第4章

ServiceNo。I。

TheboyWaldokissedthepagesofhisbookandlookedup。Farovertheflatlaythekopje，amerespeck；thesheepwanderedquietlyfrombushtobush；thestillnessoftheearlySundayrestedeverywhere，andtheairwasfresh。

Helookeddownathisbook。Onitspageablackinsectcrept。Helifteditoffwithhisfinger。Thenheleanedonhiselbow，watchingitsquiveringantennaeandstrangemovements，smiling。

"Evenyou，"hewhispered，"shallnotdie。EvenyouHeloves。EvenyouHewillfoldinHisarmswhenHetakeseverythingandmakesitperfectandhappy。"

WhenthethinghadgonehesmoothedtheleavesofhisBiblesomewhatcaressingly。Theleavesofthatbookhaddroppedbloodforhimonce；theyhadtakenthebrightnessoutofhischildhood；frombetweenthemhadsprungthevisionsthathadclungabouthimandmadenighthorrible。Adder—likethoughtshadliftedtheirheads，hadshotoutforkedtonguesathim，askingmockinglystrange，trivialquestionsthathecouldnotanswer，miserablechild：

WhydidthewomeninMarkseeonlyoneangelandthewomeninLuketwo？

Couldastorybetoldinoppositewaysandbothwaysbetrue？Couldit？

couldit？Thenagain：Istherenothingalwaysright，andnothingalwayswrong？CouldJaelthewifeofHebertheKenite"putherhandtothenail，andherrighthandtotheworkman’shammer？"andcouldtheSpiritoftheLordchantpaeansoverher，loudpaeans，highpaeans，setinthebookoftheLord，andnovoicecryoutitwasameananddastardlysintolie，andkillthetrustingintheirsleep？CouldthefriendofGodmarryhisownsister，andbebeloved，andthemanwhodoesittodaygoestohell，tohell？Wastherenothingalwaysrightoralwayswrong？

Thoseleaveshaddroppedbloodforhimonce：theyhadmadehisheartheavyandcold；theyhadrobbedhischildhoodofitsgladness；nowhisfingersmovedoverthemcaressingly。

"MyfatherGodknows，myfatherknows，"hesaid；"wecannotunderstand；Heknows。"Afterawhilehewhispered，smiling——"Iheardyourvoicethismorningwhenmyeyeswerenotyetopen，Ifeltyounearme，myFather。Whydoyoulovemeso？Hisfacewasilluminated。"Inthelastfourmonthstheoldquestionhasgonefromme。Iknowyouaregood；Iknowyouloveeverything；Iknow，Iknow，Iknow！Icouldnothaveborneitanymore，notanymore。"Helaughedsoftly。"AndallthewhileIwassomiserableyouwerelookingatmeandlovingme，andIneverknewit。ButIknowitnow。Ifeelit，"saidtheboy，andhelaughedlow；"Ifeelit！"helaughed。

Afterawhilehebeganpartlytosing，partlytochantthedisconnectedversesofhymns，thosewhichspokehisgladness，manytimesover。Thesheepwiththeirsenselesseyesturnedtolookathimashesang。

Atlasthelapsedintoquiet。Thenastheboylaytherestaringatbushandsand，hesawavision。

HehadcrossedtheriverofDeath，andwalkedontheotherbankintheLord’slandofBeulah。Hisfeetsankintothedarkgrass，andhewalkedalone。Then，faroverthefields，hesawafigurecomingacrossthedarkgreengrass。Atfirsthethoughtitmustbeoneoftheangels；butasitcamenearerhebegantofeelwhatitwas。Anditcamecloser，closertohim，andthenthevoicesaid，"Come，"andheknewsurelyWhoitwas。Herantothedearfeetandtouchedthemwithhishands；yes，heheldthemfast！Helaydownbesidethem。Whenhelookedupthefacewasoverhim，andthegloriouseyeswerelovinghim；andtheytwoweretherealonetogether。

Helaughedadeeplaugh；thenstarteduplikeonesuddenlyawakenedfromsleep。

"Oh，God！Hecried，"Icannotwait；Icannotwait！Iwanttodie；IwanttoseeHim；Iwanttotouchhim。Letmedie！"Hefoldedhishands，trembling。"HowcanIwaitsolong——forlong，longyearsperhaps？Iwanttodie——toseeHim。Iwilldieanydeath。Oh，letmecome！"

Weepinghebowedhimself，andquiveredfromheadtofoot。Afteralongwhileheliftedhishead。

"Yes；Iwillwait；Iwillwait。Butnotlong；donotletitbeverylong，JesusKing。Iwantyou；oh，Iwantyou——soon，soon！"Hesatstill，staringacrosstheplainwithhistearfuleyes。

ServiceNo。II。

InthefrontroomofthefarmhousesatTantSannieinherelbow—chair。Inherhandwashergreatbrass—claspedhymn—book，roundherneckwasacleanwhitehandkerchief，underherfeetwasawoodenstove。TheretoosatEmandLyndall，incleanpinaforesandnewshoes。TheretoowasthespruceHottentotinastarchedwhitekapje，andherhusbandontheothersideofthedoor，withhiswooloiledandverymuchcombedout，andstaringathisnewleatherboots。TheKafferservantswerenottherebecauseTantSannieheldtheyweredescendedfromapes，andneedednosalvation。ButtherestweregatheredfortheSundayservice，andwaitedtheofficiator。

MeanwhileBonaparteandtheGermanapproachedarminarm——Bonaparteresplendentintheblackclothclothes，aspotlessshirt，andaspotlesscollar；theGermanintheoldsalt—and—pepper，castingshyglancesofadmirationathiscompanion。

AtthefrontdoorBonaparteremovedhishatwithmuchdignity，raisedhisshirtcollar，andentered。Tothecentretablehewalked，puthishatsolemnlydownbythebigBible，andbowedhisheadoveritinsilentprayer。

TheBoer—womanlookedattheHottentot，andtheHottentotlookedattheBoer—woman。

TherewasonethingonearthforwhichTantSanniehadaprofoundreverence，whichexercisedasubduinginfluenceoverher，whichmadeherforthetimeabetterwoman——thatthingwasnew，shiningblackcloth。Itmadeherthinkofthepredikant；itmadeherthinkoftheelderswhosatinthetoppewofthechurchonSundays，withthehairsonicelyoiled，soholyandrespectable，withtheirlittleswallow—tailedcoats；itmadeherthinkofheaven，whereeverythingwassoholyandrespectable，andnobodyworetancord，andthelittlestangelhadablack—tailedcoat。Shewishedshehadn’tcalledhimathiefandaRomanCatholic。ShehopedtheGermanhadn’ttoldhim。Shewonderedwherethoseclotheswerewhenhecameinragstoherdoor。Therewasnodoubt，hewasaveryrespectableman，agentleman。

TheGermanbegantoreadahymn。AttheendofeachlineBonapartegroaned，andtwiceattheendofeveryverse。

TheBoer—womanhadoftenheardofpersonsgroaningduringprayers，toaddacertainpoignancyandfinishtothem；oldJanVanderlinde，hermother’sbrother，alwaysdiditafterhewasconverted；andshewouldhavelookeduponitasnoespecialsignofgraceinanyone；buttogroanathymn—time！

Shewasstartled。Shewonderedifherememberedthatsheshookherfistinhisface。ThiswasamanofGod。Theykneltdowntopray。TheBoer—womanweighedtwohundredandfiftypounds，andcouldnotkneel。Shesatinherchair，andpeepedbetweenhercrossedfingersatthestranger’sback。Shecouldnotunderstandwhathesaid；buthewasinearnest。Heshookthechairbythebackrailtillitmadequitealittledustonthemudfloor。

WhentheyrosefromtheirkneesBonapartesolemnlyseatedhimselfinthechairandopenedtheBible。Heblewhisnose，pulleduphisshirtcollar，smoothedtheleaves，strokeddownhiscapaciouswaistcoat，blewhisnoseagain，lookedsolemnlyroundtheroom，thenbegan。

"Allliarsshallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnethwithfireandbrimstone，whichistheseconddeath。"

HavingreadthisportionofScripture，Bonapartepausedimpressively，andlookedallroundtheroom。

"Ishallnot，mydearfriends，"hesaid，"longdetainyou。Muchofourprecioustimehasalreadyfledblissfullyfromusinthevoiceofthanksgivingandthetongueofpraise。Afew，averyfewwordsareallI

shalladdresstoyou，andmaytheybeasarodofirondividingthebonesfromthemarrow，andthemarrowfromthebones。

"Inthefirstplace：Whatisaliar？"

Thequestionwasputsopointedly，andfollowedbyapausesoprofound，thateventheHottentotmanleftofflookingathisbootsandopenedhiseyes，thoughheunderstoodnotaword。

"Irepeat，"saidBonaparte，"whatisaliar？"

Thesensationwasintense；theattentionoftheaudiencewasriveted。

"Haveyouanyofyoueverseenaliar，mydearfriends？"Therewasastilllongerpause。"Ihopenot；Itrulyhopenot。ButIwilltellyouwhataliaris。Iknewaliaronce——alittleboywholivedinCapeTown，inShortMarketStreet。HismotherandIsattogetheroneday，discoursingaboutoursouls。

"’Here，Sampson，’saidhismother，’goandbuysixpenceofmeibossfromtheMalayroundthecorner。’

"Whenhecamebackshesaid：’Howmuchhaveyougot？’

"’Five，’hesaid。

"Hewasafraidifhesaidsixandahalfshe’daskforsome。And，myfriends，thatwasalie。Thehalfofameibossstuckinhisthroatandhediedandwasburied。Andwheredidthesoulofthatlittleliargoto，myfriends？Itwenttothelakeoffireandbrimstone。Thisbringsmetothesecondpointofmydiscourse。

"Whatisalakeoffireandbrimstone？Iwilltellyou，myfriends，"saidBonapartecondescendingly。"Theimaginationunaidedcannotconceiveit：

butbythehelpoftheLordIwillputitbeforeyourmind’seye。

"IwastravellinginItalyonceonatime；IcametoacitycalledRome，avastcity，andnearitisamountainwhichspitsforthfire。ItsnameisEtna。Now，therewasamaninthatcityofRomewhohadnotthefearofGodbeforehiseyes，andhelovedawoman。Thewomandied，andhewalkedupthatmountainspittingfire，andwhenhegottothetophethrewhimselfinattheholethatisthere。ThenextdayIwentup。Iwasnotafraid；

theLordpreservesHisservants。Andintheirhandsshalltheybeartheeup，lestatanytimethoufallintoavolcano。ItwasdarknightwhenI

gotthere，butinthefearoftheLordIwalkedtotheedgeoftheyawningabyss，andlookedin。Thatsight——thatsight，myfriends，isimpresseduponmymostindeliblememory。Ilookeddownintotheluriddepthsuponanincandescentlake，ameltedfire，aseethingsea；thebillowsrolledfromsidetoside，andontheirfierycreststossedthewhiteskeletonofthesuicide。Theheathadburntthefleshfromoffthebones；theylayasalightcorkuponthemelted，fierywaves。Oneskeletonhandwasraisedupward，thefingerpointingtoheaven；theother，withoutstretchedfinger，pointingdownward，asthoughitwouldsay，’Igobelow，butyou，Bonaparte，maysoarabove。’Igazed；Istoodentranced。Atthatinstanttherewasacrackintheluridlake；itswelled，expanded，andtheskeletonofthesuicidedisappeared，tobeseennomorebymortaleye。"

HereagainBonaparterested，andthencontinued：

"Thelakeofmeltedstoneroseinthecrater，itswelledhigherandhigherattheside，itstreamedforthatthetop。Ihadpresenceofmind；nearmewasarock；Istooduponit。Thefierytorrentwasvomitedoutandstreamedoneithersideofme。AndthroughthatlongandterriblenightI

stoodtherealoneuponthatrock，theglowing，fierylavaoneveryhand——amonumentofthelong—sufferingandtenderprovidenceoftheLord，whosparedmethatImightthisdaytestifyinyourearsofHim。

"Now，mydearfriends，letusdeducethelessonsthataretobelearntfromthisnarrative。

"Firstly：letusnevercommitsuicide。Themanisafool，myfriends，thatmanisinsane，myfriends，whowouldleavethisearth，myfriends。

Herearejoysinnumerable，suchasithathnotenteredintotheheartofmantounderstand，myfriends。Hereareclothes，myfriends；herearebeds，myfriends；hereisdeliciousfood，myfriends。Ourpreciousbodiesweregivenustolove，tocherish。Oh，letusdoso！Oh，letusneverhurtthem；butcareforandlovethem，myfriends！"

Everyonewasimpressed，andBonaparteproceeded：

"Thirdly；letusnotlovetoomuch。Ifthatyoungmanhadnotlovedthatyoungwoman，hewouldnothavejumpedintoMountEtna。Thegoodmenofoldneverdidso。WasJeremiaheverinlove，orEzekiel，orHosea，orevenanyoftheminorprophets？No。Thenwhyshouldwebe？Thousandsarerollinginthatlakeatthismomentwhowouldsay，’Itwaslovethatbroughtushere。’Oh，letusthinkalwaysofourownsoulsfirst。

"’AchargetokeepIhave，AGodtoglorify；

Anever—dyingsoultosave，Andfititforthesky。’

"Oh，belovedfriends，rememberthelittleboyandthemeiboss；remembertheyounggirlandtheyoungman；rememberthelake，thefire，andthebrimstone；rememberthesuicide’sskeletononthepitchybillowsofMountEtna；rememberthevoiceofwarningthathasthisdaysoundedinyourears；

andwhatIsaytoyouIsaytoall——watch！MaytheLordaddhisblessings！"

HeretheBibleclosedwithatremendousthud。TantSannieloosenedthewhitehandkerchiefaboutherneckandwipedhereyes，andthecolouredgirl，seeingherdoso，sniffled。Thedidnotunderstandthediscourse，whichmadeitthemoreaffecting。

Therehungoveritthatinscrutablecharmwhichhoversforeverforthehumanintellectovertheincomprehensibleandshadowy。WhenthelasthymnwassungtheGermanconductedtheofficiatortoTantSannie，whograciouslyextendedherhand，andofferedcoffeeandaseatonthesofa。Leavinghimthere，theGermanhurriedawaytoseehowthelittleplum—puddinghehadleftathomewasadvancing；andTantSannieremarkedthatitwasahotday。

Bonapartegatheredhermeaningasshefannedherselfwiththeendofherapron。Hebowedlowinacquiescence。Alongsilencefollowed。TantSanniespokeagain。Bonapartegavehernoear；hiseyewasfixedonasmallminiatureontheoppositewall，whichrepresentedTantSannieasshehadappearedonthedaybeforeherconfirmation，fifteenyearsbefore，attiredingreenmuslin。Suddenlyhestartedtohisfeet，walkeduptothepicture，andtookhisstandbeforeit。Longandwistfullyhegazedintoitsfeatures；itwaseasytoseethathewasdeeplymoved。Withasuddenmovement，asthoughnolongerabletorestrainhimself，heseizedthepicture，looseneditfromitsnail，andhelditclosetohiseyes。Atlength，turningtotheBoer—woman，hesaid，inavoiceofdeepemotion：

"Youwill，Itrust，dearmadam，excusethisexhibitionofmyfeelings；butthis——thislittlepicturerecallstomemyfirstandbestbeloved，mydeardepartedwife，whoisnowasaintinheaven。"

TantSanniecouldnotunderstand；buttheHottentotmaid，whohadtakenherseatonthefloorbesidehermistress，translatedtheEnglishintoDutchasfarasshewasable。

"Ah，myfirst，mybeloved！"headded，lookingtenderlydownatthepicture。

"Oh，thebeloved，thebeautifullineaments！Myangelwife！Thisissurelyasisterofyours，madame？"headded，fixinghiseyesonTantSannie。

TheDutchwomanblushed，shookherhead，andpointedtoherself。

Carefully，intently，BonapartelookedfromthepictureinhishandtoTantSannie’sfeatures，andfromthefeaturesbacktothepicture。Thenslowlyalightbrokeoverhiscountenance，helookedup，itbecameasmile；helookedbackattheminiature，hiswholecountenancewaseffulgent。

"Ah，yes；Iseeitnow，"hecried，turninghisdelightedgazeontheBoer—

woman；"eyes，mouth，nose，chin，theveryexpression！"hecried。"HowisitpossibleIdidnotnoticeitbefore？"

"Takeanothercupofcoffee，"saidTantSannie。"Putsomesugarin。"

Bonapartehungthepicturetenderlyup，andwasturningtotakethecupfromherhand，whentheGermanappeared，tosaythatthepuddingwasreadyandthemeatonthetable。

"He’saGod—fearingman，andonewhoknowshowtobehavehimself，"saidtheBoer—womanashewentoutatthedoor。"Ifhe’sugly，didnottheLordmakehim？AndarewetolaughattheLord’shandiwork？Itisbettertobeuglyandgoodthanprettyandbad；thoughofcourseit’snicewhenoneisboth，"saidTantSannie，lookingcomplacentlyatthepictureonthewall。

IntheafternoontheGermanandBonapartesatbeforethedoorofthecabin。

Bothsmokedincompletesilence——Bonapartewithabookinhishandsandhiseyeshalfclosed；theGermanpuffingvigorously，andglancingupnowandagainatthesereneblueskyoverhead。

"Supposing——you——you，infact，madetheremarktome，"burstforththeGermansuddenly，"thatyouwerelookingforasituation。"

Bonaparteopenedhismouthwide，andsentastreamofsmokethroughhislips。

"Nowsupposing，"saidtheGerman——"merelysupposing，ofcourse——thatsomeone，someone，infact，shouldmakeanoffertoyou，say，tobecomeschoolmasterontheirfarmandteachtwochildren，twolittlegirls，perhaps，andwouldgiveyoufortypoundsayear，wouldyouacceptit？Justsupposing，ofcourse。"

"Well，mydearfriend，"saidBonaparte，"thatwoulddependoncircumstances。Moneyisnoconsiderationwithme。FormywifeIhavemadeprovisionforthenextyear。Myhealthisbroken。CouldImeetaplacewhereagentlemanwouldbetreatedasagentlemanIwouldacceptit，howeversmalltheremuneration。Withme，"saidBonaparte，"moneyisnoconsideration。"

"Well，"saidtheGerman，whenhehadtakenawhiffortwomorefromhispipe，"IthinkIshallgoupandseeTantSanniealittle。IgoupoftenonSundayafternoontohaveageneralconversation，toseeher，youknow。

Nothing——nothingparticular，youknow。"

Theoldmanputhisbookintohispocket，andwalkeduptothefarmhousewithapeculiarlyknowinganddelightedexpressionofcountenance。

"Hedoesn’tsuspectwhatI’mgoingtodo，"soliloquizedtheGerman；"hasn’ttheleastidea。Anicesurpriseforhim。"

Themanwhomhehadleftathisdoorwaywinkedattheretreatingfigurewithawinkthatwasnottobedescribed。

Chapter1。VI。BonaparteBlenkinsMakesHisNest。

"Ah，whatisthematter？"askedWaldo，stoppingatthefootoftheladderwithaloadofskinsonhisbackthathewascarryinguptotheloft。

ThroughtheopendoorinthegablelittleEmwasvisible，herfeetdanglingfromthehighbenchonwhichshesat。Theroom，onceastoreroom，hadbeendividedbyarowofmealiebagsintotwoparts——thebackbeingBonaparte’sbedroom，thefronthisschoolroom。

"Lyndallmadehimangry，"saidthegirltearfully；"andhehasgivenmethefourteenthofJohntolearn。HesayshewillteachmetobehavemyselfwhenLyndalltroubleshim。"

"Whatdidshedo？"askedtheboy。

"Yousee，"saidEm，hopelesslyturningtheleaves，"wheneverhetalksshelooksoutatthedoor，asthoughshedidnothearhim。TodaysheaskedhimwhatthesignsoftheZodiacwere，andhesaidhewassurprisedthatsheshouldaskhim；itwasnotafitandproperthingforlittlegirlstotalkabout。ThensheaskedhimwhoCopernicuswas；andhesaidhewasoneoftheEmperorsofRome，whoburnedtheChristiansinagoldenpig，andthewormsatehimupwhilehewasstillalive。Idon’tknowwhy，"saidEmplaintively，"butshejustputherbooksunderherarmandwalkedout；andshewillnevercometohisschoolagain，shesays，andshealwaysdoeswhatshesays。AndnowImustsithereeverydayalone，"saidEm，thegreattearsdroppingsoftly。

"PerhapsTantSanniewillsendhimaway，"saidtheboy，inhismumblingway，tryingtocomforther。

"No，"saidEm，shakingherhead；"no。LastnightwhenthelittleHottentotmaidwaswashingherfeet，hetoldherhelikedsuchfeet，andthatfatwomenweresonicetohim；andshesaidImustalwaysputpurecreaminhiscoffeenow。No；he’llnevergoaway，"saidEmdolorously。

Theboyputdownhisskinsandfumbledinhispocket，andproducedasmallpieceofpapercontainingsomething。Hestuckitouttowardher。

"There，takeitforyou，"hesaid。Thiswasbywayofcomfort。

Emopeneditandfoundasmallbitofgum，acommodityprizedbythechildren；butthegreattearsdroppeddownslowlyontoit。

Waldowasdistressed。Hehadcriedsomuchinhismorseloflifethattearsinanotherseemedtoburnhim。

"If，"hesaid，steppinginawkwardlyandstandingbythetable，"ifyouwillnotcryIwilltellyousomething——asecret。"

"Whatisthat？"askedEm，instantlybecomingdecidedlybetter。

"Youwilltellittonohumanbeing？"

"No。"

Hebentnearertoher，andwithdeepsolemnitysaid：

"Ihavemadeamachine！"

Emopenedhereyes。

"Yes；amachineforshearingsheep。Itisalmostdone，"saidtheboy。

"Thereisonlyonethingthatisnotrightyet；butitwillbesoon。Whenyouthink，andthink，andthink，allnightandallday，itcomesatlast，"

headdedmysteriously。

"Whereisit？"

"Here！Ialwayscarryithere，"saidtheboy，puttinghishandtohisbreast，whereabulging—outwasvisible。"Thisisamodel。Whenitisdonetheywillhavetomakealargeone。"

"Showitme。"

Theboyshookhishead。

"No，nottillitisdone。Icannotletanyhumanbeingseeittillthen。"

"Itisabeautifulsecret，"saidEm；andtheboyshuffledouttopickuphisskins。

Thateveningfatherandsonsatinthecabineatingtheirsupper。Thefathersigheddeeplysometimes。PerhapshethoughthowlongatimeitwassinceBonapartehadvisitedthecabin；buthissonwasinthatlandinwhichsighshavenopart。Itisaquestionwhetheritwerenotbettertobetheshabbiestoffools，andknowthewayupthelittlestairofimaginationtothelandofdreams，thanthewisestofmen，whoseenothingthattheeyesdonotshow，andfeelnothingthatthehandsdonottouch。

Theboychewedhisbrownbreadanddrankhiscoffee；butintruthhesawonlyhismachinefinished——thatlastsomethingfoundoutandadded。Hesawitasitworkedwithbeautifulsmoothness；andoverandabove，ashechewedhisbreadanddrankhiscoffee，therewasthatdelightfulconsciousnessofsomethingbendingoverhimandlovinghim。Itwouldnothavebeenbetterinoneofthecourtsofheaven，wherethewallsaresetwithrowsoftheKingofGlory’samethystsandmilk—whitepearls，thanthere，eatinghissupperinthatlittleroom。

Astheysatinsilencetherewasaknockatthedoor。Whenitwasopenedthesmallwoollyheadofalittleniggershoweditself。ShewasamessengerfromTantSannie：theGermanwaswantedatonceatthehomestead。Puttingonhishatwithbothhands，hehurriedoff。Thekitchenwasindarkness，butinthepantrybeyondTantSannieandhermaidswereassembled。

AKaffergirl，whohadbeengrindingpepperbetweentwostones，kneltonthefloor，theleanHottentotstoodwithabrasscandlestickinherhand，andTantSannie，neartheshelf，withahandoneachhip，wasevidentlylisteningintently，aswerehercompanions。

"Whatmaybeit？"criedtheoldGermaninastonishment。Theroombeyondthepantrywasthestoreroom。Throughthethinwoodenpartitiontherearoseatthatinstant，evidentlyfromsomecreatureensconcedthere，aprolongedandprodigioushowl，followedbyasuccessionofviolentblowsagainstthepartitionwall。

TheGermanseizedthechurn—stick，andwasabouttorushroundthehouse，whentheBoer—womanimpressivelylaidherhanduponhisarm。

"Thatishishead，"saidTantSannie，"thatishishead。"

"Butwhatmightitbe？"askedtheGerman，lookingfromonetotheother，churn—stickinhand。

Alowhollowbellowpreventedreply，andthevoiceofBonapartelifteditselfonhigh。

"Mary—Ann！myangel！mywife！"

"Isn’titdreadful？"saidTantSannie，astheblowswererepeatedfiercely。

"Hehasgotaletter；hiswifeisdead。Youmustgoandcomforthim，"saidTantSannieatlast，"andIwillgowithyou。Itwouldnotbethethingformetogoalone——me，whoamonlythirty—three，andheanunmarriedmannow，"saidTantSannie，blushingandsmoothingoutherapron。

Uponthistheyalltrudgedroundthehouseincompany——theHottentotmaidcarryingthelight，TantSannieandtheGermanfollowing，andtheKaffergirlbringinguptherear。

"Oh，"saidTantSannie，"Iseenowitwasn’twickednessmadehimdowithouthiswifesolong——onlynecessity。"

AtthedoorshemotionedtotheGermantoenter，andfollowedhimclosely。

OnthestretcherbehindthesacksBonapartelayonhisface，hisheadpressedintoapillow，hislegskickinggently。TheBoer—womansatdownonaboxatthefootofthebed。TheGermanstoodwithfoldedhandslookingon。

"Wemustalldie，"saidTantSannieatlast；"itisthedearLord’swill。"

Hearinghervoice，Bonaparteturnedhimselfontohisback。

"It’sveryhard，"saidTantSannie，"Iknow，forI’velosttwohusbands。"

BonapartelookedupintotheGerman’sface。

"Oh，whatdoesshesay？Speaktomewordsofcomfort！"

TheGermanrepeatedTantSannie’sremark。

"Ah，I——Ialso！Twodear，dearwives，whomIshallneverseeanymore！"

criedBonaparte，flinginghimselfbackuponthebed。

Hehowled，tillthetarantulas，wholivedbetweentheraftersandthezincroof，felttheunusualvibration，andlookedoutwiththeirwickedbrighteyes，toseewhatwasgoingon。

TantSanniesighed，theHottentotmaidsighed，theKaffergirlwholookedinatthedoorputherhandoverhermouthandsaid"Mow—wah！"

"YoumusttrustintheLord，"saidTantSannie。"Hecangiveyoumorethanyouhavelost。"