第10章
"He"stheonlylivingsoulIcangetatwhowasconnectedwithHolmescroft，"Isaid。
"Ah!Livingsoulisgood，"saidM"Leod。"Atanyrateourlittlegirlwillbepleasedthatyouarestillinterestedinus。Won"tyoucomedownsomedaythisweek？"
"Howisittherenow？"Iasked。
Hescreweduphisface。"Simplyfrightful!"hesaid。"TheaisatDroitwich。"
"Ishouldlikeitimmensely，butImustcultivateBaxterforthepresent。You"llbesureandkeephimbusyyourend，won"tyou？"
Helookedatmewithquietcontempt。"Donotbeafraid。IshallbeagoodJew。Ishallbemyownsolicitor。"
Beforeafortnightwasover，BaxteradmittedruefullythatM"Leodwasbetterthanmostfirmsinthebusiness:Webuyerswerecoy，argumentative，shockedatthepriceofHolmescroft，inquisitive，andcoldbyturns，butMr。M"Leodthesellereasilymetandsurpassedus；andMr。Baxterenteredeveryletter，telegram，andconsultationattheproperratesinacinematograph-filmofabill。AttheendofamonthhesaiditlookedasthoughM"Leod，thankstohim，werereallygoingtolistentoreason。Iwasmanypoundsoutofpocket，butIhadlearnedsomethingofMr。Baxteronthehumanside。Ideservedit。NeverinmylifehaveIworkedtoconciliate，amuse，andflatterahumanbeingasIworkedovermysolicitor。
Itappearedthathegolfed。Therefore，Iwasanenthusiasticbeginner，anxioustolearn。TwiceIinvadedhisofficewithabag(M"Leodlentit)fullofthespelicansneededinthisdetestablegame，andavocabularytomatch。Thethirdtimetheicebroke，andMr。Baxtertookmetohislinks，quitetenmilesoff，whereinamazeoftramwaylines，railroads，andnursery-maids，weskelpedourdivottedwayroundnineholeslikebargesplungingthroughheadseas。Heplayedvilelyandhadneverexpectedtomeetanyoneworse；butasherealisedmyform，Ithinkhebegantolikeme，forhetookmeinhandbythetwohourstogether。
Afterafortnighthecouldgivemenomorethanastrokeahole，andwhen，withthisallowance，Ioncemanagedtobeathimbyone，hewashonestlyglad，andassuredmethatIshouldbeagolferifIstucktoit。Iwasstickingtoitformyownends，butnowandagainmyconscienceprickedme；forthemanwasaniceman。
Betweengameshesuppliedmewithoddpiecesofevidence，suchasthathehadknowntheMoultriesallhislife，beingtheircousin，andthatMissMary，theeldest，wasanunforgivingwomanwhowouldneverletbygonesbe。Inaturallywonderedwhatshemighthaveagainsthim；andsomehowconnectedhimunfavourablywithmadAgnes。
"Peopleoughttoforgiveandforget，"hevolunteeredonedaybetweenrounds。"Speciallywhere，inthenatureofthings，theycan"tbesureoftheirdeductions。Don"tyouthinkso？"
"Italldependsonthenatureoftheevidenceonwhichoneformsone"sjudgment，"Ianswered。
"Nonsense!"hecried。"I"mlawyerenoughtoknowthatthere"snothingintheworldsomisleadingascircumstantialevidence。
Neverwas。"
"Why？Haveyoueverseenmenhangedonit？"
"Hanged？Peoplehavebeensupposedtobeeternallylostonit，"
hisfaceturnedgreyagain。"Idon"tknowhowitiswithyou，butmyconsolationisthatGodmustknow。Hemust!Thingsthatseemonthefaceof"emlikemurder，orsaysuicide，mayappeardifferenttoGod。Heh？"
"That"swhatthemurdererandthesuicidecanalwayshope——I
suppose。"
"Ihaveexpressedmyselfclumsilyasusual。ThefactsasGodknows"em——maybedifferent——evenafterthemostclinchingevidence。I"vealwayssaidthat——bothasalawyerandaman，butsomepeoplewon"t——Idon"twanttojudge"em——we"llsaytheycan"t——believeit；whereasIsaythere"salwaysaworkingchance——acertainty——thattheworsthasn"thappened。"Hestoppedandclearedhisthroat。"Now，let"scomeon!ThistimenextweekIshallbetakingmyholiday。"
"Whatlinks？"Iaskedcarelessly，whiletwinsinaperambulatorgotoutofourlineoffire。
"Apottylittlenine-holeaffairatahydrointheMidlands。Mycousinsstaythere。Alwayswill。Notbutwhatthefourthandtheseventhholestakesomedoing。Youcouldmanageit，though，"hesaidencouragingly。"You"redoingmuchbetter。It"sonlyyourapproachshotsthatareweak。"
"You"reright。Ican"tapproachfornuts!Ishallgotopieceswhileyou"reaway——withnoonetocoachme，"Isaidmournfully。
"Ihaven"ttaughtyouanything，"hesaid，delightedwiththecompliment。
"IoweallI"velearnedtoyou，anyhow。Whenwillyoucomeback？"
"Lookhere，"hebegan。"Idon"tknow，yourengagements，butI"venoonetoplaywithatBurryMills。Neverhave。Whycouldn"tyoutakeafewdaysoffandjoinmethere？Iwarnyouitwillberatherdull。It"sathroatandgoutplace-baths，massage，electricity，andsoforth。Butthefourthandtheseventhholesreallytakesomedoing。"
"I"mforthegame，"Iansweredvaliantly；HeavenwellknowingthatIhatedeverystrokeandwordofit。
"That"stheproperspirit。AstheirlawyerImustaskyounottosayanythingtomycousinsaboutHolmescroft。Itupsets"em。
Alwaysdid。Butspeakingasmantoman，itwouldbeverypleasantformeifyoucouldseeyourwayto——"
Isawitassoonasdecencypermitted，andthankedhimsincerely。
Accordingtomynowwell-developedtheoryhehadcertainlymisappropriatedhisagedcousins"moniesunderpowerofattorney，andhadprobablydrivenpoorAgnesMoultrieoutofherwits，butIwishedthathewasnotsogentle，andgood-tempered，andinnocenteyed。
BeforeIjoinedhimatBurryMillsHydro，IspentanightatHolmescroft。MissM"LeodhadreturnedfromherHydro，andfirstwemadeverymerryontheopenlawninthesunshineoverthemannersandcustomsoftheEnglishresortingtosuchplaces。Sheknewdozensofhydros，andwarnedmehowtobehaveinthem，whileMr。andMrs。M"Leodstoodasideandadoredher。
"Ah!That"sthewayshealwayscomesbacktous，"hesaid。"Pityitwearsoffsosoon，ain"tit？Yououghttohearhersing"Withmirththouprettybird。""
Wehadthehousetofacethroughtheevening，andthereweneitherlaughednorsung。Thegloomfellonusasweentered，anddidnotshifttillteno"clock，whenwecrawledout，asitwere，frombeneathit。
"Ithasbeenbadthissummer，"saidMrs。M"Leodinawhisperafterwerealisedthatwewerefreed。"SometimesIthinkthehousewillgetupandcryout——itissobad。"
"How？"
"Haveyouforgottenwhatcomesafterthedepression？"
Sothenwewaitedaboutthesmallfire，andthedeadairintheroompresentlyfilledandpresseddownuponuswiththesensation(butwordsareuselesshere)asthoughsomedumbandboundpowerwerestrivingagainstgagandbondtodeliveritssoulofanarticulateword。Itpassedinafewminutes，andIfelltothinkingaboutMr。Baxter"sconscienceandAgnesMoultrie，gonemadinthewell-litbedroomthatwaitedme。ThesereflectionssecuredmeanightduringwhichIrediscoveredhow，frompurelymentalcauses，amancanbephysicallysick；butthesicknesswasblisscomparedtomydreamswhenthebirdswaked。Onmydeparture，M"Leodgavemeabeautifulnarwhal"shorn，muchasanursegivesachildsweetsforbeingbraveatadentist"s。
"There"snoduplicateofitintheworld，"hesaid，"elseitwouldhavecometooldMaxM"Leod；"andhetuckeditintothemotor。MissM"Leodonthefarsideofthecarwhispered，"Haveyoufoundoutanything，Mr。Perseus？"
Ishookmyhead。
"ThenIshallbechainedtomyrockallmylife，"shewenton。
"Onlydon"ttellpapa。"
IsupposedshewasthinkingoftheyounggentlemanwhospecialisedinSouthAmericanrails，forInoticedaringonthethirdfingerofherlefthand。
IwentstraightfromthathousetoBurryMillsHydro，keenforthefirsttimeinmylifeonplayinggolf，whichisguaranteedtooccupythemind。Baxterhadtakenmearoomcommunicatingwithhisown，andafterlunchintroducedmetoatall，horse-headedelderlyladyofdecidedmanners，whomawhite-hairedmaidpushedalonginabath-chairthroughthepark-likegroundsoftheHydro。
ShewasMissMaryMoultrie，andshecoughedandclearedherthroatjustlikeBaxter。Shesuffered——shetoldmeitwasaMoultriecastemark——fromsomeobscureformofchronicbronchitis，complicatedwithspasmoftheglottis；and，inadead，flatvoice，withasunkeneyethatlookedandsawnot，toldmewhatwashes，gargles，pastilles，andinhalationsshehadprovedmostbeneficial。FromherIwaspassedontoheryoungersister，MissElizabeth，asmallandwitheredthingwithtwitchinglips，victim，shetoldme，toverymuchthesamesortofthroat，butsecretlydevotedtoanothersetofmedicines。WhenshewentawaywithBaxterandthebath-chair，IfellacrossamajoroftheIndianarmywithgoutinhisglassyeyes，andastomachwhichhehadtakenallroundtheContinent。Helaideverythingbeforeme；
andhimIescapedonlytobeconfidedinbyamatronwithatendencytofolliculartonsilitisandeczema。Baxterwaitedhandandfootonhiscousinstillfiveo"clock，trying，asIsaw，toatoneforhistreatmentofthedeadsister。MissMaryorderedhimaboutlikeadog。
"Iwarnedyouitwouldbedull，"hesaidwhenwemetinthesmoking-room。
"It"stremendouslyinteresting，"Isaid。"Buthowaboutalookroundthelinks？"
"Unluckilydampalwaysaffectsmyeldestcousin。I"vegottobuyheranewbronchitis-kettle。Arthursbrokeheroldoneyesterday。"
Weslippedouttothechemist"sshopinthetown，andheboughtalargeglitteringtinthingwhoseworkingsheexplained。
"I"musedtothissortofwork。Icomeuphereprettyoften，"hesaid。"I"vethefamilythroattoo。"
"You"reagoodman，"Isaid。"Averygoodman。"
Heturnedtowardsmeintheeveninglightamongthebeeches，andhisfacewaschangedtowhatitmighthavebeenagenerationbefore。
"Yousee，"hesaidhuskily，"therewastheyoungest——Agnes。
Beforeshefellill，youknow。Butshedidn"tlikeleavinghersisters。Neverwould。"Hehurriedonwithhisodd-shapedloadandleftmeamongtheruinsofmyblacktheories。ThemanwiththatfacehaddoneAgnesMoultrienowrong。
Weneverplayedourgame。IwaswakedbetweentwoandthreeinthemorningfrommyhygienicbedbyBaxterinanulsteroverorangeandwhitepyjamas，whichIshouldneverhavesuspectedfromhischaracter。
"Mycousinhashadsomesortofaseizure，"hesaid。"Willyoucome？Idon"twanttowakethedoctor。Don"twanttomakeascandal。Quick!"
SoIcamequickly，andledbythewhite-hairedArthursinajacketandpetticoat，enteredadouble-beddedroomreekingwithsteamandFriar"sBalsam。Theelectricswereallon。MissMary——I
knewherbyherheight——wasattheopenwindow，wrestlingwithMissElizabeth，whogrippedherroundtheknees。
MissMary"shandwasatherownthroat，whichwasstreakedwithblood。
"She"sdoneit。She"sdoneittoo!"MissElizabethpanted。"Holdher!Helpme!"
"Oh，Isay!Womendon"tcuttheirthroats，"Baxterwhispered。
"MyGod!Hasshecutherthroat？"themaidcriedout，andwithnowarningrolledoverinafaint。Baxterpushedherunderthewash-basins，andleapedtoholdthegauntwomanwhocrowedandwhistledasshestruggledtowardthewindow。Hetookherbytheshoulder，andshestruckoutwildly:
"Allright!She"sonlycutherhand，"hesaid。"Wettowelquick!"
WhileIgotthathepushedherbackward。Herstrengthseemedalmostasgreatashis。IswabbedatherthroatwhenIcould，andfoundnomark；thenhelpedhimtocontrolheralittle。MissElizabethleapedbacktobed，wailinglikeachild。
"Tieupherhandsomehow，"saidBaxter。"Don"tletitdripabouttheplace。She"——hesteppedonbrokenglassinhisslippers，"shemusthavesmashedapane。"
MissMarylurchedtowardstheopenwindowagain，droppedonherknees，herheadonthesill，andlayquiet，surrenderingthecuthandtome。
"Whatdidshedo？"BaxterturnedtowardsMissElizabethinthefarbed。
"Shewasgoingtothrowherselfoutofthewindow，"wastheanswer。"Istoppedher，andsentArthursforyou。Oh，wecanneverholdupourheadsagain!"
MissMarywrithedandfoughtforbreath。Baxterfoundashawlwhichhethrewoverhershoulders。
"Nonsense!"saidhe。"Thatisn"tlikeMary；"buthisfaceworkedwhenhesaidit。
"Youwouldn"tbelieveaboutAggie，John。Perhapsyouwillnow!"
saidMissElizabeth。"Isawherdoit，andshe"scutherthroattoo!"
"Shehasn"t，"Isaid。"It"sonlyherhand。"
MissMarysuddenlybrokefromuswithanindescribablegrunt，flew，ratherthanran，tohersister"sbed，andthereshookherasonefuriousschoolgirlwouldshakeanother。
"Nosuchthing，"shecroaked。"Howdareyouthinkso，youwickedlittlefool？"
"Getintobed，Mary，"saidBaxter。"You"llcatchachill。"
Sheobeyed，butsatupwiththegreyshawlroundherleanshoulders，glaringathersister。"I"mbetternow，"shepanted。"
Arthursletmesitouttoolong。Where"sArthurs？Thekettle。"
"NevermindArthurs，"saidBaxter。"Yougetthekettle。"I
hastenedtobringitfromthesidetable。"Now，Mary，asGodseesyou，tellmewhatyou"vedone。"
Hislipsweredry，andhecouldnotmoisten。themwithhistongue。
MissMaryappliedherselftothemouthofthekettle，andbetweenindrawsofsteamsaid:"Thespasmcameonjustnow，whileIwasasleep。Iwasnearlychokingtodeath。SoIwenttothewindowI"vedoneitoftenbefore，without，wakinganyone。Bessie"ssuchanoldmaidaboutdraughts。ItellyouIwaschokingtodeath。I
couldn"tmanagethecatch，andInearlyfellout。Thatwindowopenstoolow。Icutmyhandtryingtosavemyself。Whohastieditupinthisfilthyhandkerchief？Iwishyouhadhadmythroat，Bessie。Ineverwasnearerdying!"Shescowledonusallimpartially，whilehersistersobbed。
Fromthebottomofthebedweheardaquiveringvoice:"Isshedead？Havetheytookheraway？Oh，Inevercouldbearthesighto"blood!"
"Arthurs，"saidMissMary，"youareanhireling。Goaway!"
ItismybeliefthatArthurscrawledoutonallfours，butIwasbusypickingupbrokenglassfromthecarpet。
ThenBaxter，seatedbythesideofthebed，begantocross-examineinavoiceIscarcelyrecognised。NoonecouldforaninstanthavedoubtedthegenuinerageofMissMaryagainsthersister，hercousin，orhermaid；andthatadoctorshouldhavebeencalledinforshedidmethehonourofcallingmedoctor——wasthelastdrop。Shewaschokingwithherthroat；hadrushedtothewindowforair；hadnearpitchedout，andincatchingatthewindowbarshadcutherhand。OverandovershemadethiscleartotheintentBaxter。Thensheturnedonhersisterandtongue-lashedhersavagely。
"Youmustn"tblameme，"MissBessiefalteredatlast。"Youknowwhatwethinkofnightandday。"。
"I"mcomingtothat，"saidBaxter。"Listentome。Whatyoudid，Mary，misledfourpeopleintothinkingyou——youmeanttodoawaywithyourself。"
"Isn"tonesuicideinthefamilyenough？OhGod，helpandpityus!Youcouldn"thavebelievedthat!"shecried。
"Theevidencewascomplete。Now，don"tyouthink，"Baxter"sfingerwaggedunderhernose——"can"tyouthinkthatpoorAggiedidthesamethingatHolmescroftwhenshefelloutofthewindow？"
"Shehadthesamethroat，"saidMissElizabeth。"Exactlythesamesymptoms。Don"tyouremember，Mary？"
"Whichwasherbedroom？"IaskedofBaxterinanundertone。
"Overthesouthverandah，lookingontothetennislawn。"
"InearlyfelloutofthatverywindowwhenIwasatHolmescroft——openingittogetsomeair。Thesilldoesn"tcomemuchaboveyourknees，"Isaid。
"Youhearthat，Mary？Mary，doyouhearWhatthisgentlemansays？
Won"tyoubelievethatwhatnearlyhappenedtoyoumusthavehappenedtopoorAggiethatnight？ForGod"ssake——forhersake——Mary，won"tyoubelieve？"
Therewasalongsilencewhilethesteamkettlepuffed。
"IfIcouldhaveproof——ifIcouldhaveproof，"saidshe，andbrokeintomosthorribletears。
Baxtermotionedtome，andIcreptawaytomyroom，andlayawaketillmorning，thinkingmorespeciallyofthedumbThingatHolmescroftwhichwishedtoexplainitself。IhatedMissMaryasperfectlyasthoughIhadknownherfortwentyyears，butIfeltthat，aliveordead，Ishouldnotlikehertocondemnme。
Yetatmid-day，whenIsawMissMaryinherbathchair，ArthursbehindandBaxterandMissElizabethoneitherside，inthepark-likegroundsoftheHydro，Ifounditdifficulttoarrangemywords。
"Nowthatyouknowallaboutit，"saidBaxteraside，afterthefirststrangenessofourmeetingwasover，"it"sonlyfairtotellyouthatmypoorcousindidnotdieinHolmescroftatall。
Shewasdeadwhentheyfoundherunderthewindowinthemorning。
Justdead。"
"Underthatlaburnumoutsidethewindow？"Iasked，forIsuddenlyrememberedthecrookedevilthing。
"Exactly。Shebrokethetreeinfalling。Butnodeathhasevertakenplaceinthehouse，sofaraswewereconcerned。Youcanmakeyourselfquiteeasyonthatpoint。Mr。M"Leod"sextrathousandforwhatyoucalledthe"cleanbillofhealth"wassomethingtowardmycousins"estatewhenwesold。Itwasmydutyastheirlawyertogetitforthem——atanycosttomyownfeelings。"
IknowbetterthantoarguewhentheEnglishtalkabouttheirduty。SoIagreedwithmysolicitor。
"Theirsister"sdeathmusthavebeenagreatblowtoyourcousins，"Iwenton。Thebath-chairwasbehindme。
"Unspeakable，"Baxterwhispered。"Theybroodedonitdayandnight。Nowonder。IftheirtheoryofpoorAggiemakingawaywithherselfwascorrect，shewaseternallylost!"
"Doyoubelievethatshemadeawaywithherself？"
"No，thankGod!Neverhave!AndafterwhathappenedtoMarylastnight，IseeperfectlywhathappenedtopoorAggie。Shehadthefamilythroattoo。Bytheway，Marythinksyouareadoctor。
Otherwiseshewouldn"tlikeyourhavingbeeninherroom。"
"Verygood。Issheconvincednowabouthersister"sdeath？"
"She"dgiveanythingtobeabletobelieveit，butshe"sahardwoman，andbroodingalongcertainlinesmakesonegroovy。Ihavesometimesbeenafraidofherreason——onthereligiousside，don"tyouknow。Elizabethdoesn"tmatter。Brainofahen。Alwayshad。"
HereArthurssummonedmetothebath-chair，andtheravagedface，beneathitsknittedShetlandwoolhood，ofMissMaryMoultrie。
"Ineednotremindyou，Ihope，ofthesealofsecrecy——absolutesecrecy——inyourprofession，"shebegan。"Thankstomycousin"sandmysister"sstupidity，youhavefoundout"sheblewhernose。
"Pleasedon"texciteher，sir，"saidArthursattheback。
"But，mydearMissMoultrie，IonlyknowwhatI"veseen，ofcourse，butitseemstomethatwhatyouthoughtwasatragedyinyoursister"scase，turnsout，onyourownevidence，sotospeak，tohavebeenanaccident——adreadfullysadone——butabsolutelyanaccident。"
"Doyoubelievethattoo？"shecried。"Orareyouonlysayingittocomfortme？"
"Ibelieveitfromthebottomofmyheart。ComedowntoHolmescroftforanhour——forhalfanhourandsatisfyyourself。"
"Ofwhat？Youdon"tunderstand。Iseethehouseeveryday-everynight。Iamalwaysthereinspirit——wakingorsleeping。I
couldn"tfaceitinreality。"
"Butyoumust，"Isaid。"Ifyougothereinthespiritthegreaterneedforyoutogothereintheflesh。Gotoyoursister"sroomoncemore，andseethewindow——Inearlyfelloutofitmyself。It"s——it"sawfullylowanddangerous。Thatwouldconvinceyou，"Ipleaded。
"YetAggiehadsleptinthatroomforyears，"sheinterrupted。
"You"vesleptinyourroomhereforalongtime，haven"tyou？Butyounearlyfelloutofthewindowwhenyouwerechoking。"
"Thatistrue。Thatisonethingtrue，"shenodded。"AndImighthavebeenkilledas——perhapsAggiewaskilled。"
"Inthatcaseyourownsisterandcousinandmaidwouldhavesaidyouhadcommittedsuicide，MissMoultrie。ComedowntoHolmescroft，andgoovertheplacejustonce。"
"Youarelying，"shesaidquitequietly。"Youdon"twantmetocomedowntoseeawindow。Itissomethingelse。IwarnyouweareEvangelicals。Wedon"tbelieveinprayersforthedead。"Asthetreefalls——""
"Yes。Idaresay。Butyoupersistinthinkingthatyoursistercommittedsuicide"
"No!No!IhavealwaysprayedthatImighthavemisjudgedher。"
Arthursatthebath-chairspokeup:"Oh，MissMary!youwould"aveitfromthefirstthatpoorMissAggie"admadeawaywithherself；an"，ofcourse，MissBessietookthenotionfromyou:
OnlyMaster——MisterJohnstoodout，-and——andI"d"avetakenmyBibleoathyouwasmakingawaywithyourselflastnight。"
MissMaryleanedtowardsme，onefingeronmysleeve。
"IfgoingtoHolmescroftkillsme，"shesaid，"youwillhavethemurderofafellow-creatureonyourconscienceforalleternity。"
"I"llriskit，"Ianswered。RememberingwhattormentthemerereflectionofhertormentshadcastonHolmescroft，andremembering，aboveall，thedumbThingthatfilledthehousewithitsdesiretospeak，Ifeltthattheremightbeworsethings。
Baxterwasamazedattheproposedvisit，butatanodfromthatterriblewomanwentofftomakearrangements。ThenIsentatelegramtoM"LeodbiddinghimandhisvacateHolmescroftforthatafternoon。MissMaryshouldbealonewithherdead，asIhadbeenalone。
Iexpecteduntoldtroubleintransportingher，buttodoherjustice，thepromisegivenforthejourney，sheunderwentitwithoutmurmur，spasm，orunnecessaryword。MissBessie，pressedinacornerbythewindow，weptbehindherveil，andfromtimetotimetriedtotakeholdofhersister"shand。Baxterwrappedhimselfinhisnewlyfoundhappinessasselfishlyasabridegroom，forhesatstillandsmiled。
"SolongasIknowthatAggiedidn"tmakeawaywithherself，"heexplained，"ItellyoufranklyIdon"tcarewhathappened。She"sashardasarock——Mary。Alwayswas。Shewon"tdie。"
Weledheroutontotheplatformlikeablindwoman，andsogotherintothefly。Thehalf-hourcrawltoHolmescroftwasthemostrackingexperienceoftheday。M"Leodhadobeyedmyinstructions。
Therewasnoonevisibleinthehouseorthegardens；andthefrontdoorstoodopen。
MissMaryrosefrombesidehersister，steppedforthfirst，andenteredthehall。
"Come，Bessie，"shecried。
"Idaren"t。Oh，Idaren"t。"
"Come!"Hervoicehadaltered。IfeltBaxterstart。"There"snothingtobeafraidof。"
"Goodheavens!"saidBaxter。"She"srunningupthestairs。We"dbetterfollow。"
"Let"swaitbelow。She"sgoingtotheroom。"
WeheardthedoorofthebedroomIknewopenandshut，andwewaitedinthelemon-colouredhall，heavywiththescentofflowers。
"I"veneverbeenintoitsinceitwassold，"Baxtersighed。"Whatalovely，restfulplateitis!PoorAggieusedtoarrangetheflowers。"
"Restful？"Ibegan，butstoppedofasudden，forIfeltallovermybruisedsoulthatBaxterwasspeakingtruth。Itwasalight，spacious，airyhouse，fullofthesenseofwell-beingandpeace——aboveallthings，ofpeace。Iventuredintothedining-roomwherethethoughtfulM"Leod"shadleftasmallfire。
Therewasnoterrorthere，presentorlurking；andinthedrawing-room，whichforgoodreasonswehadnevercaredtoenter，thesunandthepeaceandthescentoftheflowersworkedtogetherasisfitinaninhabitedhouse。WhenIreturnedtothehall，Baxterwassweetlyasleeponacouch，lookingmostunlikeamiddle-agedsolicitorwhohadspentabrokennightwithanexactingcousin。
Therewasampletimeformetoreviewitall——tofelicitatemyselfuponmymagnificentacumen(barringsomeerrorsaboutBaxterasathiefandpossiblyamurderer)，beforethedooraboveopened，andBaxter，evidentlyalightsleeper，sprangawake。
"I"vehadaheavenlylittlenap，"hesaid，rubbinghiseyeswiththebacksofhishandslikeachild。"GoodLord!That"snottheirstep!"
Butitwas。IhadneverbeforebeenprivilegedtoseetheShadowturnedbackwardonthedial——theyearsrippedbodilyoffpoorhumanshoulders——oldsunkeneyesfilledandalight——harshlipsmoistenedandhuman。
"John，"MissMarycalled，"Iknownow。Aggiedidn"tdoit!"and"Shedidn"tdoit!"echoedMiss"Ididnotthinkitwrongtosayaprayer，"MissMarycontinued。
"Notforhersoul，butforourpeace。ThenIwasconvinced。"
"Thenwegotconviction，"theyoungersisterpiped。
"We"vemisjudgedpoorAggie，John。ButIfeelsheknowsnow。
Whereversheis，sheknowsthatweknowsheisguiltless。"
"Yes，sheknows。Ifeltittoo，"saidMissElizabeth。，"Ineverdoubted，"saidJohn"Baxter，whosefacewasbeautifulatthathour。"Notfromthefirst。Neverhave!"
"Youneverofferedmeproof，John。Now，thankGod，itwillnotbethesameanymore。IcanthinkhenceforwardofAggiewithoutsorrow。"Shetripped，absolutelytripped，acrossthehall。"WhatideastheseJewshaveofarrangingfurniture!"ShespiedmebehindabigCloisonneevase。"I"veseenthewindow，"shesaidremotely。"Youtookagreatriskinadvisingmetoundertakesuchajourney。However，asitturnsout……Iforgiveyou，andIprayyoumayneverknowwhatmentalanguishmeans!Bessie!Lookatthispeculiarpiano!Doyousuppose，Doctor，thesepeoplewouldofferonetea？Imissmine。"
"Iwillgoandsee，"Isaid，andexploredM"Leod"snew-builtservants"wing。Itwasintheservants"hallthatIunearthedtheM"Leodfamily，burstingwithanxiety。
"Teaforthree，quick，"Isaid。"Ifyouaskmeanyquestionsnow，Ishallhaveafit!"SoMrs。M"Leodgotit，andIwasbutler，amidmurmuredapologiesfromBaxter，stillsmilingandself-absorbed，andthecolddisapprovalofMissMary，whothoughtthepatternofthechinavulgar。However，sheatewell，andevenaskedmewhetherIwouldnotlikeacupofteaformyself。
Theywentawayinthetwilight——thetwilightthatIhadoncefeared。TheyweregoingtoanhotelinLondontorestafterthefatiguesoftheday，andastheirflyturneddownthedrive，I
caperedonthedoorstep，withtheall-darkenedhousebehindme。
ThenIheardtheuncertainfeetoftheM"Leodsandbadethemnottoturnonthelights，buttofeel——tofeelwhatIhaddone；fortheShadowwasgone，withthedumbdesireintheair。Theydrewshort，butafterwardsdeeper，breaths，likebathersenteringchillwater，separatedonefromtheother，movedaboutthehall，tiptoedupstairs，raceddown，andthenMissM"Leod，andIbelievehermother，thoughshedeniesthis，embracedme。IknowM"Leoddid。
Itwasadisgracefulevening。Tosayweriotedthroughthehouseistoputitmildly。WeplayedasortofBlindMan"sBuffalongthedarkestpassages，intheunlighteddrawing-room，andlittledining-room，callingcheerilytoeachotheraftereachexplorationthathere，andhere，andhere，thetrouble-hadremoveditself。Wecameuptothebedroom——mineforthenightagain——andsat，thewomenonthebed，andwemenonchairs，drinkinginblesseddraughtsofpeaceandcomfortandcleanlinessofsoul，whileItoldthemmytaleinfull，andreceivedfreshpraise，thanks，andblessings。
Whentheservants，returnedfromtheirday"souting，gaveusasupperofcoldfriedfish，M"Leodhadsenseenoughtoopennowine。Wehadbeenpracticallydrunksincenightfall，andgrewincoherentonwaterandmilk。
"IlikethatBaxter，"saidM"Leod。"He"sasharpman。Thedeathwasn"tinthehouse，butheranitprettyclose，ain"tit？"
"AndthejokeofitisthathesupposesIwanttobuytheplacefromyou，"Isaid。"Areyouselling？"
"NotfortwicewhatIpaidforit——now，"saidM"Leod。"I"llkeepyouinfursallyourlife，butnotourHolmescroft。"
"No——neverourHolmescroft，"saidMissM"Leod。"We"llaskhimhereonTuesday，mamma。"Theysqueezedeachother"shands。
"Nowtellme，"saidMrs。M"Leod——"thattallone，Isawoutofthescullerywindow——didshetellyoushewasalwayshereinthespirit？Ihateher。Shemadeallthistrouble。Itwasnotherhouseaftershehadsoldit。Whatdoyouthink？"
"Isuppose，"Ianswered，"shebroodedoverwhatshebelievedwashersister"ssuicidenightandday——sheconfessedshedid——andherthoughtsbeingconcentratedonthisplace，theyfeltlikea——likeaburningglass。"
"Burningglassisgood，"saidM"Leod。
"Isaiditwaslikealightofblacknessturnedonus，"criedthegirl，twiddlingherring。"Thatmusthavebeenwhenthetallonethoughtworstabouthersisterandthehouse。"
"Ah，thepoorAggie!"saidMrs。M"Leod。"ThepoorAggie，tryingtotelleveryoneitwasnotso!NowonderwefeltSomethingwishedtosaySomething。Thea，Max，doyourememberthatnight"
"Weneednotrememberanymore，"M"Leodinterrupted。"Itisnotourtrouble。Theyhavetoldeachothernow。"
"Doyouthink，then，"saidMissM"Leod，"thatthosetwo，thelivingones，wereactuallytoldsomething——upstairs——inyourintheroom？"
"Ican"tsay。Atanyratetheyweremadehappy，andtheyateabigteaafterwards。Asyourfathersays，itisnotourtroubleanylonger——thankGod!"
"Amen!"saidM"Leod。"Now，Thea，letushavesomemusicafterallthesemonths。"Withmirth，thouprettybird，"ain"tit？Yououghttohearthat。"
Andinthehalf-lightedhall，TheasanganoldEnglishsongthatIhadneverheardbefore。
Withmirth，thouprettybird，rejoiceThyMaker"spraiseenhanced；
Liftupthyshrillandpleasantvoice，ThyGodishighadvanced!
ThyfoodbeforeHedidprovide，Andgivesitinafittingside，Wherewithbethousufficed!
Whyshouldstthounowunpleasantbe，ThywrathagainstGodventing，ThatHealittlebirdmadethee，Thysillyheadtormenting，BecauseHemadetheenotaman？
Oh，Peace!Hehathwellthoughtthereon，Therewithbethousufficed!
THERABBI"SSONG
IFTHOUGHTcanreachtoHeaven，OnHeavenletitdwell，ForfearthatThoughtbegivenLikepowertoreachtoHell。
ForfearthedesolationAnddarknessofthymind，PerplexanhabitationWhichthouhastleftbehind。
Letnothinglingerafter——
Nowhisperingghostremain，Inwall，orbeam，orrafter，Ofanyhateorpain:
Cleanseandcallhomethyspirit，Denyherleavetocast，Onaughtthyheirsinherit，Theshadowofherpast。
Forthink，inallthysadness，Whatroadourgriefsmaytake；
Whosebrainreflectourmadness，Orwhomourterrorsshake。
Forthink，lestanylanguishBycauseofthydistressThearrowsofouranguishFlyfartherthanweguess。
Ourlives，ourtears，aswater，Arespilledupontheground；
Godgivethnomanquarter，YetGodameanshathfound；
Thoughfaithandhopehavevanished，Andevenlovegrowsdim；
AmeanswherebyHisbanishedBenotexpelledfromHim!