our

sorrowfully,we'll
"

have

to

return

'em."
"But

how?"

After

some

all the

consultation
deceased

the

woman's

couple resolved on conveying

the
to
goods
churchyard,

by night,and placingthem on her grave.

I reckon,"said Hockin,
we'll bide in the porch and
watch
what happens. If they be left there till mornin',
why we may carry 'em back wi' an easy conscience. We've
pounds over her buryin'."
spent some
"

"

"

What

have

it

come

to ?"

I make
it out."
as
pounds five and fourpence,
Well," said Elizabeth, we must risk it."
When
night had fallen murk, the farmer and his wife
crept from their house, carryingthe linen sheets,the teapot,
and the silver spoons.
They did not start till late,for fear
of encounteringany villagers
the way, and not tillafter
on
had gone to bed.
the maid, Sally,
The night
They fastened the farm door behind them.
dark and stormy, with scuddingclouds,so dense as to
was
make
deep night,when they did not part and allow the
"

Three

"

moon

''

to peer

They

forth.

walked

timorously,and side by side, looking

about
them
as
they proceeded, and on
reaching the
churchyard gate they halted to pluck up courage before
self
opening and venturing within. Jabez had furnished himwith a bottle of gin,to give courage
to himself and
his wife.

Together they heaped the

Aunt
Joanna upon the fresh

grave,

wind

unfurled

caught the

they were

linen and

forced to

articles that had

place stones

but

upon

as

and

belonged to
they did so the
flappedit,and

it to hold

it down.

blast

the

"

have

She

shake

out

In

hands

minute

that

aim

the

began

to

of

some

silver
fell

they

his

among

with

the

lodged

timber.

Elizabeth.

whispered

Hexts,"
trifle

wall, and

and

teapot,

to

coins.

the

some

the

over

adjoined,

to

'em

sent

the

Next

an

churchyard,

carpenter's yard that

the

in

the

across

GHOSTS

OF

BOOK

366

pieces

flung

were

down

clinking

with

floor

the

on

true

so

of

the

porch.
How
in

were

mood

no

Then

they

proceed

done,

and, that

At
the

once

Half

white

bundle

was

cast

and

carried

over

the

teapot

of

rushed

vapour

graveyard
that

saw

was

the

before

elapsed

Hockins

the

and

in

spoons
into

the

them,

air, and
wall

churchyard

yard.

again the

hour

an

Then

the

curtain

and

moon,

couple

pillow-cases,

silver

and

the

wheelwright's

the

into

the

up

wind

the

by

caught

collect

hands

the

saw

cast, the

was

money

estimate.

to

roll

to

much

coins, how

many

buried

again.

out

stirring

was

of

face

in darkness.

shone

moon

nothing

the

across

in

the

cemetery.
"

I reckon

"

Let

us

may

us

gather

what

up

said

now,"

go

she

Jabez.

chucked

to

us," advised

Elizabeth.
the

So
number

of

couple

felt

coins.

What

their

they reached
"

How

"Three

Jabez.

much

be

pound

home,
it ?

"

five

about

they
and

the

floor,

and

were

they

could

had

lighted

asked

Elizabeth.

and

fourpence,

collected
not

tell

candle.

exact,"

answered

till

of the South

PERCENTAGE

small

how

large or

FLAG

WHITE

THE

that

African

Boers"

percentage is has

not

how
been

possessed of a rudimentary conscience,

the oyster has
much
as
incipienteyes, and the snake
of long
articulations for feet,which in the course
initiatory
suitable conditions,develop into an active
ages may, under
faculty.
Heeren
If Jacob Van
possessedany conscience at all it
the merest
was
protoplasm of one.
farmhouse
under
He occupiedHeerendorp, a ramshackle
had cattle and horses,also a wife and growna kopje,and
up
and
sons
daughters.
the war
broke out Jacob hoisted the white flag
When
he and his sons
at the gable,and
indulged their sporting
such officers and
of the
instincts by shooting down
men
British army
to the farm, unsuspectingtreachery.
as went
evil notoriety,
obtained
an
Heerendorp by this means
the women
of Jacob's
ordered
it was
and
to be burnt, and
where
family to be transferred to a concentration
camp
they would be mollycoddled at the expense of the English
delivered from all
taxpayer. Thus Jacob and his sons were

determined

anxiety

as

in which

is

"

to their
to

horses

receiptswhich

for the beasts

at the

and

his

under

Jacob

their

exercise

their cattle and

held

womankind,

sons

Boer

been

entitle them

termination

given

were

mischievous

that had

would

and

free field

ingenuity.
commandeered,
to

claim

As

to

they

full value

of hostilities.

might have joined one of the companies

general,but they preferred inde367

BOOK

368

pendent action, and

eminently successful.
That

and

ness,

their

which

of

which
peculiartactics,

in which

achievement

GHOSTS

OF

he

was

proved

Jacob exhibited most slimas

pre-eminentlyproud, was

feigninghimself to be wounded, he rolled on the

ground,waving a white kerchief,and crying out for water.
A young
Englishlieutenant at once filled a cap and ran to
his assistance,
when
Jacob shot him through the heart.
follows

When
and

the

at the

restocked

his wife

received

So

Jacob took
doorpost.
"

They

are

expense
and
daughters from

the

concentration

as

for,Jacob?" asked

is that

"What

got his farm rebuilt

of the British taxpayer, and

the

as

soon

Heeren

partridges.
new
Heerendorp was ready for occupation,
notches in the
largeknife and cut seventeen

plump

camp,

Van

over

was

war

reminders

his wife.

of the Britishers I have

shot."

Rooineks
than
Well," said she, if I hadn't killed more
of myself"
that,I'd be ashamed
in open
Oh, I shot more
fight.I didn't count them ; I
"

"

"

I've been

only reckon such as

said
the white flag,"
when
and

him

Wales.
all her

was

him

About
had

to

her

The

joy

The

was

prospect
an

But

end
when

to

Heeren

with

was

an

had

him

heart

had

she had

killed

Jones,
widow

been

set, in

ambition.

no

entwined.
When

Life

the

news

her, unaccompanied by particulars,

a

out
a

sorrow

that almost

of her

the
life,

blank

profound despondency,
as

her

pride. Beyond

gone

befool with

to

of cold water, was

Aneurin
of his mother, and she a

Aneurin

On

reached

smitten

was

Jacob Van

every fibre of her heart was

charms
no
apart from him.

of his death
she

whom

bringinghim a cup
the only son
he was

in North

enough

the Boer.

the lieutenant

Now

slim

and

before
would

reached

lightfrom
She

her.

have

despair.
sky.

her
sank

welcomed

into

death

aimless,a hopelesslife.

peace

was

concluded,and

some

comrades

of

THE
Aneurin
death

WHITE

Then

divulgedto her.
the passionateWelsh
consumed
had

who

man

had

fallen.

him,she

she

had

she been

have

gone out to South Africa,and have

able to stab to the heart the man
who had

murdered

her Aneurin.

The

fact that she

She

sat

the

but illunderstood

known,

But

his

met

as

impotent rage againsthis

her. She did not know

killed
Had

An

he had

heart became

mother's

live coal v/ithin her breast.

murderer

369

home, the story of how

returned

was

FLAG

how

of the

name

where

her

able,she

son

would

gloriedin being
so
treacherously

he to be identified ?

was

powerlessto avenge his death was

She could not sleep,she could not eat,
to her.
a torture
she writhed,she moaned, she bit her fingers,
she chafed at
her incapacityto execute
A
justiceon the murderer.
feverish flame
lit in her hollow
cheeks.
Her
was
lips
her
dark
became
as
parched, tongue dry,her
eyes glittered
if sparksof unquenchable fire had been kindled in them.
with

was

clenched

hands

and

set

teeth before her

grate,and the purple veins swelled and

dead

throbbed

in

temples.

her

! if

Oh

only she

shot her Aneurin

! if

Oh

only

knew

the

of the

name

man

who

had

!
she

could

find

out

to

way

for the wrong

he had done !
her only thoughts. And
These were

recompense

him

in her Bible

she could

read, and

which

the sole passage

and
she read over

who
again,was the story of the Importunate Widow
of mine adversary! and
cried to the judge, Avenge me
heard for her persistent
who was
asking.
Thus
passed a fortnight.She was
visiblywasting in
flesh,but the fire within her burned only the fiercer as her
bodilystrengthfailed.
over

"

"

Then,

She

brain.
of St.
last

"

all at once,

remembered

Elian, near

Priest of the
2

an

idea shot like

to have

Colwyn.
Well," an

She
old

heard

meteor

of the

recalled
man

who

the

throughher
CursingWell
fact that the

had

lived hard

who

by, and

BOOK

had

initiated

well,had

the

blot out

it and

Could

been

for centuries

Denbigh.
in the

Mrs.
the

to

of

destroy
the well,

Was

then

was

desire

workhouse

had

able to assist

heart ?

of her

infirm creature, and

be

"

know

should

she

possiblethat
spring? should

Jones resolved
and
sought out

Winifred

of the workhouse

inmate

an

it not

the ritual of St. Elian's

her

his power

of the powers

the remembrance

Priest of the Well"

at

lay in

remembered, further,that the granddaughterof the

She
"

what

efficacy.
it lost its virtues?
Had
the spring still flowed.
a
parson, could magistratesbring to naught what

But

had

done

ruin its

to

or

under

had

spring,and

the

mysteries of
magistratesfor

the

false pretences, and had been sent

had
of Llanelian
; and that the parson
and had ripped up the wall that enclosed

crowbar

postulantsinto
brought before the

been

obtainingmoney
to gaol at Chester
taken

GHOSTS

OF

370

on

the

conference

trying.

She

with

old

an

woman,

her.

went

to

and

found

She

decrepitcreature, very shy of speaking

into a confession
about the well,very unwillingto be drawn
of her knowledge,very much
afraid of the
of the extent
of the workhouse
punishing
magistratesand the master
tensity
had
do
with
the
well ; but the inher if she
anything to
in prosecutingher
of Mrs. Jones,her vehemence
and, above all,the giftof half a sovereignpressed
inquiries,
into her palm, with the promise of another if she assisted
in the prosecutionof her purpose,
Mrs. Winifred
finally
her scruples,
and she told all that she knew.
overcame
the woman,

"

You

the

moon

him

whose

and
man

visit St.

must

is at

the

wane.

Elian's,madam,"
You

who

write

must

no

means

murdered

of
my

"

I do

not

it.
discovering
son."

she,

the

a
pebble,and
you desire on
recite the sixty-ninth
Psalm."

But," objected the widow,

I have

said

death

the water, and

"

poor,

know
I want

"

name

drop

when
of

it into

his name,
to kill the

old

The

considered, and

woman

Murdered,
"

Yes, he

"

Then

was

then

recitingthe
spring boil
your prayer
Winifred

She

"

these

this

In

stances.
circum-

"

treacherouslyshot."

was

And

God.'

my

said

under

way

son

your

371

to call on
your
you will have
'
and
let fall the pebble,
say : Let him
of the living. Avenge me
of
book

you
the
O

is

There

it is different.

case

FLAG

WHITE

THE

must

you

same

till you

prayer,

the

see

Then

of

water

will know

you

that the

Jones departed in
till the

on

go

up black as ink.
has been heard,and

waited

by name, as
be wiped out of
mine
adversary,
dropping in pebbles,
son

has

curse

the
that

wrought."

elation.

some

changed, and then she went

to the spring. It was
near
trees
a hedge ; there were
by
been
it. Apparently it had
unsought for many
years.
flowed.
About
it lay scattered a few stones
But
it still
that had
She

moon

formed

once

looked

the

her.

about

No

and would
soon
declining,
it was
perfectlyclear.

She

by.

was

She
had

bent

The

she cried out

murderer.

Let

"

Aneurin

him

be

! come

to my

blotted

Then

She

rose

paused

Aneurin

him

bubble.
but

my

against
book
God

of
!"

all.

was

then

moment,

aid

again she cried

aid

Let
against your murderer.
my
of the book
of the living.Avenge me

to

come

be blotted

for

That

out

adversary,O my God !"

Once more
let fall.
a
pebble was
no
spring,but there was
change save
sent
against the side.

on

lapfulof

of the

out

on
living. Avenge me
adversary,O
my
and she dropped a pebble into the water.

"

was

the water

over

collected

sun

stones.

Then
your
the

one

set.

"

rounded

bounds.

my

third

shaft of
Then

"

then

fourth

"

she

went

yellow glorythrough the

someone
passed along

trees

the

It

on

splashed into the

that rippleswere
; the

over

road

sun

the

hard

sent

spring.
by, and

BOOK

372
Mrs. Winifred
footfall had

held

Jones

died

GHOSTS

OF
her

breath,and

desisted

tillthe

away.

continued,stone after stone was

dropped,
the
ritual
appeared
and
was
followed,tillthe seventeenth had disof black fluid
in the well,when
a column
up rose
from
below, the colour of ink ; and
boiling as it were
then

But

she

the widow

pressedher

relief;her

prayer

had

hands

together,and

drew

heard, and her

been

sigh of

had

curse

taken

effect.
She

cast

skirt,and
It

went

Heeren

had

needed

them

had

it the

of

rest

the

pebbles,let

down

her

rejoicing.

away

that

fell out

so

the

away

this very

on

evening Jacob

Van

early,as he had risen before

daybreak,and had been riding all day. His family were
when
in the outer room,
they were startled by a hoarse cry
He
from the bedroom.
was
a
short-tempered,imperious
children when he
accustomed
to yell at his wife and
man,
in

to

gone

bed

of

; but

this cry was

ring of alarm.

His

an

unusual

wife

character,it

went

him

to

to

found
the matter.
She
the old Boer
inquirewhat was
sittingup in bed with one leg extended, his face like dirty
his eyes startingout of his head, and his
stained leather,
and
mouth
depressinghis
opening and shutting,lifting
shaggy, grey beard, as though he were tryingto speak,but

could
"

utter

not

!"

Pete

and

Pete

called to her

ails your

what

see

she

words.

had

others

"

come

Fetch

looks

as

him

When

some

the farmer

Quick, take

was

here, and

come

entered, and

stood

the

unable

old

man,

about
to

the

bed,
comprehend

him.

over

brandy,Pete,"said

some

if he had

"

father."

staring stupidlyat
what

eldest son,

"

he

fit."

spiritshad
revived,and

it off!"

the mother

been
said

poured down
huskily: Take
"

his

throat

it away

BOOK

374

OF

GHOSTS

Jacob passed a sleepless

night.
Next morning he rose, but limped ; all feeling
had gone
His wife vainlyurged him to keep to his
out of the foot.
bed.

He
walk

not

hobbled

obstinate,and

was

without

the

would
of

help

into the kitchen

and

stick.

went

Then

pieces,but

to

he went

hoping that

put the numbed

foot to the

but

also

this

himself

on

was

outside

the

He

his

Whilst

their meal,
of

find

that of the
He

do

help
"

air than

within

and

man,

of terror

white

he

"

only less

I knew

napkins

tried,I could

"

seemed

the
to

he

got

family
to

him.

like that

forth,to
than

severe

same

man,

of

spring out
but

and

nearer

seated

his

all rushed

first like smoke,

then

he

the table at

about

were

him

saw

warmth

doors.

without, more

whence

farmyard,

food

scream

paroxysm

and
distinct,

of those

and

than

flicker in it ; and

white
more

bring

to

children

heard

from

know

distance.

the

that

door, whilst

precedingnight.
on
me
again,"he gasped ;

came

not

and

horse
in

Jacob

"

they

wounded

wife

his

feelingand
the evening

them

singed

was

restore

In

He
ordered
supper.
felt easier in the open

ate

it

insensible to the heat.

was

in vain.

bench

smoke,

to

by the stick,to

would

movement

he could

clothed,he

his foot

forth,aided

; but

When

and the stockingsole began

fire,
and

get up

with

became

he ; and he had another

in his hand.
call for
I could
not
it

was

sound, tillhe wrapped it

calf,and then, with the cold

utter

no

"

round
rag
my
pain, I cried out, and he vanished."

white

"

Father," said Pete, you fell asleepand dreamt this."

I saw
I did not.
him, and I felt what he did. Give me
Good
I cannot
rise. I must
Lord,
go within.
your hand.
"

"

"

when

will this

When

had

He

his wife

remonstrance,

on

an

end ?

his seat

lifted from

dragged.
and

to

come

to

lean

it

put

was

heavily on

the other, and

to be

"

to bed.

seen

his

he allowed

that his left

son

on

one

leg

side

himself,without

THE
It
had

then

was

"

Pete.

375

whiteness,as of

corpse,

the foot up the calf.

to have
a paralytic
stroke,that is

it,"said

You, Samuel,
that he

morning, not

FLAG

that the dead

seen

spread from
He is going

"

WHITE

ride

must

do

can

for

much

doctor

good, K

to-morrow

what

I think

be the case."
second

the

On

to

would

his

rise.

He

and

go

get up
he

the

and

supper,

all remonstrance,
he
far as he was
able. But
to

the

evening, as

sittingcrouched

was

finished

had

about, as
In

mination
persistedin his deter-

man

deaf

was

small.

abilitywas

down,

the old

day

the

over

all had

fire. The

left the

went

sun

family

except his

room

she heard
removing the dishes, when
a
and
and, turning her head,
by the fire,
gasping
struggling
her husband
saw
writhing on his stool,clingingto it
with his hands, with his left leg out, his mouth
foaming,
and he was
snortingwith terror or pain.

wife, who

She

was

him

to

ran

"Jacob,what
"

he

is at

He

is it?"

me

screamed.

"

Pete

and

knee."
my
the others ran
in,and
of his seat, and

out
falling

It

again! Beat him

Keep him away.

off with
He

is

the broom

wrapping

!"
the

flaground

white

was

at once.

was

now

his
stiff,

calf

was

conveyed

that his knee

seen

if frozen

as

raised their father,who

had

; the

him

to

become
whiteness

bed.
hard
had

and
tended
ex-

upwards to the knee.

Next
the old man,
day a surgeon arrived. He examined
and
expressed his conviction that he had a stroke. But
it was
attack of an unusual
a paralytic
character,as it had
in no
affected his speech or his left arm
and
hand.
way
He

recommended

Still the farmer

on

being dressed
One

stick

contrived

was

for him

hot

fomentations.

would
and

not

be confined

to bed ; he insisted

assisted into the kitchen.

sufficient for him, and Samuel

With
crutches.
these he could
drag

not

now

BOOK

376
himself

about, and

worked

his way

that

fourth

the

on

to

cowstall

GHOSTS

OF

evening he laboriously

to look

at

of his beasts

one

ill.

was

Whilst

he

there

without, heard

had

fourth

yell and

him

of his crutches.

beat

was

with

the door

at

entered, and

He

Pete, who

attack.

his father

found

one

lying

telligible
uninthe floor,quiveringwith terror, and spluttering
lifted him, and drew
He
him
words.
without,

on

shouted

then

carried him

Only

when

He

had

been

of

out

he had

when

there,and

he able to

give an account
looking at the
the hayloft had

of
cow,
come

which had
lieutenant,
the cow,
and, stooping, had

the Rooinek

and
round
his

his

thigh,above

leg was

dead
is

''There

the knee.

and

some

him

in between

sprung

wrapped

white

the whole

now

rag
of

livid.

"

Pete.

The

doctor

to

have

told

me

much.

as

in if there

set

leg

your

was

no

of circulation."

return

"I

won't
"

leg?
"

brandy,
what had taken place.
and
feelingit,when
leaping the form of

And

said that mortification would

one

togetherthey

drunk

nothing for it,father,but

amputated," said
He

up, and

came

house.

the

to

was

down

Samuel, who

to

But

it off!

have

exclaimed

What

the old

father,it will

be

good

shall I be with

only

man.

the sole

of

means

saving your

life."
"

I won't

Pete
any

said in

dark

look

have

my

low tone

spots

for them,

leg off!" againrepeatedJacob.

on

his

to

his mother

The

leg?

and, when

they

"

doctor
come,

Have

you

said

send

seen

must

we

for him

at

once."

No," she replied, I have not noticed any,

Then
will wait tillthey appear."
we
constrained
On the fifth day the farmer was
"

"

so

far."

"

to

keep

his

bed.
He

had

now

become

prey

to

abjectterror.

So

sure

THE
the

as

He

hour

WHITE

of sunset

the afternoon

as

horror

drew

be

He

his wife

that

with

room

him.

Through
It

His

his wife's turn

was

All

at

done

it in turns

the

through the

chill be
remain

to sit by his

the fire of the

in

the

bedside.

settingsun

his

broke

from

his throat.

and
face,his hair bristled,
into

he

sitting
posture, and

pillow,and

backboard

with

would

of his

have

broken

bed, could he have

so.

is it,Jacob ? " asked his wife,throwingdown

which
she was
mending, and coming to

What

garment

assistance.

Lie down

"

again.

There

is

speak. His teeth were

formed
his beard shaking,foam-bubbles
great sweatdrops on his brow.
could

He

"

inflicted.

to be in attendance.

his

to

on

day,
able
unspeakagain the

man.
suffering

himself

he worked

himself

his way

took

with

should

Pete

or

occur.

of the

when

fresh

gurglingsound

started from

eyes

heaved

once

his hands

"

fell across

hour

dreaded

the little window

in and

smote

and

seen,

They

visitation

new

each

he

on

377

of the moment

apparition would
insisted

sound

to

advent

the

did

came,

listened for the clock

and

FLAG

! Samuel

Pete

The
Boer

not

young
in bed,

And

men

she called," come

ran
in, and they

his

nothing here."
and
chattering,
his lips,
and
on

to your

father."

laid
forcibly

the old

prostrate.

it

now

"

the

was

found

that the

rightfoot

had

turned

dead, like the left.

the

On

the well
the

side

candle.

evening of the seventeenth

day after the visit to

of Llanelian,Mrs. Winifred Jones was
on
sitting
of her bed in the twilight.She had lightedno
She was
musing, always on the same
engrossing

topic,the wrong that had been done to her and her

with a feverish thirst for vengeance
and thirsting
on

son,

the

wrongdoer.
Her

confidence

in the

expedientto

which

she

had

re-

2,7^

BOOK

OF

GHOSTS

to
beginning to fail. What was this recourse
in with an old superstition
the well but a falling
that had
of knowledge, and under the
died out with the advance
influence of a wholesome
feeling? Was any trust to be
Was
she deceiving
at the workhouse?
placed in that woman
her for the sake of the half-sovereign
And
?
yet

sorted

"

was

she

had

efficacious.

Was

response

and

righteousin

for

help,He

all His

ways

"Avenge
the words

the

evildoers?

Would

of

means

no

of her

it be

Was

God

not

righteousin

thrive?

to

son

procuringthe
Him

If God

be

is open to the prayer

well listen to the cry for vengeance.

If His

ear

pray

for herself

"

her

had

only cry

to

been

adversary!" If she tried to frame

of the Lord's Prayer,she could not do so.
They
on

my

thoughtstravelled

; her

soul could

Her

devotion

and

love

crystalwater

evening at the spring she had been unable

me

escaped her
veldt.

have

just.

as

usual,to

as

pray

must

that

Since

prove

should meet
with no
prayer
Were
the
to prevailin the world ?

wrong

is also

merciful,He

would

widow's

suffer the murderer

to

her

prayer
through the

risen

oppressed to
of justiceon

execution

that

fluid.

it be that

Could

weak

had

There

of black

column

token

seen

; it

not
was

rise to

choked

to the South

ecstasy of

in the

God
with

hate

African

"

whelming
over-

an

hate.

She
were

was
on

in her black

weeds

; the

and

white,

lap,nervously clasping and

her

fingers. Had anyone been there, in

summer
night,he would have been
hard

hands, thin and

lined the

face had

the

unclaspingthe
of a
grey twilight

saddened

become, how

to

see

all softness

how
had

the eyes, in which

sunken
how
were
passedfrom the lips,
of wrath.
was
only a glitter
Suddenly she saw standing before her, indistinct indeed,

but
and

unmistakable, the form

he

held

napkin emitted

white
a

lost son, her Aneurin,

in his righthand, and
this

of her

napkin
phosphorescentglow.

THE
She

tried

WHITE

FLAG

379

name
cry out ; to utter the beloved
tried to spring to her feet and throw herself into his

But

she

was

as

; she

to

to stir

unable

was

hand,

paralysed,but

one

her

foot,or

or

heart

She

tongue.

bounded

arms

within

her

that seemed

to

bosom.
"

Mother," said
from

come
"

and

sent

touched
hand

me

him

on

his

other,on
and

"

and
with

that

Then

his

he

of

done

knee

thigh,on

and

heart, with

it in all sixteen

sixteenth

laid

was

the

on

the

I chilled him

died.

spirits,
I have

it.

and

side

one

I did

is dead.

flag; the

white

I have

audible

and

the world

calf and

lastlyon

sixteenth

the

the

and

he

from

shoulder, on

head, and

now

with

and

articulate

task.

foot and

the

voice

was

back

me

dischargea

elbow

and

flag

called

you
to

in
apparition,

distance,yet

vast

Mother,

"

the

white

times,

piecemeal
his

on

heart,

stopped beating."
she

hands

lifted her

tongue relaxed

so

and
slightly,

far that she

able to

was

her

stiffened
"

murmur

God

be thanked!"
the

Mother," continued

*'

apparition,there

is

"

teenth
seven-

remaining."
She tried to claspher hands on her lap,but the fingers
were
no
longer under her control ; they had fallen to the
side of the chair-bed,and hung there lifeless. Her eyes
love in
stared wildlyat the spectre of her son, but without
them
; love had faded out of her heart,and given place to
of his murderer.

hate

Mother," proceeded

"

and

in the

even

world

the cry of a
back and to do

come

reveal

to

would

something

have

been

"

vision,

the
of spirits

mother, and

respond to
to

the

your

to

had

you

it not

to

been

I have

And

will.
:

summoned
you
soul of a child

show
cut

been

now

you

short

am

what

me,
must

permitted
suffered
my

by the shot

life
of

the Boer."
He

and

stepped towards
touched

her

eyes.

her, and
She

put forth

felt

as

hand
vaporous
though a feather had
a

38o
been
and

BOOK
them.

passedover
shook

OF

GHOSTS

Then

he raised the luminous

sheet

it.

all about her was

Instantly
changed.
Mrs. Winifred Jones was
not in her littleWelsh
cottage;
it night. She was
She stood in
was
nor
no
longeralone.
before her the judge on
a court, in full daylight. She
saw
his seat, the barristers in wig and gown, the press reporters
with their notebooks
and
thronging
pens, a dense crowd
And
she knew
portion of the court.
instinctively,
every
before a word was
spoken, without an intimation from the
spiritof her son, that she was
standing in the Divorce
Court.
her son, older,
And
she sa.w there as co-respondent
altered in expression. And
she
changed in face,but more
full of dishonour, and
heard
tale unfolded
a
rousing
disgust.
"

She

was

ears

; her

She

could

with

face, crimson
endure

made,
Aneurin

able to raise her hands

now

the

! for the

sank

shame,

sight,the words

longer,and

no

Lord's

she

sake, no

she covered

"

her

on

her

bosom.

tions
spoken, the revela-

cried

out

Aneurin

"

of this !

more

Oh,

the

day, the day, that I have seen you standinghere."

At once
all passed ; and she was
again in her bedroom
in Honeysuckle Cottage,North
Wales, seated with folded
her lap,and looking before her wonderingly at
hands
on
the ghostlyform of her son.
Is that enough, mother?"
She lifted her hands deprecatingly.
Again he shook the glimmering white sheet,and it was
as
though drops of pearly fire fell out of it.
And
again all was changed.
"

"

She

found

herself
She

Monte

at

in

was

the

Carlo ;

she

knew

it instincti

great saloon, where

were

and
gaming-tables.The electric lightsglittered,
decorations
were
superb. But all her attention was

the

her

on

stakinghis
It

was

son,

last

indeed

whom

she

saw

at

one

the
grossed
en-

of the tables,

napoleon.
her

own

Aneurin, but with

face

on

It is

OF

BOOK

382

GHOSTS

and

ordained,"he proceeded; but there are Love

Mercy on high,and you shall not be veiled with it till

you

have

"

"

so

You
have sinned.
You
your peace.
of God.
yourself into the council-chamber

thrust

made

claimed

have

it to Him
"

I know

"

And

and not
yourself,
vengeance
in rightbelongs."
vengeance

whom

now," breathed

it
now

must

you

atone

brought Jacob Van

imprecations,and now, fold
have

You

for him

for

"

he fancied

for what
in

him,

your

that his acts

considered

and

mutilated

You

exercise

to

to

have

the widow.
for the

Heeren

hands

due

to

by

prayers.

by

your

to

God

Little have

you

and

pray

ignorance,resentment

and to
wrongs,
form
of
debased

were

curses

to his death

your
son's murderer.

were

left

having been reared

Christianity.Pray

and great transgressions,

pardon his many
his falsehood, his treachery,his self-righteousness.
been
You
who
have
so
greatly wronged are the
rightperson to forgiveand to pray for his soul. In no other
that your heart is turned from
can
you so fullyshow
way
wrath
to love.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
that trespass against us."
them
for

that

him,

She

God

breathed

may

"

Yes."

She was
alreadyon her
claspedher hands.
knees, and she prayed first the great Exemplar's prayer,
who
had
her
wrecked
for the man
and
then particularly
with all its hopes.
life,
she prayed the lines in her face softened,and
And
as
the fierce lightpassed
the lips lost their hardness, and
utterlyaway from her eyes, in which the lamp of Charity
and
and the tears formed
rolled
was
once
more
lighted,
Then

down

she

her

cheeks.

prayed on, bathed in the pearlylightfrom

the summer
sky at night. Without, in the firmament,
twinkled a star ; and a night-birdbegan to sing.
And
mother, pray for yourself"
now,
her bosom, and bowed
she crossed her hands
Then
over
And

"

stillshe

her

prayed,
her

and

and

as

pale
she

full

head,
the

fire,
sank

spirit

let
it

of

it

sail

of

forward

it

her

down

softly,
there

rested

with

raised

son

on

her

fell
her

face

head,
upon

and

White

the

lightly
from

383

shame

and

self-reproach

descended
and

FLAG

WHITE

THE

it
and

the

it

as

fell

above

Flag
the

over

were

about

floor.

she

as

loved

head,
dew

her,
R.I.P.

of

and

PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM

BRENDON

AND

SON

PKINTERS

14 DAY
RETURN

TO

DESK

FROM

LOAN
This

book

1V IJ

WHICH

BORROWED

DEPT.

is due on
the last date stamped
the
date to which
on
renewed.

Renewed

USE

books

1/

K.

are

subject to immediate

below,

or

recall.

MAY 2 7 1970 1 9

i-^

RSC'D

0CT27

AN2"

1QS9

15ECEIVED-B^
'M98739'
6

'67 -10AM

OCl

30 1984

RCULATION DEPT.
i'JG 2 6 1968 4 6

r.LCt;./ Vi

tin

/"lfig9B8-8AIVI
REC^D LD
APR

21

21A-50m-4,'59
(A1724sl0)476B

8
970"1flAIVl'^

1978

KOr Cl^

LD

MAY
MAR 2 9

78

General
Library
University of California
Berkeley

\~"

uui

"

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