第6章
"WouldBerthablameher?"Leonard"sLow，tenderanswercame:
"BerthawasfartoonobleTothinkordreamofblame。"
"Andwashesurehelovedher?"
"Yes，withtheonelovegivenOnceinalifetimeonly，Withonesoulandoneheaven!"
XII。
Thencameaplaintivemurmur，-
"DorahadoncebeentoldThatheandBertha——""Dearest，BerthaisfartoocoldTolove；andI，myDora，IfonceIfanciedso，Itwasabriefdelusion，Andover，——longago。"
XIII。
BetweenthePastandPresent，Onthatbleakmoment"sheight，Shestood。AssomelosttravellerByaquickflashoflightSeeingagulfbeforehim，Withdizzy，sickdespair，Reelstoclutchbackward，buttofindAdeeperchasmthere。
XIV。
Thetwilightgrewstilldarker，Thefragrantflowersmoresweet，Thestarsshoneoutinheaven，Thelampsgleam"ddownthestreet；
Andhourspass"dindreamingOvertheirnew-foundfate，EretheycouldthinkofwonderingWhyBerthawassolate。
XV。
Shecame，andcalmlylisten"d；
InvaintheystrovetotraceIfHerbert"smemoryshadow"dIngriefuponherface。
Noblame，nowondershow"dthere，Nofeelingcouldbetold；
Hervoicewasnotlesssteady，Hermannernotmorecold。
XVI。
TheycouldnotheartheanguishThatbrokeinwordsofpainThroughthatcalmsummermidnight，-
"MyHerbert——mineagain!"
Yes，theyhaveoncebeenparted，ButthisdayshallrestoreThelonglostone:sheclaimshim:
"MyHerbert——mineoncemore!"
XVII。
NowChristmasEvereturning，SawBerthastandbesideThealtar，greetingDora，Againasmilingbride；
AndnowthegloomyeveningSeesBerthapaleandworn，Leavingthehouseforever，Towanderoutforlorn。
XVIII。
Forlorn——nay，notso。AnguishShalldoitsworkatlength；
Hersoul，pass"dthroughthefire，Shallgainstillpurerstrength。
SomewheretherewaitsforBerthaAnearnestnoblepart；
And，meanwhile，Godiswithher，-
God，andherowntrueheart!
Icouldwarmlyandsincerelypraisethelittlepoem，whenJarberhaddonereadingit；butIcouldnotsaythatittendedinanydegreetowardsclearingupthemysteryoftheemptyHouse。
WhetheritwastheabsenceoftheirritatinginfluenceofTrottle，orwhetheritwassimplyfatigue，Icannotsay，butJarberdidnotstrikeme，thatevening，asbeinginhisusualspirits。Andthoughhedeclaredthathewasnotintheleastdauntedbyhiswantofsuccessthusfar，andthathewasresolutelydeterminedtomakemorediscoveries，hespokeinalanguidabsentmanner，andshortlyafterwardstookhisleaveatratheranearlyhour。
WhenTrottlecameback，andwhenIindignantlytaxedhimwithPhilandering，henotonlydeniedtheimputation，butassertedthathehadbeenemployedonmyservice，and，inconsiderationofthat，boldlyaskedforleaveofabsencefortwodays，andforamorningtohimselfafterwards，tocompletethebusiness，inwhichhesolemnlydeclaredthatIwasinterested。Inremembranceofhislongandfaithfulservicetome，Ididviolencetomyself，andgrantedhisrequest。Andhe，onhisside，engagedtoexplainhimselftomysatisfaction，inaweek"stime，onMondayeveningthetwentieth。
Adayortwobefore，IsenttoJarber"slodgingstoaskhimtodropintotea。Hislandladysentbackanapologyforhimthatmademyhairstandonend。Hisfeetwereinhotwater；hisheadwasinaflannelpetticoat；agreenshadewasoverhiseyes；therheumatismwasinhislegs；andamustard-poulticewasonhischest。Hewasalsoalittlefeverish，andratherdistractedinhismindaboutManchesterMarriages，aDwarf，andThreeEvenings，orEveningParties——hislandladywasnotsurewhich——inanemptyHouse，withtheWaterRateunpaid。
Underthesedistressingcircumstances，IwasnecessarilyleftalonewithTrottle。Hispromisedexplanationbegan，likeJarber"sdiscoveries，withthereadingofawrittenpaper。TheonlydifferencewasthatTrottleintroducedhismanuscriptunderthenameofaReport。
TROTTLE"SREPORT
Thecuriouseventsrelatedinthesepageswould，manyofthem，mostlikelyneverhavehappened，ifapersonnamedTrottlehadnotpresumed，contrarytohisusualcustom，tothinkforhimself。
Thesubjectonwhichthepersoninquestionhadventured，forthefirsttimeinhislife，toformanopinionpurelyandentirelyhisown，wasonewhichhadalreadyexcitedtheinterestofhisrespectedmistressinaveryextraordinarydegree。Or，toputitinplainertermsstill，thesubjectwasnootherthanthemysteryoftheemptyHouse。
Feelingnosortofobjectiontosetasuccessofhisown，ifpossible，sidebysidewithafailureofMr。Jarber"s，Trottlemadeuphismind，oneMondayevening，totrywhathecoulddo，onhisownaccount，towardsclearingupthemysteryoftheemptyHouse。
Carefullydismissingfromhismindallnonsensicalnotionsofformertenantsandtheirhistories，andkeepingtheonepointinviewsteadilybeforehim，hestartedtoreachitintheshortestway，bywalkingstraightuptotheHouse，andbringinghimselffacetofacewiththefirstpersoninitwhoopenedthedoortohim。
Itwasgettingtowardsdark，onMondayevening，thethirteenthofthemonth，whenTrottlefirstsetfootonthestepsoftheHouse。
Whenheknockedatthedoor，heknewnothingofthematterwhichhewasabouttoinvestigate，exceptthatthelandlordwasanelderlywidowerofgoodfortune，andthathisnamewasForley。Asmallbeginningenoughforamantostartfrom，certainly!
Ondroppingtheknocker，hisfirstproceedingwastolookdowncautiouslyoutofthecornerofhisrighteye，foranyresultswhichmightshowthemselvesatthekitchen-window。Thereappearedatitimmediatelythefigureofawoman，wholookedupinquisitivelyatthestrangeronthesteps，leftthewindowinahurry，andcamebacktoitwithanopenletterinherhand，whichshehelduptothefadinglight。Afterlookingovertheletterhastilyforamomentorso，thewomandisappearedoncemore。
Trottlenextheardfootstepsshufflingandscrapingalongthebarehallofthehouse。Onasuddentheyceased，andthesoundoftwovoices——ashrillpersuadingvoiceandagruffresistingvoice——
confusedlyreachedhisears。Afterawhile，thevoicesleftoffspeaking——achainwasundone，aboltdrawnback——thedooropened——
andTrottlestoodfacetofacewithtwopersons，awomaninadvance，andamanbehindher，leaningbackflatagainstthewall。
"Wishyougoodevening，sir，"saysthewoman，insuchasuddenway，andinsuchacrackedvoice，thatitwasquitestartlingtohearher。"Chillyweather，ain"tit，sir?Pleasetowalkin。YoucomefromgoodMr。Forley，don"tyou，sir?"
"Don"tyou，sir?"chimesinthemanhoarsely，makingasortofgruffechoofhimself，andchucklingafterit，asifhethoughthehadmadeajoke。
IfTrottlehadsaid，"No，"thedoorwouldhavebeenprobablyclosedinhisface。Therefore，hetookcircumstancesashefoundthem，andboldlyranalltherisk，whateveritmightbe，ofsaying，"Yes。"
"Quiterightsir，"saysthewoman。"GoodMr。Forley"slettertoldushisparticularfriendwouldbeheretorepresenthim，atdusk，onMondaythethirteenth——or，ifnotonMondaythethirteenth，thenonMondaythetwentieth，atthesametime，withoutfail。AndhereyouareonMondaythethirteenth，ain"tyou，sir?Mr。Forley"sparticularfriend，anddressedallinblack——quiteright，sir!
Pleasetostepintothedining-room——it"salwayskepscouredandcleanagainstMr。Forleycomeshere——andI"llfetchacandleinhalfaminute。Itgetssodarkintheevenings，now，youhardlyknowwhereyouare，doyou，sir?AndhowisgoodMr。Forleyinhishealth?Wetrustheisbetter，Benjamin，don"twe?Wearesosorrynottoseehimasusual，Benjamin，ain"twe?Inhalfaminute，sir，ifyoudon"tmindwaiting，I"llbebackwiththecandle。Comealong，Benjamin。"
"Comealong，Benjamin，"chimesintheecho，andchucklesagainasifhethoughthehadmadeanotherjoke。
Leftaloneintheemptyfront-parlour，Trottlewonderedwhatwascomingnext，asheheardtheshuffling，scrapingfootstepsgoslowlydownthekitchen-stairs。Thefront-doorhadbeencarefullychainedupandboltedbehindhimonhisentrance；andtherewasnottheleastchanceofhisbeingabletoopenittoeffecthisescape，withoutbetrayinghimselfbymakinganoise。
NotbeingoftheJarbersort，luckilyforhimself，hetookhissituationquietly，ashefoundit，andturnedhistime，whilealone，toaccount，bysummingupinhisownmindthefewparticularswhichhehaddiscoveredthusfar。Hehadfoundout，first，thatMr。
Forleywasinthehabitofvisitingthehouseregularly。Second，thatMr。Forleybeingpreventedbyillnessfromseeingthepeopleputinchargeasusual，hadappointedafriendtorepresenthim；andhadwrittentosayso。Third，thatthefriendhadachoiceoftwoMondays，ataparticulartimeintheevening，fordoinghiserrand；
andthatTrottlehadaccidentallyhitonthistime，andonthefirstoftheMondays，forbeginninghisowninvestigations。Fourth，thatthesimilaritybetweenTrottle"sblackdress，asservantoutoflivery，andthedressofthemessenger(whoeverhemightbe)，hadhelpedtheerrorbywhichTrottlewasprofiting。Sofar，sogood。
Butwhatwasthemessenger"serrand?andwhatchancewastherethathemightnotcomeupandknockatthedoorhimself，fromminutetominute，onthatveryevening?
WhileTrottlewasturningoverthislastconsiderationinhismind，heheardtheshufflingfootstepscomeupthestairsagain，withaflashofcandle-lightgoingbeforethem。Hewaitedforthewoman"scominginwithsomelittleanxiety；forthetwilighthadbeentoodimonhisgettingintothehousetoallowhimtoseeeitherherfaceortheman"sfaceatallclearly。
Thewomancameinfirst，withthemanshecalledBenjaminatherheels，andsetthecandleonthemantel-piece。Trottletakesleavetodescribeherasanoffensively-cheerfuloldwoman，awfullyleanandwiry，andsharpallover，ateyes，nose，andchin——devilishlybrisk，smiling，andrestless，withadirtyfalsefrontandadirtyblackcap，andshortfidgettyarms，andlonghookedfinger-nails——anunnaturallylustyoldwoman，whowalkedwithaspringinherwickedoldfeet，andspokewithasmirkonherwickedoldface——thesortofoldwoman(asTrottlethinks)whooughttohavelivedinthedarkages，andbeenduckedinahorse-pond，insteadofflourishinginthenineteenthcentury，andtakingchargeofaChristianhouse。
"You"llpleasetoexcusemyson，Benjamin，won"tyou，sir?"saysthiswitchwithoutabroomstick，pointingtothemanbehindher，proppedagainstthebarewallofthedining-room，exactlyashehadbeenproppedagainstthebarewallofthepassage。"He"sgothisinsidedreadfulbadagain，hasmysonBenjamin。Andhewon"tgotobed，andhewillfollowmeaboutthehouse，up-stairsanddownstairs，andinmylady"schamber，asthesongsays，youknow。
It"shisindisgestion，poordear，thatsourshistemperandmakeshimsoagravating——andindisgestionisawearingthingtothebestofus，ain"tit，sir?"
"Ain"tit，sir?"chimesinagravatingBenjamin，winkingatthecandle-lightlikeanowlatthesunshine。
Trottleexaminedthemancuriously，whilehishorridoldmotherwasspeakingofhim。Hefound"MysonBenjamin"tobelittleandlean，andbuttoned-upslovenlyinafrowsyoldgreat-coatthatfelldowntohisraggedcarpet-slippers。Hiseyeswereverywatery，hischeeksverypale，andhislipsveryred。Hisbreathingwassouncommonlyloud，thatitsoundedalmostlikeasnore。Hisheadrolledhelplesslyinthemonstrousbigcollarofhisgreat-coat；andhislimp，lazyhandspotteredaboutthewalloneithersideofhim，asiftheyweregropingforaimaginarybottle。InplainEnglish，thecomplaintof"MysonBenjamin"wasdrunkenness，ofthestupid，pig-headed，sottishkind。Drawingthisconclusioneasilyenough，afteramoment"sobservationoftheman，Trottlefoundhimself，nevertheless，keepinghiseyesfixedmuchlongerthanwasnecessaryontheuglydrunkenfacerollingaboutinthemonstrousbigcoatcollar，andlookingatitwithacuriositythathecouldhardlyaccountforatfirst。Wastheresomethingfamiliartohimintheman"sfeatures?Heturnedawayfromthemforaninstant，andthenturnedbacktohimagain。Afterthatsecondlook，thenotionforceditselfintohismind，thathehadcertainlyseenafacesomewhere，ofwhichthatsot"sfaceappearedlikeakindofslovenlycopy。
"Where?"thinkshetohimself，"wheredidIlastseethemanwhomthisagravatingBenjamin，here，soverystronglyremindsmeof?"
Itwasnotime，justthen——withthecheerfuloldwoman"seyesearchinghimallover，andthecheerfuloldwoman"stonguetalkingathim，nineteentothedozen——forTrottletoberansackinghismemoryforsmallmattersthathadgotintowrongcornersofit。HeputbyinhismindthatverycuriouscircumstancerespectingBenjamin"sface，tobetakenupagainwhenafitopportunityoffereditself；andkepthiswitsabouthiminprimeorderforpresentnecessities。
"Youwouldn"tliketogodownintothekitchen，wouldyou?"saysthewitchwithoutthebroomstick，asfamiliarasifshehadbeenTrottle"smother，insteadofBenjamin"s。"There"sabitoffireinthegrate，andthesinkinthebackkitchendon"tsmelltomattermuchto-day，andit"suncommonchillyupherewhenaperson"sfleshdon"thardlycoveraperson"sbones。Butyoudon"tlookcold，sir，doyou?Andthen，why，Lordblessmysoul，ourlittlebitofbusinessissovery，verylittle，it"shardlyworthwhiletogodownstairsaboutit，afterall。Quiteagameatbusiness，ain"tit，sir?Give-and-takethat"swhatIcallit——give-and-take!"
Withthat，herwickedoldeyessettledhungrilyontheregionroundaboutTrottle"swaistcoat-pocket，andshebegantochucklelikeherson，holdingoutoneofherskinnyhands，andtappingcheerfullyinthepalmwiththeknucklesoftheother。AgravatingBenjamin，seeingwhatshewasabout，rousedupalittle，chuckledandtappedinimitationofher，gotanideaofhisownintohismuddledheadallofasudden，andbolteditoutcharitablyforthebenefitofTrottle。
"Isay!"saysBenjamin，settlinghimselfagainstthewallandnoddinghisheadviciouslyathischeerfuloldmother。"Isay!
Lookout。She"llskinyou!"
Assistedbythesesignsandwarnings，Trottlefoundnodifficultyinunderstandingthatthebusinessreferredtowasthegivingandtakingofmoney，andthathewasexpectedtobethegiver。Itwasatthisstageoftheproceedingsthathefirstfeltdecidedlyuncomfortable，andmorethanhalfinclinedtowishhewasonthestreet-sideofthehouse-dooragain。
Hewasstillcudgellinghisbrainsforanexcusetosavehispocket，whenthesilencewassuddenlyinterruptedbyasoundintheupperpartofthehouse。
Itwasnotatallloud——itwasaquiet，still，scrapingsound——sofaintthatitcouldhardlyhavereachedthequickestears，exceptinanemptyhouse。
"Doyouhearthat，Benjamin?"saystheoldwoman。"He"satitagain，eveninthedark，ain"the?P"rapsyou"dliketoseehim，sir!"saysshe，turningonTrottle，andpokinghergrinningfaceclosetohim。"Onlynameit；onlysayifyou"dliketoseehimbeforewedoourlittlebitofbusiness——andI"llshowgoodForley"sfriendup-stairs，justasifhewasgoodMr。Forleyhimself。MY
legsareallright，whateverBenjamin"smaybe。Igetyoungerandyounger，andstrongerandstronger，andjollierandjollier，everyday——that"swhatIdo!Don"tmindthestairsonmyaccount，sir，ifyou"dliketoseehim。"
"Him?"Trottlewonderedwhether"him"meantaman，oraboy，oradomesticanimalofthemalespecies。Whateveritmeant，herewasachanceofputtingoffthatuncomfortablegive-and-take-business，and，betterstill，achanceperhapsoffindingoutoneofthesecretsofthemysteriousHouse。Trottle"sspiritsbegantoriseagainandhesaid"Yes，"directly，withtheconfidenceofamanwhoknewallaboutit。
Benjamin"smothertookthecandleatonce，andlightedTrottlebrisklytothestairs；andBenjaminhimselftriedtofollowasusual。Butgettingupseveralflightsofstairs，evenhelpedbythebannisters，wasmore，withhisparticularcomplaint，thanheseemedtofeelhimselfinclinedtoventureon。Hesatdownobstinatelyontheloweststep，withhisheadagainstthewall，andthetailsofhisbiggreat-coatspreadingoutmagnificentlyonthestairsbehindhimandabovehim，likeadirtyimitationofacourtlady"strain。
"Don"tsitthere，dear，"sayshisaffectionatemother，stoppingtosnuffthecandleonthefirstlanding。
"Ishallsithere，"saysBenjamin，agravatingtothelast，"tillthemilkcomesinthemorning。"
Thecheerfuloldwomanwentonnimblyupthestairstothefirstfloor，andTrottlefollowed，withhiseyesandearswideopen。Hehadseennothingoutofthecommoninthefront-parlour，orupthestaircase，sofar。TheHousewasdirtyanddrearyandclose-
smelling——buttherewasnothingaboutittoexcitetheleastcuriosity，exceptthefaintscrapingsound，whichwasnowbeginningtogetalittleclearer——thoughstillnotatallloud——asTrottlefollowedhisleaderupthestairstothesecondfloor。
Nothingonthesecond-floorlanding，butcobwebsaboveandbitsofbrokenplasterbelow，crackedofffromtheceiling。Benjamin"smotherwasnotabitoutofbreath，andlookedallreadytogotothetopofthemonumentifnecessary。Thefaintscrapingsoundhadgotalittleclearerstill；butTrottlewasnonearertoguessingwhatitmightbe，thanwhenhefirsthearditintheparlourdownstairs。
Onthethird，andlast，floor，thereweretwodoors；one，whichwasshut，leadingintothefrontgarret；andone，whichwasajar，leadingintothebackgarret。Therewasaloftintheceilingabovethelanding；butthecobwebsalloveritvouchedsufficientlyforitsnothavingbeenopenedforsomelittletime。Thescrapingnoise，plainerthaneverhere，soundedontheothersideofthebackgarretdoor；and，toTrottle"sgreatrelief，thatwaspreciselythedoorwhichthecheerfuloldwomannowpushedopen。
Trottlefollowedherin；and，foronceinhislife，atanyrate，wasstruckdumbwithamazement，atthesightwhichtheinsideoftheroomrevealedtohim。
Thegarretwasabsolutelyemptyofeverythingintheshapeoffurniture。Itmusthavebeenusedatonetimeorother，bysomebodyengagedinaprofessionoratradewhichrequiredforthepracticeofitagreatdealoflight；fortheonewindowintheroom，whichlookedoutonawideopenspaceatthebackofthehouse，wasthreeorfourtimesaslarge，everyway，asagarret-windowusuallyis。
Closeunderthiswindow，kneelingonthebareboardswithhisfacetothedoor，thereappeared，ofallthecreaturesintheworldtoseealoneatsuchaplaceandatsuchatime，ameremiteofachild——alittle，lonely，wizen，strangely-cladboy，whocouldnotatthemost，havebeenmorethanfiveyearsold。Hehadagreasyoldblueshawlcrossedoverhisbreast，androlledup，tokeeptheendsfromtheground，intoagreatbiglumponhisback。Astripofsomethingwhichlookedliketheremainsofawoman"sflannelpetticoat，showeditselfundertheshawl，and，belowthatagain，apairofrustyblackstockings，worldstoolargeforhim，coveredhislegsandhisshoelessfeet。Apairofoldclumsymuffetees，whichhadworkedthemselvesuponhislittlefrailredarmstotheelbows，andabigcottonnightcapthathaddroppeddowntohisveryeyebrows，finishedoffthestrangedresswhichthepoorlittlemanseemednothalfbigenoughtofillout，andnotnearstrongenoughtowalkaboutin。
Buttherewassomethingtoseeevenmoreextraordinarythantheclothesthechildwasswaddledupin，andthatwasthegamewhichhewasplayingat，allbyhimself；andwhich，moreover，explainedinthemostunexpectedmannerthefaintscrapingnoisethathadfounditswaydown-stairs，throughthehalf-openeddoor，inthesilenceoftheemptyhouse。
Ithasbeenmentionedthatthechildwasonhiskneesinthegarret，whenTrottlefirstsawhim。Hewasnotsayinghisprayers，andnotcrouchingdowninterroratbeingaloneinthedark。Hewas，oddandunaccountableasitmayappear，doingnothingmoreorlessthanplayingatacharwoman"sorhousemaid"sbusinessofscouringthefloor。Bothhislittlehandshadtightholdofamangyoldblacking-brush，withhardlyanybristlesleftinit，whichhewasrubbingbackwardsandforwardsontheboards，asgravelyandsteadilyasifhehadbeenatscouring-workforyears，andhadgotalargefamilytokeepbyit。Thecoming-inofTrottleandtheoldwomandidnotstartleordisturbhimintheleast。Hejustlookedupforaminuteatthecandle，withapairofverybright，sharpeyes，andthenwentonwithhisworkagain，asifnothinghadhappened。Ononesideofhimwasabatteredpintsaucepanwithoutahandle，whichwashismake-believepail；andontheotheramorselofslate-colouredcottonrag，whichstoodforhisflanneltowipeupwith。Afterscrubbingbravelyforaminuteortwo，hetookthebitofrag，andmoppedup，andthensqueezedmake-believewateroutintohismake-believepail，asgraveasanyjudgethateversatonaBench。Bythetimehethoughthehadgotthefloorprettydry，heraisedhimselfuprightonhisknees，andblewoutagoodlongbreath，andsethislittleredarmsakimbo，andnoddedatTrottle。
"There!"saysthechild，knittinghislittledownyeyebrowsintoafrown。"Dratthedirt!I"vecleanedup。Where"smybeer?"
Benjamin"smotherchuckledtillTrottlethoughtshewouldhavechokedherself。
"Lordha"mercyonus!"saysshe，"justheartheimp。Youwouldneverthinkhewasonlyfiveyearsold，wouldyou，sir?PleasetotellgoodMr。Forleyyousawhimgoingonasnicelyasever，playingatbeingmescouringtheparlourfloor，andcallingformybeerafterwards。That"shisregulargame，morning，noon，andnight——he"snevertiredofit。Onlylookhowsnugwe"vebeenanddressedhim。
That"smyshawlakeepinhispreciouslittlebodywarm，andBenjamin"snightcapakeepinhispreciouslittleheadwarm，andBenjamin"sstockings，drawedoverhistrowsers，akeepinhispreciouslittlelegswarm。He"ssnugandhappyifeveraimpwasyet。"Where"smybeer!"——sayitagain，littledear，sayitagain!"
IfTrottlehadseentheboy，withalightandafireintheroom，clothedlikeotherchildren，andplayingnaturallywithatop，oraboxofsoldiers，orabouncingbigIndia-rubberball，hemighthavebeenascheerfulunderthecircumstancesasBenjamin"smotherherself。Butseeingthechildreduced(ashecouldnothelpsuspecting)forwantofpropertoysandproperchild"scompany，totakeupwiththemockingofanoldwomanatherscouring-work，forsomethingtostandintheplaceofagame，Trottle，thoughnotafamilyman，neverthelessfeltthesightbeforehimtobe，initsway，oneofthesaddestandthemostpitiablethathehadeverwitnessed。
"Why，myman，"sayshe，"you"retheboldestlittlechapinallEngland。Youdon"tseemabitafraidofbeinguphereallbyyourselfinthedark。"
"Thebigwinder，"saysthechild，pointinguptoit，"seesinthedark；andIseewiththebigwinder。"Hestopsabit，andgetsuponhislegs，andlookshardatBenjamin"smother。"I"magood"un，"
sayshe，"ain"tI?Isavecandle。"
Trottlewonderedwhatelsetheforlornlittlecreaturehadbeenbroughtuptodowithout，besidescandle-light；andriskedputtingaquestionastowhetherheevergotarunintheopenairtocheerhimupabit。O，yes，hehadarunnowandthen，outofdoors(tosaynothingofhisrunsaboutthehouse)，thelivelylittlecricket——
arunaccordingtogoodMr。Forley"sinstructions，whichwerefollowedoutcarefully，asgoodMr。Forley"sfriendwouldbegladtohear，totheveryletter。
AsTrottlecouldonlyhavemadeonereplytothis，namely，thatgoodMr。Forley"sinstructionswere，inhisopinion，theinstructionsofaninfernalscamp；andashefeltthatsuchananswerwouldnaturallyprovethedeath-blowtoallfurtherdiscoveriesonhispart，hegulpeddownhisfeelingsbeforetheygottoomanyforhim，andheldhistongue，andlookedroundtowardsthewindowagaintoseewhattheforlornlittleboywasgoingtoamusehimselfwithnext。
Thechildhadgathereduphisblacking-brushandbitofrag，andhadputthemintotheoldtinsaucepan；andwasnowworkinghisway，aswellashisclotheswouldlethim，withhismake-believepailhuggedupinhisarms，towardsadoorofcommunicationwhichledfromthebacktothefrontgarret。
"Isay，"sayshe，lookingroundsharplyoverhisshoulder，"whatareyoutwostoppingherefor?I"mgoingtobednow——andsoItellyou!"
Withthat，heopenedthedoor，andwalkedintothefrontroom。
SeeingTrottletakeasteportwotofollowhim，Benjamin"smotheropenedherwickedoldeyesinastateofgreatastonishment。
"Mercyonus!"saysshe，"haven"tyouseenenoughofhimyet?"
"No，"saysTrottle。"Ishouldliketoseehimgotobed。"
Benjamin"smotherburstintosuchafitofchucklingthatthelooseextinguisherinthecandlestickclatteredagainwiththeshakingofherhand。TothinkofgoodMr。Forley"sfriendtakingtentimesmoretroubleabouttheimpthangoodMr。Forleyhimself!Suchajokeasthat，Benjamin"smotherhadnotoftenmetwithinthecourseofherlife，andshebeggedtobeexcusedifshetookthelibertyofhavingalaughatit。
Leavinghertolaughasmuchasshepleased，andcomingtoaprettypositiveconclusion，afterwhathehadjustheard，thatMr。Forley"sinterestinthechildwasnotofthefondestpossiblekind，Trottlewalkedintothefrontroom，andBenjamin"smother，enjoyingherselfimmensely，followedwiththecandle。
Thereweretwopiecesoffurnitureinthefrontgarret。One，anoldstoolofthesortthatisusedtostandacaskofbeeron；andtheotheragreatbigrickettystraddlingoldtrucklebedstead。Inthemiddleofthisbedstead，surroundedbyadimbrownwasteofsacking，wasakindoflittleislandofpoorbedding——anoldbolster，withnearlyallthefeathersoutofit，doubledinthreeforapillow；amereshredofpatchworkcounter-pane，andablanket；andunderthat，andpeepingoutalittleoneithersidebeyondthelooseclothes，twofadedchaircushionsofhorsehair，laidalongtogetherforasortofmakeshiftmattress。WhenTrottlegotintotheroom，thelonelylittleboyhadscrambleduponthebedsteadwiththehelpofthebeer-stool，andwaskneelingontheouterrimofsackingwiththeshredofcounterpaneinhishands，justmakingreadytotuckitinforhimselfunderthechaircushions。
"I"lltuckyouup，myman，"saysTrottle。"Jumpintobed，andletmetry。"
"Imeantotuckmyselfup，"saysthepoorforlornchild，"andI
don"tmeantojump。Imeantocrawl，Ido——andsoItellyou!"
Withthat，hesettowork，tuckingintheclothestightalldownthesidesofthecushions，butleavingthemopenatthefoot。Then，gettinguponhisknees，andlookinghardatTrottleasmuchastosay，"Whatdoyoumeanbyofferingtohelpsuchahandylittlechapasme?"hebegantountiethebigshawlforhimself，anddidit，too，inlessthanhalfaminute。Then，doublingtheshawluplooseoverthefootofthebed，hesays，"Isay，lookhere，"andducksundertheclothes，headfirst，worminghiswayupandupsoftly，undertheblanketandcounterpane，tillTrottlesawthetopofthelargenightcapslowlypeepoutonthebolster。Thisover-sizedhead-gearofthechild"shadsoshoveditselfdowninthecourseofhisjourneytothepillow，undertheclothes，thatwhenhegothisfacefairlyoutonthebolster，hewasallnightcapdowntohismouth。Hesoonfreedhimself，however，fromthisslightencumbrancebyturningtheendsofthecapupgravelytotheiroldplaceoverhiseyebrows——lookedatTrottle——said，"Snug，ain"tit?Good-bye!"——
poppedhisfaceundertheclothesagain——andleftnothingtobeseenofhimbuttheemptypeakofthebignightcapstandingupsturdilyonendinthemiddleofthebolster。
"Whatayounglimbitis，ain"tit?"saysBenjamin"smother，givingTrottleacheerfuldigwithherelbow。"Comeon!youwon"tseenomoreofhimto-night!"
"AndsoItellyou!"singsoutashrill，littlevoiceunderthebedclothes，chiminginwithaplayfulfinishtotheoldwoman"slastwords。
IfTrottlehadnotbeen，bythistime，positivelyresolvedtofollowthewickedsecretwhichaccidenthadmixedhimupwith，throughallitsturningsandwindings，rightontotheend，hewouldhaveprobablysnatchedtheboyupthenandthere，andcarriedhimofffromhisgarretprison，bed-clothesandall。Asitwas，heputastrongcheckonhimself，kepthiseyeonfuturepossibilities，andallowedBenjamin"smothertoleadhimdown-stairsagain。
"Mindthemtopbannisters，"saysshe，asTrottlelaidhishandonthem。"Theyareasrottenasmedlarseveryoneof"em。"
"Whenpeoplecometoseethepremises，"saysTrottle，tryingtofeelhiswayalittlefartherintothemysteryoftheHouse，"youdon"tbringmanyofthemuphere，doyou?"