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