ATangledWeb

ByL.M.Montgomery

ATangledWeb

AuntBecky'sLevee

I

AdozenstorieshavebeentoldabouttheoldDarkjug.Thisisthetrueone.

Several things happened in the Dark and Pen hallow clan because of it.Severalotherthingsdidnothappen.AsUnclePippinsaid,thismayhavebeen

Providenceoritmayhavebeenthedevilthatcertainlypossessedthejug.Atanyrate,haditnotbeenforthejug,PeterPenhallowmightto-dayhavebeenphotographinglionsaloneinAfricanjungles,andBigSamDarkwould,inallprobability, never have learned to appreciate the beauty of the unclothedfemaleform.AsforDandyDarkandPennyDark,theyhaveneverceasedtocongratulatethemselvesthattheygotoutoftheaffairwithwholehides.

Legally, the jug was the property of Aunt Becky Dark, née Rebecca Penhallow.Forthatmatter,mostoftheDarkshadbeennéePenhallow,andmostof thePenhallowshadbeennéeDark,saveagoodlyminoritywhohadbeenDarks née Dark or Pen hallows née Pen hallow. In three generations sixtyDarks had been married to sixty Pen hallows. The resultant genealogicaltanglebaffledeverybodyexceptUnclePippin.TherewasreallynobodyforaDark tomarry except a Pen hallow and nobody for a Pen hallow tomarryexceptaDark.Once,ithadbeensaid,theywouldn'ttakeanybodyelse.Now,nobody else would take them. At least, so Uncle Pippin said. But it wasnecessary to takeUnclePippin's speecheswitha largepinchofsalt.NeithertheDarksnorthePenhallowsweregonetoseedasfarasthat.Theywerestillaproud,vigorous,andvirileclanwhohackedandhewedamongthemselvesbutpresentedanunbrokenfronttoanyalienorhostileforce.

Inasense,AuntBeckywastheheadoftheclan.InpointofseniorityCrosbyPen hallow, who was eighty-seven when she was eighty-five, might havecontested her supremacyhad he cared to do so.But at eighty-sevenCrosbyPenhallowcaredonlyaboutonething.Aslongashecouldforegathereveryeveningwith his old crony,ErasmusDark, to play duets on their flutes andviolins,AuntBeckymightholdthesceptreoftheclanifshewantedto.

ItmustbeadmittedfranklythatAuntBeckywasnotparticularlybelovedbyherclan.Shewastoofondoftellingthemwhatshecalledtheplaintruth.And,asUnclePippinsaid,while the truthwasall right, in itsplace, therewasnosenseinpouringoutgreatgobsofitaroundwhereitwasn'twanted.ToAuntBecky, however, tact and diplomacy and discretion, never to mention anyconsiderationforanyone'sfeelings,werethingsunknown.Whenshewantedtosayathingshesaidit.ConsequentlyAuntBecky'scompanywasneverdullwhateverelseitmightbe.Oneenduredthedigsandslamsonegotoneselfforthe funof seeingotherpeoplewrithingunder theirdigsandslams.AsAuntBeckyknewfromAtoZallthesadorfantasticorterriblelittlehistoriesoftheclan, no one had armourwhich her shafts could not penetrate. LittleUnclePippinsaidthathewouldn'tmissoneofAuntBecky's"levees"foradog-fight."She's a personality," Dr Harry Pen hallow had once remarkedcondescendingly,ononeofhisvisitshometoattendsomeclanfuneral.

"She's a crank," growledDrowned John Penhallow,who, being a notorious

crankhimself,toleratednorivals.

"It'sthesamething,"chuckledUnclePippin."You'reallafraidofherbecausesheknowstoomuchaboutyou.Itellyou,boys,it'sonlyAuntBeckyandthelikesofherthatkeepsusallfromdry-rotting."

Aunt Becky had been "Aunt Becky" to everybody for twenty years. Oncewhen a letter came to the Indian Spring post-office addressed to "MrsTheodore Dark" the new postmaster returned it marked "Person unknown."Legally, it was Aunt Becky's name. Once she had had a husband and twochildren. They were all dead long ago--so long ago that even Aunt Beckyherself had practically forgotten them. For years she had lived in her tworented rooms in The Pinery--otherwise the house of her old friend, CamillaJackson,atIndianSpring.ManyDarkandPenhallowhomeswouldhavebeenopentoher,fortheclanwereneverunmindfuloftheirobligations,butAuntBecky would have none of them. She had a tiny income of her own andCamilla,beingneitheraDarknoraPenhallow,waseasilybossed.

"I'm going to have a levee," Aunt Becky told Uncle Pippin one afternoonwhenhehaddroppedintoseeher.Hehadheardshewasnotverywell.Buthefoundhersittingupinbed,supportedbypillows,herbroad,griddledoldfacelooking as keen and venomous as usual. He reflected that it was not likelytherewasmuchthematterwithher.AuntBeckyhadtakentoherbedbeforenowwhenshefanciedherselfneglectedbyherclan.

AuntBeckyhadheldoccasionalgatheringsthatshecalled"levees"eversinceshehadgoneto liveatThePinery.Itwasherhabit toannouncein the localpapersthatMrsRebeccaDarkwouldentertainherfriendsonsuchandsuchanafternoon.Everybodywentwhocouldn'ttrumpupawatertightexcusefornotgoing.Theyspenttwohoursofclangossip,punctuatedbyAuntBecky'sgibesand themalice of her smile, and had a cup of tea, sandwiches, and severalslicesofcake.Thentheywenthomeandlickedtheirwounds.

"That'sgood,"saidUnclePippin."Thingsareprettydullintheclan.Nothingexcitinghashappenedforalongtime."

"This will be exciting enough," said Aunt Becky. "I'm going to tell themsomething--not everything--about who's to get the old Dark jug when I'mgone."

"Whew!" Uncle Pippin was intrigued at once. Still he did not forget hismanners. "But why bother about that for a while? You're going to see thecenturyout."

"No, I'm not," said Aunt Becky. "Roger told Camilla this morning that I

wouldn'tlivethisyearout.Hedidn'ttellme,thepersonmostinterested,butIwormeditoutofCamilla."

ItwasashocktoUnclePippinandhewassilentforafewmoments.Hehadhadadeath-bellringinginhisearforthreedays,buthehadnotconnecteditwith Aunt Becky. Really, no one had ever thought of Aunt Becky dying.Death,likelife,seemedtohaveforgottenher.Hedidn'tknowwhattosay.

"Doctorsoftenmakemistakes,"hestammeredfeebly.

"Rogerdoesn't,"saidAuntBeckygrimly."I'vegottodie,Isuppose.Anyhow,Imightaswelldie.Nobodycaresanythingaboutmenow."

"Why do you say that, Becky?" saidCamilla, betraying symptoms of tears."I'msureIdo."

"No, you don't really. You're too old.We're both too old to care really foranybodyoranything.Youknowperfectlywellthatinthebackofyourmindyou'rethinking, 'AftershediesI'llbeabletohavemyteastrong.'There'snouseblinkingthetruthortryingtocoveritupwithsentiment.I'vesurvivedallmyrealfriends."

"Come,come,whataboutme?"protestedUnclePippin.

AuntBeckyturnedhercronelikeoldgreyheadtowardshim.

"You!" she was almost contemptuous. "Why, you're only sixty-four. I wasmarriedbeforeyouwereborn.You'renothingbutanacquaintanceifitcomesto that. Hardly even a relative. You were only an adopted Penhallow,remember.YourmotheralwaysvowedyouwereNedPenhallow's son,but Ican tellyousomeofushadourdoubts.Funnythingscomeinwith the tide,Pippin."

This, reflected Uncle Pippin, was barely civil. He decided that it was notnecessarytoprotestanymorefriendshipforAuntBecky.

"Camilla,"snappedAuntBecky,"Ibegofyoutostoptryingtocry.It'spainfultowatchyou.IhadtosendAmbrosineoutbecauseIcouldn'tputupwithhermewing.Ambrosinecriesovereverythingalike--adeathoraspoiledpudding.But one excuses her. It's about the only fun she's ever got out of life. I amreadytodie.I'vefeltalmosteverythinginlifethereistofeel--ay,I'vedrainedmycup.But Imean todiedecentlyand inorder. I'mgoing tohaveone lastgrandrally.Thedatewillbeannouncedinthepaper.Butifyouwantanythingtoeatyou'llhavetobringitwithyou.I'mnotgoingtobotherwiththatsortofthingonmydeath-bed."

UnclePippinwasgenuinelydisappointed.Livingaloneashedid, subsistingonwidower'sfare,theoccasionalmealsandluncheshegotinfriends'housesmeantmuchtohim.AndnowAuntBeckywasgoingtoaskpeople tocomeand see her andwasn't going to give thema bite. Itwas inhospitable, that'swhat it was. Everybodywould be resentful, but everybodywould be there.Uncle Pippin knew his Darks and his Penhallows. Every last one of themwouldbekeen toknowwhowas toget theoldDark jug.Everybodywouldthinkheor sheought tohave it.TheDarkshad always resented the fact ofAuntBeckyowningit,anyhow.ShewasonlyaPenhallow.ThejugshouldbethepropertyofabornDark.ButoldTheodoreDarkhadexpresslyleftittohisdearlybelovedwifeinhiswill,andthereyouwere.Thejugwasherstodoasshelikedwith.Andnobodyineighty-fiveyearshadeverbeenabletopredictwhatAuntBeckywoulddoaboutanything.

UnclePippinclimbedintowhathecalledhis"gig"anddroveawaybehindhismeek white horse down the narrow, leisurely red side-road that ran fromIndian Spring to Bay Silver. There was a grin of enjoyment on his little,wrinkled face with its curious resemblance to a shrivelled apple, and hisastonishinglyyoung,vividblueeyes twinkled. Itwouldbe fun towatch theanticsoftheclanoverthejug.Thethorough-going,impartialfunofonewhowasnotvitallyconcerned.UnclePippinknewhehadnochanceofgettingthejug.Hewasonlyafourthcousinatbest,evengrantingthedubiouspaternityaboutwhichAuntBeckyhadtwittedhim.

"I'veahunchthattheoldladyisgoingtostartsomething,"saidUnclePippintohiswhitenag.

II

In spite of the fact that no refreshmentswere to be served, everyDark andevery Penhallow, by birth,marriage or adoption,who could possibly get toAunt Becky's "levee" was there. Even old rheumatic Christian Dark, whohadn't been anywhere for years, made her son-in-law draw her through thewoods behind The Pinery on a milk-cart. The folding doors between AuntBecky'stworoomswerethrownopen,theparlourwasfilledwithchairs,andAunt Becky, her eyes as bright as a cat's, was ready to receive her guests,sittingupinherbigoldwalnutbedunderitstentcanopyhungwithyellowednet.AuntBeckyhadsleptinthatbedeversinceshewasmarriedandintendedtodieinit.Severalwomenofthetribehadtheireyeonit,andeachhadhoped

shewouldgetit,butjustnownobodythoughtofanythingbutthejug.

Aunt Becky had refused to dress up for her guests. Shewasn't going to bebothered,shetoldCamilla--theyweren'treallyworthit.Soshereceivedthemregallywithafadedoldredsweaterpinnedtightlyaroundhershrunkenthroatandhergreyhairtwistedintoahardknotonthecrownofherhead.Butshewore her diamond ring and she hadmade the scandalizedAmbrosine put alittle rouge on her cheeks. "It's nomore than decent at your age," protestedAmbrosine.

"Decency'sadulldog,"retortedAuntBecky."Ipartedcompanywithit longago.Youdoasyou'rebid,AmbrosineWinkworth,andyou'llgetyourreward.I'mnot going to haveUnclePippin saying, 'Theold girlused to have goodcolour.'Dabitongoodandthick,Ambrosine.Noneofthemwillimaginetheycan bully me as they probably would if they found me looking lean andwashed-out.Mygolly,Ambrosine,butI'mlookingforwardtothisafternoon.It'sthelastbitoffunI'llhavethissideofeternityandI'mgoingtolapitup,Ambrosine.Harpiesallof 'em,comingherejust toseewhatpickingsthey'regoingtoget.Ay,I'mgoingtomakethemsquirm."

TheDarks and Penhallows knew this perfectly well, and every new arrivalapproached the walnut bed with a secret harrowing conviction that AuntBeckywouldcertainlyaskanyespeciallyatrociousquestion thatoccurred toher.UnclePippinhadcomeearly,providedwithseveralwadsofhisfavouritechewing-gum,and selecteda seatnear the foldingdoors--apointofvantagefromwhichhecouldseeeverybodyandheareverythingAuntBeckysaid.Hehadhisreward.

"Ay,soyou'rethemanwhoburnedhiswife,"remarkedAuntBeckytoStantonGrundy,a long, leanmanwithasatiricsmilewhowasanoutsider, longagomarriedtoRobinaDark,whomhehadcremated.Herclanhadneverforgivenhim for it, but StantonGrundywas insensitive and only smiled hollowly atwhatheregardedasanattemptedwitticism.

"All this fussovera jugworthnomore thana fewdollarsatmost,"hesaidscornfully,sittingdownbesideUnclePippin.

Uncle Pippin shifted his wad of gum to the other side of his mouth andmanufacturedacheerfullieinstantlyforthecreditoftheclan.

"AcollectorofferedAuntBeckyahundreddollars for it fouryearsago,"hesaid impressively. Stanton Grundywas impressed, and to hide it remarkedthathewouldn'tgivetendollarsforit.

"Then,whyareyouhere?"demandedUnclePippin.

"Toseethefun,"returnedMrGrundycoolly."Thisjugbusinessisgoingtoseteverybodybytheears."

UnclePippinnearlyswallowedhisguminhisindignation.Whatrighthadthisoutsider,whowasstronglysuspectedofbeingaSwedenborgian,whateverthatwas,toamusehimselfoverDarkwhimsiesandPenhallowpeculiarities?Itwasquiteinorderforhim,PippinPenhallow,baptizedAlexander,todoit.Hewasoneofthetribe,howevercrookedly.ButthataGrundyfromGodknewwhereshouldcomeforsuchapurposemadeUnclePippinfurious.Beforehecouldadminister catisgation, however, another arrival temporarily diverted hisattentionfromtheoutrageousGrundy.

"Been having any more babies on the King's Highway?" Aunt Becky wassaying to poorMrs Paul Dark, who had brought her son into a censoriousworldinaFordcoupéonthewaytothehospital.UnclePippinhadvoicedthegeneralclanfeelingonthatoccasionwhenhesaidgloomily,

"Sadmismanagementsomewhere."

Alittlesnickerdriftedovertheroom,andMrsPaulmadeherwaytoachairwithaburningface.ButinteresthadalreadyshiftedfromhertoMurrayDark,ahandsomemiddle-agedmanwhowasshakingAuntBecky'shand.

"Well,well,cometogetapeepatThora,hey?She'shere--overtherebeyondPippinandthatGrundyman."

MurrayDark stalked toa chair, reflecting thatwhenyoubelonged toa clanlike this you really lived a dog's life.Of course he had come to seeThora.Everybodyknewthat,includingThoraherself.MurraycarednotahootabouttheDark jug,buthedidcare tremendouslyaboutachance to lookatThora.Hedidnothavetoomanyofthem.HehadbeeninlovewithThoraeversincetheSundayhehadfirstseenhersittinginthechurch,thebrideofChristopherDark--drunkenne'er-do-wellChrisDark,withhisinsidiouscharmthatnogirlhadeverbeenabletoresist.Alltheclanknewit,too,buttherehadneverbeenanyscandal.MurraywassimplywaitingforChristopassout.ThenhewouldmarryThora.Hewas a clever,well-to-do farmer andhehadanyamountofpatience. In time he would attain his heart's desire--though sometimes hewonderedalittleuneasilyhowlongthatdevilofaChriswouldhangon.Thatfamily ofDarks had such damn' good constitutions. They could live after afashionthatwouldkillanyordinarymaninfiveyears,andflourishfortwenty.Chrishadbeendyingbyinchesfortenyears,andtherewasnoknowinghowmanyincheswereleftofhimyet.

"Do get some hair tonic," Aunt Beckywas advisingWilliamY. Penhallow,whoevenasababyhadlookeddeadlyseriousandwhohadneverbeencalled

Bill in his life.He had hatedAuntBecky ever since she had been the firstpersontotellhimhewasbeginningtogetbald.

"Mydear"--toMrsPercyDark--"it'ssuchapityyouhaven'ttakenmorecareofyourcomplexion.YouhadafairlyniceskinwhenyoucametoIndianSpring.Why,youhere?"--thistoMrsJimTrent,whohadbeenHelenDark.

"OfcourseI'mhere,"retortedMrsJim."AmIsotransparentthatthere'sanydoubt?"

"It'sa longtimesinceyourememberedmyexistence,"snappedAuntBecky."Butthejugisbringingmorethingsinthanthecat."

"Oh,Idon'twantyourjug,I'msure,"liedMrsJim.Everybodyknewshewaslying.OnlyaveryfoolishpersonwouldlietoAuntBecky,towhomnobodyhadeverasyettoldaliesuccessfully.ButthenMrsJimTrentlivedatThreeHills,andnobodywholivedatThreeHillswassupposedtohavemuchsense.

"Gotyourhistoryfinishedyet,Miller?"askedAuntBecky.

OldMillerDark looked foolish.He had been talking for years ofwriting ahistoryoftheclan,buthadnevergotstarted.Itdidn'tdotohurrythesethings.The longer hewaited themore history therewould be. Thesewomenwerealwaysinsuchaconfoundedhurry.HethankfullymadewayforPalmerDark,whowasknownasthemanwhowasproudofhiswife.

"Looks as young as ever, doesn't she?" he demanded beamingly of AuntBecky.

"Yes--ifit'sanygoodtolookyoungwhenyou'renot--"concededAuntBecky,addingbywayofagracenote,"Gotthebeginningsofadowager'scushion,Isee. It's a long time since I sawyou,Palmer.Butyou're just the same,onlymore so. Well, well, and here's Mrs Denzil Penhallow. Looking fine anddandy,too.I'vealwaysheardafruitdietwashealthy.I'mtoldyouateallthefruitfolkssentinforDenzilwhenhewassicklastwinter."

"Well,whatofit?Hecouldn'teatit.Wasittobewasted?"retortedMrsDenzil.Jugornojug,shewasn'tgoingtobeinsultedbyAuntBecky.

Twowidowscameintogether--MrsToynbeeDark,whohadhadhermourningall ready when her third and last husband had died, and Virginia Powell,whosehusbandhadbeendeadeightyearsandwhowasyoungandtolerablybeautiful, butwho still wore her black and had vowed, it waswell known,nevertomarryagain.Not,asUnclePippinremarked,thatanyonewasknowntohaveaskedher.

AuntBeckyletMrsToynbeeoffwithacoldlycivilgreeting.MrsToynbeehadbeenknowntogointohystericswhensnubbedorcrossed,andAuntBeckydidnotintendtoletanyoneelseusurpthelimelightatherlastlevee.ButshegavepoorVirginiaajab.

"Isyourheartdugupyet?"

Virginia had once said sentimentally, "My heart is buried in Rose Riverchurchyard,"andAuntBeckyneverletherforgetit.

"Anyof that jam leftyet?"askedAuntBeckyslylyofMrsTitusDark,whohadoncegatheredblueberriesthatgrewinthegraveyardandpreservedthem.Lawyer Tom Penhallow, who had been found guilty of appropriating hisclients' money, was counted less of a clan disgrace. Mrs Titus alwaysconsideredherselfanill-usedwoman.Fruithadbeenscarcethatyear--shehadfive men to cater for who didn't like butter--and all those big lusciousblueberries going towaste in the lower corner of theBay Silver graveyard.There werevery few graves there; it was not the fashionable part of thegraveyard.

"And how's your namesake?" Aunt Becky was asking Mrs Emily Frost.KennedyPenhallow,whohadbeenjiltedbyhiscousinEmily,sixty-fiveyearsbefore, had called his old spavined mare after her to insult her. Kennedy,happilymarried formanyyears to JuliaDark,had forgottenallabout it,butEmilyFrost,néePenhallow,hadneverforgottenorforgiven.

"Hello,Margaret;goingtowriteapoemaboutthis?'Wearyandwornandsadthe train rattled on.'" Aunt Becky went off into a cackle of laughter andMargaret Penhallow, her thin, sensitive face flushing pitifully and herpeculiarlylarge,soft,grey-blueeyesfillingwithtears,wentblindlytothefirstvacantchair.OnceshehadwrittenratherawfullittlepoemsforaSummersidepaper, but never after a conscienceless printer had deleted her punctuationmarks,producingthatterriblelinewhichhauntedtheclanforeverafterwardslikeanunquietghostwhichrefusedtobelaid.Margaretcouldneverfeelsafefromhearing it quoted somewherewith a snicker or a bellow.Even here atAuntBecky's death-bed levee itmust be dragged up. PerhapsMargaret stillwrote poems.A little shell-covered box in her trunkmight know somethingabout that. But the public press knew them no more, much to the clan'sthankfulness.

"What's the matter with you, Penny? You're not as good-looking as yougenerallybelieveyouare."

"Stungontheeyebyabee,"saidPennycuikDarksulkily.Hewasafat,tubbylittle fellow, with a curly grey beard and none-too-plentiful curly hair. As

usual, he was as well-groomed as a cat. He still considered himself a gayyoungwag,andfeltthatnothingbutthejugcouldhaveluredhimintoapublicappearanceunderthecircumstances.Justlikethisdevilisholdwomantocalltheattentionoftheworldtohiseye.Buthewasheroldestnephewandhehadarighttothejugwhichhewouldmaintain,eyeornoeye.Healwaysfeltthathisbranchofthefamilyhadbeenunjustlydoneoutofittwogenerationsback.In his annoyance and excitement he sat down on the first vacant chair hespied, and then to his dismay discovered that he was sitting beside MrsWilliamY.,ofwhomhehadtheliveliestterroreversinceshehadaskedhimwhattodoforachildwhohadworms.Asifhe,PennycuikDark,confirmedbachelor,knewanythingabouteitherchildrenorworms.

"Go and sit in that far corner by the door so that I can't smell that damn'perfume.Evenapooroldnonentitylikemyselfhasarighttopureair,"AuntBecky was telling poor Mrs Artemas Dark, whose taste in perfumes hadalways annoyed Aunt Becky. Mrs Artemas did use them somewhat toolavishly,butevenso,theclanreflectedasaunit,AuntBeckywasemployingratherstrong languageforawoman--especiallyonherdeath-bed.TheDarksandthePenhallowspridedthemselvesonkeepingupwiththetimes,buttheywerenotsofaradvancedastocondoneprofanityinawoman.Thatwasstilltaboo.Thejokeof itwas thatAuntBeckyherselfhadalwaysbeendownonswearingandwassupposedtoholdinspecialdisfavourthetwoclansmenwhohabituallyswore--TitusDarkbecausehecouldnothelpitandDrownedJohnPenhallow,whocouldhelpitbutdidn'twantto.

ThearrivalofMrsAlpheusPenhallowandherdaughtercreatedasensation.MrsAlpheus lived inSt. John and happened to be visiting her old home inRoseRiverwhenAuntBecky'sleveewasannounced.Shewasanenormouslyfatwoman,witharatherdeplorablepenchantforwearingbrightcoloursandover-richmaterials,whohadbeenvery slimandbeautiful inayouthduringwhich she had been no great favourite with Aunt Becky. Mrs AlpheusexpectedsomeunpleasantgreetingfromAuntBeckyandmeanttotakeitwitha smile, for she wanted badly to get the jug, and the walnut bed into thebargain, if the fates were propitious. But Aunt Becky, though she said toherself thatAnnabelPenhallow'sdresswasworthmore thanher carcass, letheroffverylenientlywith,

"Humph!Smoothas a cat's ear, just as always," and lookedpasther atNanPenhallow,aboutwhomclangossiphadbeenverybusyeversinceherarrivalin Rose River. It was whispered breathlessly that she wore pyjamas andsmokedcigarettes.Itwaswellknownthatshehadpluckedeyebrowsandworebreecheswhensherodeor"hiked,"butevenRoseRiverwasresignedtothat.AuntBecky sawa snakyhipless thingwitha shingleboband longbarbaric

ear-rings. A silky, sophisticated creature in a smart black satin dress whoinstantlymadeeveryothergirlintheroomseemoutmodedandVictorian.ButAuntBeckytookhermeasureonthespot.

"So this is Hannah," she remarked, hitting instinctively onNan's sore spot.NanwouldratherhavebeenslappedthancalledHannah."Well--well--well!"Aunt Becky's "wells" were a crescendo of contempt mingled with pity. "Iunderstandyouconsideryourselfamodern.Well,thereweregirlsthatchasedtheboysinmytime,too.It'sonlynamesthatchange.Yourmouthlooksasifyou'd beenmaking ameal of bloodmydear.But seewhat timedoes to us.When you're forty you'll be exactly like this"--with a gesture towards MrsAlpheus'avoirdupois.

Nan was determined she wouldn't let this frumpy old harridan put her out.Besides,shehadherownhankeringsafterthejug.

"Oh,no,AuntBeckydarling.Itakeafterfather'speople.Theystaythin,youknow."

AuntBeckydidnotlikebeing"darlinged."

"Goupstairsandwashthatstuffoffyourlipsandcheeks,"shesaid."Iwon'thaveanypaintedsnipsaroundhere."

"You--why, you've got rouge on yourself," cried Nan, despite her mother'spiteousnudge.

"AndwhoareyoutosayIshouldnot?"demandedAuntBecky."Now,nevermindstandingthereswitchingyourtailatme.Goanddoasyou'retoldorelsegohome."

Nanwasmindedtodothelatter.ButMrsAlpheuswaswhisperingagitatedlyatherneck,

"Go,darling,go--doexactlyasshetellsyou--or--or--"

"Oryou'llstandnochanceofgettingthejug,"chuckledAuntBecky,whoateighty-fivehadearsthatcouldhearthegrassgrow.

Nanwent,sulkyandcontemptuous,determinedthatshewouldgetevenwithsomebody for her manhandling by this cantankerous old despot. Perhaps itwasatthismoment,whenGayPenhallowwasenteringtheroominayellowdress that seemed woven out of sunshine, that Nan made up her mind tocapture Noel Gibson. It was intolerable that Gay of all people should be awitnessofherdiscomfiture.

"Green-eyedgirlsfortrouble,"saidUnclePippin.

"She'saman-eaterIreckon,"agreedStantonGrundy.

GayPenhallow,aslight,blossom-likegirlwhomonlytheFamilyBibleknewasGabrielleAlexandrina,wasshakingAuntBecky'shandbutwouldnotbenddowntokissherasAuntBeckyexpected.

"Hey,hey,what'sthematter?"demandedAuntBecky."Someboybeenkissingyou?Andyoudon'twanttospoiltheflavour,hey?"

Gayfledtoacornerandsatdown.Itwastrue.ButhowdidAuntBeckyknowit?Noelhadkissedhertheeveningbefore--Gay'sfirstkissinallhereighteenyears--Nanwould have hooted over that!An exquisite fleeting kiss under agolden June moon. Gay felt that she could not kiss any one, especiallydreadfuloldAuntBecky,afterthat.Itwouldbesacrilege.NevermindifAuntBeckywouldn't giveher the jug.Whatdifferencedid itmake about her oldjug,anyway?WhatdifferencedidanythingmakeinthewholewidebeautifulworldexceptthatNoellovedherandshelovedhim?

But something seemed to have come into the now crowded room with thearrivalofGay--somethinglikeasuddenquick-passingbreezeonasultryday--something as indescribably sweet and elusive as the fragrance of a forestflower--something of youth and love and hope. Everybody felt inexplicablyhappier--more charitable--more courageous. Stanton Grundy's lantern-jawslookedlessgrimandUnclePippinmomentarilyfeltthat,afterall,Grundyhadundoubtedlymarried aDark and so had a right to bewhere hewas.MillerDark thoughthereallywouldgetstartedonhishistorynextweek--Margarethad an inspiration for a new poem--Penny Dark reflected that he was onlyfifty-two,afterall--WilliamY.forgotthathehadabaldspot--CurtisDark,whohad the reputation of being an incurably disagreeable husband, thought hiswife's new hat became her and that hewould tell her so on theway home.EvenAuntBeckygrewlessinhumanand,althoughshehadseveralmoreshotsinherlockerandhatedtomissthefunoffiringthem,allowedtheremainderofhergueststopasstotheirseatswithoutinsultorinnuendo,exceptthatsheasked old Cousin Skilly Penhallow how his brother Angus was. All theassembly laughed and Cousin Skilly smiled amiably. Aunt Becky couldn'tputhimout.HeknewthewholeclanquotedhisSpoonerismsandthattheoneabout his brother Angus, now dead for thirty years, never failed to evokehilarity. The minister had come along that windy morning long ago, afterAngus Penhallow'smill-dam had been swept away in theMarch flood, andhadbeengreetedexcitedlybySkilly.

"We'reallupsethereto-day,MrMacPherson--ye'llkindlyexcuseus--mydam

brotherAngusburstinthenight."

"Well, I think everybody is here at last," said Aunt Becky--"everybody Iexpected,atleast,andsomeIdidn't.Idon'tseePeterPenhallowortheMoonMan,butIsupposeonecouldn'texpecteitherofthemtobehavelikerationalbeings."

"Peterishere,"saidhissisterNancyDarkeagerly."He'soutontheveranda.YouknowPeterhatestobecoopedupinaroom.He'ssoaccustomedto--to--"

"ThegreatopenspacesofGod'soutdoors,"murmuredAuntBeckyironically.

"Yes, that's it--that'swhat Imean--that'swhat Imeant tosay.Peter is justasinterestedinyouasanyofus,dearAunt."

"Idaresay--ifthatmeansmuch.Orinthejug."

"No,Peterdoesn'tcareaparticleaboutthejug,"saidNancyDark,thankfultofindsolidgroundunderherfeetinthisatleast.

"TheMoonMan's here, too," saidWilliamY. "I can see him sitting on thestepsoftheveranda.He'sbeenawayforweeks--justturnedupto-day.Queerhowhealwaysseemstogetwindofthings."

"Hewasbackyesterdayevening.Iheardhimyelpingtothemoonalllastnightdownathisshanty,"boomedDrownedJohn."Heoughttobelockedup.It'safamily disgrace the way he carries on, wandering over the whole Islandbareheadedandinrags,asifhehadn'tafriendintheworldtocareforhim.Idon't care if he isn't mad enough for the asylum. He should beundersomerestraint."

PouncewentAuntBecky.

"Soshouldmostofyou.LeaveOswaldDarkalone.He'sperfectlyhappyonnightswhenthere'samoon,anyhow,andwhoamonguscansaythat.Ifwe'reperfectlyhappyforanhourortwoatatime,it'sasmuchasthegodswilldoforus.Oswald'sinluck.Ambrosine,here'sthekeyofmybrass-boundtrunk.GouptotheatticandbringdownHarrietDark'sjug."

III

WhileAmbrosineWinkworthhasgone for the jugandahushofexcitement

and suspensehas fallenover the assembled clan, let us look at thema littlemoreclosely,partly throughAuntBecky's eyesandpartly throughourown,andgetbetteracquaintedwiththem,especiallywiththosewhoselivesweretobemoreorlessaffectedandalteredbythejug.Therewereallkindsofpeopletherewith their family secrets and theirpersonal secrets, theirouter livesofwhicheverything--nearly--wasknown,andtheirinnerlivesofwhichnothingwas known--not even to lean, lank Mercy Penhallow, whose lankness andleannesswereattributedtothechroniccuriosityabouteveryonewhichgavehernorestdayornight.Mostofthemlookedlikethedull,sedatefolkstheywere,butsomeofthemhadhadshockingadventures.Someofthemwereverybeautiful; somewerevery funny; somewereclever; someweremean; somewere happy; somewere not; somewere liked by everybody and somewerelikedbynobody;somehadreachedthestodgyplanewherenothingmorewasto be expected from life; and some were still adventurous and expectant,cherishingsecret,unsatisfieddreams.

MargaretPenhallow,forinstance--dreamy,poeticalMargaretPenhallow,whowastheclandressmakerandlivedwithherbrother,DenzilPenhallow,inBaySilver. Always overworked and snubbed and patronized. She spent her lifemakingprettyclothesforotherpeopleandneverhadanyforherself.Yetshetookanartist'sprideinherworkandsomethinginherstarvedsoulsprangintosuddentransformingbloomwhenaprettygirlfloatedintochurchinagownofher making. She had a part in creating that beauty. That slim vision oflovelinessowedsomethingofitslovelinesstoher,"oldMargaretPenhallow."

Margaret loved beauty; and therewas so little of it in her life. She had nobeautyherself,saveinheroverlarge,strangelylustrouseyes,andherslenderhands--the beautiful hands of an old portrait. Yet there was a certainattractivenessaboutherthathadnotbeendependentonyouthandhadnotleftherwiththeyears.StantonGrundy,lookingather,wasthinkingthatshewasmore ladylike than any otherwoman of her age in the room and that, if hewerelookingforasecondwife--which,thankGod,hewasn't--Margaretwouldbetheonehe'dpick.

Margaretwould have been a little fluttered had she known hewas thinkingeventhismuch.Thetruthwas,thoughMargaretwouldhavediedanyhorribledeathyoucoulddevisebeforesheadmittedit,shelongedtobemarried.Ifyouweremarriedyouweresomebody.Ifnot,youwerenobody.In theDarkandPenhallowclan,anyhow.

Shewantedadearlittlehomeyplacetocallherown;andshewantedtoadoptababy.Sheknewtheverykindofbabyshewanted--ababywithgoldenhairand great blue eyes, dimples and creases and adorable chubby knees. Andsweet sleepy little kisses. Margaret's bones seemed to melt in her body as

waterwhenshethoughtofit.MargarethadnevercaredforthepackofyoungdemonsDenzilcalledhisfamily.Theyweresaucyandunattractiveyoungsterswhomadefunofher.Allherlovewascentredinherimaginarybabyandherimaginarylittlehouse--whichwasnotquiteasimaginaryasthebaby,iftruthwereknown.Yetshehadnorealhopeofeverowningthehouse,while,ifshecouldgetmarried,shemightbeabletoadoptababy.

Margaret alsowanted verymuch to get theDark jug. Shewanted it for thesakeofthatfar-offunknownHarrietDark,concerningwhomshehadalwayshadastrangefeeling,halfpity,halfenvy.HarrietDarkhadbeenloved;thejugwas the visible and tangible proof of that, outlasting the love by a hundredyears.Andwhatifherloverhadbeendrowned!Atleast,shehadhadalover.

Besides, the jugwouldgiveheracertain importance.Shehadneverbeenofanyimportancetoanyone.Shewasonly"oldMargaretPenhallow,"withfiftydrab,snubbedyearsbehindherandnothingaheadofherbutdrab,snubbedoldage.Andwhyshouldshenothavethejug?Shewasarealniece.APenhallow,tobesure,buthermotherhadbeenaDark.OfcourseAuntBeckydidn'tlikeher,butthenwhomdidAuntBeckylike?Margaretfeltthatsheoughttohavethejug--musthavethejug.Momentarily,shehatedeveryotherclaimantintheroom.SheknewifshehadthejugshecouldmakeMrsDenzilgiveheraroomto herself in return for the concession of allowing the jug to be put on theparlourmantelpiece.A room to herself! It sounded heavenly. She knew shecould never have her little dream-house or her blue-eyed, golden baby, butsurelyshemighthavearoomtoherself--aroomwhereGladysPenhallowandhershriekingchumscouldnevercome--girlswhothoughttherewasnofuninhavingabeauunlessyoucouldtell theworldallabouthimandwhathedidandwhat he said--girlswho alwaysmade her feel old and silly and dowdy.Margaretsighedand lookedat thegreatsheafofmauveandyellowirisMrsWilliamY.hadbroughtupforAuntBecky,whohadnevercaredforflowers.Iftheirdelicate,exoticbeautywaswastedonAuntBecky,itwasnotlostonMargaret.While she gazed at them she was happy. There was a neglectedclumpofmauveirisinthegardenof"her"house.

IV

GayPenhallowwassittingnexttoMargaretandwasnotthinkingofthejugatall.Shedidnotwantthejug,thoughhermotherwaswildaboutit.Springwassinging in her blood and she was lost in glamorous recollections of Noel's

kiss--andequallyglamorousanticipationsofNoel'sletter,whichshehadgotatthepost-officeonherwayup.Asshehearditcrackleinitshiding-placeshefeltthelittlethrillofjoywhichhadtingledoverherwhenoldMrsConroyhadpassed itout toher--hiswonderful letterheldprofanelybetweenamailordercatalogue and a millinery advertisement. She had not dreamed of getting aletter,forshehadseenhim--andbeenkissed--onlythenightbefore.Nowshehadit, tuckedawayunderherdress,next toherwhitesatinskin,andallshewishedwasthatthissillyoldleveewasoverandshewasawaysomewherebyherself, readingNoel's letter.What timewas it?GaylookedatAuntBecky'ssolemnold grandfather clock that had tickedoff the days andhours of fourforgottengenerationsandwas still ticking them relentlesslyoff for the fifth.Three!Athalf-pastthreeshemustthinkofNoel.Theyhadmadeacompacttothink of each other every afternoon at exactly half-past three. Such a dear,delightful,foolishcompact--becausewasshenotthinkingofNoelallthetime?Andnowshehadhiskisstothinkabout--thatkisswhichitseemedeveryonemustseeonherlips.Shehadthoughtaboutitallnight--thefirstnightofherlifeshehadneversleptforjoy.Oh,shewassohappy!Sohappythatshefeltfriendly to everybody--even to the people she had never liked before.PompousoldWilliamY.withhisenormousopinionofhimself--lean,curious,gossipy Mercy Penhallow--overtragic Virginia Powell with her tiresomeposes--DrownedJohn,whohadshoutedtwowivestodeath--StantonGrundy,whohadcrematedpoorCousinRobinaandwhoalwayslookedateverybodyas if hewere secretly amused.Onedidn't like a personwhowas amused ateverybody. Dapper Penny Dark, who thought he was witty when he calledeggs cackleberries--Uncle Pippin with his old jaws always chewingsomething--most of all, poor piteous Aunt Becky herself. Aunt Becky wasgoingtodiesoonandnoonewassorry.Gaywassosorrybecauseshewasn'tsorrythatthetearscameintohereyes.YetAuntBeckyhadbeenlovedonce--courtedonce--kissedonce--ridiculousandunbelievableasitseemednow.Gaylooked curiously at this solitary old crone who had once been young andbeautifuland themotherof littlechildren.Could thatoldwrinkledfaceeverhavebeenflower-like?Wouldshe,Gay,everlooklikethat?No,ofcoursenot.NobodywhomNoellovedwouldevergrowoldandunlovely.

She could see herself in the ovalmirror that hungon thewall overStantonGrundy'shead, and shewasnotdissatisfiedwith the reflection.Shehad thecolouring of a tea-rose, with golden-brown hair, and eyes tomatch it--eyesthat looked like brown marigolds flecked with glints of gold. Long blacklashesandeyebrowsthatmighthavebeendrawninsoot,sofinelydarkwerethey against her face.And therewas a delicious spot here and there on herskin, likea littledropofgold--solesurvivorof thefreckles thathadplaguedherinchildhood.Sheknewquitewellthatshewascountedthebeautyofthewhole clan--"the prettiest girl that walked the aisles of the Rose River

Church,"UnclePippinaverredgallantly.Andshealwayslookedtheleastlittlebit timid and frightened, so men always wanted to assure her there wasnothing tobe frightenedof and shehadmorebeaus thanyoucould shakeastickat.ButtherehadneverbeenanyonewhoreallymatteredbutNoel.EverylaneinGay'sthoughtsto-dayturnedbacktoNoel.Fifteenminutespastthree.JustfifteenmoreminutesandshewouldbesurethatNoelwasthinkingofher.

TherewasatinydarkfleckortwoonGay'shappiness.Forone,sheknewallthe Penhallows rather disapproved of Noel Gibson. The Darks were moretolerant--afterall,Noel'smotherhadbeenaDark,althougharatheroff-colourone.TheGibsonswereconsideredacutortwobeneaththePenhallows.Gayknewverywell thather clanwantedher tomarryDrRogerPenhallow.Shelookedacrosstheroomathiminkindlyamusement.DearoldRoger,withhisuntidymopof redhair,his softly luminouseyesunder straightheavybrowsand his long, twistedmouthwith a funny quirk in the left corner--whowasthirtyifhewereaday.ShewasawfullyfondofRoger.Somehow,therewasagoodtangtohim.Shecouldneverforgetwhathehaddoneforheratherfirstdance. She had been so shy and awkward and plain--or was sure she was.Nobody askedher to dance tillRoger came and swept her out triumphantlyandpaidhersuchdarlingcomplimentsthatshebloomedoutintobeautyandconfidence--and the boys woke up--and handsome Noel Gibson from townsingledheroutforattention.Oh,shewasveryveryfondofRoger--andveryproudofhim.A fourthcousinwhohadbeenanotedace in thewarGaysodimly remembered and had brought down fifty enemy planes. But as ahusbandGay really had to laugh. Besides,why should any one suppose hewanted tomarry her?He had never said so. It was just one of those queerideas that floated about the clan at times--and had a trick of turning outabominably correct. Gay hoped this one wouldn't. She would hate to hurtRoger.Shewassohappyshecouldn'tbeartothinkofhurtinganyone.

Thesecond little fleckwasNanPenhallow.Gayhadneverbeen too fondofNanPenhallow,thoughtheyhadbeenchumsofasort,eversincechildhood,whenNanwouldcome to the Islandwithher fatherandmother forsummervacations.GayneverforgotthefirstdaysheandNanhadmet.Theywerebothtenyearsold;andNan,whowaseventhencountedabeauty,haddraggedGayto a mirror, and mercilessly pointed out all the contrasts. Gay had neverthoughtofher looksbefore,butnowshesawfatallythatshewasugly.Thinand sunburned and pale--freckles galore--hair bleached too light a shade byRose River sunshine--funny, black unfaded eyebrows that looked as if theyhadjustlightedonherface--howNanmadefunofthoseeyebrows!Gaywasunhappyforyearsbecauseshebelievedinherplainness.Ithadtakenmanyacomplimenttoconvinceherthatshehadgrownintobeauty.Asyearswentbyshedidnot likeNanmuchbetter.Nan,withher subtle,mysterious face,her

ashgoldhair,herstrange liquidemeraldeyes,her thin red lips,whowasnotnowreallyhalfasprettyasGaybuthadoddexoticcharmsunknowntoRoseRiver.HowshepatronizedGay--"Youquaintchild,"--"SoVictorian."Gaydidnotwant tobequaint andVictorian.Shewanted tobe smart andup-to-dateandsophisticated likeNan.Thoughnotexactly likeNan.Shedidn'twant tosmoke. It alwaysmadeher thinkof that dreadful oldMrsFideleBlacquieredownat theharbourandoldmoustachedHighlandJanetatThreeHills,whowerealwayssmokingbigblackpipeslikethemen.Andthen--Noeldidn'tlikegirlswhosmoked.Hedidn'tapproveof thematall.Nevertheless,Gay,deepdowninherheart,wasgladthevisitoftheAlpheusPenhallowstoRoseRiverwas to be a brief one this summer. Mrs Alpheus was going to a morefashionableplace.

V

HughDarkandJoscelynDark(néePenhallow)weresittingonoppositesidesoftheroom,neverlookingateachother,andseeingandthinkingofnothingbuteachother.AndeverybodylookedatJoscelynandwonderedastheyhadwonderedfortenyears,whatterriblesecretlaybehindherlockedlips.

TheaffairofHughandJoscelynwas themysteryand tragedyof theclan--amysterythatnoonehadeverbeenabletosolve,thoughnotforlackoftrying.Tenyearsbefore,HughDarkandJoscelynPenhallowhadbeenmarriedafteraneminentlyrespectableandsomewhatprolongedcourtship.Joscelynhadnotbeentooeasilywon.Itwasamatchwhichpleasedeverybody,exceptPaulineDark,whowasmadaboutHugh,andMrsConradDark,hismother,whohadneverlikedJoscelyn'sbranchofthePenhallows.

It had been a gay, old-fashioned evening wedding, according to the bestPenhallowtraditions.Everybodywastheretothefourthdegreeofrelationship,and every one agreed that they had never seen a prettier bride or a moreindisputable happy and enraptured bridegroom. After the supper and thefestivitieswereover,Hughhadtakenhisbridehometo"Treewoofe,"'thefarmhehadboughtatThreeHills.AstowhathadhappenedbetweenthetimewhenJoscelyn,stillwearingherveilandsatininthesoftcoolnessandbrillianceofthe Septembermoonlight--a whim of Hugh's, that, who had some romanticideaof leadingaveiledandshimmeringbrideover the thresholdofhisnewhome--haddrivenawayfromherwidowedmother'shouseatBaySilverandthe time when, three hours later, she returned to it on foot, still in her

dishevelledbridalattire,nooneeverkneworcouldobtaintheleastinklinginspiteofall theirpryingandsurmising.All Joscelynwouldever say,even toherdistractedrelatives,wasthatshecouldneverlivewithHughDark.AsforHugh,hesaidabsolutelynothingandveryfewpeopleeverdaredsayanythingtohim.

Failing to discover the truth, surmise and gossip ran riot. All sorts ofexplanationswere hinted ormanufactured--most of them ridiculous enough.OnewasthatHugh,assoonashegothisbridehome,toldherthathewouldbemaster.Hetoldhercertainrulesshemustkeep.Hewouldhavenowomanbossing him. The story grew till it ran that Hugh, by way of starting inproperly, hadmade or tried tomake Joscelynwalk around the room on allfours just to teach her he was head of the house. No girl of any spirit,especiallyCliffordPenhallow'sdaughter,wouldenduresuchathing.Joscelynhadthrownherwedding-ringathimandflownoutofthehouse.

OthershaditthatJoscelynhadleftHughbecausehewouldn'tpromisetogiveupacatshehadhated."Andnow,"asUnclePippinsaidmournfully,"thecatisdead."Someaverred theyhadquarrelledbecause Joscelynhadcriticizedhisgrammar. Some that she had found out he was an infidel. "You know, hisgrandfather reads thosehorrid Ingersollbooks.AndHughhad themallonashelf in his bedroom."Some that shehad contradictedhim. "His fatherwaslike that,youknow.Couldn't tolerate the leastcontradiction. Ifheonlysaid,'It'sgoing to rain to-morrow,' it puthim ina fury ifyou saidyou thought itwouldbefair."

ThenHughhad told Joscelyn shewas tooproud--hewasn't going to put upwithitanylonger.Hehaddancedtoherpipingforthreeyearsbut,byheck,the tunewasgoing tobe changed.Well, of course Joscelynwas proud.Theclanadmittedthat.Nowomancouldhavecarriedsuchawonderfulcrownofred-goldonherheadwithoutsomepridetoholditup.Butwasthatanyexcuseforabridegroomsettingwideopenthedoorofhishouseandpolitelytellinghisbridetotakeherdamnedsuperiorairsbacktowheretheybelonged?

TheDarkswould none of these crazy yarns. It was not Hugh's fault at all.Joscelynhadconfessedshewasakleptomaniac.Itraninherfamily.Afourthcousin of her mother's was terrible that way. Hugh had the welfare ofgenerationsunborntothinkof.Whatelsecouldhedo?

Darkerhintsobtained.

Afterall,thoughtheselittleyarnswerecirculatedandgiggledover,fewreallybelieved therewas a grain of truth in them.Most of the clan felt sure thatJoscelyn's soft rose-red lipswere fast shut on some farmore terrible secret

than a silly quarrel over cats or grammar. She had discovered somethingundoubtedly.Butwhatwasit?

Shehadfoundalovelettersomeotherwomanhadwrittenhimandgonemadwithjealousy.Afterall,Joscelyn'sgreat-grandmotherhadbeenaSpanishgirlfromtheWestIndies.Spanishblood,youknow.AllthevagariesofJoscelyn'sbranch of the Penhallows were attributed to the fact of that Spanish great-grandmother.CaptainAlecPenhallowhadmarriedher.Shediedleavingonlyoneson--luckily.Butthatsonhadafamilyofeight.Andtheywereallkittlecattletohandle.Sointenseineverything.Whatevertheywere,theyweretentimesmoresothananyoneelsewouldbe.

No,itwasworsethanaletter.JoscelynhaddiscoveredthatHughhadanotherwife.Thoseyearsoutwest.Hughhadnever talkedmuchabout them.Butatthelasthebrokedownandconfessed.

Nothing of the sort. That child down at the harbour, though. It wascertainsomeDarkwasitsfather.PerhapsHugh--

Naturally,itmadeadreadfulscandalandsensation.Theclannearlydiedofit.IthadbeenanoldclansayingthatnothingeverhappenedinBaySilver.RoseRiverhadafire.ThreeHillshadanelopement.EvenIndianSpringyearsagohad an actual murder. But nothing ever happened in Bay Silver. And nowsomethinghadhappenedwithavengeance.

ThatJoscelynshouldbehave like this! If ithadbeenher rattle-brainedsisterMilly! Theywere always expectingMilly to do crazy things, so they werepreparedtoforgiveher.ButtheyhadneverthoughtofJoscelyndoingacrazything so theycouldnot forgiveher for amazing them.Not that it seemed tomattermuchtoJoscelynwhethertheyforgaveherornot.Noentreatyavailedto budge her an inch. "Her father was like that, you know," Mrs CliffordPenhallowwept."Hewasnotedforneverchanginghismind."

"JoscelynevidentlychangedhersaftershewentuptoTreewoofethatnight,"somebodyreplied."Whathappened,Cynthia?Surelyyou,hermother,oughttoknow."

"HowcanIknowwhenshewon'ttellme?"wailedMrsClifford."NoneofyouhaveeverhadanyideahowstubbornJoscelynreallyis.ShesimplysaysshewillnevergobacktoHughandnotanotherwordwillshesay.Shewon'tevenwearherwedding-ring."MrsCliffordthoughtthiswasreallytheworst thinginitall."Ineversawanyonesounnaturallyobstinate."

"Andwhatintheworldarewetocallher?"wailedtheclan."SheisMrsDark.Nothingcanalterthat."

NothingcouldalteritinPrinceEdwardIsland,wheretherehadbeenonlyonedivorce in sixty years. Nobody ever thought of Hugh and Joscelyn beingdivorced. One and all, Darks and Penhallows, would have expired of thedisgraceofit.

In ten years thematter had naturally simmered down, though a few peoplekept wondering if thewife from thewest would ever turn up. The state ofaffairs was accepted as something permanent and immutable. People evenforgottothinkaboutit,exceptwhen,asrarelyhappened,theysawHughandJoscelyninthesameroom.Thentheywonderedfruitlesslyagain.

Hughwasaveryfine-lookingman--farhandsomernowatthirty-fivethanhehadbeenattwenty-five,whenhewasratherlankandweedy.Hegaveyouafeelingthathewasabletodoanything--afeelingofgreat,calmpower.Hehadgoneon livingatTreewoofewithanoldauntkeepinghouseforhim,and inagricultural circleshewas regardedasacomingman. Itwaswhispered thatthat Conservative party meant to bring him out as a candidate at the nextelectionoftheProvincialHouse.Yethiseyeswiththeirsavagebitternessweretheeyesofamanwhohadfailed,andnobodyhadeverheardhimlaughsincethatmysteriouswedding-night.

HehadhadonekeengreedylookatJoscelynwhenhehadpausedamomentin the doorway. He had not seen her for a long time. The tragic years hadpassedoverherwithoutdimmingherbeauty.Herhairmassedroundherheadinshiningdefiantprotestagainst thedayofbobs,wasaswonderfulasever.Shehadleftherrosesbehindher--hercheekswerepale.Butthethroathehadonce kissed so tenderly and passionatelywas as exquisite and ivory-like asever,andhergreateyes,thatwereblueorgreenorgreyasthemoodtookher,wereaslustrousandappealing,asdefiantandecstaticastheyhadbeenwhenshehadlookeddownathiminthehallupatTreewoofe,thatnighttenyearsbefore.Hughclenchedhishandsandsethis lips.That lean foxofaStantonGrundy was watching him--everybody was always watching him. Thebridegroom jilted on his wedding night. From whom his bride had run insupposedhorroror rebellionover threemilesofdarksolitary road.Well, letthem watch and let them guess. Only he and Joscelyn knew the truth--thetragicabsurdtruththathadseparatedthem.

JoscelynhadseenHughwhenhecame into the room.He lookedolder; thatunmanageablelockofdarkhairwasstickinguponthecrownofhisheadasusual.Joscelynknewshewantedtogooverandcoaxitdown.KateMuirwassitting beside him ogling him; she had always detested and despised KateMuir,néeKateDark,whohadbeenanuglyswarthylittlegirlandwasnowanuglyswarthy littlewidowwithmoremoney thansheknewwhat todowith.Havingmarriedformoney,Joscelynreflectedcontemptuously,shehadaright

toit.ButwasthatanyexcuseforhersittinginHugh'spocketandgazingupathim as if she thought himwonderful. She knew thatKate hadonce said, "IalwaystoldHughshewouldn'tmakehimasuitablewife."Joscelynshiveredslightlyandlockedherslenderhands,onwhichwasnowedding-ring,alittlemoretightlyonherknee.Shewasnot--neverhadbeen--sorryforwhatshehaddone tenyears ago.Shecouldn't havedone anything else, not she, JoscelynPenhallow,withthattouchofSpanishbloodinher.Butshehadalwaysfeltalittle outside of things and the feeling had deepened with the years. Sheseemedtohavenopartorlotinthelifethatwentonaroundher.Shelearnedtosmilelikeaqueen,withlipsnoteyes.

She sawher face reflected in the glass besideGayPenhallow and suddenlythoughtthatshelookedold.Gay,wearingheryouthlikeagoldenrose,wassohappy,soradiant,asiflightedbysomeinnerflame.Joscelynfeltaqueerpangofenvy.Shehadneverenviedanyoneinallthesetenyears,borneupbytheraptureofacertainstrange,spiritual,sacrificialpassionandrenunciation.Allatonce,shefeltanoddflatness,asifherwingshadletherdown.Achillofconsternationandfrightsweptoverher.Shewishedshehadnotcometothissillylevee.ShecarednothingabouttheoldDarkjug,thoughhermotherandAunt Rachel both wanted it. She would not have come if she had thoughtHughwouldbethere.Whowouldhaveexpectedhim?Surelyhedidn'twantthejug.Shewouldhavedespisedhimifshethoughthedid.Nodoubthehadhad to bring his mother and his sister, Mrs Jim Trent. They were bothgloweringather.Her sisters-in-law,MrsPennyDarkandMrsPalmerDark,were pretending not to see her. She knew they all hated her.Well, it didn'tmatter.Afterall,couldyoublamethem,consideringtheinsultshehadofferedtotheHouseofDark?No,itdidn'tmatter--Joscelynwonderedalittledreamilyifanythingmattered.ShelookedatLawsonDark,withtheV.C.hehadwonatAmienspinnedonhis breast, inhiswheel-chair behindStantonGrundy, fortenyears aparalytic fromshell-shock.AtNaomiDarkbesidehim,withherpatient,haggardfaceandherdark,holloweyesinwhichstillburnedthefiresofthehopethatkeptheralive.JoscelynwasamazedtofindsuddenlystirringinherheartaqueerenvyofNaomiDark.WhyshouldsheenvyNaomiDark,whosehusbanddidn'trecognizeher--never,hadrecognizedhersincehisreturnfrom the war? His mind was normal in every other respect, but he hadforgottenallaboutthebridehehadmetandmarriedonlyafewweeksbeforehisdeparturefor thefront.SheknewNaomi livedby thebelief thatLawsonwould remember her some day. Meanwhile she took care of him andworshipped him. Lawson had grown quite fond of her as a nurse, but norecollectionevercametohimofhissuddenloveandhisbriefhoneymoon.YetJoscelynenviedher.Shehadhadsomething.Lifehadnotbeenanemptycupfor her,whatever bitter brewwasmingled in it. EvenMrs FosterDark hadsomethingtolivefor.HappyDarkhadrunawayfromhomeyearsago,leaving

anote--"I'llcomebacksometime,Mother."MrsFosterwouldneverlockherdooratnight lestHappycome,anditwaswell-knownthatshealwaysleftasupper on the table for him.Nobody else believedHappywould ever comeback--the young devil was undoubtedly dead years ago and good riddance!ButthehopekeptMrsFostergoing,andJoscelynenviedher!

She sawMurrayDark devouring ThoraDarkwith his eyes, satisfied if shegavehimonlyonelookinreturn.Hewould,Joscelynknew,ratherhaveoneofthoselong,deep,remotelooksofThora'sthanakissfromanyotherwoman.Well, itwas nowonder he lovedThora. Shewas one of thosewomenmencan'thelploving--exceptChrisDark,whohadgivenuplovinghersixweeksafter hehadmarriedher.Yet otherwomendidnot dislikeThora.Whenevershe came into a room people felt happier. She lighted life like a friendlybeamingcandle.Shehadafacethatwascharmingwithoutbeingintheleastbeautiful. A fascinating square face with a wide space between her bluealmond-shapedeyesandasweet,crookedmouth.Shewasverynicelydressed.Herpeculiarlydarkauburnhairwaspartedonherforeheadandcoronettedonhercrown.Thereweremilkypearldropsinherears.WhatawifeshewouldmakeforMurrayifthatdetestableChriswouldonlybesoobligingastodie.Thewinterbefore,hehadhaddoublepneumoniaandeverybodywassurehewoulddie.Buthehadn't--owedhislife,nodoubt,toThora'sfaithfulnursing.AndMatthewPenhallowatThreeHills,whomeverybodylovedandwhohada family that needed him, died of his pneumonia. Another proof of thecontrarinessoflife.

Pauline Dark wasn't here.Was she still in love with Hugh? She had nevermarried.Whatatangled,criss-crossedthinglifewas,anyhow.Andheretheywereallsittinginrows,waitingforAmbrosineWinkworthtobringdownthejugaboutwhichtheywereallreadytoteareachotherinpieces.Trulyamadworld. Joscelynwasunblessedwith thesenseofhumourwhichwasmakingtheaffairatreattoTempestDark,sittingbehindher.Tempesthadmadeuphismindonconsideredopiniontoshoothimselfthatnight.Hehadnearlydoneitthenightbefore,buthehadreflectedthathemightaswellwait tillafter thelevee.Hewanted,asamerematterofcuriosity,toseewhogottheoldDarkjug.Winnifred had liked that jug.He knewhe had no chance of it himself.AuntBeckyhadnouseforabankrupt.Hewasbankruptandthewifehehadadoredhaddiedafewweekspreviously.Hecouldn'tseeanysense in livingon.Butjustatthismomenthewasenjoyinghimself.

VI

DonnaDarkandVirginiaPowellsattogetherasusual.Theywerefirstcousins,whowereborn the samedayandmarried the sameday,--Donna toherownsecondcousin,BarryDark,andVirginiatoEdmondPowell--twoweeksbeforethey had left for Valcartier. Edmond Powell had died of pneumonia in thetraining camp, but Barry Dark had his crowded hour of glorious lifesomewhereinFrance.VirginiaandDonnawere"warwidows"andhadmadeasolemncompacttoremainwidowsforever.ItwasVirginia'sidea,butDonnawasveryreadytofallinwithit.Sheknewshecouldnevercareforanymanagain.Shehadneversaidherheartwasburiedinanyespecialplace--thoughrumour sometimes attributedVirginia's famous utterance to her--but she feltthat way about it. For ten years they had continued towear weeds, thoughVirginiawasalwaysmuchweedierthanDonna.

Mostof theclanthoughtVirginia,withherspiritualbeautyofpalegoldhairandover-largeforget-me-noteyes,wastheprettierofthetwodevoted.Donnawasasdarkashername--a slight, ivory-coloured thingwithveryblackhairwhich she always wore brushed straight back from her forehead, as hairshouldbewornonlybyareallyprettywomanorbyawomanwhodoesn'tcarewhethershelooksprettyornot.Donnadidn'tcare--orthoughtshedidn't--butitwashergoodlucktohavebeenbornwithawidow'speakandthatsavedher.Her best featureswere her eyes, like star-sapphires, and hermouthwith itscorners tuckedup intodimples.Shehadbobbedherhair at last, thoughherfather kicked up a fearful domestic hullabaloo over it, and Virginia washorrified.

"DoyouthinkBarrywouldhavelikedit,dear?"

"Why not?" said Donna rebelliously. "Barry wouldn't have liked a dowdywife.Hewasalwaysup-to-date."

Virginiasighedandshookherhead.Shewouldnevercutoffherhair--never.ThehairEdmondhadcaressedandadmired.

"Heused to bury his face in it and say itwas like perfumed sunshine," shemoanedgently.

Donna had continued to live with her father, Drowned John Penhallow--socalled to distinguish him from another John Penhallow who had not beendrowned--andherolderhalf-sister,Thekla,eversinceBarry'sdeath.Shehadwanted togoawayand train fornursing,butDrownedJohnhadputhisnotinconsiderablefootdownonthat.Donnahadyielded--itsavedtroubletoyieldtoDrownedJohnattheoutset.Hesimplyyelledpeopledown.Hisrageswerenotoriousintheclan.Whenreproachedwiththemhesaid,

"IfIdidn'tgointoaragenowandthen,lifeherewouldbesodullmyfemaleswouldhangthemselves."

DrownedJohnwastwiceawidower.Withhisfirstwife,JenniePenhallow,hehadquarrelled from the time theyweremarried.When theyknew their firstbabywascoming,theyquarrelledoverwhatcollegetheywouldsendhimto.As the baby turned out to be Thekla, there was no question--in DrownedJohn'smind, at least--of college. But the rowswent on and became such ascandalthattheclanhintedataseparation--notdivorceofcourse.Thatneverenteredtheirheads.ButDrownedJohndidnotseethesenseofit.Hewouldhavetohaveahousekeeper.

"MightaswellbequarrellingwithJennieaswithanyotherwoman,"hesaid.

When Jennie died--"from sheer exhaustion," the clan said--Drowned JohnmarriedEmmyDark,destinedtobeDonna'smother.TheclanthoughtEmmywas more than a little mad to take him, and pointed out to her what anexistence shewould have. ButDrowned John never quarrelledwith Emmy.Emmysimplywouldnotquarrel--andDrownedJohnhadsecretlythoughtlifewithherwasveryflat.Yet,althoughhealwayshadtwosetsofmannersandused his second best at home, Thekla andDonnawere rather fond of him.Whenhegothisownwayhewasquiteagreeable.HatewhatDrownedJohnhated--love what Drowned John loved--give him a bit of blarney now andagain--andyoucouldn'tfindanicerman.

AllsortsofweirdyarnsweretoldofDrownedJohn'syoungdays,culminatingin his quarrel with his father, during which Drowned John, who had atremendous voice, shouted so loud that they heard him over at ThreeHills,twomilesaway.AfterwhichhehadrunawaytoseaonashipthatwasboundforNewZealand.He had fallen overboard on the voyage andwas reporteddrowned.Theclanheldafuneralserviceandhisfatherhadhisnamechiselledon the big familymonument in the graveyard. After two years young Johncamehome,unchangedsaveforahugesnake tattooedaroundhis rightarm,having acquired a lavishvocabularyof profanity and an abidingdistaste forsea-faring. Some thought the ship which had picked him up unnecessarilymeddlesome. But John settled down on the farm, told Jennie Penhallow hewas going to marry her, and refused to have his name erased from themonument.Itwastoogoodajoke.EverySundayDrownedJohnwentintothegraveyardandguffawedoverit.

HewassittingnowbehindWilliamY.andwonderingifWilliamY.reallywaspresumptuousenoughtoimagineheshouldhavethe jug.Why, therewasnomannerofdoubtintheworldthathe,JohnPenhallow,shouldhaveit.ItwouldbeadamnedoutrageifAuntBeckygaveittoanyoneelseandhe'dtellherso,

byasteriskandbyasterisk.Hisverylongfacecrimsonedwithfuryatthemerethought--a crimson that covered his ugly bald forehead, running back to hiscrown. His bushywhitemoustache bristled. His pop-eyes glared. By--moreasterisksandveryluridones--ifanyoneelsegotthatjugthey'dhavetoreckonwithhim.

"IwonderwhatDrownedJohnisswearingsoviciouslyinsidehimselfabout,"thoughtUnclePippin.

Donnawanted the jug, too.Shewas reallyquitecrazyabout it.She felt sheoughttohaveit.Long,longago,whenBarrywasjustalittleboy,AuntBeckyhadtoldhimshewasgoingtoleaveittohimwhenshedied.Soshe,Barry'swidow,shouldhave itnow.Itwassucha lovelyold thing,with its romantichistory.Donnahadalwayshankeredafter it.Shedidnot swear internally asherfatherdid,butshethoughtcrosslyshehadneverseensuchabunchofoldharpies.

VII

Outside on the railing of the verandaPeter Penhallowwas sitting, swingingoneofhis long legs idly in theair.Arathercontemptuousscowlwasonhislean, bronzed, weary face. Peter's face always looked bored and weary--atleastinscenesofcivilization.Hewasn'tgoingin.YouwouldnotcatchPetermewedupinaroomfullofheirloomhunters.Indeed,toPeteranyroom,evenavacantone,wassimplyaplacetogetoutofassoonaspossible.Healwaysaverredhecouldnotbreathewithfourwallsaroundhim.Hehadcometothisconfounded levee--a curse onAuntBecky'swhims!--sorely against hiswill,but at least he would stay outside where there was a distant view of thejewelledharbourandagloriouswind thathadneverknown fetters,blowingrightupfromthegulf--Peterlovedwind--andabigtreeofappleblossomthatwasfairertolookuponthananywoman'sfacehadeverseemedtoPeter.TheclanwrotePeterdownasawoman-hater,buthewasnothingofthesort.Theonly woman he hated was Donna Dark; he was simply not interested inwomenandhadnevertriedtobebecausehefeltsurenowomanwouldeverbewillingtosharetheonlylifehecouldlive.Andasforgivingupthatlifeandadopting a settled existence, the idea simply could never have occurred toPeter.Womenregrettedthis,fortheyfoundhimveryattractive.Nothandsomebut"sodistinguished,youknow."Hehadgreyeagleeyes,thatturnedblackinexcitement or deep feeling. Women did not like his eyes--they made them

uncomfortable--but they thought hismouth very beautiful, and even liked itfor its strength and tenderness and humour. As Uncle Pippin said, the clanwouldlikelyhavebeenveryfondofPeterPenhallowiftheyhadeverhadanychancetogetacquaintedwithhim.Asitwas,heremainedonlyatantalizinghop-out-of-kin,outofwhosegoings-on theygotseveralvicarious thrillsandofwhomtheywereproudbecausehisexplorationsanddiscoverieshadwonhim fame--"notoriety," Drowned John called it--but whom they neverpretendedtounderstandandofwhosesatiricwinkstheywereallalittleafraid.Peterhatedshamofanykind;andaclan like thePenhallowsand theDarkswerefullofit.Hadtobe,ortheycouldn'thavecarriedonasaclanatall.ButPeternevermadeanyallowancesforthat.

"Look atDonnaDark," hewaswont to sneer. "Pretending to be devoted toBarry'smemorywhenallthetimeshe'djumpatasecondhusbandiftherewasanychanceofone."

NotthatPetereverdidlookatDonna.Hehadneverseenhersinceshewasachild of eight, sitting across from him in church on the last Sunday he hadbeentherebeforeheranawayonthecattle-ship.ButpeoplereportedwhathesaidtoDonnaandDonnahaditinforhim.Sheneverexpectedanysuchgoodluckasachance toget square.Butoneofherday-dreamswas that insomemysteriousandunthinkablewayPeterPenhallowshouldfallinlovewithherandsueforherhand,onlytobespurnedwithcontumely.Oh,howshewouldspurn him! How she would show him that she was "a widow indeed."MeanwhileshehadtocontentherselfwithhatinghimasbitterlyasDrownedJohnhimselfcouldhate.

Peter,whowas by trade a civil engineer andby taste an explorer, hadbeenborninablizzardandhadnearlybeenthedeathofthreepeopleintheprocess--hismother, tobeginwith, andhis father and thedoctor,whowereblockedandallbutfrozentodeathonthatnightofstorm.WhentheywereeventuallydugoutandthawedoutPeterwasthere.Andnever,sooldAuntyButaverred,hadsuchaninfantbeenborn.Whenshehadcarriedhimouttothekitchentodresshim,hehadliftedhisheadofhisownpowerandstaredallaroundtheroomwith bright eager eyes. Aunty But had never seen anything like it. ItseemeduncannyandgavehersuchaturnthatsheletPeterdrop.Luckily,helanded unhurt on a cushion of the lounge, but it was the first of his manynarrowshaves.AuntyButalwaystoldwithawethatPeterhadnotcriedwhenhecameintotheworld,asallproperlybehavedbabiesdo.

"He seemed to like the change," saidAuntyBut. "He's a fine, healthy childbut"--andAuntButshookherheadforebodingly.TheJeffPenhallowsdidnotbotheroverher"buts."Shehadgothernicknamefromthem.Buttheylivedtothinkthatherforebodingonthisoccasionwasjustified.

Petercontinuedtolikechange.HehadbeenbornwiththesoulofBalboaorColumbus.He felt to the full the lure of treadingwherenohuman foot hadevertrod.Hehadathirstforlifethatwasneverquenched--"Life,"heusedtosay, "that grand glorious adventure we share with the gods."When he wasfourteenhehadearnedhiswayaroundtheworld,startingoutwith tencentsand working his passage to Australia on a cattle-ship. Then he had comehome--with the skin of a man-eating tiger he had killed himself for hismother'sdecorousparlour floorandacollectionofmagnificentblueAfricanbutterflieswhichbecameaclanboast--goneback to school, toiled slavishly,andeventuallygraduatedincivilengineering.Hisprofessiontookhimallovertheworld.When he hadmade enoughmoney out of a job to keep him forawhile, he stoppedworking and simply explored.Hewas alwaysdaring theunknown--the uncharted--the undiscovered. His family had resignedthemselves to it. AsUncle Pippin said, Peterwas "not domestic," and theyknewnowhewouldneverbecomeso.Hehadhadmanywildadventuresofwhichhis clanknewand a thousandmoreofwhich theynever heard.Theywerealwaysexpectinghimtobekilled.

"He'llbeclappedintoacooking-potsomeday,"saidDrownedJohn,buthedidnotsayittoPeter,forthesimplereasonthatheneverspoketohim.Therewasan old feud between those two Penhallow families, dating back to the daywhenJeffPenhallowhadkilledDrownedJohn'sdogandhungitathisgate,becauseDrowned John's dog hadworried his sheep andDrowned John hadrefusedtobelieveitortogetridofhisdog.FromthatdaynoneofDrownedJohn's family had had any dealings, verbal or otherwise, with any of JeffPenhallow's. Drowned John knocked down and otherwise maltreated in thesquare at Charlottetown amanwho said that Jeff Penhallow'swordwas asgoodashisbondbecauseneitherwasanygood.AndPeterPenhallow,meetinga fellow Islander somewhere along theCongo, slapped his face because thesaid Islander laughed over Thekla Dark having once flavoured somegingerbreadwithmustard.Butthiswasclanloyaltyandhadnothingwhatevertodowithpersonal feeling,whichcontinued tohardenandembitter throughtheyears.WhenBarryDark,Peter'scousinandwell-belovedchum,toldPeterhewasgoing tomarryDonnaDark,Peterwasneither to holdnor bind.HerefusedtocountenancetheaffairatallandkickedupsucharumpusthateventheJeffPenhallowsthoughthewasgoingentirelytoofar.Whentheweddingcameoff,PeterwashuntingwapitiinNewZealand,fullofbitternessofsoul,partlybecauseBarryhadmarriedoneoftheaccursedraceandpartlybecausehe,Peter,beingnotoriouslyandincurablyleft-handed,hadnotbeenacceptedfor overseas service. Barry had been rather annoyed over Peter's behaviourand a slight coolness had arisen between them, which was never quiteremovedbecauseBarrynevercamebackfromthefront.ThisleftasorespotinPeter'ssoulwhichenvenomedstillfurtherhishatredofDonnaDark.Peter

hadhadnointentionofcomingtoAuntBecky'slevee.Hehadfullymeanttoleavethatafternoonenrouteforanexploringexpeditionintheupperreachesof theAmazon.Hehadpackedandstrappedand lockedhis trunk,whistlingwith sheer boyish delight in being off once more. He had had a month athome--amonthtoomuch.ThankGod,nomoreofit.InafewweekshewouldbethousandsofmilesawayfromthepettygossipsandpettylovesandpettyhatesoftheDarksandPenhallows--awayfromaworldwherewomenbobbedtheir hair and you couldn't tell who were grandmothers and who wereflappers--frombehind--andinaplacewherenobodywouldevermakemoan,"Oh,whatwillpeoplethinkofyou,Peter,ifyoudo--ordon'tdo--that?"

"AndIswearbytheninegodsofClusiumthatthisplacewillnotseemeagainfor the next ten years," said Peter Penhallow, running downstairs to hisbrother'scar,waitingtotakehimtothestation.

Just thenDestiny,with an impish chuckle, tapped him on the shoulder.Hishalf-sisterNancywascomingintotheyardalmostintears.Shecouldn'tgettothe levee if hewouldn't take her.Her husband's car had broken down.Andshemust get to the levee. She would have no chance at all of getting thatdarlingoldjugifshedidnotgo.

"Young Jeff here can take you. I'll wait for the evening train," said Peterobligingly.

YoungJeffdemurred.Hehadtohoehisturnips.HecouldsparehalfanhourtotakePetertothestation,butspendawholeafternoondownatIndianSpringhewouldnot.

"Take her yourself," he said. "If the evening train suits you aswell, you'venothingelsetodothisafternoon."

Peteryieldedunwillingly.Itwasalmost thefirst timeinhis lifehehaddoneanythinghereallydidn'twanttodo.ButNancyhadalwaysbeenasweetlittledear--hisfavouriteinhisownfamily.She"Oh--Petered"himfarlessthananyoftheothers.Ifshehadsetherheartonthatconfoundedjug,hewasn'tgoingtospoilherchance.

IfPetercouldhaveforeseenthetrickFatehaditinmindtoplayhim,wouldhereallyhavegonetothelevee,Nancytothecontrarywithstanding.Well,wouldhenow?Askhimyourself.

SoPetercametothelevee,buthefeltabitgrimandintothehousehewouldnotgo.Hedidnotgivehisrealreason--forallhishatredofsham.Perhapshedidnotacknowledgeiteventohimself.Peter,whowasnotafraidofanyotherlivingcreaturefromsnakesandtigersup,wasattheverybottomofhisheart

afraidofAuntBecky.Thedevil himself,Peter reflected,wouldbe afraidofthatblisteringoldtongue.Itwouldnothavebeensobadifshehaddealthimthe direct thwacks she handed out to most people. But Aunt Becky had adifferenttechniqueforPeter.Shemadelittlesmilingspeechestohim,asmeanand subtle and nasty as a cut made with paper, and Peter had no defenceagainstthem.Sohethankfullydrapedhimselfovertherailingoftheveranda.TheMoonManwasstandingat theotherend,andBigSamDarkandLittleSamDarkwereinthetworocking-chairs.Peterdidn'tmindthem,buthehadabadmomentwhenMrsToynbeeDarkdroppedintotheonlyremainingchairwithherusualwhinesaboutherhealth, endingupwithpseudo-thankfulnessthatshewasaswellasshewas.

"Thegirlsofto-dayaresohealthy,"sighedMrsToynbee."Almostvulgarlyso,don't you think, Peter?When Iwas a girl Iwas extremely delicate.Once Ifaintedsix times inoneday. Idon't really thinkIought togointothatcloseroom."

Peter,whohadn'tbeensoscaredsince the timehehadmistakenanalligatorforalog,decidedthathehadeveryexcuseforbeingbeastly.

"Ifyoustayoutherewith fourunweddedmen,mydearAlicia,AuntBeckywillthinkyouhavenewmatrimonialdesignsandyou'llstandnochanceofthejugatall."

MrsToynbeeturnedahorribleshadeofpea-greenwithsuppressedfury,gavehimalookcontainingthingsnotlawfultobeutteredandwentinwithVirginiaPowell.Petertooktheprecautionofdroppingthesurpluschairovertherailingintothespireabushes.

"ExcusemeifIweep,"saidLittleSam,winkingatPeterwhilehewipedawaylargeimaginarytearsfromhiseyes.

"Vindictive.Veryvindictive,"saidBigSam,jerkinghisheadattheretreatingMrsToynbee."AndslyasSatan.Youshouldn'thaveputherbackup,Peter.She'lldoyouabadturnifshecan."

Peter laughed.WhatdidMrsToynbee'svindictivenessmatter tohim,boundfor the luring mysteries of untrod Amazon jungles? He drifted off into areverieoverthem,whilethetwoSamssmokedtheirpipesandreflected,eachaccordingtohisbent.

VIII

"Little" Sam Dark--who was six-feet-two--and "Big" Sam Dark--who wasfive-feet-one--were first cousins. "Big"Samwas sixyears theelder, and theadjectivethathadbeenappropriateinchildhoodstucktohim,asthingsstickin Rose River and Little Friday Cove, all his life. The two Samswere oldsailorsandlongshorefishermen,andtheyhadlivedtogetherforthirtyyearsinLittle Sam's little house that clung like a limpet to the red "cape" at LittleFridayCove.BigSamhadbeenbornabachelor.LittleSamwasawidower.HismarriagewassofarinthedimpastthatBigSamhadalmostforgivenhimfor it, though he occasionally cast it up to him in the frequent quarrels bywhichtheyenlivenedwhatmightotherwisehavebeentherathermonotonouslifeofretiredsea-folk.

Theywerenot,andneverhadbeen,beautiful, thoughthatfactworriedthemlittle. Big Sam had a face thatwas actually broader than itwas long and aflaming redbeard--a rare thing among theDarks,whogenerally livedup totheirname.Hehadneverbeenabletolearnhowtocook,buthewasagoodwasherandmender.Hecouldalsoknitsocksandwritepoetry.BigSamquitefancied himself as a poet. He had written an epic which he was fond ofdeclaiming in a surprisingly great voice for his thin body. Drowned Johnhimselfcouldhardlybellowlouder.Whenhewaslowinhismindhefeltthathehadmissedhis calling and that nobodyunderstoodhim.Also that nearlyeverybodyintheworldwasgoingtobedamned.

"Ishouldhavebeenapoet,"hewouldsaymournfullytohisorange-huedcat--whose namewasMustard. The cat always agreedwith him, but Little Samsometimessnortedcontemptuously.Ifhehadavanityitwasintheelaborateanchorstattooedonthebackofhishands.Heconsideredthemfarmoretastyandmuchmore inkeepingwith thesea thanDrownedJohn'ssnake.HehadalwaysbeenaLiberalinpoliticsandhadSirWilfridLaurier'spicturehangingover his bed. SirWilfrid was dead and gone, but in Big Sam's opinion nomodern leader could fill his shoes. Premiers and would-be premiers, likeeverything else,were degenerating.He thoughtLittle FridayCove themostdesirablespotonearthandresentedanyinsinuationtothecontrary.

"I like tohave thesea, 'theblue lonesea,'atmyverydoorstep like this,"heboomedtothe"writingman"whowaslivinginarentedsummercottageatthecoveandhadaskediftheyneverfoundLittleFridaylonesome.

"Jestpartofhispoeticalnature,"LittleSamhadexplainedaside, so that thewritingmanshouldnot think thatBigSamhadrats inhisgarret.LittleSamlivedinsecretfear--andBigSaminsecrethope--that thewritingmanwould"puttheminabook."

BythesideofthewizenedBigSamLittleSamlookedenormous.Hisfreckledfacewasliterallyhalfforeheadandanetworkoflarge,purplish-redveinsovernoseandcheekslookedlikesomemonstrousspider.Heworeagreatdroopingmoustachelikeahorse-shoethatdidnotseemtobelongtohisfaceatall.Buthewasagenialsoulandenjoyedhisowngoodcooking,especiallyhisfamouspea soups and clam chowders. His political idol was Sir John Macdonald,whosepicturehungovertheclockshelf,andhehadbeenheardtosay--notinBigSam'shearing--thatheadmiredweemenintheabstract.HehadaharmlesshobbyofcollectingskullsfromtheoldIndiangraveyarddownatBigFridayCoveandornamentingthefenceofhispotatoplotwiththem.HeandBigSamquarrelledaboutiteverytimehebroughtanewskullhome.BigSamdeclareditwasindecentandunnaturalandunchristian.Buttheskullsremainedonthepoles.

LittleSamwasnot,however,alwaysinconsiderateofBigSam'sfeelings.Hehad onceworn large, round, gold earrings in his ears, but he had given upwearing them because Big Samwas a fundamentalist and didn't think theywerePresbyterianornaments.

BothBigandLittleSamhadonlyanacademic interest in theoldDark jug.Theircousinshipwastoofarofftogivethemanyclaimonit.Buttheynevermissedattendinganyclangathering.BigSammightgetmaterialforapoemoutofitandLittleSammightseeaprettygirlortwo.HewasreflectingnowthatGayPenhallowhadgottobearegularlittlebeautyandthatThoraDarkwas byway of being a fine armful.And therewas something aboutDonnaDark--something confoundly seductive. William Y.'s Sara was undeniablyhandsome, but she was a trained nurse and Little Sam always felt that sheknew too much about her own and other people's insides to be reallycharming.AsforMrsAlpheusPenhallow'sNan,aboutwhomtherehadbeensomuchtalk,LittleSamgravelydecidedthatshewas"toojazzy."

ButJoscelynDark,now.Shehadalwaysbeenalooker.WhatthedivvlecouldhavecomebetweenherandHugh?LittleSam thought "divvle"was far lessprofane than "devil"--softer like. For an old sea-dog Little Sam was fussyabouthislanguage.

OswaldDarkhadbeenstandingatthefarendoftheveranda,hislarge,agate-grey, expressionless eyes fixedon the skyand thegoldenedgeof theworldthatwas thevalleyofBaySilver.Hewore,asusual,a longblack linencoatreachingtohisfeetand,asusual,hewasbareheaded.Hislongbrownhair,inwhich therewasnot awhite thread,parted in themiddle,was aswavyas awoman's. His cheeks were hollow but his face was strangely unlined. TheDarksandPenhallowswereasashamedofhimastheyhadoncebeenproud.In his youthOswaldDark had been a brilliant student,with theministry in

view. Nobody knew why he "went off." Some hinted at an unhappy loveaffair;somemaintaineditwassimplyoverwork.Afewshooktheirheadsoverthe fact that Oswald's grandmother had been an outsider--aMoorland fromdown east.Who knewwhat sinister strain shemight have brought into thepureDarkandPenhallowblood?

Whateverthereason,OswaldDarkwasnowconsideredaharmlesslunatic.Hewanderedatwilloverthepleasantredroadsof theIsland,andonmoonlightnightssanghappilyashestrodealong,withanoccasionalgenuflectiontothemoon.Onmoonless nights hewas bitterly unhappy andwept to himself inwoodsandremotecorners.Whenhegrewhungryhewouldcallinatthefirsthouse, knock thunderingly on the door as if it had no right to be shut, anddemandfoodregally.Aseverybodyknewhimhealwaysgotit,andnohousewasshuttohiminthecoldofawinternight.Sometimeshewoulddisappearfrom human ken for weeks at a time. But, as William Y. said, he had anuncanny instinct for clanpow-wowsof any sort and invariably turnedup atthem, though he could seldom be persuaded to enter the house where theywere being held. As a rule he took no notice of people he met in hiswanderings--except to scowl darkly at themwhen they demanded jocularly,"How'sthemoon?"--butheneverpassedJoscelynDarkwithoutsmilingather--astrangeeeriesmile--andoncehehadspokentoher.

"Youareseekingthemoon,too.Iknowit.Andyou'reunhappybecauseyoucan't get it. But it's better to want the moon, even if you can't get it--thebeautiful silvery remote Lady Moon--as unattainable as things of perfectbeautyeverare--than towantandgetanythingelse.Nobodyknows thatbutyouandme.It'sawonderfulsecret,isn'tit?Nothingelsematters."

IX

The folks in the parlour were getting a bit restless.What--the devil or themischief--according to sex--was keeping Ambrosine Winkworth so longgetting the jug? Aunt Becky lay impassive, gazing immovably at a plasterdecorationontheceilingwhich,StantonGrundyreflected,lookedexactlylikeasore.DrownedJohnnearlyblewtheroofoffwithoneofhisfamoussneezesandhalf thewomen jumpednervously.UnclePippinabsent-mindedlybegantohumNearerMyGodtoThee,butwassquelchedbyaglarefromWilliamY.Oswald Dark suddenly came to the open window and looked in at thesefoolishanddistractedpeople.

"Satanhasjustpassedthedoor,"hesaidinhisintensedramaticfashion.

"What a blessing he didn't come in," said Uncle Pippin imperturbably. ButRachelPenhallowwasdisturbed.IthadseemedsorealwhentheMoonMansaid it.ShewishedUnclePippinwouldnotbesoflippantand jocose.Everyone again wondered why Ambrosine didn't come in with the jug. Had shetakenaweakspell?Couldn'tshefindit?Hadshedroppedandbrokenitonthegarretfloor?

ThenAmbrosineentered,likeapriestessbearingachalice.Sheplacedthejugon the little round table between the two rooms.A sigh of relieved tensionwent over the assemblage, succeeded by an almost painful stillness.AmbrosinewentbackandsatdownatAuntBecky'srighthand.MissJacksonwassittingontheleft.

"Goodgosh,"whisperedStantonGrundy toUnclePippin, "didyouever seethreesuchuglywomenlivingtogetherinyourlife?"

Thatnightatthreeo'clockUnclePippinwokeupandthoughtofamarvellousretorthemighthavemadetoStantonGrundy.Butatthetimehecouldthinkofabsolutelynothingtosay.SoheturnedhisbackonStantonandgazedat thejug,aseveryoneelsewasdoing--somecovetously,afewindifferently,allwiththeinterestnaturaltothisexhibitionofanoldfamilyheirloomtheyhadbeenhearingaboutalltheirlivesandhadhadfewandfarbetweenopportunitiesofseeing.

Nobody thought the jug very beautiful in itself. Taste must have changednotablyinahundredyearsifanybodyhadeverthoughtitbeautiful.Yetitwasundoubtedly a delectable thing, with its history and its legend, and evenTempestDark leanedforward togetabetterviewof it.Athing like that,hereflected,deservedacertainreverencebecauseitwasthesymbolofaloveithadoutlastedonearthandsohadasacrednessofitsown.

Itwasanenormous,pot-belliedthingofatypethathadbeenpopularinpre-Victoriandays.GeorgetheFourthhadbeenkingwhentheoldDarkjugcameinto being. Half its nose was gone and a violent crack extended around itsmiddle.Thedecorationsconsistedofpink-giltscrolls,greenandbrownleavesandredandblueroses.Ononesidewasapictureoftwoconvivialtars,backedwiththeBritishEnsignandtheUnionJack,whohadevidentlybeenimbibingdeeplyof thecupwhichcheersand inebriates,andwhowereexpressing thefeelingsoftheirinmostheartsinsingingtheverseprintedabovethem:

Thussmilingatperilatseaoronshore

We'llboxtheoldcompassrightcheerly,Passthegrog,boys,about,withasongortwomore,Thenwe'lldrinktothegirlswelovedearly.

Ontheoppositesidethedesignerofthejug,whosestrongpointhadnotbeenspelling,hadfilledinthevacantplacewithapatheticversefromByron:

ThemanisdoomedtosailWiththeblastofthegaleThroughbillowsattalantictosteer.Ashebendso'erthewaveWhichmaysoonbehisgraveHeremembershishomewithatear.

RachelPenhallowfelta tearstart tohereyesandrolldownher longfaceasshereadit.Ithadbeen,shethoughtmournfully,sosadlyprophetic.

Inthemiddleofthejug,belowitsbrokennose,wasanameanddate.HarrietDark,Aldboro, 1826, surroundedby awreathof pink andgreen tiedwith atrue-lover'sknot.Thejugwasfullofoldpot-pourriandtheroomwasinstantlyfilled with its faint fragrance--a delicate spicy smell, old-maidishly sweet,virginally elusive, yet with such penetrating, fleeting suggestions of warmpassion and torrid emotions. Everybody in the room suddenly felt itsinfluence. For one infinitesimalmoment Joscelyn andHugh looked at eachother--Margaret Penhallow was young again--Virginia put her hand overDonna's in a convulsive grasp--Thora Darkmoved restlessly--and a strangeexpression flickered over Lawson Dark's face. Uncle Pippin caught it as itvanishedandfelthisscalpcrinkle.Forjustasecond,hethoughtLawsonwasremembering.

EvenDrownedJohnfoundhimselfrecallinghowprettyandflower-likeJenniehadbeenwhenhemarriedher.Whatahellofapityonecouldn'tstayalwaysyoung.

EveryonepresentknewtheromanticstoryoftheoldDarkjug.HarrietDark,whohadbeensleepingforonehundredyearsinaquaintEnglishchurchyard,hadbeenaslimfaircreaturewithfaintrosecheeksandbiggreyeyes,in1826,withagallantsea-captainforalover.Andthislover,onwhatprovedtobehislastvoyage,hadsailedtoAmsterdamandtherehadcausedtobemadethejug

of scroll and verse and true-lover's knot for a birthday gift to hisHarriet, itbeingthefashionofthetimetogivetheladyofyourheartsucharobustandcapacious jug.Alas for true loves and true lovers!On the voyagehome theCaptain was drowned. The jug was sent to the broken-hearted Harriet.Heartsdidbreakahundredyearsago,itissaid.AyearlaterHarriet,herspringoflovesosuddenlyturnedtoautumn,wasburiedintheAldborochurchyardandthejugpassedintothekeepingofhersister,SarahDark,whohadmarriedher cousin, Robert Penhallow. Sarah, being perhaps of a practical andunromantic turn ofmind, used the jug to hold the black currant jam for theconcoctionofwhich shewasnoted.Sixyears later,whenRobertPenhallowdecidedtoemigratetoCanada,hiswifecarriedthejugwithher,fullofblackcurrantjam.Thevoyagewaslongandstormy;thecurrantjamwasalleaten;andthejugwasbrokenbysomemischanceintothreelargepieces.ButSarahPenhallowwasaresourcefulwoman.Whenshewasfinallysettledinhernewhome,shetookthejugandmendeditcarefullywithwhite lead.Itwasdonethoroughlyandlastinglybutnotexactlyartistically.Sarahsmearedthewhiteleadratherlavishlyoverthecracks,pressingitdownwithhercapablethumb.And in a good light to this very day the lines of Sarah Penhallow's thumbcouldbeclearlyseeninthehardenedspatsofwhitelead.

Thereafter for years Sarah Penhallow kept the jug in her dairy, filled withcreamskimmedfromherbroad,golden-brown,earthenwaremilk-pans.Onherdeath-bedshehadgivenit toherdaughterRachel,whohadmarriedThomasDark. Rachel Dark left it to her son Theodore. By this time it had beenadvancedtothedignityofanheirloomandwasnolongerdegradedtomenialuses.AuntBeckykeptitinherchinacabinet,anditwaspassedaroundanditsstorytoldatallclangatherings.ItwassaidacollectorhadofferedAuntBeckyafabuloussumforit.ButnoDarkorPenhallowwouldeverhavedreamedofselling such a household god. Absolutely it must remain in the family. TowhomwouldAuntBeckygiveit?Thiswasthequestioneveryoneintheroomwassilentlyasking;AuntBeckyaloneknewtheanswerandshedidnotmeantobeinanyhurrytogiveit.Thiswasherlastlevee;shehadmuchtodoandstillmore to say before she came to the question of the jug at all. Shewasgoingtotakehertimeaboutitandenjoyit.Sheknewperfectlywellthatwhatshewasgoingtodowouldseteverybodybytheears,butallsheregrettedwasthatshewouldnotbealivetoseethesport.Lookatallthosefemaleanimalswiththeireyespoppingoutatthejug!AuntBeckybegantolaughandlaugheduntilherbedshook.

"I think," she said, finally, wiping the tears ofmirth from her eyes, "that asolemnassemblylikethisshouldbeopenedwithprayer."

This was by way of being a bombshell.Who but Aunt Becky would have

thought of such a thing?Everybody looked at eachother and then atDavidDark,whowas the onlyman in the clanwhowas known to have a gift ofprayer.DavidDarkwasusuallyveryready to lead inprayer,buthewasnotpreparedforthis.

"David," saidAuntBecky inexorably. "I'm sorry to say this clanhaven't thereputationofwearingtheirkneesoutpraying.Ishallhavetoaskyoutodotheproperthing."

Hiswifelookedathimappealingly.Shewasveryproudbecauseherhusbandcouldmakesuchfineprayers.Sheforgavehimallelseforit,eventhefactthathemade all his family go to bed early to save kerosene and had a dreadfulhabit of licking his fingers after eating tarts. David's prayerswere her onlyclaimtodistinction,andshewasafraidhewasgoingtorefusenow.

David, poor wretch, had no intention of refusing, much as he disliked theprospect.TodosowouldoffendAuntBeckyand losehimallchanceof thejug.Heclearedhisthroatandrosetohisfeet.Everybodybowed.OutsidethetwoSams,realizingwhatwasgoingonasDavid'ssonorousvoicefloatedouttothem,tooktheirpipesoutoftheirmouths.David'sprayerwasnotuptohisbest, as hiswife admitted to herself, but itwas an eloquent and appropriatepetitionandDavidfelthimselfbadlyusedwhenafterhis"Amen"AuntBeckysaid:

"Giving God information isn't praying, David. It's just as well to leavesomething toHis imagination, you know. But I suppose you did your best.Thankyou.Bytheway,doyourememberthetime,fortyyearsago,whenyouputAaronDark'soldraminthechurchbasement?"

DavidlookedsillyandMrsDavidwasindignant.AuntBeckycertainlyhadavilehabitofreferringincompanytowhateverincidentinyourlifeyouweremostanxioustoforget.Butshewaslikethat.Andyoucouldn'tresentitifyouwantedthejug.TheDavidDarksmanagedafeeblesmile.

"Noel,"thoughtGay,"isleavingthebanknow."

"Iwonder," saidAuntBecky reflectively, "whowas the firstmanwho everprayed.Andwhat he prayed for.And howmany prayers have been utteredsincethen."

"Andhowmanyhavebeenanswered,"saidNaomiDark,speakingbitterlyandsuddenlyforthefirsttime.

"PerhapsWilliamY.couldthrowsomelightonthat,"chuckledUnclePippinmaliciously. "I understand he keeps a systematic record of all his prayers,

whichareansweredandwhichain't.Howaboutit,WilliamY.?"

"Itaveragesupaboutfifty-fifty,"saidWilliamY.solemnly,notunderstandingatallwhysomeweregiggling."Iamboundtosay, though,"headded,"thatsomeoftheanswerswere--peculiar."

As for Ambrosine Winkworth, David had made an enemy for life of herbecausehehadreferredtoheras"Thineagedhandmaiden."AmbrosineshotavenomousglanceatDavid.

"Aged--aged,"shemutteredrebelliously."Why,I'monlyseventy-two--notsooldasallthat--notsoold."

"Hush,Ambrosine," saidAuntBecky authoritatively. "It's a long time sinceyouwere young. Put another cushion undermy head. Thanks. I'm going tohavethefunofreadingmyownwill.AndI'vehadthefunofwritingmyownobituary.It'sgoingtobeprintedjustasI'vewrittenit,too.Camillahassworntoseetothat.GoodLord,theobituariesI'veread!Listentomine."

AuntBeckyproducedafoldedpaperfromunderherpillow.

"'NogloomwascastoverthecommunitiesofIndianSpring,ThreeHills,RoseRiver or Bay Silver when it became known that Mrs Theodore Dark--AuntBecky as shewas generally called, less from affection than habit--had diedon'--whateverthedatewillbe--'attheageofeighty-five.'

"Younotice,"saidAuntBecky,interruptingherself,"thatIsaydied.Ishallnotpassawayorpassoutorpaymydebttonatureordepartthislifeorjointhegreatmajorityorbesummonedtomylonghome.Iintendsimplyandsolelytodie.

"'Everybodyconcernedfeltthatitwashightimetheoldladydiddie.Shehadlived a long life, respectably if not brilliantly, had experienced almosteverything a decent female could experience, had outlived husband andchildrenandanybodywhohadeverreallycaredanythingforher.Therewastherefore neither sense, reason nor profit in pretending gloom or grief. Thefuneraltookplaceon'--whateverdateitdoestakeplaceon--'fromthehomeofMiss Camilla Jackson at Indian Spring. It was a cheerful funeral, inaccordance with Aunt Becky's strongly expressed wish, the arrangementsbeingmadebyMrHenryTrent,undertaker,RoseRiver.'

"Henry will never forgive me for not calling him a mortician," said AuntBecky."Mortician--Humph!ButHenryhasageniusforarrangingfuneralsandI'vepickedonhimtoplanmine.

"'Flowers were omitted by request'--no horrors of funeral wreaths for me,

mind.Noboughtharpsandpillowsandcrosses.Butifanybodycarestobringabouquetfromtheirowngarden,theymay--'andtheserviceswereconductedby the Rev. Mr Trackley of Rose River. The pall-bearers were Hugh Dark,RobertDark'--mind you don't stumble, Dandy, as you did at Selina Dark'sfuneral.What a jolt you must have given the poor old girl--'PalmerDark,Homer Penhallow'--put them on opposite sides of the casket so they can'tfight--'MurrayDark, Roger Penhallow,DavidDark, and John Penhallow'--DrownedJohn,mindyou,notthatsimperingnincompoopatBaySilver--'whocontrived to get through the performancewithout swearing as he did at hisfather'sfuneral.'"

"Ididn't,"shoutedDrownedJohnfuriously,springing tohis feet."Anddon'tyoudarepublishsuchathingaboutmeinyourdamnedobituary.You--you--"

"Sitdown,John,sitdown.Thatreallyisn'tintheobituary.Ijuststuckitinthisminutetogetariseoutofyou.Sitdown."

"Ididn'tswearatmyfather'sfuneral,"mutteredDrownedJohnsullenlyasheobeyed.

"Well,maybeitwasyourmother's.Don'tinterruptmeagainplease.Courtesycosts nothing as the Scotchman said. 'Aunt Beckywas born a Presbyterian,livedaPresbyterian,anddiedaPresbyterian.ShehadahardmantopleaseinTheodoreDark,but shemadehimquiteasgoodawifeashedeserved.Shewas a good neighbour as neighbours go and did not quarrel more thananybodyelse in theclan.Shehadaknackof takingthewindoutofpeople'ssails that did not make for popularity. She seldom suffered in silence. Hertemperwasabouttheaverage,neitherworsenorbetteranddidnotsweetenasshegrewolder.Shealwaysbehavedherselfdecently,althoughmanyatimeitwould have been a relief to be indecent. She told the truth almost always,thereby doing a great deal of good and some harm, but she could tell a liewithout straining her conscience when people asked questions they had nobusinesstoask.Sheoccasionallyusedanaughtywordundergreatstressandshe could listen to a risky storywithout turningwhite around the gills, butobscenity never took the place of wit with her. She paid her debts, went tochurchregularly, thoughtgossipwasvery interesting, liked tobe the first tohearapieceofnews,andwasalwaysespeciallyinterestedinthingsthatwerenoneofherbusiness.Shecouldseeababywithoutwantingtoeatit,butshewas always a very goodmother to her own. She longed for freedom, as allwomendo,buthadsenseenoughtounderstandthatrealfreedomisimpossiblein this kind of a world, the lucky people being those who can choose theirmasters, so shenevermade themistakeof kickinguselesslyover the traces.Sometimes she was mean, treacherous and greedy. Sometimes she wasgenerous,faithfulandunselfish.Inshort,shewasanaveragepersonwhohad

livedaslongasanybodyshouldlive.'

"There,"saidAuntBecky,tuckingherobituaryunderthepillow,quitehappyintheassurancethatshehadmadeasensation."YouwillobservethatIhavenotcalledmyself'thelateMrsDark'or'thedeceasedlady'or'relict.'Andthat'sthat."

"Godblessme,didyoueverhear theequalof that?"mutteredUnclePippinblankly.

Every one else was silent in a chill of outraged horror. Surely--surely--thatappalling document would never be published. It must not be published, ifanythingshortoftheassassinationofCamillaJacksoncouldpreventit.Why,strangerswouldsupposeithadbeenwrittenbysomesurvivingmemberoftheclan.

ButAuntBeckywas bringing out another document, and all theDarks andPenhallowsbottleduptheirindignationforthetimebeinganduncorkedtheirears.Whowastogetthejug?Untilthatwassettledthematteroftheobituarywouldbeleftinabeyance.

AuntBeckyunfoldedherwill,andsettledherowlishshell-ringedglassesonherbeakynose.

"I've leftmy littlebitofmoney toCamilla forher life,"shesaid."Afterherdeathit'stogotothehospitalinCharlottetown."

AuntBeckylookedsharplyoverthethrong.Butshedidnotseeanyparticulardisappointment. To do the Darks and Penhallows justice, they were notmoney-grabbers.NoonegrudgedCamilla Jacksonher legacy.Moneywasathingonecouldandshouldearnforoneself;butoldfamilyheirlooms,crustedwith the sentiment of dead and gone hopes and fears for generations, weredifferentmatters.SupposeAuntBeckyleftthejugtosomerankoutsider?Oramuseum? She was quite capable of it. If she did, William Y. Penhallowmentallyregisteredavowthathewouldseehislawyeraboutit.

"Any debts are to be paid," continuedAunt Becky, "andmy grave is to beheapedup--notleftflat.Iinsistonthat.Makeanoteofit,Artemas."

Artemas Dark nodded uncomfortably. He was caretaker of the Rose Rivergraveyard,andheknewhewouldhavetroublewiththecemeterycommitteeaboutthat.Besides,itmadeitsoconfoundedlydifficulttomow.AuntBeckyprobablyreadhisthoughts,forshesaid:

"Iwon'thavea lawn-mowerrunningoverme.Youcanclipmygravenicelywiththeshears.I'veleftdirectionsformytombstone,too.Iwantoneasbigas

anybodyelse's.AndIwantmylaceshawldrapedaroundmeinmycoffin.It'stheonlythingImeantotakewithme.Theodoregaveit tomewhenRonaldwasborn.Therewere timeswhenTheodore coulddo as graceful a thing asanybody.It'sasgoodasnew.I'vealwayskeptitwrappedinsilverpaperatthebottomofmythirdbureaudrawer.Remember,Camilla."

Camilla nodded. The first sign of disappointment appeared onMrsCliffordPenhallow's face. She had set her heart on getting the lace shawl, for shefearedshehadverylittlechanceofgettingthejug.Theshawlwassaidtohavecost Theodore Dark two hundred dollars. To think of burying two hundreddollars!

MrsToynbeeDark,whohadbeenwaitingalltheafternoonforanopportunitytocry, thoughtshesawitat thementionofAuntBecky'sbabysonwhohadbeen dead for sixty years, and got out her handkerchief. But Aunt Beckyheadedheroff.

"Don'tstartcryingyet,Alicia.Bytheway,whileIthinkofit,willyoutellmesomething? I've alwayswanted to know and I'll never have another chance.Which of your three husbands did you like best--Morton Dark, EdgarPenhallow,orToynbeeDark?Comenow,makeacleanbreastofit."

MrsToynbeeputherhandkerchiefbackinherbagandshut the latterwithavicioussnap.

"Ihadadeepaffectionforallmypartners,"shesaid.

AuntBeckywaggedherhead.

"Whydidn'tyousay'deceased'partners?Youwerethinkingit,youknow.Youhavethattypeofmind.Alicia,tellmehonestly,don'tyouthinkyououghttohave been more economical with husbands? Three! And poor Mercy andMargarettherehaven'tbeenableeventogetone."

MercyreflectedbitterlythatifshehademployedthemethodsAliciaDarkhad,shemighthavehadhusbandsandtospare,too.Margaretcolouredsoftlyandlooked piteous. Why, oh, why, must cruel old Aunt Becky hold her up topublicridiculelikethis?

"I've divided all my belongings among you," said Aunt Becky. "I hate thethoughtofdyingandleavingallmynicethings.Butsinceitmustbe,I'mnotgoing to have any quarrelling over them before I'm cold in my grave.Everything'sdownhereinblackandwhite.I'vejustleftthethingsaccordingtomyownwhims.I'llreadthelist.Andletmesaythatthefactthatanyoneofyougetssomethingdoesn'tmeanthatyou'venochanceforthejugaswell.I'm

comingtothatlater."

AuntBecky took off her spectacles, polished them, put them on again, andtookadrinkofwater.DrownedJohnnearlygroanedwithimpatience.Heavenonlyknewhowlongitwouldbebeforeshewouldget tothejug.Hehadnointerestinherotherpaltryknick-knacks.

"Mrs Denzil Penhallow is to have my pink china candlesticks," announcedAuntBecky."Iknowyou'llbedelightedatthis,Marthadear.You'vegivenmesomanyhintsaboutcandlesticks."

MrsDenzilhadwantedAuntBecky'sbeautiful silverGeorgiancandlesticks.Andnowshewassaddledwithapairofunspeakablechinahorrors,incolouradeep magenta-pink with what looked like black worms wriggling all overthem.But she tried to lookpleased, because if shedidn't, itmight spoil herchances for the jug.Denzil scowled, jug or no jug, andAuntBecky saw it.PompousoldDenzil!Shewouldgetevenwithhim.

"IrememberwhenDenzilwasaboutfiveyearsoldhecamedowntomyplacewithhismother,oneday,andouroldturkeygobblertookafterhim.Isupposethe poor bird thought no one else had a right to be strutting around there.'Member, Denzil? Lord, how you ran and blubbered!You certainly thoughtOldNickwasafteryou.Doyouknow,Denzil,I'veneverseenyouparadingupthechurchaislesincebutI'vethoughtofthat."

Well,ithadtobeendured.Denzilclearedhisthroatandenduredit.

"I haven'tmuch jewellery,"Aunt Beckywas saying. "Two rings.One is anopal.I'mgivingthattoVirginiaPowell.Theysayitbringsbadluck,butyou'retoomoderntobelievethatoldsuperstition,Virginia.ThoughIneverhadanyluckafterIgotit."

Virginiatriedtolookhappy,thoughshehadwantedtheChinesescreen.Asforluckornoluck,howcouldthatmatter?Lifewasoverforher.Nobodygrudgedher theopal,butwhenAuntBeckymentionedringsmanyearswereprickedup.Whowould get her diamond ring? Itwas a fine one andworth severalhundredsofdollars.

"AmbrosineWinkworthistohavemydiamondring,"saidAuntBecky.

Half thosepresentcouldnotrepressagaspofdisapprovaland thecollectiveeffect was quite pronounced. This, thought the gaspers, was absurd.AmbrosineWinkworth had no right whatever to that ring. And what goodwoulditdoher--anoldbroken-downservant?Really,AuntBecky'sbrainmustbesoftening.

"Hereitis,Ambrosine,"saidAuntBecky,takingitfromherbonyfingerandhandingit tothetremblingAmbrosine."I'llgiveit toyounow,sothere'llbenomistake.Putiton."

Ambrosineobeyed.Heroldwrinkledfacewasaglowwiththejoyofalong-cherisheddreamsuddenlyandunexpectedlyrealized.AmbrosineWinkworth,throughadrablifespentinotherpeople'skitchens,hadhankeredallthroughthatlifeforadiamondring.Shehadneverhopedtohaveit;andnowhereitwasonherhand,agreatstarrywonderfulthing,glitteringintheJunesunshinethat fell through the window. Everything came true for Ambrosine in thatmoment.Sheaskednomoreoffate.

Perhaps Aunt Becky had divined that wistful dream of the old woman. OrperhapsshehadjustgivenAmbrosinetheringtoannoytheclan.Ifthelatter,she had certainly succeeded. Nan Penhallow was especiallyfurious.She should have the diamond ring. Thekla Penhallow felt the sameway.Joscelyn,whooncehadhadadiamondring,Donna,whostillhadone,and Gay, who expected she soon would have one, looked amused andindifferent.ChucklingtoherselfAuntBeckypickedupherwillandgaveMrsCliffordPenhallowherChinesescreen.

"AsifIwantedheroldChinesescreen,"thoughtMrsClifford,almostonthepointoftears.

Margaret Penhallowwas the only onewhom nobody envied. She got AuntBecky'sPilgrim'sProgress, a very old, battered book. The covers had beensewedon;theleaveswereyellowwithage.Onewasafraidtotouchitlestitmight fall topieces. ItwasamostdisreputableoldvolumewhichTheodoreDark,forsomeunknownreason,hadprizedwhenalive.Sincehisdeath,AuntBeckyhadkeptitinanoldboxinthegarretwhereithadgotmustyanddusty.ButMargaretwasnotdisappointed.Shehadexpectednothing.

"MygreenpickleleafistogotoRachelPenhallow,"saidAuntBecky.

Rachel'slongfacegrewlonger.ShehadwantedtheApostlespoons.ButGayPenhallow got the Apostle spoons--to her surprise and delight. They werequaintandlovely,andwouldaccordcharminglywithacertainlittlehouseofdreamsthatwasfaintlytakingshapeinherimagination.AuntBeckylookedatGay's sparkling face with less grimness than she usually showed andproceeded togiveherdinner-set toMrsHowardPenhallow,whowanted theChippendalesideboard.

"Itwasmywedding-set," saidAuntBecky. "There's only onepiece broken.Theodore brought his fist down on the cover of one of the tureens one daywhen he got excited in an argument at dinner. I won out in the argument,

though--atleastIgotmyownway,tureenornotureen.Emily,you'retohavethebed."

MrsEmilyFrost,néeDark,agentle,fadedlittleperson,whoalsohadyearnedfortheApostlespoons,triedtolookgratefulforabedwhichwastoobigforanyofhertinyrooms.AndMrsAlpheusPenhallow,whowantedthebed,hadtoputupwiththeChippendalesideboard.DonnaDarkgotanoldegg-dishintheguiseofagailycolouredchinahensittingonayellowchinanest,andwasgladbecauseshehadlikedtheoldthingwhenshewasachild.JoscelynDarkgot the claw-footed mahogany table Mrs Palmer Dark had hoped for, andRogerDarkgottheGeorgiancandlesticksandMrsDenzil'seternalhatred.Thebeautiful old Queen Anne bookcase went toMurray Dark, who never readbooks, andHughDark got the old hour-glass--early eighteenth century--andwonderedbitterlywhatuseitwouldbetoamanforwhomtimehadstoppedten years ago. He knew, none better, how long an hour can be and whatdevastatingthingscanhappeninit.

"Crosby,you're tohavemyoldcut-glasswhiskydecanter,"AuntBeckywassaying."Therehasn'tbeenanywhiskyin it formanyayear,more's thepity.It'llholdthewateryou'realwaysdrinkinginthenight.Iheardyouadmireitonce."

Old Crosby Penhallow, who had been nodding, wakened up and lookedpleased.Hereallyhadn'texpectedanything.ItwaskindofBeckytorememberhim.Theyhadbeenyoungtogether.

AuntBeckylookedathim--athissmooth,shiningbaldhead,hissunkenblueeyes, his toothlessmouth. Old Crosbywould never have false teeth. Yet inspiteofthebaldheadandfadedeyesandshrunkenmouth,CrosbyDarkwasnotanill-lookingoldman--quitethereverse.

"Ihaveamind to tellyousomething,Crosby,"saidAuntBecky."Youneverknewit--nobodyeverknewit--butyouweretheonlymanIeverloved."

The announcement made a sensation. Everybody--so ridiculous is outwornpassion--wantedtolaughbutdarednot.Crosbyblushedpainfullyalloverhiswrinkledface.Hangitall,wasoldBeckymakingfunofhim?Andwhetherorno,howdaredshemakeashowofhimlikethisbeforeeverybody?

"Iwasquitemadaboutyou,"saidAuntBeckymusingly."Why?Idon'tknow.Youwerehandsomersixtyyearsagothananymanhasarighttobe,butyouhadnobrains.Yetyouwerethemanforme.Andyouneverlookedatme.YoumarriedAnnetteDark--and ImarriedTheodore.NobodyknowshowmuchIhatedhimwhenImarriedhim.ButIgotquitefondofhimafterawhile.That'slife, you know--though those three romantic young geese here, Gay and

DonnaandVirginia,thinkI'mtalkingrankheresy.Igotovercaringforyouintime,eventhoughforyearsafterIdid,myheartusedtobeatlikemadeverytimeIsawyouwalkupthechurchaislewithyourmeeklittleAnnettetrottingbehindyou.Igotalotofthrillsoutoflovingyou,Crosby--manymoreIdon'tdoubtthanifI'dmarriedyou.AndTheodorewasreallyamuchbetterhusbandformethanyou'dhavebeen--hehadasenseofhumour.Anditdoesn'tmatternowwhetherhewasorwasn't.Idon'tevenwishnowthatyouhadlovedme,though I wished it for so many years. Lord, the nights I couldn't sleep forthinkingofyou--andTheodoresnoringbesideme.But there it is.Somehow,I'vealwayswantedyoutoknowitandatlastI'vehadthecouragetotellyou."

OldCrosbywipedhisbrowwithhishandkerchief.Erasmuswouldnever lethimhearthelastofthis--never.Andsupposeitgotintothepapers!Ifhehaddreamedanythinglikethiswasgoingtohappen,hewouldneverhavecometothelevee.Hegloweredatthejug.Itwastoblame,durnit.

"I wonder how many of us will get out of this alive," whispered StantonGrundytoUnclePippin.

ButAuntBecky had switched over to PennyDark andwas giving him herbottleofJordanwater.

"WhatthedeucedoIcareforJordanwater,"thoughtPenny.Perhapshisfacewastooexpressive,forAuntBeckysuddenlygrinneddangerously.

"Mind the time,Penny,youmovedavoteof thanks toRobDufferinon thedeathofhiswife?"

Therewasachorusoflaughsofvaryingtimbre,amongwhichDrownedJohn'sboomed like an earthquake. Penny's thoughtswere as profane as the others'hadbeen.That a littlemistakebetween thanks and condolence,made in thenervousnessofpublicspeaking,shouldbeeverlastinglycomingupagainstamanlikethis.FromoldAuntBecky,too,whohadjustconfessedthatmostofherlifeshehadlovedamanwhowasn'therhusband,thescandalousoldbody.

Mercy Penhallow sighed. She would have liked the Jordan water. RachelPenhallowhadoneandMercyhadalwaysenviedherforit.TheremustbeablessinginanyhouseholdthathadabottleofJordanwater.AuntBeckyheardthesighandlookedatMercy.

"Mercy," she said apropos of nothing, "do you remember that forgotten pieyoubroughtoutaftereverybodyhadfinishedeatingattheStanleyPenhallow'ssilver-weddingdinner?"

ButMercywasnotafraidofAuntBecky.Shehadaspiritofherown.

"Yes, Ido.Anddoyou remember,AuntBecky, that thefirst timeyoukilledandroastedachickenafteryouweremarried,youbroughtittothetablewiththeinsidesstillinit?"

Nobodydared to laugh,buteverybodywasgladMercyhad thespunk.AuntBeckynoddedundisturbed.

"Yes, and I remember how it smelled!We had company, too. I don't thinkTheodore ever fully forgave me. I thought that had been forgotten yearsago. Is anything ever forgotten? Can people ever live anything down? Thehonours are to you, Mercy, but I must get square with somebody. JuniusPenhallow, doyou remember--sinceMercy has started digging up the past--howdrunkyouwereatyourwedding?"

JuniusPenhallow turnedaviolentcrimsonbutcouldn'tdeny it.Ofwhatusewasit,withMrsJuniusathiselbow,topleadthathehadbeeninsuchabluefunk on his wedding-morning that he'd never have had the courage to gothroughwithitifhehadn'tgotdrunk?Hehadneverbeendrunksince,anditwas hard to have it raked up now,when hewas an elder in the church andnotedforhisavowedtemperanceprinciples.

"I'm not the only onewho ever got drunk in this clan," he dared tomutter,despitethejug.

"No,tobesure.There'sArtemasoverthere.Doyouremember,Artemas,theeveningyouwalkedupthechurchaisleinyournightshirt?"

Artemas, a tall, raw-boned, red-haired fellow, had been too drunk on thatoccasion to remember it, but he always roared when reminded of it. Hethoughtitthebestjokeever.

"YoushouldhaveallbeenthankfulIhadthatmuchonmyself,"hesaidwithachuckle.

Mrs Artemas wished she were dead. What was a joke to Artemas was atragedytoher.Shehadneverforgotten--nevercouldforget--thehumiliationofthatunspeakableevening.ShehadforgivenArtemascertainviolationsofhismarriage vow ofwhich every onewas aware.But she had never forgiven--neverwouldforgive--theepisodeof thenightshirt. If ithadbeenpyjamas, itwould not have been quite so terrible. But in those days pyjamas wereunknown.

AuntBeckywasatMrsConradDark.

"I'mgivingyoumysilversaltcellars.AlecDark'smothergavethemtomefora wedding-present. Do you remember the time you andMrs Clifford there

quarrelledoverAlecDarkandsheslappedyourface?AndneitherofyougotAlec after all. There, there, don't crack the spectrum. It's all dead andvanished,justlikemyaffairwithCrosby."

("Asiftherewaseveranyaffair,"thoughtCrosbypiteously.)

"Pippin's to havemy grandfather clock.MrsDigbyDark thinks she shouldhavethatbecauseherfathergaveittome.Butno.Doyouremember,Fanny,thatyouonceputatractinabookyoulentme?DoyouknowwhatIdidwithit? I used it for curl papers. I've never forgiven you for the insult. Tracts,indeed.DidIneedtracts?"

"You--weren'tamemberofthechurch,"saidMrsDigby,onthepointoftears.

"No--nor amyet.Theodore and I could never agreewhich church to join. IwantedRoseRiverandhewantedBaySilver.AndafterhedieditseemedsortofdisrespectfultohismemorytojoinRoseRiver.Besides,Iwassooldthenitwould have seemed funny.Marrying and church-joining should be done inyouth.ButIwasasgoodaChristianasanyone.NaomiDark."

Naomi,whohadbeenfanningLawson,lookedupwithastartasAuntBeckyhurledhernameather.

"You'retogetmyWedgwoodteapot.It'saprettything.Cauliflowerpattern,asit'scalled,pickedoutwithgoldlustre.It'stheonlythingitreallyhurtsmetogiveup.Lettygaveittome--sheboughtitatasaleintownwithsomeofherfirst quarter's salary.Have you all forgottenLetty? It's forty years since shedied.Shewouldhavebeensixtyifshewerelivingnow--asoldasyou,Fanny.Oh, I knowyou don't own tomore than fifty, but you andLettywere bornwithinthreeweeksofeachother.ItseemsfunnytothinkofLettybeingsixty--shewasalwayssoyoung--shewastheyoungest thingIeverknew.IusedtowonderhowTheodoreandIeverproducedher.Shecouldn'thavebeensixtyever--that'swhyshehadtodie.Afterall,itwasbetter.Ithurtmetohaveherdie--butIthinkitwouldhavehurtmemoretoseehersixty--wrinkled--faded--grey-haired--my pretty Letty, like a rose tossing in a breeze. Have you allforgotten that gold hair of hers--such living hair? Be good to her teapot,Naomi.Well, that's theendofmyvaluablebelongings--except thejug.I'mabittired--IwantarestbeforeItacklethatbusiness.I'mgoingtoaskyoualltositinabsolutesilencefortenminutesandthinkaboutaquestionI'mgoingtoaskyouat theendofthat time--allofyouwhoareoverforty.Howmanyofyouwouldliketoliveyourlivesoveragainifyoucould?"

X

Another whim of Aunt Becky's! They resigned themselves to it with whatgracetheycould.Asilenceoftenminutesseemslikeacentury--undercertainconditions. Aunt Becky lay as if tranquilly asleep. Ambrosine was gazingraptly at her diamond ring. Hugh thought about the night of his wedding.Margaret tried tocomposeaverseofhernewpoem.DrownedJohnbecameconscious that his newbootswere exceedingly tight and uncomfortable anduneasilyrememberedhisnewlitterofpigs.Heoughttobehomeattendingtothem.UnclePippinwondered irritablywhat that fellowGrundywas lookingsoamusedabout.UnclePippinwouldhavebeenstillmorescandalizedhadheknownthatGrundywasimagininghimselfGod,rearrangingallthesetwistedlives properly, and enjoying himself hugely. Murray Dark devoured Thorawith his eyes and Thora went on placidly shining with her own light. Gaybegan to pick out her flower-girls. Little Jill Penhallow and little ChrissieDark.Theywere such darlings.Theymustwear pink and yellow crêpe andcarry baskets of pink and yellow flowers--roses or 'mums, according to thetime of year. Palmer Dark enjoyed in imagination the pleasure of kickingHomerPenhallow.OldCrosbywasasleepandoldMillerwasnodding.MercyPenhallow sat stiffly still and criticized the universe. Many of them werealreadysoreanddisappointed;nerveswerestrainedandtenuous;whenJuniusPenhallowclearedhisthroatthesoundwaslikeablasphemy.

"TwominutesmoreofthisandIshallthrowbackmyheadandhowl,"thoughtDonnaDark.Shesuddenlyfeltsickandtiredofthewholething--ofthewholeclan--ofherwholetameexistence.Whatwasshelivingfor,anyhow?Shefeltasoutofplaceastheblank,unfadedspaceleftonthewallwhereapicturehadhung. Life had nomeaning--this silly little round of gossip and venom andmaliciouslaughter.Herewasaroomfulofpeoplereadytoflyateachother'sthroatsbecauseofanoldbroken-nosedjugandafewpaltryknick-knacks.Sheforgotthatshehadbeenaskeenasanybodyaboutthejugwhenshecame.Shewonderedimpatientlyifanythingpleasantorinterestingorthrillingwereevergoing to happen to her again. Drowned John's early wanderlust suddenlyemerged inher.Shewanted tohavewings--widesweepingwings to fly intothe sunset--skimover thewaves--battlewith thewinds--soar to the stars--inshort, do everything thatwas never done by her smug, prosperous, sensiblehome-keeping clan. She was in rebellion against all the facts of her life.ProbablythewholesecretofDonna'sunrestatthatmomentwassimplyalackofoxygenintheair.Butitcamepattothepsychologicalmoment.

The sudden and lasting cessation of all the undertones and rustlings andstirrings in the room behind them at first arrested the attention and finally

aroused thewonder of the outsiders on the veranda. Peter,who never knewwhyheshouldnotgratifyhiscuriosityaboutanythingthemomenthefelt it,gotofftherailing,walkedtotheopenwindow,andlookedin.Thefirstthinghe saw was the discontented face of Donna Dark, who was sitting by theopposite window in the shadow of a great pine outside. Its emerald gloomthrewstilldarker shadowsonherglossyhairanddeepened the lustreofherlongblueeyes.SheturnedtowardsPeter'swindowashelaidhisarmsonthesillandbentinward.Itwasoneofthosemomentsalltherestoflifecan'tundo.Their eyes met, Donna's richly quilled about with dark lashes, somewhatturbulentandmutinousundereyebrowsflyinguplikelittlewings,Peter'sgreyandamazed,underapuzzledfrown.

Thenithappened.

Neither Donna nor Peter knew at first just what had happened. They onlyknewsomethinghad.PetercontinuedtostareatDonnaasifmesmerized.Whowas thiscreatureof strangedark loveliness?Shemustbeoneof theclanorshe wouldn't be here, but he couldn't place her at all.Wait--wait--what oldmemoryflickeredtantalizinglybeforehim--nowapproaching--nowreceding?Hemust grasp it--the old church at Rose River--himself, a boy of twelvesitting in his father's pew--across the aisle a little girl of eight--blue-eyed,black-haired, wing-browed--a little girl, sitting in Drowned John's pew! HeknewhemusthateherbecauseshesatinDrownedJohn'spew.Sohemadeanimpudent face at her. And the little girl had laughed--laughed. She wasamusedathim.Peter,whohadhatedherbeforeimpersonally,hatedhernowpersonally.Hehadkeptonhatingheralthoughhehadneverseenheragain--neveragaintillnow.NowhewaslookingatheracrossAuntBecky'sparlour.AtthatmomentPeterunderstoodwhathadhappenedtohim.Hewasnolongera freeman--forevermore hemust be in the power of this pale girl. He hadfallen in love fathomsdeepwithDrownedJohn'sdaughterandBarryDark'sdetestedwidow.Sinceheneverdidanythingbyhalveshedidnotfallinlovebyhalveseither.

Peterfeltabitdizzy.Itisastaggeringthingtolookinatacasualwindowandseethewomanyounowrealizeyouhavebeensubconsciouslywaitingforallyourlife.Itisastillmorestaggeringthingtohaveyourhatesuddenlydissolveinto love, as thoughyour very bones hadmelted towater. It rather lets youdown.Peterwasactuallyafraidtotrytowalkbacktotheverandarailingforfearhislegswouldgiveway.Heknew,withoutstoppingtoarguewithhimselfaboutit,thathewouldtakenotrainfromThreeHillsthatnightandthelureofAmazonjungleshadceased--temporarilyatleast--toexist.Mysteryandmagicenfolded Peter as a garment. What he wanted to do was to vault over thewindow-sill, hurl aside those absurdmen andwomen sitting between them,

snatchupDonnaDark, stripoff those ridiculousweedsshewaswearing foranotherman,andcarryheroffbodily.Itwasquiteonthecardsthathewouldhavedoneit--Peterhadsuchahabitofdoingeverythinghewantedtodo--butat thatmoment the ten-minutesilencewasoverandAuntBeckyopenedhereyes. Everybody sighed with relief, and Peter, finding that all eyes weredirectedtowardshim,draggedhimselfbacktotherailingandsatonit,tryingto collect his scatteredwits and able only to see that subtle, deep-eyed facewithitsskinasdelicateasawhitenightmoth,underitscapofflatdarkhair.Well,hehadfalleninlovewithDonnaDark.Herealizedthathehadbeensenttherebythepowersthatgoverntofallinlovewithher.Itwaspredestinedinthecouncilsofeternitythatheshouldlookthroughthatparticularwindowatthat particularmoment. Good heavens, the years he hadwasted insensatelyhatingher!Hopelessidiot!Blindbat!Nowtheonlythingtodowastomarryherasquicklyaspossible.Everythingelsecouldwait,butthatcouldnot.EvenfindingoutwhatDonnathoughtaboutitcouldwait.

Donnacouldhardlybesaidtobethinkingatall.ShewasnotquitesoquickasPeterwasatfindingoutwhathadhappenedtoher.ShehadrecognizedPeterthe moment she had seen him--partly from that same old memory of animpudent boy across the aisle, partly from his photographs in the papers.Though theyweren't goodofhim--nothalf as fascinating.Peterhatedbeingphotographedandalwaysglaredatthecameraasifitwereafoe.Still,Donnaknewhimforherenemy--andforsomethingelse.

Shewas tremblingwith theextraordinaryexcitement that tingledoverheratthesightofhim--she,who,afewsecondsbefore,hadbeensobored--sotired--sodisgustedthatshewishedshehadthecouragetopoisonherself.

ShewassureVirginianoticedit.Oh,ifhewouldonlygoawayandnotstandthere at the window staring at her. She knew he was leaving for SouthAmericathatnight--shehadheardNancyPenhallowtellingittoMrsHomer.Donnaput her handup to her throat, as if shewere choking.Whatwas thematterwith her?Who cared if Peter Penhallowwent to theAmazon or theCongo? It was not she, not Donna Dark, Barry's inconsolable widow, whocared. Certainly not. It was this queer, wild, primitive creature who had,withoutanywarning,somehowusurpedherbodyandonlywantedtospringtothewindowandfeelPeter'sarmsaroundher.Thereisnosayingbutthatthisperfectly crazy impulsemight havemasteredDonna ifAuntBecky had notopenedhereyesandPeterhadnotvanishedfromthewindow.

Donnagaveagasp,which,comingaftertheuniversalsigh,escapedthenoticeof everybody butVirginia,who laid her hand overDonna's and squeezed itsympathetically.

"Darling,Isawitall. Itmusthavebeenfrightfullyhardforyou.Youboreitsplendidly."

"What--whatdidIbear?"stammeredDonnaidiotically.

"Why,seeing thatdreadfulPeterPenhallowstaringatyou like that--withhishatefairlystickingoutofhiseyes."

"Hate--hate--oh,doyouthinkhehatesme--really?"gaspedDonna.

"Of course he does.He always has, ever since youmarriedBarry. But youwon'truntheriskofmeetinghimagain,darling.He'soffto-nightonsomeofhishorridexplorations,sodon'tworryoverit."

Donna was not worrying exactly. She only felt that she would die if PeterPenhallowdid go away--like that--without aword or another glance. Itwasnot tobeborne.Shewoulddareunchartered seaswithhim--shewould faceAfrican cooking-pots--she would--oh, what mad things was she thinking?AndwhatwasAuntBeckysaying.

"Everyoneoverfortywhowouldbewillingtolivehisorherlifeoveragainexactlyasithasbeenlived,putupyourhand."

TempestDarkwastheonlyonewhoputuphishand.

"Braveman!Orfortunateman--which?"inquiredAuntBeckysatirically.

"Fortunate,"saidTempest laconically.Hehadbeenfortunate.Hehadfifteenexquisite years withWinnifred Penhallow. Hewould face anything to havethemagain.

"Would you live your life over again, Donna?" whispered Virginiasentimentally.

"No--no!!"Donna felt that to liveover again theyears thatPeterPenhallowhadhatedherwouldbeunendurable.Virginialookedgrievedandamazed.Shehadnotexpectedsuchananswer.Shefelt thatsomethinghadcomebetweenherandDonna--somethingthatcloudedthesweet,perfectunderstandingthathadalwaysexistedbetweenthem.Shehadbeenwonttosaythatwordswerereally unnecessary for them--they could read each other's thoughts. ButVirginiacouldnot readDonna's thoughts justnow--whichwasperhapsquiteas well. She wondered uneasily if the curse of Aunt Becky's opal wasbeginningtoworkalready.

"Well,let'sgetdowntobusiness,"AuntBeckywassaying.

"Thankthepigs,"thoughtDrownedJohnfervently.

AuntBeckylookedovertheroomgloatingly.Shehadprolongedhersportaslong as it was possible. She had got them just where she wanted them--allkeyed up and furious--all except a fewwhowere beyond the power of hervenomandwhomfor thatreasonshedidnotdespise.But lookat therestofthem--squattingthereontheirham-bones,pop-eyed,covetingthejug,readytotear in pieces the onewhogot it. In a fewminutes the luckyonewould beknown, they thought. Ah, would he?Aunt Becky chuckled. She still had abombtothrow.

XI

"You're all dying to knowwho is to get the jug," she said, "but you're notgoingtoknowyetawhile.Ididintendtotellyouto-daywhoImeanttohaveit,butI'vethoughtofabetterplan.I'vedecidedtoleavethejuginkeepingofatrusteeuntilayearfromthelastdayofnextOctober.Then,andnottillthen,you'llfindoutwho'stogetit."

Therewasastunnedsilence--brokenbyalaughfromStantonGrundy.

"Sold!"hesaidlaconically.

"Who'sthetrustee?"saidWilliamY.hoarsely.Heknewwhoshouldbetrustee.

"DandyDark.I'veselectedhimbecauseheistheonlymanIeverknewwhocouldkeepasecret."

EveryonelookedatRobertDark,whosquirmeduncomfortably,thusfindinghimselfthecentreofobservation.Everybodydisapproved.DandyDarkwasanobody--his nickname told you that. Itwas a hangover from the dayswhenhehadbeenadandy--somethingnobodywouldeverdreamofcallingthefat,shabby,oldfellownow,withhisdoublechin,hisunkempthairandhisflabby,pendulouscheeks.Onlyhislittle,deep-set,beadyblackeyesseemedtojustifyAuntBecky'sopinionofhisabilitytokeepasecret.

"DandyistobethesoleexecutorofmywillandthecustodianofthejuguntilayearfromthelastdayofnextOctober,"repeatedAuntBecky."That'salltherest of you are to know about it. I'm not going to tell you how it will bedecided then. It is possible that Imay leaveDandy a sealed letterwith thenameofthelegateeinit.InthatcaseDandymayknowthenameorhemaynotknowit.OritisequallypossiblethatImayleaveinstructionsinthatsame

sealed letter that the ownership is to be settled by lot. And again, I mayempowerDandytochooseforhimselfwhoistohavethejug,alwaysbearinginhismindmyopinionsandprejudices regardingcertainpeopleandcertainthings. So in case I have chosen the last alternative, it behooves you all towatchyourstepfromnowon.Thejugmaynotbegiventoanyoneolderthana certain age or to any unmarried person who, in my judgment, should bemarried,ortoanypersonwhohasbeenmarriedtoomuch.Itmaynotbegiventoanyonewhohashabits I don't like. Itmaynotbegiven to anyonewhoquarrelsorwasteshistimefiddling.Itmaynotbegiventoanyoneaddictedtoswearing or drinking. It may not be given to any untruthful person or anydishonestpersonoranyextravagantperson.I'vealwayshatedtoseeanyonewasting money, even if it isn't mine. It may not be given to any one whohasno bad habits and never did anything disgraceful"--with a glance in thedirectionof theimpeccableWilliamY."Itmaynotbegiventoanyonewhobeginsthingsandneverfinishesthem,oranyonewhowritesbadpoetry.Ontheotherhand,thesethingsmaynotinfluenceintheslightestmydecisionorDandy'sdecision.Andofcourseifthematteristobedecidedbylot,itdoesn'tmatter what you do or don't do. And finally it may go to somebody whodoesn't live on the island at all.Now, you know asmuch about it as you'regoingtoknow."

AuntBeckysankbackonherpillowsandenjoyedtheirexpressions.Nobodydaredsayanything,buthowtheythought!Andlookingateachotherasiftosay,

"Well,youwon'thavemuchchance.Youheardwhatshesaid."

Alltheoldbachelorsandoldmaidsreflectedthattheywerepracticallyoutofit.TitusDarkandDrownedJohnweremarkedmenbecausetheyswore.ChrisPenhallow,aqueerwidowerwholivedbyhimselfandplayedtheviolinwhenheshouldhavebeencarpentering,wonderedifhecouldlivenearlyayearandahalfwithout touching it.TomDark,whohad stolenapotof jam fromhisaunt'spantrywhenhewasaboy,wondered ifAuntBeckymeanthimwhenshe spoke of dishonest people. Gosh, how hard it was to live some thingsdown.AbelDark,whohadputastaginguptopainthishousefouryearsagobuthadpaintedonlyasmallpatchandleftthestagingthere,reflectedthathereallymustgetdown to that job rightaway.SimDarkwondereduneasily ifAunt Becky had or had not looked at him when she spoke of untruthfulpersons.Shealwaysseemedabletoinstilsuchvenomintowhatshesaid.Asfor PennyDark, the idea struck him then and there that it was time he gotmarried.

HomerPenhallow andPalmerDarkwondered if they hadn't better forsweartheirancientgrudge.Theyhadalwaysbeenbadfriends,eversincethedayin

schoolwhen a band of boys, headed and incited byHomer Penhallow, hadtakenthepantsofflittlePalmerDarkandmadehimwalkamilehomeinhisshirt-tail.Still,thoughthisrankledforyears,theyhadnotbeenopenenemiestill the affair of the kittens. Homer Penhallow's cat went down to PalmerDark'sbarnandhad threekittenswhichwerenotdiscovereduntil theywereoldenoughtorunaround.PalmerDark,whowasoutofcatsjustthen,claimedthemashis.Born inhisbarnandnourishedonhispremises.HomerwantedthekittensbutPalmer,secureinpossession,snappedcontemptuousfingersathim.ThenHomer'scatdidanungrateful thing.Shewenthomeandtookthekittens with her. Homer was openly triumphant. What a joke on Palmer!Palmerbidedhistimeinanominouscalm.OneSundaywhenHomerandhisfamily were all in church, Palmer sneaked up to Homer's barn, caught thekittensandcarriedthemhomeinabag.Homer'scatcamedownthenextdayandsucceededinretrievingone.TheothertwoPalmerkeptshutsecurelyupuntilshehadforgottenthem.SoPalmerthoughthehadcomeoffbest.Hehadthe twohandsome striped tomswhileHomerhadonly anugly little spottedtabby,afflictedwithacough.Palmertoldthestoryaroundtheclan,andafterthatheandHomerwereatopenfeud.Thishadlastedforyears,althoughallthecatsconcernedhadlongsincegonewheregoodcatsgo.

"Nowyou'vefoundoutallyou'regoingtofindout,soyoucango,"saidAuntBecky."Besuretothinknicethoughts.Ileaveyouallmyforgiveness.I'vehadan amusing afternoon. Heaven will be kind of tame after this, there's nomanner of doubt. Speaking of heaven,would any of you likeme to do anyerrandsthereforyou?"

Whataquestion!Nobodyanswered,althoughDrownedJohnwouldhavelikedtosendwordtoToynbeeDarkthathehadneverrepaidhimthethreedollarshehadborrowedofhimbeforehisdeath.ButasAuntBeckyhadneverspokentoToynbeeonearth,itwasnotlikelyshewoulddoitinheaven,soitwouldbeawasteofbreathtoaskher.Anyway,itwastoolate.AuntBeckywassaying,

"Ambrosine,shutthedoors."

Ambrosine closed the sliding doors, shutting the table with the jug in withAuntBecky.Tongueswereloosed,thoughtheystilltalkedinundertones.Theysaid all, or most, of the things they had been thinking. There was greatdissatisfaction. The Darks felt that they had been slighted; the Penhallowsthought the Darks had got everything. The idea of giving old AmbrosineWinkworththediamondring!

XII

DrownedJohnroseandstalkedout.Therewasonethinghecoulddo,andhediditthoroughly.Hebangedthedoor.

"Let'sleavethefemalestofightitout,"hesaid.Butthemen,assoonastheygotoutside,hadplentytosay.

"Would you believe it?" demanded William Y., looking around him as ifappealingtotheworld.

"Nobody gotmuch change out ofAuntBecky, did they?" chuckledMurrayDark.

DandyDarkwaspuffinghimselfout.Hehadneverinallhislifebeenofanyimportance,savewhatlittleaccruedfromthefactthathewastheonlymaninthecountrysidewhokeptabulldog.Andnowhehad,inawink,becomethemostimportantpersonintheclan.

"AlltheweemenwillbewishingIwassingle,"hechuckled.Buthisfacewasinscrutable--purposelyso.Nofearofhisgivingawaythesecret.

"Toomeantogiveanythingaway,evenasecret,"mutteredArtemasDark.

"The heathen are raging already," said StantonGrundy toUncle Pippin. "Ifthatjugdoesn'tseteverybodybytheearsinamonth'stime,mayIfightwithIrishmen to the end of my life. Keep your eyes buttoned back for sights,Pippin."

"Oh,takeintheslackofyourjaw,"saidUnclePippinsnappishly.

"Well, a nice lot of family skeletons have had a good airing," said PalmerDark.

"Ihaven'thadasmuchfunsincethedog-fightinchurch,"saidArtemasDark.

"AuntBeckyneverlikedanyofus,youknow,"saidHugh."She'sboundtogetalltherisesshecanoutofus."

"Sheisn'tlikeanyotherwoman,"growledDrownedJohn.

"Nobodyis,"saidGrundy.

"Youdon'tknowmuchaboutwomen,John,"saidSimDark.

Nomancanendurebeingtoldheknowsnothingaboutwomen--especiallyif

hehascoffinedtwowives.DrownedJohnwentintoanicyrage.

"Well, I know something about you, Sim Dark, and if you don't stopcirculatingliesaboutmeasyou'vebeendoingforyears,you'llhavetoreckonwithme."

"Butsurelyyoudon'twantmetotellthetruthaboutyou,"saidSiminblandamazement.

DrownedJohndidnotreplyinwords--couldnot--sincehedarednotswearsonearAuntBecky.Hesimplyspat.

"It'sanoutrageouswaytoleavethejug,"growledWilliamY.

"Youshouldbethankfulshedidn'tmakeitaconditionthateverybodyshouldturn a somersault in the church aisle," said Artemas. "She would if she'dthoughtofit."

"Youwouldhavelikedthat,Idon'tdoubt,"retortedWilliamY."Grinninglikeachessycatovertheverythoughtofit."

OswaldDarkturnedaroundandsurveyedtheirritatedWilliamY.

"Lookat themoon,"he said softly,wavinghishandat apale, silverbubblefloatingovertheseawardvalley."Lookatthemoon,"herepeatedinsistently,layingalongthinhandonthearmofWilliamY.

"Heavens, I've seen moons before--hundreds of them!" snorted William Y.peevishly.

"Butcanoneseeathingofperfectbeauty--likethemoon--toooften?"inquiredOswald, fixinghis largeagateeyesquestioninglyonWilliamY.,who jerkedhisarmawayandturnedhisbackbothonOswaldandhismoon.

"Thatjugshouldn'tbeinahousewherethereisnoresponsiblewoman,"saidDenzilPenhallowsourly.Everybodyknew thatMrsDandywasasmadasaNovemberpartridgebyspells.

"Ifanyonehasanythingtosayagainstmywifehe'dbetternotletmehearhimsayingit,"retortedDandyominously."I'llsmashhisfaceforhim."

"Anytimeandanyplace,"saidDenzilobligingly.

"Come,come,letuspreservedecorum,"imploredUnclePippinnervously.

"Pippin,gohomeand soakyourhead in turpentine for threedays,"boomedDrownedJohn.

UnclePippinsubsided.This,hereflected,waswhatcameofAuntBecky'snotgivingthemanythingtoeat.

"Deviltakethejug,"hemuttered.

"Idoubtifthedevilwillbesoobliging,"saidtheirrepressibleGrundy.

Thewomenwerecomingoutnowand themenwentoff togetcarorhorse,accordingtopurseorage.TempestDark,whowaswalking,saunteredoutofthegate, reflecting thathewanted to see this comedyplayedout.Hewouldlivelongenoughtoseewhogotthejug.

Titus Dark on the way home was importuned by a tearful wife to give upswearing.

"Damn it, I can't," groanedTitus. "And I ain't the only one in the tribe thatswears.TakeDrownedJohn."

"Drowned Johnknowswhenandwhennot to swear andyoudon't," sobbedMrsTitus."It'sonlyforayearandaquarter,Titus.Youmust.Dandy'llnevergiveusthejugifyoudon't."

"Idon'tbelieveDandy'llhaveathingtosayaboutit.AuntBeckywouldn'tletanyoneelsedecidethat,"saidTitus."I'djustgoformonthsinmiseryandnotget ada----notget ablessed thingoutof it.Besides,Mary,how isanyonegoingtolivewithmeifIcan'tswear?WhenIswearfortenminutesonendachildcouldeatoutofmyhand.Isn'tthatbetterthanbottlingitupandthinkingmurder?Takethishorsenow.I'vejustgotterswearathimorhe'dnevertravel.IfItalkedanythingelsetohimhewouldn'tunderstandwhatIwassaying."

However,Titushadtopromisetotry.Itwould,hereflected,bedamnedhard.Thesewomenweresodamnedunreasonable.Buthe'dhaveagoatit,damnedifhewouldn't.Theraceforthejugwasonandthedeviltakethehindmost.

Gayslippedawayalone.SheknewacertainlittlefernycornerdownthesideroadwhereshemeanttostopandreadNoel'sletter.ShelookedsohappythattheMoonManshookhisheadather.

"Takecare,"hewhisperedwarningly. "It's dangerous tobe toohappy--thosethatsitinthehighplacesdon'tlikeit.LookhowtheyhidemyLadyfrommesomuchofthetime."

ButGayonly laughedathimand ranondown the sidepathandoutby thesidegateundertheappleblossoms.Gaylovedappleblossoms.Italwayshurther that they lasted such a little while--such milky, wonderful things withhearts of love's own hue.To be sure, the roses came afterwards.But if one

could only have the apple blossoms and the roses, too. Gay felt greedy ofbeauty.Shewantedeverykindallatonce,nowwhenlifeitselfseemedjustonthepointofbreakingintosomemarvellousblossomandall thecomingdayswereinahurrytobeborn.Youthislikethat.Itwantseverythingatonce,notrealizing that something must be saved for autumn days. Save? Nonsense!Pouritalloutnow,alibationtotheapproachinggod.Gaydidnotthinkthis--she only felt it, hurrying down the road, as sweet and virginal as the appleblossoms.

"A nice little cuddler that, if you ask me," chuckled Stanton Grundyadmiringly,givingUnclePippinadigintheribs.

"I'mnotaskingyou,"saidUnclePippinirritably.Hehadasenseofthefitnessofthings.Pokefunatoldmaidsandfatmarriedwomenifyoulike,butleaveyoung things like Gay alone. Grundy's vulgar chuckle seemed to debaseeverything.Hadn't thatmanany reverence for anything?Andwhydidn't hereadafewhalitosisadvertisements?Heavenknewthemagazineswerefullofthem.

Gay read her letter in her ferny corner and kissed it and put it back in herbosom.Therewasonlyone terrible thing in it.NoelsaidhecouldnotcomeouttillSaturday.Theyweregoingtobeextrabusyinthebank.Hadshetolivethree whole days without seeing him? Could she? A little cluster of silverdaisies growing by a lichened old stone nodded at her. She picked one ofthem--witchdaisiesthatknewwhetheryoursweetheartlovedyouornot.Too-wisedaisies.Gaypulledawaythetinyivorypetalsonebyone--helovesme--helovesmenot--helovesme.Gaytookouttheletteragainandkisseditandput thetorndaisypetals intoit.Shewasyoungandprettyandverymuchinlove.Andhelovedher.Thedaisiessaidso.Whataworld!ThepooroldMoonMan!Asifonecouldbe toohappy!AsifGoddidn't like toseeyouhappy!Why, people were made for happiness. And wasn't it the most miraculousthingthatoutofalltheworldsheandNoelshouldhavemetandloved!Whenthereweresomanyothergirlshemighthavefancied.Sheseemedtobeattheveryheartofsomeexquisitemagicthathadchangedeverythinginlifeforher.

XIII

DonnacameoutbesideVirginia.Shehadbeguntocollectherwits,butshedidnotquiteknowyetexactlywhathadtakenplace.SheknewPeterwassitting

on the railing, and she meant to sweep past him haughtily in all her darkdignityofwidowhood,withlidscastdown.Butasshepassedhimshehadtolook up. They had another momentary unforgettable exchange of eyes.Virginiasawitthistimeandwasvaguelydisturbedbyit.Itdidnotlooklikeaglanceofhatred.SheclutchedDonna'sarmastheywentdownthesteps.

"Donna,IbelievethatpigofaPeterisfallinginlovewithyou."

"Oh--doyouthinkso--doyoureallythinkso?"saidDonna.Virginiacouldnotunderstandhertoneatall.Butitmustbeahorrifiedone.

"I'mafraidso.Wouldn'titbeterribleforyou?Whatablessinghe'sleavingforSouthAmericato-night.Justthinkwhatitwouldbeliketohavehimtryingtomakelovetoyou."

Donnadidthinkofit.Astrangeshiverofterroranddelightwentoverherfromheadtofoot.ShefeltthankfulthatDrownedJohnbellowedtoherthatinstantto hurry up. She fled to his car, leaving a puzzled and somewhat alarmedVirginiaonthesteps.WhathadcomeoverDonna?

MrsFosterDarkwenthomeandatehersupperunderHappy'sfiddlehangingonthewall.MurrayDarkwenthomeandthoughtaboutThora.ArtemasDarkreflected dismally that it wouldn't do for him to get drunk for over a year.Crosby Penhallow and Erasmus spent the evening with their flutes--on thewhole happily, although Crosby had to put up with some sly digs fromErasmus about old Becky's being in love with him. Peter Penhallow wenthomeandunpackedhistrunk.Hehadsearchedtheworldoverforthemeaningoflife'sgreatsecretandnowhehadfounditinonelookfromDonnaDark'seyes.Washeafool?Thenwelcomefolly.

BigandLittleSamwenthomeacrosswindysea-fields,andonthewayhomeLittle Sam bought a ticket from Little Mosey Gautier for the raffle FatherSullivan was getting up down at Chapel Point to raise funds for the OldSailors' Home. Big Samwouldn't buy a ticket.He wasn't going to have notruckwithCatholicsand theirdoings,andhe thoughtLittleSammighthaveexpendedhisquartertofarbetteradvantage.Theyhadtheheathentothinkof.

"Nogood'sgoingtocomeofit,"heremarkedsourly.

Little Samwent home and, dismissing the oldDark jug from hismind, satdowntoreadhisfavouritevolume,Foxe'sBookofMartyrs,withthesaltwindthatevenhisbatteredandunromanticheartloved,blowinginathiswindow.Big Samwent down to the rocks and solaced himself by repeating the firstcantoofhisepictothegulf.

XIV

DenzilPenhallow toldMargaret shemustwalkhome--he and thewifeweregoing down to have tea with the William Y's. Margaret was secretly wellpleased.ItwasonlyamileandthemonthwasJune.Besides,itwouldgiveherachancetostopandseeWhisperingWinds.

Whispering Winds was the small secret which made poor Margaret's lifeendurable. Itwound inandoutofherdrab life likea ribbonof rainbows. ItwasthelittlehouseontheBaySilversideroadwhereAuntLouisaDarkhadlived. At her death, two years ago, it had become the property of her sonRichard,wholivedinHalifax.Itwasforsalebutnobodyhadeverwantedtobuyit--nobody,thatis,exceptMargaret,whohadnomoneytobuyanything,andwouldhavebeenhootedatifitweresomuchassuspectedthatshewantedto buy a house. Hadn't she a perfectly good, ungrudged home with herbrother?Whatintheworldwouldshewantofahouse?

Margaretdidwantit--terribly.ShehadalwayslovedthatlittlehouseofAuntLouisa's. Itwasshewhogave it thedearsecretnameofWhisperingWinds,anddreamedallkindsoffoolish,sweetdreamsaboutit.AssoonasshegottotheBaySilversideroad,sheturneddownitandverysoonwasatthelaneofher house--an old, old lane, grassy and deep-rutted, with bleached old grey"longer"fenceshemmingitin.Therewereclumpsofbirchesallalongitforalittle way--then young spruces growing up thickly on either side--then justbetween them, at the end, the little house, once white, now as grey as thelongers. There it was, basking in the late sunlight--smiling at her with itstwinklingwindows.Backof itwas a steephillwhere tossingyoungmapleswerewhiteninginthewind,andofftotherightwasaglimpseofpurplevalley.Therewasanoldwellinonecorner,withanappletreespillingblossomsoverit.Alittlefieldofftotherightwascoolandinvitingintheshadowofasprucewood.ThescentofitscloverdriftedacrosstoWhisperingWinds.Theairwaslikeathingoldenwineandthequietwasabenediction.

Margaretcaughtherbreathwiththedelightofit.

WhisperingWindswas one of those houses you loved theminute you sawthem,withoutbeingintheleastabletotellwhy--perhapsbecauseitsroof-linewassolovelyagainstthegreenhill.Sheloveditso.Shewalkedabouttheoldgarden,thatwasbeginningtohavesuchalookofneglect.Shelongedtoprune

it andweed it and dress it up. That delightful big bed of striped grasswasencroachingonthepath,thoseforget-me-notsweresimplyrunningwild.Theyand the housewere just crying out for some one to take care of them. Thehouse and the garden belonged together some way--you couldn't haveseparatedthem.Thehouseseemedtogrowoutofthegarden.Theshrubsandvinesreacheduparoundittoholditandcaressit.Ifshecouldjusthavethishouse--withababyinit--shewouldasknothingmore.NotevenAuntBecky'sjug.Margaret realized pathetically that shemust give upwriting poetry forawhile,orshemighthavenochanceofthejug.Andshestillhankeredafterit.Since she could never haveWhisperingWinds she wanted the jug. DandyDarkhadalwaysbeenfriendlytoher.Ifitshouldrestwithhimtogivethejug,shestoodabetterchancethanfromAuntBecky.CrueloldAuntBeckywhohadjeeredatherandherpoorlittlepoemsandherold-maidenhoodbeforealltheclan.Margaretknewthatperhapsshewassillyandfadedandchildishandunimportant and undesired, but it hurt to have it rubbed in so. She neverharmedanyone.Whycouldn't they leaveheralone?DenzilandMrsDenzilwere alwaysgivingherdigs, too, about "singleblessedness," andherniecesand nephews openly laughed at her. But here, in this remote shadowy littlegarden,sheforgotallabout it.Thingsceasedtosting.Ifshecouldonlystayhere forever,where the robinscalled tooneanotheratevening in themaplewood.Listentothem.

But it was soon time to go home.Mrs Denzil would expect her to get thesupperforthefamilyandhelpmilkthecows.Shebadegood-byeregretfullytoWhisperingWinds andwent on to the square bare house in a treeless yardwhere theDenzil Penhallows lived. Shewent up to her hideous little roomlookingoutonthehen-yard,whichshehadtosharewithGladysPenhallow.Gladyswastherewithsomeofherfriends,thinkingatthetopsoftheirvoicesasusual.Itwasalwaysnoisy.Therewereneveranyquietmoments.Margaret'sheadached.ShewishedshehadnotgonetoAuntBecky'slevee.Ithadn'tdoneanygood.AsfortheoldPilgrim'sProgress,itcouldlieoninThePineryatticforallshecared.

HowprettyGayPenhallowhadlookedto-day!Andsoyoung.Whatwasitliketobeeighteen?Margarethadforgottenifshehadeverreallyknown.Whathadbeen the trouble betweenHugh and Joscelyn?And how dared ThoraDark,whohadahusband,be soattractive toothermen?Whatwould itbe like tohaveamanlookatyouthewayshehadseenMurraylookingatThora--thoughof course he had no business to be looking at anotherman'swife like that.PoorLawson!ItwasdreadfultoseethehungerinNaomi'seyes.HowtickledAmbrosinewasoverthatring!Margaretdidnotgrudgeherthering.PerhapsAmbrosinefeltaboutitthewayshefeltaboutWhisperingWinds.Thoughofcourse poor oldAmbrosine's handswere too thin and knotty towear rings.

Margaret looked with considerable satisfaction at her own slender, shapelyfingers.Nobody could say she hadn't a pretty hand.RogerDarkwas a nicefellow.Whydidn'thegetanicegirlforawife?TheysaidhewascrazyaboutGayPenhallow,whowouldn'tlookathim.Thereyouwereagain.Lovegoingtowasteallaroundyouandyoustarvingforalittle.TheideasuddenlystruckMargaretthatGodwasn'tfair.Sheshudderedanddismisseditasablasphemy.ItsoundedlikesomethingthatdreadfulGrundymanwouldsay.PoorCousinRobina!PeterPenhallow,theysaid,wasoffonanotherofhisexplorations.Healways seemed to live lifewith suchgusto.ButMargaretdidnot envyhim.Sheneverwantedtogoawayfromhome.Whatshewantedwasaplacewhereshecouldputdownrootsandgrowoldquietly.Margaret thoughtshewouldnotmindgrowingoldifshecouldbelefttodoitinpeace.Itwashardtogrowoldgracefullywhenyouwerealwaysbeinglaughedatbecauseyouwerenotyoung.But therewasonlyonecareer forwomen inherclan.Ofcourseyoucouldbeanurseora teacherordressmaker,orsomethinglikethat, tofill inthe time before marriage, but the Darks and Penhallows did not take youseriously.

XV

"Tell Joscelyn Dark I want to see her before she goes home, Ambrosine,"orderedAuntBecky.

Joscelyn hadwalked the short distance up fromBay Silver and intended towalkback.PalmerDarkhadtakenhermotherandherAuntRachelhomeinhiscar.ShefeltthatshehadhadaboutenoughofAuntBeckyforoneday,butshewentbacktothebedroomreadilyenough.Afterall,thepooroldsoulwasnotlongforthisworld.

Aunt Beckywas lying back on her pillows. Shewas gazing earnestly on alittle old tintype hanging on the wall near her bed. The picture was notdecorative.AtleastsoJoscelynthought.ButthenshedidnotseeitwithAuntBecky'seyes. Joscelynsawonlya tubbypompousoldman,witha fringeofwhisker aroundhis face, and a thin, scrawny littlewoman in apreposterousdress. Aunt Becky saw a big, hearty, high-coloured man whose aboundingvitalitybroughtagustoflifeintoeveryexistenceandavivid-eyedgirlwhosewitandslymirthhadbeenthespiceofeverycompanyshewasinandwhoseloveaffairswerestimulatingandpiquant.AuntBeckysighedassheturnedtoJoscelyn.The fire had gone out of her eyes, the sting out of her voice. She

lookedexactlywhatshewas--averyold,veryill,verytiredwoman.

"Sit down, Joscelyn. You know, I've been lying here thinking how manypeoplewillbegladwhenI'mdead?Andnotonetobesorry.AnditseemstomethatIwishI'dlivedabitdifferently,Joscelyn.I'vealwaystakenmyfunoutofthem--Ihaven'tsparedthem--they'reallafraidofme.I'mjustanogresstothem. Itwas fun to watch them squirming. But now--I don't know. I've adevilish sort of feeling that Iwish I'd been akind, gentle, stingless creaturelike--well, like Annette Dark, for instance. Everybody was sorry when shedied--though she never said a clever thing in her life. But she was smartenoughtodiebeforeshegottooold.Womenshould,Joscelyn.I'vesatuptoolate.Nobodywillmissme."

JoscelynlookedlevellyatAuntBecky.SheknewthatwhatAuntBeckysaidwas true enough in a way. And she sensed the secret bitterness in the oldwoman's soul behind all her satire and bravado. Shewanted to comfort herwithouttellingalie.Joscelyncouldneithertellnorlivealie--whichwaswhathadmadeaclanexistencehardforher.

"Ithink,AuntBecky,thateveryoneofuswillmissyouagreatdealmorethanyou suppose we will--a great deal more than we imagine ourselves. You'relike--likemustard.Sometimesyoubite--andabigdoseofyouisratherawful--"

"Asto-day,forexample,"interjectedAuntBeckywithafaintgrin.

"Butyoudogiveatangtothings.They'dbeflatwithoutyou.Andyouseemlike--Idon'tknowhowtoputit--theveryessenceofDarkandPenhallow.Wewon'tbehalfsomuchaclanwhenyou'regone.You'vealwaysmadehistoryforussomehow.Ifthishadbeenanordinaryafternoon--ifwe'dcomehereandyou'dbeennicetous--"

"Andfedyou--"

"We'dhaveallgoneawayandforgottentheafternoon.There'dbenothinginittoremember.Butthisafternoonwillberemembered--andtalkedabout.Whenthegirlsareoldwomenthey'lltelltheirgrandchildrenaboutit--you'lllivebyitfiftyyearsafteryou'reinyourgrave,AuntBecky."

"Ihaveoften thought itwouldbea frightfullydullworld ifeverybodywereperfectlygood and sweet," concededAuntBecky. "I guess it's onlybecauseI'm tired that I'mwishing I'dbeenmore likeAnnette.Shewasas sweetandgoodandunexcitingastheymake'em.Sheneversaidanaughtywordinherlife. And I was far handsomer than she was, mind you. But Crosbylovedher.Now,Joscelyn,here'saqueerthing.YouheardwhatIsaidto-day.

Therewas a time I'd have givenmy soul ifCrosby had lovedme--I'd havegivenanddoneanything--exceptbelikeAnnette.NotevenforCrosbywouldIhave beenwilling to be likeAnnette--even though now I'm getting childishandwishingIhadbeen.I'dratherstingpeoplethanborethem,afterall.But--"

AuntBeckypaused and looked earnestly at Joscelyn. Joscelynhadheld herownwell.Shewasverygood-looking.Theeveninglight,fallingthroughthewindow behind her,made a tremulous primrose nimbus around her shapelyhead. But her eyes--Aunt Becky wanted to solve the haunting mystery ofJoscelyn'seyes.

"Ididn'tkeepyouheretotalkaboutmyownfeelings.I'mgoingtodie.AndI'mnotafraidofdeath.Isn'titstrange?Iwasoncesoafraidofit.ButbeforeIdie I want to ask you something. I've never asked you before--do me thatjustice.WhatwentwrongbetweenyouandHugh?"

Joscelynstarted--flushed--paled--almostrosefromherchair.

"No--sitdown. I'mnotgoing to try tomakeyou tell ifyoudon'twant to. Itisn'tcuriosity,Joscelyn.I'mdonewiththat.IfeelI'djustliketoknowthetruthbeforeIdie.Irememberyourwedding.Hughwasthehappiest-lookinggroomIeversaw.Andyouseemedverywellpleasedwithyourself, too--whenyoucameinfirst,atleast.Irememberthinkingyouweremadeforeachother--thesortofpeoplewhoshouldmarry--andfoundahome--andhavechildren.AndIwouldliketoknowwhatwreckeditall."

Joscelynsatsilentafewminuteslonger.Oddlyenough,shewasconsciousofastrangedesiretotellAuntBeckyeverything.AuntBeckywouldunderstand--shewassureAuntBeckywouldunderstand.Fortenyearsshehadlivedinanatmosphereofmisunderstandinganddisapprovalandsuspicion.Shehadnotminded it, she thought--the inner flame which irradiated life had been herprotection.But to-day she felt oddly that shehad, after all,minded itmorethanshehadsupposed.Therewasasorenessinherspiritthatseemedold,notnew. Shewould tell Aunt Becky. No one else would ever know. It was aconfidence to the grave itself. And it might help her--heal her. She bentforward and began to speak in a low, intense voice. Aunt Becky lay andlistenedmovelesslyuntilJoscelynhadfinished.

"Sothatwasit,"shesaid,whenthepassionatevoicehadceased."Somethingnone of us ever thought of. I never thought of it. I thought perhaps it wassomethingquitesmall.Somanyofthetragediesoflifecomefromlittle,silly,ridiculous things.Nobody ever knewwhyRoger Penhallow hanged himselffortyyearsago--nobodybutme.Hediditbecausehewaseighteenyearsoldandhisfatherspankedhim.Ah,thethingsIknowofthisclan!AllthethingsI

saidto-daywerethingseveryoneknows.ButIdidn'tsayawordaboutscoresofthingsnobodydreamsIknow.Butweren'tyouverycruel,Joscelyn?"

"WhatelsecouldIhavedone?"saidJoscelyn."Icouldn'thavedoneanythingelse."

"NotwiththatSpanishbloodinyou,Isuppose.Atleastwe'llblameitontheSpanishblood.Everythingthatisn'trightinyourbranchofthePenhallowsislaid at the door of that Spanish blood. Peter Penhallow and his hurry to beborn,forinstance.ItmustbetheSpanishbloodthatmakesyouallfallinlovewith such terrible suddenness. Most of Captain Martin's descendants havebeen lovers at sight or not at all. I thought you'd escaped that curse--Hughtooksolongcourtingyou.Haveyoueverfeltsorryyoudidit,Joscelyn?"

"No--no--no,"criedJoscelyn.

"Two'no's'toomany,"saidAuntBecky.

"Iwanttotellyoutheexacttruth,"saidJoscelynslowly."Itisquitetrue--I'veneverbeensorryIdiddoit.Youcan'tbesorryyoudidathingyouhavetodo.ButIhavebeensorry--notmanytimesbutall thetime--thatIhad todoit.Ididn'twanttodoit.Ididn'twanttohurtHughlikethat--andIdidwanttohaveTreewoofe.Iwantityet--youdon'tknowhowmuchIwantTreewoofe--andallthelovelylifeIhadplannedtohavethere.Itwasdreadful tohavetogiveitup.ButIcouldn'tdoanythingelse,AuntBecky--Icouldn't."

"Well, God bless you, child. The less we say about it the better. You'llprobablyhatemetonightbecauseyou'vetoldmethis.You'llfeelItrickedyouintoitbybeingoldandpitiful."

"No,youdidn'ttrickme.Iwantedtotellyou.Idon'tknowwhy--butIwantedto.AndI'mgladyoudon'tblamemetoomuch,AuntBecky."

"Idon'tblameyouatall.ImightevenbelieveyouwererightifIwereyoungenough to believe it. God save us all, what a world it is! The things thathappen topeople--thingswithout rhymeor reason!Frankhasnevermarried,hashe?Doyouthinkithappenedtohim,too?"

Joscelyn'sfacecrimsoned.

"Idon'tknow.Hewentawaythenextmorning,youknow.SometimesIthinkitmighthave--because--whenIlookedathim--oh,AuntBecky,yourememberthat absurd thing Virginia Penhallow said about the first time shemet NedPowell. Thewhole clan has laughed over it. 'Themoment I looked into hiseyes I knewhewasmypredestinedmate.'Of course itwas ridiculous.But,AuntBecky,thatwasjustthewayIfelt,too."

"Of course."AuntBeckynoddedunderstandingly. "Weall feel those things.They're not ridiculouswhenwe feel them. It's onlywhenwe put them intowords that they're ridiculous. They're not meant to be put in words. Well,whenIcouldn'tgetthemanIwanted,IjustdecidedtowantthemanIcouldget.ThatwasCraigPenhallow'swayoflookingatit,too.EverhearthestoryofCraigPenhallowandthetreesinTreewoofelane,Joscelyn?"

"No."

"Well,you'venoticed--haven'tyou--somethingoddabout thespruce treesupanddownthatlane?There'sagapinthemeveryonceinsolong."

Joscelynnodded.AuntBeckycouldnot tellhermuchshedidn'tknowabouttheappearanceofthetreesinTreewoofelane.

"Thirty years ago old Cornelius Treverne owned Treewoofe. Craig wascourting his daughter Clara. And one night Clara turned him down. Hard.Craigwas furious.He flunghimselfoutof thehouseandstormeddown thelane.PooroldCorneliushadspentthatwholedaysettingoutahedgeoflittlespruce trees all alongboth sides of that long lane.Ahardday'swork,mindyou.AndwhatdoyouthinkCraigdidbywayofrelievinghisfeelings?Ashestalkedalonghewould tearupahandfulofoldCornelius' treeson therighthand--afewstepsmore--upwouldcomeabunchontheleft.Hekeptthatupallthewaydownthelane.Youcanimaginewhatitlookedlikewhenhegottotheendofit.AndyoucanimaginewhatoldCorneliusfeltwhenhesawitnextmorning.Henevergottimetoreplantthetrees--Corneliuswasagreathandtoputthingsoff.Hewasagoodman--painfullygood.Itwasablessinghedidn'thaveanysons,orthey'dcertainlyhavegonetothebadbywayofkeepingupthefamilyaverage.Buthewasnohustler.Sothetreesthatwereleftgrewupastheywere.AsforCraig,bythetimehehadfinishedwiththelanehefeltalotbetter.Therewereasgoodfish in theseaasevercameoutof it--MaggiePenhallowwasjustashandsomeasClaraTreverne.Orat leastshemanagedhereyesandhandssowell,shepassedforhandsome.Yousee,Craigwaslikeme. He decided to be sensible. Perhaps your way is wiser, Joscelyn--andperhaps we're all fools together with the Moon Man's high-seated godslaughingatus.Joscelyn--andIdon'tknowwhetherIshouldtellyouthis--butIthink I should, for I don't think you know, and the things we don't knowsometimeshurtushorribly,inspiteoftheoldproverb.AllHugh'sfamilyareathimtogototheStatesandgetadivorce.It'sbeendoneseveraltimes,youknow.PeoplebragthatPrinceEdwardIslandhasn'thadbutonedivorcesinceConfederation.Stuffandnonsense!It'shadadozen."

"But--but--they'renotreallylegal--here,arethey?"stammeredJoscelyn.

"Legalenough.They'rewinkedat,anyhow.Mind,Idon'tsayHughisgoingtodo it.But they'reathim--they'reathim.Timeshavechangedabit these lasttenyears.Noeasydivorceforus--but inHugh'scase they'dcondone it.MrsJimTrentisthemovingspiritbehindit,Iunderstand.ShelivedsolongintheStatesshegottheirviewpoint.AndsheandPaulineDarkareasfriendlyjustnowastwocatslappingfromthesamesaucer.Pauline'sasmuchinlovewithHughassheeverwas,youknow."

"Itmattersnothing tome,"saidJoscelynstiffly, rising togo.ShebadeAuntBeckygood-bye rathershortly.AuntBeckysmiledcrypticallyafter Joscelynhadgoneout.

"I'vemadeJoscelynDarktellonefibinherlife,ifshenevertellsanother,"shethought."Poorlittleromantic,splendidfool.Idon'tknowwhetherIfeelenvyorcontempt.YetIrememberwhenItookmyselfalmostasseriouslyasthat.Lord,whatdoesgetintogirls?OldCyDark'sson!"

XVI

Joscelyn went home slowly through the glamour and perfume of the Juneevening.Slowly,becauseshewasinnohurrytogethomewherehermotherand her Aunt Rachel would be talking the afternoon over indignantly andexpecting her to be as indignant as they were. Slowly, because someunwelcomeshadowofimminentchangeseemedtogowithherasshewalked.Slowly,becauseshewaslivingoveragainthestoryshehadtoldAuntBecky.

She had been very sure she loved Hugh when she had finally promised tomarry him. She had been happy in their brief engagement. Everybody hadbeenhappy--everybodywell enoughpleasedabout it, exceptHugh'smother,MrsConradDark,andhissecondcousin,PaulineDark.JoscelyndidnotcarewhetherPaulinewaspleasedornot,butshewassorryMrsConradwasn't.MrsConraddidnotlikeher--neverhadlikedher.Joscelynhadneverbeenabletoimaginewhy--untilthisveryafternoon,whenAuntBeckyhadilluminatedthemysterybyher reference toAlec. JoscelynhadknownMrsConraddetestedherfromtheirfirstmeeting,whenMrsConradhadtoldherthatherpetticoatwasbelowherdress.Now,inthedaysofpetticoats,therewerethreedifferentwaysyoucouldtellagirlthatherpetticoatwasbelowherdress.Youcouldtellitasakindlyfriendwhofelt itaduty tohelpgetmatters rightedassoonaspossiblebeforeanyoneelsenoticedit,butwhofeltasympathywithherasthe

victimofanaccidentwhichmighthappenatanytimetoyourself.Youcouldtellitasadisinterestedonlookerwhohadnorealconcernwiththeaffairbutwanted to do as youwould be done by.Or you could tell it with a certainsuppressedvenomand triumph, as ifyou ratherdelighted in catchingher insuchascrapeandwantedhertoknowyousawthefatalgarmentandhadyourownopinionofanygirlwhocouldbesocareless.

The last way had been Mrs Conrad Dark's, and Joscelyn knew her for anenemy.Butthisdidnotdisturbtoanyextentthehappinessofherengagement.JoscelynhadagooddealofPeterPenhallow'spowerofdetachmentfromtheinfluence of any one else's opinion. As long as Hugh loved her it did notmatterwhatMrsConradthought;andJoscelynknewhowHughlovedher.

Soon after their engagement Treewoofe Farm at Three Hills came into themarket. Treewoofe had been so named from some old place in CornwallwhencetheTreverneshadcome.Thehousewasbuiltonahilloverlookingthevalley of Bay Silver, andHugh bought the farm because of itsmagnificentview. Most of the clan thought the idea of buying a farm because it wasbeautifulveryamusingandsuspectedJoscelynofputtinghimuptoit.Luckily,they thought, the soilwasgood, though rundown,and thehousepracticallynew.Hughhadnotmadesuchabadpurchase,ifthewinterwindsdidn'tmakehimwishhe'dpickedamoreshelteredhome.Asfortheview,ofcourseitwasveryfine.Noneof theDarksorPenhallowswereso insensitive tobeautyasnot to admit that. There was no doubt old Cornelius had tacked anotherhundredonhispricebecauseofthatview.Butitwasalonelyspotandratheroutoftheworld,andmostofthemthoughtHughhadmadeamistake.

HughandJoscelynhadnoqualmsaboutit.TheybothlovedTreewoofe.Thesplendour of many sunsets had flooded that hill and the shadows of greatclouds rolled over it. One evening after he had bought it, he and Joscelynwalkeduptoseeit,goingtoit,notbytheroadbutbyalittlecrooked,fernypaththroughtheTreewoofebeechwoods,fullofthesurprisesnostraightpathcanevergive.Theyhadrunalloverthehouseandorchardlikechildrenandthen stood together at their front door and looked down--down--down--overthe hill itself--over the farmsteads and groves in the valley below--over herown home, looking like a doll's house at that distance--over themirror-likebeautyofBaySilver--overtheharbourbar--out--out--out--tothegreatgulf--agreysea,thisevening,withstreaksofsilver--Joscelynhaddrawnabreathofrapture. To live every day looking at that!And to know that gloriouswindeveryday--sweepingupovertheharbour,over theshelteredhomesteadsthathidfromit--up--up--up--totheirgloriousfreecrestthatwelcomedit.Andoh,whatwoulddawnoverthoseseasidemeadowsfarbelowbelike?

"We'llhavethreegoodneighboursuphere,"saidJoscelyn."Thewind--andthe

rain--and the stars.They can come close to us here.Allmy life,Hugh, I'velongedtoliveonahill.Ican'tbreatheinthevalley."

Turning round she could see, past the other end of the hall that ran rightthrough the house, the lovely old-fashioned garden behind--and behind itagain theorchard inbloom.Their home,hauntedbynoghosts of thepast--onlybywraithsof the future.Unborneyeswould lookoutof itswindows--unborn voices sing in its rooms--unborn feet run lightly in the old orchard.Beautiful to-morrows--unknown lovely years were waiting there for them.Friendswouldcometothem--handsofcomradeswouldknockattheirdoor--silken gowns would rustle through their chambers--there would becompanionship and good smacking jests such as their clan loved. What ahome theywouldmake of Treewoofe!All the richness and ripeness of lifewouldbetheirs.

Joscelynsawtheirfacesreflectedinthelongmirrorthatwashangingoverthefireplaceinthecorner.Amirrorwithanintriguingblackcata-topofitwhichhadbeenbroughtoutfromCornwallandsoldwiththehouse.Young,happy,merryfacesagainstabackgroundofblueskyandcrystalair.Hughputhisarmaboutherneckanddrewhercheekclosetohis.

"That'sanoldlooking-glass,honey.Ithasreflectedmanyawoman'sface.Butnever,neveronesobeautifulasmyqueen's."

The wedding was in September. Milly, Joscelyn's harum-scarum youngersister, was bridesmaid. Frank Dark was best man. Joscelyn had never seenFrank Dark. He lived in Saskatchewan, where his father, Cyrus Dark, hadgonewhenhisfamilyweresmall,andwhereFrankandHughhadbeencroniesduring the years Hugh had spent in the west. But he came east for thewedding,arriving thereonlyon theafternoonof theday itself.Joscelynsawhim for the first time when her Uncle Jeff swept in with her and left herstandingbythesideofherwaitinggroom.JoscelynraisedhereyestolookatHugh--and instead foundherself lookingpasthim straight intoFrankDark'seyesashegazedwithopencuriosityatthisbrideofHugh's.

FrankDarkwas"darkbynameanddarkbynature"astheclansaid.Hehadblack, satiny hair, a thin olive-hued face and dark liquid eyes. A veryhandsomefellow,FrankDark.Besidehim,Hughlookedratherovergrownandraw-bonedandunfinished.AndatthatmomentJoscelynPenhallowknewthatshehadnever lovedHughDark, savewith theaffectionofagoodcomrade.ShelovedFrankDark,whomshehadneverseenuntilthatminute.

The ceremonywaswell begunbefore Joscelyn realizedwhat hadhappened.Shealwaysbelievedthatifshehadrealizeditamomentsoonershecouldhave

stoppedthemarriagesomehow--anyhow--itdidnotmatterhow,solongas itwasonlystopped.ButHughwassaying,"Iwill"whenshecametohersenses--andFrank'sshadowwasonthefloorbeforeherasshesaid,"Iwill"herself,withoutknowingexactlywhatshewassaying.AnothermomentandshewasHughDark'swife--HughDark'swifeinthethroesofawildpassionateloveforanotherman.AndHughatthatmomentwasmakingavowinhisheartthatnopain,nosorrow,noheartacheshouldevertouchherlifeifhecouldpreventit.

Joscelyn never knew how she got through the evening. It always seemed anightmare of remembrance. Hugh kissed her on her lips--tenderly--possessively. The husband's kiss against which Joscelyn found herselfsuddenly in wild rebellion. Milly gave her a tear-wet peck next, and thenFrankDark,easy,debonairFrankDark,bentforwardwithasmileandgood-wishesforHugh'swifeonhislipsandkissedherlightlyonthecheek.Itwasthefirstandlasttimeheevertouchedher;butto-day,tenyearsafter,thatkissburnedonJoscelyn'scheekasshethoughtofit.

There was an orgy of kissing after that. At Dark and Penhallow weddingseverybodykissedthebrideandeverybodyelsewhocouldorwouldbekissed.Joscelyn,bewilderedandterrified,hadyetoneclearthoughtinhermind--noone--noonemustkissthecheekwhereFrank'skisshadfallen.Shegavethemherlipsorherleftcheekblindly,butshekepttherighttohim.Onandontheycame with their good wishes and their tears or laughter--Joscelyn felt hermother's tears, she felt her bones almost crack inDrowned John's grip, sheheardoldUncleErasmuswhisperoneofthesmuttylittlejokeshealwaysgotoffatweddings,shesawMrsConrad'scoldvenomousface--nokissfromMrsConrad--she saw Pauline Dark's pale, quivering lips--Pauline's kiss was ascold as the grave--she heard jolly oldAuntCharlottewhispering, "Tell himhe's wonderful at least once a week." It was all a dream--she must wakepresently.

The ordeal of well-wishing over, the ordeal of supper came. Joscelyn waslaughedatbecauseshecouldnoteat.UncleErasmusmadeanothersmuttyjestandwaspunishedbyhiswife'ssharpelbow.AftersupperHughtookhisbridehome. The rest of the young folks, FrankDark among them, stayed atBaySilvertodancethenightaway.Joscelynwentoutwithonlyacloakoverherbridalfinery.Hughhadaskedhertogohomewithhimso.

ThedrivetoTreewoofehadbeenverysilent.Hughsensedthatsomehowshedidnotwanttotalk.Hewassohappyhedidnotwanttotalkhimself.Wordsmightspoil it.AtTreewoofeheliftedherfromthebuggyandledherbythehand--howcold thehandwas.Shewas frightened,his little love--across thegreen before the house and over the threshold of his door. He turned towelcomeherwiththelittleverseofpoetryhehadcomposedfortheoccasion.

Hugh had the knack of rhyme that flickered here and there in the clan,sometimes emerging in very unexpectedbrainpans.Hehadpicturedhimselfdoingthisahundredtimes--leadinginawhite-veiled,silk-cladbride--butnotabridewithsuchwhitelipsandsuchwide,horror-filledeyes.Forthefirsttime,Hughrealizedthatherewassomethingmostterriblywrong.Thiswasnottheprettyshrinkingandconfusionofthehappybride.

TheystoodintheentrancehallatTreewoofeandlookedateachother.Afirewasflickeringinthefireplace--Hughhadlighteditwithhisownhandsbeforeheleftandbadehishiredboytokeepitalive--andtherosyflamelightbathedthehallandfelloverhislovelygoldenbride--hisnomore.

"Joscelyn--mydarling--whatiswrong?"

Shefoundhervoice.

"Ican'tlivewithyou,Hugh."

"Whynot?"

Shetoldhim.ShelovedFrankDarkandlovinghimshecouldbewifetonootherman.Nowhereyeswerenolongerblueorgreenorgrey,butaflame.

Therewasaterriblehour.IntheendHughsetopenthedoorandlookedather,whiteangerfallingoverhisfacelikeafrost.Oneonlywordhesaid:

"Go."

Joscelynhadgone,wraithlike inher shimmerof satinand tulle,out into thecold September moonlight silvering over Treewoofe Hill. She had halfwalked,half runhome toBaySilver inacertainwild triumph.Asshewentpast the graveyard, her own people buried there seemed to be reaching outafter her topluckher back.Not her father, though.He layveryquiet in hisgrave--quieter than he had ever lain in life. There had been Spanish bloodinhim.MrsCliffordPenhallowcouldhave toldyou that.Herclan thought--she thought herself--that she had had a hard life with Clifford's vagaries.Thoughwhenshebecameawidowshefoundtherewereagoodmanyharderthingshehadfendedfromher.

Joscelyn cherished no delusion. ShewasHugh's wife in law and she couldmarrynootherman.Thethoughtofdivorceneverenteredherhead.Butshewasfreetobetruetoherlove--thiswonderfulpassionwhichhadsosuddenlyfilledhersoulandgivenitwings,sothatsheseemedrathertoflythanwalkovertheroad.Itsdarkenchantmentliftedherabovefearandshame;nothingcould touch her, not evenwhat she knewwas to be faced.And in this raptmoodshecamebacktohermother'sdoorandthedismayeddancersscattered

totheirhomesasifaghosthadwalkedinamongthem.Joscelyn,asshewentupstairs with the frost of the autumn night wet on her limp wedding-veil,wonderedifFranksawherandwhathewouldthink.ButFrankwasnotthere.Tenminutes afterHugh had taken his bride away a telegram had come forFrank Dark. Cyrus Dark was dying in Saskatchewan. Frank left at once topack his scarcely unpacked trunk and catch the early boat-train, therebyperhaps escaping the horsewhipping a madman at Treewoofe was silentlythreateningtogivehimandwhich,itmustbeadmitted,hedidnotintheleastdeserve.

FrankDarkreturnedto thewestwithouteverknowingthathis friend'sbridehadfalleninlovewithhim.Hehadn'ttheslightestwishthatsheshouldfallinlovewithhim--thoughhethoughtheradashedprettygirl.Abitofmoney,too.Hughhadalwaysbeenaluckybeggar.

XVII

Joscelynpausedat thegateofherhomeandlookedat itwithsomedistaste.TheoldCliffordPenhallowhousewasprim,old-fashionedandundecorated,but itwasconsidered tobeveryquaintby thesummer touristswhocametoBaySilver,andapostcardhadbeenmadeofit.Thehousewasbuiltonalittlepoint running out into Bay Silver. On one side its roof sloped unbrokenlydowntowithinafewfeetoftheground.Itswindowswerehighandnarrow.Alittlegreenyardsurroundedit,withnothinginitbutgreengrasswhichRachelPenhallowswepteveryday.Totherightwasahuddleoftrees--alombardy,amapleandthreeappletrees,girtbyatidystonedyke.Ontheleftaneatgateopenedintoaneatpasture--oh,everythingwassoneatandbare--wheretherewere somewindywillows andwhereMrsCliffordkept her cow.Backof itwas a straight blue line of harbour, a glimpse of pink sand-dunes and overthemahazysunset.

FortenyearsthishadbeentoJoscelynmerelyaplacetoliveherstrangeinnerdream-life.Sheaskednomoreofit.Butnowshewassuddenlyconsciousofthisodddistasteforit.Shehadnevercaredverymuchforit.Itlaytoolow--shewantedthewindandoutlookofahill.Shedidnotwanttogoin.ShecouldseehermotherandAuntRachelattheliving-roomwindow.Theyseemedtobe quarrelling as usual. Rather--bickering. They couldn't do anything asgenuineandpositiveasquarrel.TherewasnoSpanishbloodineitherofthem.Joscelyn knew what was ahead of her if she went in--the whole afternoon

wouldbethreshedoverandsomehowtheywouldmakeherfeelthatshewasresponsiblefortheirnotgettingwhattheywanted.Shecouldnotendurethatjustnow--soshewalkedaroundthepasture,asifsheweregoingtotheshore,and when she was out of their sight she slipped through the sweet-briarthicket, inat thekitchendoor,andupstairs toherownroom.Withasighofreliefandwearinessshesankintoachairbytheopenwindow.

Shesuddenlyfelttirederthanshehadeverfeltinherlifebefore.Wasthistobeherexistenceforever?Shehadnotthoughtaboutthefutureforyears--therewasno future to think of--nothing but the strange present where her secretloveburnedlikeanaltarflameshemusttendforever,adevotedpriestess.Butnowshethoughtofthefuture.Afuturelivedwithtwooldwomenwhowerealways bickering--an aunt who was bitter and miserly, a mother who wasalways complaining of "slaving" and not being appreciated. Milly, gay,irresponsibleMilly,was longsincemarriedandgone.HergoinghadbeenarelieftoJoscelynbecauseMillythoughtherafool,butnowshemissedMilly'slaughter.Howstillandquieteverythingwas.ButupatTreewoofetherewouldbewind.Therewasalwaysawindthere.ShecouldseeeverydellandslopeofTreewoofeFarmfromwhereshesat, lyinginthelightofaqueerredsmokysunset.DearTreewoofewhichseemedinsomecuriouswaytobelongtoherstill,whenshewatchedthemoonsinkingoveritssnowyhillonwinternightsortheautumnstarsburningoveritsmistyharvestfields.Overitacloudwasdrifting--a cloud like awomanwith long,blowing,wethair.She thoughtofPauline Dark--Pauline, who still loved Hugh. Could it be true that Hugh'sfamily really wanted him to get a U.S. divorce? Would Pauline ever bemistress of Treewoofe? Paulinewith her thinmalicious smile.Demure as acat, too. At the thought Joscelyn felt a wave of home-sickness engulf her.Treewoofe was hers--hers, though she could never enter into her heritage.Hugh would never--could never--take another woman there in her place. Itwouldbeasacrilege.Joscelynshiveredagain.Shehadabitterrealizationthatherspringtimesuddenlyseemedfaraway.Shewasno longeryoung--andallshehadhadoutof lifewasa certaincool indifferentkissdropped tenyearsagoonacheekthatnolipshadever touchedsince.Yetfor thatkissshehadgivenhersoul.

AuntRachelcameinwithouttheuselessformalityofaknock.Shehadbeencrying and the knobby tip of her long nosewas very red. But shewas notwithouther consolation.MercyPenhallowhadn'tgotAuntBecky'sbottleofJordanwater,thankheaven.She,RachelPenhallow,wasnowtheonlywomanin the clan who had one. Penny Dark didn't count. Men had no realunderstandingaboutsuchsacredthings.

"Whatdidyouthinkoftheafternoon,Joscelyn?"

"Think--theafternoon--oh,itwasfunny,"saidJoscelyn.

Aunt Rachel stared. She thought the afternoon had been dreadful andscandalousbutitwouldneverhaveoccurredtohertocallitfunny.

"Wehavenorealchanceforthejug,ofcourse.Itoldyourmotherthatbeforewe went. And less than ever now. Dandy Dark and Mrs Conrad are firstcousins. If you had not been so crazy--Joscelyn--" Joscelyn winced. Shealways winced when Aunt Rachel gave her jabs about her behaviour. ShehatedAuntRachel.Alwayshadhatedher.Itwasalwaysacomfort toreflectthat if she chose she could humiliateAuntRachel to the dust.AuntRachelwithherpoorpitifulprideinthepossessionofthatbottleofJordanwater,oneofseveralwhichan itinerantmissionaryhadoncesold for thebenefitofhiscause.SheandTheodoreDarkhadbeentheonlyonesintheclantobuyone.Thebottlestoodinthemiddleoftheparlourmantelpiece.AuntRacheldustediteverydaywithreverenthands.

OnedaywhenJoscelynhadbeena littlegirl,shehadfoundherselfalone inthe parlour, and she had boldly climbed up on a chair and taken the sacredbottleinherhand.Itwasaprettybottlewithafacettedglassstopper,andAuntRachel had tied a bow of blue satin ribbon lovingly around its throat.SomehowJoscelynhaddroppedit.Luckilyitfellonthesoft,velvety,paddedrosesofoneofMrsClifford'sfamoushookedrugs.Soitdidnotbreak.ButthestoppercameoutandbeforethehorrifiedJoscelyncouldleapdownandrescueit,everydropofthepricelessJordanwaterhadbeenspilled.AtfirstJoscelynwascoldwithhorror.Evenattenshedidnotthinktherewasanythingspecialor sacredabout thatwater.Shehadunderstood toowellher father's satiricalspeeches about it. But she knewwhatAuntRachelwould be like. Then animpish ideaenteredhermind.Luckilyshewasalone in thehouse.Shewentoutanddeliberatelyfilledupthebottlefromthekitchenwater-pail.Itlookedexactlythesame.AuntRachelneverknewthedifference.

Joscelynhadnevertoldasoul--lessforherownsakethanforAuntRachel's.ThatbottleofsupposedJordanwaterwasall thatgaveanymeaningtoAuntRachel'slife.Itwastheonlythingshereallyloved--hergod,intruth,thoughshewouldhavebeenhorrifiedifsuchasuggestionhadeverbeenmadetoher.

AsforJoscelyn,shecouldneverhavestoodAuntRachelandhermartyrairsat all had it not been for theknowledgeofhow securely shehadher inherpower.

"Wheredidyouput thatbottleofSt. Jacob'soilwhenyouhousecleaned thepantry?" Aunt Rachel was asking. "I want to rub my joints. There's raincoming.Ishouldn'thaveputoffmyflannels.Abodyshouldwearflannelnext

theskintilltheendofJune."

JoscelynwentsilentlyandgottheSt.Jacob'soil.

XVIII

Hugh Dark leaned over the gate at Treewoofe for a time before going in,lookingatthehousedeadblackonitshillagainstthedullredsky--thehousewherehehadoncethoughtJoscelynPenhallowwouldbemistress.Hethoughtitlookedlonely--asifitexpectednothingmorefromlife.Yetithadnothingofthedesolatepeaceofahousewhoselifehasbeenlived.Ithadanunlivedlookaboutit;ithadadefraudeddefiantair;ithadbeenrobbedofitsbirthright.

Beforehismarriage,Hughhadlikedtostandsoandlookathishousewhenhecamehome,dreamingayoungman'sdreams.He imaginedcominghome toJoscelyn;hewouldstandawhilebeforegoingin,lookingupatallitswindowswhencewarmgoldenlightswouldbegleamingoverwintersnowsorsummergardens or lovely, pale, clear autumn dusks. He would think of thesignificance of each window--the dining-room, where his supper would belaid,thekitchen,whereJoscelynwaswaitingforhim,perhapsadimly-lightedwindowupstairsinaroomwheresmallcreaturesslept."Sheisthelightofmyhouse," he would think. Pretty? The word was too cheap and tawdry forJoscelyn. Shewas beautiful,with the beauty of awarmpearl or a star or agolden flower.And shewas his.Hewould sitwith her by rose-red fires onstormywinter nights andwildwet fall evenings, shut inwith her for secrethappyhours,while thewindshowledaboutTreewoofe.Hewouldwalkwithherinthetwilitorchardonsummernights,andkissherhairinthatsoftbluedarknessofshadows.

Foryearshehadnotlookedathishousewhenhecamehome.Inasensehehatedit.Butto-nighthewasrestlessandunhappy.OnlyafterseeingJoscelyndidherealizetothefullhowemptyhislifewas.Emptylikehishouse.Itwasalways difficult to believe that the incidents of his wedding-night had beenreal.We can never believe that terrible things really have happened. Yearsafter theyhave happened we are still incredulous. So it was with Hugh. Itsimply could not be so. Joscelynmust be in that house, waiting for him tocometoher.Ifhestoodherepatientlybythegatehewouldseeheratthedoorlookingforhimandseethegarlandgoldofherhairshininglikeacrowninthelightbehindher.

Wouldhegetthedivorcehismotherandsisterswerealwayshintingat?No,hewouldnot.Hestruckhisclenchedfistfuriouslyonthegate-post.FrankwouldcomehomethenandmarryJoscelyn.Heshouldneverhaveher.

Therewas no light in the house.His old housekeepermust be away.Hughwentinsullenly,notbythefrontdoor,thoughitwasnearest.Heknewthatitwas locked.Hehad locked it behind Joscelynon theirwedding-night and ithadneverbeenopenedsince.Hewentinbythekitchendoorandlitalamp.He was restless. He went all over the house--the dusty ill-kept house.Itwas lonelyandunsatisfied.Thechairswanted tobesatupon.Themirrorswanted to reflect charming faces. The roomswanted children to go singingthrough them. The walls wanted to re-echo to laughter. There had been nolaughter in this house since that wedding-night--no real laughter. A housewithoutrememberedlaughterisapitifulthing.Hecamefinallytothesquarefront hall where the ashes of the bridal fire were still in the grate. Hishousekeeperhadherordersnever tomeddlewith anything in the fronthall.The dust lay thick over everything. The mirror was turned to the wall. Hehated it because it hadonce reflectedher face andwould reflect it nomoreforever.Theclockonthemantelpiecewasnotgoing.Ithadstoppedthatnightandhadneverbeenwoundagain.SotimehadstoppedforHughDarkwhenhehadlookedatJoscelynandrealizedthatshewasnolongerhis.

Onthemantelpiece,justbeforetheclock,awedding-ringandasmalldiamondringwere lying.Theyhadbeen there ever since Joscelynhad stripped themfromherfingers.

Themoonlightwaslookinginthroughtheglassofthefrontdoorlikeawhitehopelessface.Hughrecalledanoldsayinghehadheardorreadsomewhere--"Godhadmadeafoolofhim."

Ah,verilyGodhadmadeafoolofhim.

Hewouldgooutand roamabout in thenightasheoftendid todriveawayhaunting thoughts. In the house he could think of nothing but Joscelyn.Outsidehecouldthinkofhisplansformakingmoneyoutofhisfarmandthepossibilities thatwereloomingupforhimin localpolitics.Butfirsthemustfeed his cat. The poor beast was hungry, crouched on the kitchen doorsteplookingathimaccusingly.ItwasnotthecatheandJoscelynwerereputedtohavequarrelledover.

"Atleast,"thoughtHughbitterly,"acatalwaysknowsitsownmind."

XIX

SoAuntBecky'sfamouslast"levee"wasoverwithallitscomedyandtragedy,itsfarceandhumour,itsjealousiesandtriumphs;anditmaybeconcludedthatveryfewpeoplewenthomefromitashappyastheywenttoit.ThetwoSams,perhaps,whowereuntroubledbyloveorambitionandhadnosuspicionofthedark clouds already lowering over their lives,--Gay Penhallow--and maybePeter,whowastearingthebowelsoutofhistrunk.HehadsaidtoNancyonthewayhome:

"Nancy--Nancy,I'vefalleninlove--Ihave--Ihave--andit'sglorious.WhydidIneverfallinlovebefore?"

NancycaughtherbreathasPeterwhirledaroundacornerontwowheels.

"Whatdoyoumean?Andwhoisit?"

"DonnaDark."

"Donna Dark!" Nancy gasped again as Peter shaved old Spencer Howey'steam by the merest fraction of an inch. "Why, Peter, I thought you alwayshatedher."

"SoIdid.But,dearestofNancys,haveyouneverheardtheproverb,'Hateisonlylovethathasmisseditsway'?"

WheelswithinWheels

I

Most of the clan who were at The Pinery went home thinking it was allnonsensetotalkofAuntBecky'sdying.Anybodyasfullofvimanddevilmentasshewaswouldlastforyears.Rogermustbemistaken.

ButRogerhad,asusual,madenomistake.Lessthanaweekafterthefamouslevee,AuntBecky died--very quietly and unostentatiously.And tidily.AuntBecky insisted on dying tidily. She made Ambrosine put on a smooth andspotlessspread, tuckall theedgesneatly in,andfoldback thefreshsheet inunwrinkledpurity.

"I'velivedcleanandI'lldieclean,"saidAuntBecky,foldingherhandsonthesheet."AndI'mgladI'mnotdyinginmysleep.RogertoldmeImight.IwanttohaveallmywitsaboutmewhenIdie."

Shewasdonewithlife.Asshelookedbackinthislasthourshesawhowfewthingshadreallymattered.Herhatesnowseemedtrivialandlikewisemanyofherloves.Thingsshehadoncethoughtgreat,seemedsmallandafewtriflesloomedvastly.Griefandjoyhadalikeceasedtoworryher.ButshewasgladshehadtoldCrosbyDarkthatshehadlovedhim.Yes,thatwasasatisfaction.Sheclosedhersunkenoldeyesanddidnotopenthemagain.

Ofcourse therewasaclan funeralandeverybodywithoneexceptioncame,even Mrs Allan Dark, who was dying of some chronic trouble but haddetermined--soitwasreported--toliveuntilsheknewwhogottheDarkjug.TheexceptionwasTomDark,whowasinbedwithadislocatedshoulder.Thenightbefore,ashewassittingonhisbed,studyingif therewereanywaytowheedlethesecretoutofDandyDark,hehadabsentlyputbothfeetintoonepyjama leg.Thenwhenhestooduphe fellon the floor inwhathis terrifiedwifeatfirstthoughtwasafit.Veryfewoftheclansympathizedwithhimastohis resulting shoulder. They thought it served him right for wearing new-fangledduds.Ifhehadhadapropernightshirtonitcouldn'thavehappened.

TheklaPenhallow,whoalways lookedas ifhernosewere cold, appearedatthefuneralinheavymourning.Someoftheotherwomenwondereduneasilyifthey shouldn't have, too. To be sure, Aunt Becky had hatedmourning; shecalledit"arelicofbarbarism."ButwhoknewwhatDandythoughtaboutit?

Everythingproceededdecentlyandinorder--untiljustatthelast.AuntBecky,whohadnevercaredforflowersinherlife,hadhercasketheapedwiththem.Butherclanat leastrespectedherwishasregards"made-up"flowers.Therewasnothingbutclustersandbouquetsgatheredinoldhomesteadgardensandbreathingonlyof the thingsAuntBeckyhadknown--andperhaps loved--allherlife.

AuntBeckywassternlyhandsomeinwhatsomeconsideredfartooexpensiveacoffin,withherlaceshawldrapedaboutherandhercoldwhitelipsforeverclosedonall theclansecretssheknew--sohandsomethatherclan,whohadthoughtofherforyearsonlyagauntunlovelyoldwoman,withstragglinghairandwrinkledface,weresurprised.CrosbyDark,whohadfeltashamedattheleveewhenshetoldhimshehadlovedhim,nowfeltflattered.Theloveofthatstately old queen was a compliment. For the rest, they looked a her withinterest, respect,andmoregrief thananyof themhadexpectedtofeel.Withconsiderableaweaswell.Shelookedasifshemightopenhereyeswiththatterribleinquisitoriallookofhersandshootsomeghastlyquestionatthem.It

wouldbelikeher.

Very few tears were shed.Mrs Clifford cried; but then she shed gallons ateverybody's funeral.AndGracePenhallowcried,whichwas sounusual thather husbandwhispered testily, "What are you crying for?You always hatedher."

"That'swhyI'mcrying,"saidGracedrearily.Shecouldnotexplainhowfutilethat old hate seemed to her now. And its futility made her feel sad andtemporarilybereftofallthings.

The Rev. Mr Trackley conducted the service very fittingly and gracefully,mostpeopleconsidered.ThoughUnclePippinthought,"Oh,youaredrawingit rather strong" at someof thephrasesused inMrTrackley's eulogyof thedeparted.AuntBeckyhadhardlybeensuchasaintasthat.AndDrownedJohnthought shamelessly, whenMr Trackley said the Lord had taken her, "He'swelcome to her."WilliamY.was by nomeans so sure of it as theministerseemed to be. Aunt Becky, he reflected, had never been a member of thechurch.ButthenshewasaPenhallow.APenhallowcouldn'tgoanywherebuttotherightplace,WilliamY.feltcomfortingly.

ThefuneralprocessionfromThePinerytothegraveyardatRoseRiverwas,so Camilla proudly remarked to Ambrosine that night, the longest that hadever beenknow in the clan. Itwas a dayof heavy cloudswith outbursts ofsunshinebetweenthem;anoccasionalgreymistofraindriftedoverthesprucebarrensdownbytheharbour,muchto thecomfortof thesuperstitious.AuntBeckywasburiedintheTheodoreDarkplot,besideherhusbandandchildren,underadriftofbloomingspirea.Theoldgraveyardwasfullofthepathosofforgottengraves.Menandwomenoftheclanlaythere--menandwomenwhohadbeenvictorious,andmenandwomenwhohadbeendefeated.Theirfolliesandadventures,theirgallantriesandmistakes,theirfortunesandmisfortunes,wereburiedandforgottenwiththem.AndnowAuntBeckyhadcometotakeherplaceamongthem.Peopledidnothurryawayafterthegraveservicehadbeenconcluded.Aclanfuneralwasbywayofbeingabitofasocialfunctionaswellasa funeral.Theybrokeup into littlegroupsand talked--withrathereasiermindsthantheyhadbroughttothefuneral--forCamillahadtoldthemthatthatdreadfulobituaryhadsimplybeenahoaxonAuntBecky'spart.Shehadwantedtogivethemonegoodfinalscare.

"ThankGod," saidWilliamY.,who really hadn't slept anything to speak ofsincehehadheardthatobituaryread.

EverybodylookedatDandyDarkwithanewoutwardrespect.Peoplecameupandspoketohimwhodidnotordinarilynoticehimunlesstheyfelloverhim.

Hefelthisimportance,asthepossessorofadyingtrust,butdidnotpresumeonittoomuch.Folksfeltsureheknewalreadywhowasgoingtogetthejug.IfAuntBeckyhadn't toldhim,nodoubthehad steamed the letter open thenightafterthelevee.ArtemasDarkwhiletheburialservicewasgoingon,wasspeculatingastowhethertherewereanychanceofgettingDandy"litup"andworming the secret out of him that way. He sadly concluded there wasn't.Dandy had never tasted liquor in his life. Too mean--and unadventurous,thought Artemas. Titus Dark wondered if it would be any good to try theSams' ouija-board. It was said to do wonderful things. But--would that betamperingwiththepowersofdarkness?HeknewMrTrackleythoughtso.

Palmer Dark and Homer Penhallow nodded to each other shamefacedly.Young JimmyDarkmeowed very distinctly at this, but Palmer and Homerpretendednottohaveheard.

"Goodthingthey'vemadeitupatlast,"saidUnclePippin."Nevercouldseethesenseofkeepingupamouldyoldscraplikethat."

"Asforthesenseofit,there'snosenseinheapsofthingswedo,"saidStantonGrundy."Lifewouldbetediouswithoutavendettaortwo."

Everybodywasontiptoe.AbelDarkhadalreadybeguntofinishpaintinghishouseandMillerDarkhadactuallycommencedworkonhisclanhistoryandhadagenealogicaltableneatlymadeout.ChrisPenhallowhadnevertoucheda violin. Drowned John and Titus Dark had not sworn for a week--at leastnobodyhadheardthemdoit.TitusshowedthestrainbuttherewasnoshadowonDrownedJohn'sbrowashestrodeacrossthegraveyard, tramplingonthegraves,tolookatJennie'sandEmmy'sandreadhisownepitaph.AmbrosineWinkworth wore her diamond ring--most unfitting, it was thought. MrsToynbeeDarkwentfaithfully tovisiteachhusband'sgrave.PeoplesaidNanPenhallowmighthaveleftthelipstickoffforafuneral.

"She'saflippiece,"saidRachelPenhallow."Shetriestoflirtwitheveryman--why,sheeventriestoflirtwithPa,"saidMrsWilliamY.

"LittleSamsawherdiggingclamsdownatthesea-runinherbathing-suittheothernight,"saidMercyPenhallow.

"Yes, and Iwarrantyou she'd just as soondig themwithnothingat allon,"saidMrsCliffordbitterly."Suchanexampleforourgirls!WhatdidLittleSamthinkofit?"

"Well,youknowwhatmenare,"saidMercy."Hesaidofcourseitwashardlyadecorousgarbbut she lookedall right if she'dhadabitmoremeatonherlegs."

"Dearme!"wasallMrsCliffordcouldsay;butshesaiditadequately.

Mrs William Y. looked solemnly at Nan, who was wearing a dress MrsWilliamY.thoughtwasasheerimpertinence.

"Iwouldlike,"shesaidbitterly,"toaskthatgirlhowshewouldliketomeetherGodwiththosebareknees."

"Nakedandashamed,"quotedMrsCliffordvaguely.

"Oh, I think you exaggerate," said Stanton Grundy, passing by. "Nakedandnotashamed."

"Atanyrate,shehasgoodknees,"saidMrsWilliamY.majestically.StantonGrundywasnotgoingtobeallowedtosneerunrebukedatanyPenhallow.

ThelittleperverselockstuckuponHugh'sheadwhenhetookoffhishatforprayer, and Joscelyn had the same irrational impulse to go and smooth itdown.LateronshesawPaulinetalkingtohimandlookingupatTreewoofeasshe talked. Joscelyn resented the latter factmore than the former.ThenSimPenhallow came up and told her he had heard Hugh was going to sellTreewoofe--lookingathertoseehowshetookit.Joscelyndidnotlethimseethesickdismaywhichinvadedhersoul.Shetookthenewsimpassively,andSimrevengedhimselfnastily.

"Youmadeasadmessofthingsthere,mygirl."

Joscelynturnedherbackonhimwithoutaword.Simwentoff,vowingHughwaswellridofthat,andJoscelynstoodlookingatTreewoofe,dimandaustereand lovelyon its distant hill.Oh, surely, surelyHughwouldnot sell it.Buthadn't Pauline once said she wouldn't live on a bleak hill like that foranything?

Exaggerated reports of the value of the jug had already got around andmythical collectors had offered Aunt Becky fabulous sums for it. Anotherrumourwas that itwas to be left to themost truthful person in the clan.Agroupofmenstandingnearthegravediscussedit.

"Havewegot to live for ayearwithout tellingany lies?" saidUnclePippinsadly,butwithaglintofmischiefinhisyoungblueeyes.

"Therewon'tbemanyofusleftinthatcase,"saidStantonGrundy.

"Us!"gruntedUnclePippinresentfullytohimself.

PennyDarkwentasalwaystolookatwhathethoughtthehandsomeststoneinthegraveyard,whichhadbeenput upbyStephenDark to thememoryof a

wifehehated.ThegravestonewasconsideredoneofthesightsofRoseRiver.Ahighpedestalofwhitemarblesurmountedbythelife-sizefigureofanangelwithoutstretchedwings.IthadcostStephenDark--whonevergavehiswifeacenthecouldhelpgiving--athousanddollars.Itwasmuchadmiredbythosewhohadneverseenitonawetday.Thenthewaterrandowntheangel'snoseandpouredoffinastream.

Penny minced past Margaret Penhallow without even noticing her. Shethoughthisbandylegsbandierthaneverandshedetestedhiscurlyeyebrows.

AdamPenhallowwas gloomy andwould not be sociable.Hiswife had hadtwins thepreviousday.Not thatAdamhadanything against thepoor twins,but--"thatfinishesusforthejug.AuntBeckyhatedtwins,"hethoughtsadly.Murray Dark contrived to visit a few graves with Thora and went homesatisfied.

TheMoonManwasthere,wanderingaboutthegraveyard,talkingtothedeadpeopleinagruesomeway.

"DoyourememberLisa,thefirsttimeIkissedyou?"hesaidtothegraveofawoman who had been dead for fifteen years. A group of young folks,overhearinghim,giggled.To them theMoonManhad alwaysbeenold andcrazy.Theycouldnotconceiveofhimasyoungandsane,witheagereyesandseekinglips.

"What do you suppose they're thinking of down there?" he asked eerily ofWilliamY.,whohadneversupposedanythingaboutitandshiveredattheveryidea.Oswaldwasentirelytoofriendlywithdeadpeople.Theywerestandingbyagravestoneonwhichwasanotoriousinscription."Shediedofabrokenheart."Thegirlwhosebrokenheartwashidden in thatneglectedcornerhadbeenneitherDarknorPenhallow--forwhichmercytheclanwerethankful.ButtheMoonManlookedattheoldlichenedstonegently."Ifthetruthweretold,that line could be engraved on many another stone here," he said. "Yourmothernow--yourmother,WilliamY.--wouldn'titbetrueonherstone,too?"

William Y. made off without a reply, and his place was filled by GayPenhallow,whocouldn'thelplookingprettyinasmartlittlehatofblackvelvetpulleddownoverherhappyeyes,withtinywinglikethingsstickingupatthesides,as ifblackbutterflieshadalightedthere.Entirelytoosmartahatforafuneral,thematronsreflected.ButtheoldMoonMansmiledather.

"Don't stay too late at the dance to-night," he whispered. "They kept up adancetoolatethereonce--andSatanentered."

HistonemadeGayshiveralittle.Andhowdidheknowshewasgoingtothe

dance? She had kept it very secret, knowing many of the clan woulddisapproveofhergoing toadance thenightafteraclan funeral.ThisqueeroldMoonMankneweverything.

TheMoonManturnedtoAmasaTyler,whowasstandingnear,andsaid:

"Have you thought out the pattern of your coffin yet? You'll be needing itsoon."

Amasa,whowasyoungandinthepinkofhealth,smiledcontemptuously.ButwhenAmasawaskilledinamotor-caraccidentamonthlater,peoplerecalledwhattheMoonManhadsaidandshooktheirheads.Howdidheknow?Saywhatyoulike,therewassomethinginthissecond-sightbusiness.

Nobody,asusual,tookanynoticeoflittleBrianDark.Hehadaskedhisuncletotakehimtothefuneral.DuncanDarkhadatfirstrefused.ButMrConwayintercededforhim.

"Aw,takethekid,"saidMrConway--"hedoesn'thavemuchfun."

SoDuncanDark,being inoneofhis raregood-humouredmoods,had takenhim.

Brian knew nothing and cared nothing aboutAunt Becky. But hewanted achancetoputalittlebouquetofwildflowersonhismother'sgrave--healwaysdidthatwhenhecould,becauseshehadnoheadstoneandnobodyeverwentnearhergrave. If shehadhada stone the lineabout thebrokenheartmightverywell have been inscribed on it also, thoughBrian knew nothing aboutthat.Heonlyknewhehadno fatherand thathewasadisgraceandnobodyloved him.Nobody spoke to him at the funeral--though thiswas not out ofunkindnessbutsimplybecausetheydidnotthinkofhim.Iftheyhadthoughtof it theywould have spoken, for they had all forgotten poor LauraDark'sshame and in any case were not, with all their faults and prejudices, cruelenough to visit it on her child.Besides,DuncanDark himselfwas very offcolour, and the clan had little to do with him or his household. But Brianbelieved itwas because hewas a disgrace.Hewould have liked to join thegroupofboys,buthe saw in itbigMarshallTracy,whohadonce takenhisscanty lunch from him in school and trampled on it. So he drew back.Anyway, the boyswouldn'twelcome him, he knew.Hewas a shy, delicate,dreamylittlecreatureandtheotherboysatschooltormentedhimforthis.Sohe had no playmates and was almost always lonely. Sometimes he wishedwistfullythathehadjustonechum.Hefelttearscomingintohiseyeswhenhesaw a sweet-lookingwoman come up to little Ted Penhallow and kiss him.Teddidn'tlikeit,butBrian,whohadneverbeenkissedinhislifethathecouldremember,enviedhim.Hewished therewassomeonewhocaredenoughto

kisshim.Thereseemedtobesomuchloveintheworldandnoneofitforhim.

"Everybodyhassomefriendsbutme,"hethought,hisheartswellingunderhisshabbycoat.Onhiswaybackfromputtinghislittlebouquetonhismother'sgrave,hepassedMargaretPenhallow.MargaretwouldhavespokentohimbutBrianslippedbyherbeforeshecould.Helikedherlooks--hereyeswerekindandbeautiful--buthewastooshyandtimidtolinger.Margaret,whohadonceknownandlikedpoorLauraDark,thoughtitapityherchildwassosulkyandunattractive.Sickly-looking,too.ButlikelyAletheaDuncanstarvedhim.

II

Peter Penhallowwas at the first clan funeral he had ever attended and hadalready been held up by indignant Mrs Lawyer Dark of Summerside, whowantedtoknowwhyhehadn'tcometoherdinnerTuesdaynight.

"Yourdinner--yourdinner?" repeatedPetervaguely."Why, Iwasn'thungry."He had forgotten all about her confounded dinner. He had spent Tuesdayevening wondering how he could get possession of Donna Dark. If he hadbeen quite sure of her he would have simply gone to Drowned John anddemandedher.Buthemustbequitesurebeforehecoulddothat.Sonowhecameboldlyuptoheratthefuneral.SheandVirginiaweretogetherofcourse.Theyhadbeentogethertheeveningbefore,too,becauseithadrained.Virginiaand Donna had always made it a part of their ritual to spend every rainyevening together. They sat in what Virginia was pleased to call her "den,"perfumedbyburningincense--whichVirginiadefinedasa"subtlesuggestionof exotic romance."WhenDonna tried it once at homeDrowned John firedtheburneroutofthewindowandtoldhernevertolethimsmellthatdamnedstinkinhishouseagain.

Donnawas still trying tobe faithful toBarry'smemory.AidedbyVirginia'ssentimentalities she succeeded for an hour in forgetting Peter andrememberingBarry.Itwaslikeawindblowingoveranalmostdeadfireandfor a brief space fanning one lingering ember into a fitful flame. After shewenthomeshehadgotoutBarry'slettersandre-readthemforthethousandthtime.Buttheyweresuddenlylifeless--acasketrifledofitsjewels--avasewiththe perfume gone--a lamp with its flame blown out. The pulsing, vividpersonality that was Peter Penhallow had banished the pale phantom thatBarryhadbecome.

Virginia was very suspicious. How dared Peter speak to Donna? He wasactuallyholdingouthishand.

AndDonnawastakingit.

"IthoughtyouwereonyourwaytoSouthAmerica,"saidDonna.

"I'vepostponedmytripthere,"saidPeter,staringather."IthinkI'lltakeitasahoneymoon."

"Oh,"saidDonna,lookingathim,too.Eyescansayagreatdealinasecond--especiallywhentheyareliketwindeeppoolswithastarinthem,asPeterwasthinkingDonna'swere.Andwhat adeliciousmouth shehad.Heknewnowthatwhathehadbeenseekingforallhislifewasjustthechancetokissthatdimpledmouth.Tobe sure,hernosewas slightly irregular--rather toomuchlikeDrowned John's.When allwas said and done he had seen hundreds ofprettierwomen.ButtherewasacharmaboutthisDonna--amightyandpotentcharm.Andhervoicewassuchasweet,throaty,summerydrawl.Whatavoiceforlove-making!Petertrembledbeforethisslip--Peterwhohadneverknownfear.Ifhehadbeenquitesureofherhewouldhaveputhisarmaroundherandwalked her out of the graveyard. But hewas not sure, and before he knewwhathadhappenedVirginiahadwhiskedDonnaoff toseetheRichardDarkfamily plot, where Barry should have been buried, even if he wasn't, andwheretherewasamonumenttohismemory.InthenextplottoitNedPowellwasburied.Virginiahadalreadyknelt there in silentprayer for tenminutes,herlongblackveilsweepingpicturesquelyabouther.

"Iwokeuplastnight thinkingIheardhimcallingmyname,"shemurmuredwithtearsinhervoice.Virginiacouldinfusetearsintohervoiceatwill.

Donnawasconsciousofanewfeelingofdisgustandimpatience.WasVirginiareally any better than old Cousin Matilda Dark, who was always whiningabout her dear departed husband?When did grief cease to be beautiful andbecomeridiculous?Donnaknew.Whenitbecameasecondhandgrief--amereghostofgrief.YetshehadlovedBarryverytruly.Whenthewordcameofhisdeath, her agony had been so great that she had thought itmust tear her inpieces. It had seemed the most natural thing in the world to resolve on adedicationofherwholelifetohismemory.WhatwasVirginiarecitingasshegazedmournfullyatBarry'smonument?

Oh,thatoldverseofMrsBrowning's--

Unlessyoucanthinkwhenthesongisdone

Nootherissoftintherhythm,UnlessyoucanfeelwhenleftbyoneThatallothermengowithhim,UnlessyoucandreamthathisfaithisfastInbehovingorunbehoving,Unlessyoucandiewhenthedreamispast--Oh,nevercallitloving.

"That'ssotrueofus,isn'tit,Donnadarling?"sobbedVirginia.

Donna felt stillmore impatient. Timewaswhen she had thought that versevery beautiful and affecting. Well, it was so still. But not for her. Somemysterioushourof changehad struck.All themelancholiesandecstasiesofheryounglovebelongedinavolumetowhich"finis"wasatlastwritten.Witheyes suddenlymadeclearbywhatDonna, if shehadeverheard thephrase,might have defined as "the expulsive power of a new affection," she sawVirginiaandherselfastheywere.Thedramaticloversofgrief--nothingelse.

"Afterall,youknow,"shesaidcoldly,"neitherofusdiddie."

"No-o," admittedVirginia reluctantly. "But forweeksafterNed--died--Iwastemptedtodrownmyself.Inevertoldyouthat."

Donna reflected that it must be the only thing Virginia had not told her. Itsuddenly seemed to her that for ten years she had heard of nothing butVirginia'sfeelingswhenNeddied.Itwasanoldstoryandaveryboringone.Donnawonderedifshewerebecomingheartless.ButreallypoorVirginiawastiresome.DonnafeltthankfulshehadnevertalkedmuchaboutherfeelingsinBarry's case. She had no silly outpourings to blush over now and she wasfortunately ignorant of howmany of Virginia's absurdities were imputed toher.Shewalkedawayabruptly.Afterall,Barry'sgravewasnot there.Itwasfoolishtostand,afigureofwoe,besideaplotwhereonlyhisgrandfatherandgrandmotherwereburied.Shedidn'tbelieve for amoment thatVirginiahadeverhad the faintest notionofdrowningherself.Shehadbeen enjoyingherweeds and her romantic position as a youngwarwidow--Donna felt herselfgrowingmorehatefulandcynicaleverymoment--fartoomuchforthat.AuntyBut came wandering along--an odd little figure in her rusty black and herqueeroldbonnetwith its rampant sprayof imitationosprey.AuntyButwasseventy-five,butshewas,assheclaimed,spryasacricketandstillbusymostofhertimehelpingbabiesintotheclan.ShelookedattheheadstoneofBarry'sgrandmotherandsighed.

"Shewashis secondwife--but shewasaverynicewoman," she said. "And

hasn't it been a lovely funeral, dears? But--don't you think--a littlebittoocheerful?"

"AuntBeckywanteditcheerful,"remindedDonna.

AuntyBut shookherhead.ButwhatAuntyButwouldhave saidwasneverknown.Foratthatmomentthescandaltookplaceandeverybodyswarmedtothe gate, where there was a great commotion among a crowd ofmen.Outside the graveyard--oh,most providentially outside of it--twomenwere fightingeachother--PercyDarkandDavidDark, twohithertopeacefulfriends. Going at each other, hatless and coatless, red-faced and furious.Nobodyeverknewjustwhathadstartedthefightexceptthatitwassomethingoneofthemhadsaidaboutthejug.Fromverbalwarfaretheyresortedtofists.Percywas heard to exclaim, "I'll take someof the conceit out of you!" andassaultedfirst.WilliamY.triedtostopthemandforrewardgotawhackonthenosethatmadeitbleedprofuselyandrobbedhimofhispomposityforaweek.MrsDavidDarkfaintedandMrsPercywasnevertogooutanywheretherestof the summer, so ashamedwas she. Though at the time she behaved verywell.Sheneitherfaintednorhadhysterics.UndismayedbyWilliamY.'s fateshegotbetweenthetwomadcreaturesanddaredDavidtostrikeher.BeforeDavid could accept or refuse the challenge, both he and Percywere caughtfrombehindandfrog-marchedtotheirrespectivecars.Thefightwasfinishedbutthescandalwasnot.BeforenightitwasalloverthecountrythattwooftheDarks had fought at their aunt's funeral over her property and had to bedraggedapartbytheirwives.Ittookyearsforthemtoliveitdown.

"Thank heaven, the minister was away before they started," sobbed MrsClifford.

UnclePippinpretendedtobehorrified,butinsecrethethoughtthefightmadethefuneralmoreinterestingandfeltitapitythatAuntBeckywasn'talivetoseetheprayerfulDavidandthesanctimoniousPercypumellingeachotherlikethat.TempestDarklaughedforthefirsttimesincehiswife'sdeath.

III

Donna andVirginiawalked home together.Virginia contrived to tellDonnasome weird tales about Peter--especially those yarns of his having "gonenative" in theEast Indies andhaving several dozens of dark-skinnedwives.Donna didn't believe aword of them, but as yet she did not dare to defend

Peter.Shewasnotatall sureabouthim--especiallyabouthisattitude toher.Didshereallyexist forhimatall?Untilshewascertainof thatshewasnotgoingtocommitherself.LetVirginiarave.

"Iwonderifit'sgoingtorain,"saidVirginiaatDrownedJohn'sgate.

"No--no, I'm sure it isn't--it's going to be a lovely evening. Themoonwillclear away the clouds," saidDonnapositively.She really couldn't stand anymoreofVirginia just then.Besides, shewasdreadfullyhungryandVirginia,whocarednothingforeating,alwayscontrivedtomaketheheartyDonnafeellikeapig.

"Iwishtherewasnomoonto-night.Ihatemoonlight--italwaysremindsmeofthings I want to forget," said Virginia mournfully and inconsistently. ForVirginia certainly did notwant to forget things. ButVirginia never allowedconsistency tobotherherwhenshegotholdofwhat she thoughta touchingphrase.Shefloatedoff inherweedsuneasily.Certainlysomethinghadcomeover Donna. But it couldn't be Peter. It was absurd to suppose it could bePeter.

ItwasPeter.Donnaknew that at last as sheenteredDrowned John's stodgyandcomfortablehome.ShewasinlovewithPeterPenhallow.Andhe,ifeyesweretobebelieved,wasinlovewithher.Andwhatwastobedoneaboutit?DrownedJohnwouldraisetheroof?BothheandTheklawereopposedtohermarryingagain--marryinganybody.Butimaginationfalteredbeforethescenesthey would make if she tried to marry Peter Penhallow.Well, Peter hadn'tasked her to marry him. Perhaps he never would. Who in the world waslaughingupstairs?Oh,thatfoolofaThekla!Theklawasalwaystryingsomenewhealthfad.Justnowitwaslaughingfortenminuteseveryday.ItgotonDonna'snervesandshewasraspyenoughwhenshewenttothesupper-table.DrownedJohnwasinabadtemper,too.Hehadcomehomefromthefuneralto find his favourite pig sick and couldn't swear about it. Thekla tried toplacatehimandordinarilythiswouldhaveappeasedhim.Helikedtofeelthathiswomen-folkfelt theneedofplacatinghim.Butwhywasn'tDonnadoingit?Donnawassitting inanabsentsilenceas ifhisgoodorbad temperwerenothing toher.Drowned John tookhis annoyanceout in abusingeverybodywhohadbeenatthefuneral--especiallyPeterPenhallow.HeexpressedhimselfforciblyregardingPeterPenhallow.

"Howwouldyoulikehimforason-in-law?"askedDonna.

DrownedJohnthoughtDonnawastryingtobefunny.Hebarkedoutalaugh.

"I'd sooner have the devil," he said, banging the table. "Thekla, is thisknife ever sharpened? Twowomen to run this house and aman can't get a

decentbread-knife!"

Donnaescapedaftersupper.Shecouldnotspendtheeveninginthehouse.Shewas restless and unhappy and lonely.What had Petermeant about taking ahoneymooninSouthAmerica.Whowastobethebride?Oh,shewastiredofeverything. Theworldwas tired of everything. Even the verymoon lookedforlorn--awidowoftheskies.

DonnawalkedalongthewindingdrivebyRoseRivertillshereachedalittlepointrunningoutintoit.Itwascoveredbyanoldorchardwithanoldruinedhouse in themiddle of it. The Courting-House Uncle Pippin had named it,becausespoonycoupleswereinthehabitofsittingonitssteps;buttherewerenone there when Donna reached it. She was just in time to meet PeterPenhallow,whohadtiedhisboattoaboughandwascominguptheoldmossypath.Theylookedateachother,knowingitwasFate.

Peterhadgonehome from the funeral in amoodofblackdepression.Whatparticularkindofanasswashe!Donnahaddeliberately turnedherbackonhimandgone toweepatBarry'sgrave--orat leasthisgravestone.Herheartwasstillburied there.Peterhad laughedwhenhehadfirstheardDonnahadsaidthat.Buthelaughednolonger.Itwasnowatragedy.

InhisdespairherushedtoyoungJeff'sboatandbeganrowingdowntheriver.HehadsomemadromanticnotionofrowingdownfarenoughtoseeDonna'slight.Peterwassolove-sickthat therewasnocrazyjuvenilethinghewouldnotdo.Thedaygrewdimmeranddimmer.Atfirsttheriverwasofpalegold;then itwasdimsilver--then likeawaitingwoman in thedarkness.Along itssoftvelvetshoreshome-lightstwinkledout.He,Peter,hadnohome.NohomeexceptwhereDonnawas.Whereshewaswouldalwaysbehomeforhim.Andthenhesawhercomingupthewindingdrive.

Whentheycametotheirsensestheyweresittingsidebysideonthestepsofthe Courting-House between two white blooming spirea bushes. Peter hadsaid,"Goodevening,"whenwhathehadwantedtosaywas,"Hail,goddess."Donnacouldneverrecallwhatshesaid.

About them was night--and faint starlight--and scented winds. A dog wastakingthecountrysideintohisconfidencetwofarmsaway.

DonnaknewnowthatPeterlovedher.Shewouldsharetheflameandwonderthatwashislife--shewouldknowthelureinthethoughtoftreadingwherenowhite woman's foot had ever trod--they would gaze together on virginmountaintopsclimbingupwardintosunsetskies--theywouldstandonpeaksinDarien--theywouldspendnightstogetherinthejungle--hot,scented,spicynights--orunderdesertstars--didn'tshehearthetinklingofcamel-bells?

"I thinkI'vebeendrunkeversinceIsawyouatAuntBecky's levee--aweekago--ayearago--alifetimeago,"saidPeter."Drunkwiththedevilishmagicofyou,girl.AndtothinkI'vebeenhatingyouallmylife!You!"

Donnasighedwithrapture.Shemustkeepthismomentforever.Adventure--mystery--love--the threemost significantwords in any language--were tobehersagain.Shewasforthetimebeingasperfectly,youngly,fearlesslyhappyas if shehadnever learned thebitter lesson that joy coulddie.She couldn'tthinkofanythingtosay,butwordsdidnotseemnecessary.Sheknewshewasvery beautiful--she had put on beauty like a garment. And the night wasbeautiful--and the sunken old rotten steps were beautiful--and the dog wasbeautiful.AsforPeter--hewasjustPeter.

"Isn'tthatajollywind?"saidPeter,asitblewaroundthemfromtheriver."Ihateaneveningwhenthere'snowind.Itseemssodead.Ialwaysfeeltentimesmorealivewhenthere'sawindblowing."

"SodoI,"saidDonna.

Then they spent some rapturous silentmoments reflectinghowwonderful itwasthattheyshouldbothlovewind.

The moon came out from behind a cloud. Silver lights and ebon shadowsplayedallabouttheoldorchard.PeterhadbeensilentsolongthatDonnahadtoaskhimwhathewasthinkingof.Justforthesakeofhearinghisdearvoiceagain.

"Watch thatdarkcloud leaving themoon,"saidPeter,whohadnonotionofmakingloveinthecommonway."It'sasgoodasaneclipse."

"Howsilveryitwillbeonthemoonside,"saidDonnadreamily."Itmustbewonderful."

"WhenIgetmyaeroplanewe'llflyupinitwhenthere'sacloudlikethatandsee it from themoon side," saidPeter,whohadnever thoughtofgettinganaeroplanebeforebutknewnowhemusthaveoneandsweepinitwithDonnathroughskiesofdawn."AndI'llgetyoutheSouthernCrossforabrooch.OrwouldyoupreferthebeltofOrionforagirdle?"

"Oh,"saidDonna.Shestoodupandheldoutherarmstothemoon.Perhapssheknewshehadverybeautifularms,shininglikewarmmarblethroughthesleevesofherfilmyblackdress."IwishIcouldflyuptherenow."

"With me?" Peter had risen, too, and snatched at the dark blossom of herloveliness. He kissed her again and again. Donna returned his kisses--shamelessly,Virginiawouldhavesaid.ButtherewasnothoughtofVirginiaor

Barryoroldfeuds.Theywerealoneintheirexquisitenightofmoonlightandshadowandglamour.

"Withme?"askedPeteragain.

"Withyou,"answeredDonnabetweenkisses.

Peterlaugheddownintohereyestriumphantly.

"I'm theonlyman in theworldyoucouldever love,"hesaidarrogantlyandtruthfully."Howsooncanwebemarried?"

"Tee-hee--how very romantic" tittered Mrs Toynbee Dark, who had beenstanding for tenminutes at the corner of the old housewatching themwithsinisterlittleblackeyes.

"Ho,ho,mypetweasel,soyou'rethere,"saidPeter."Rejoicewithme,widowofToynbee,Donnahaspromisedtomarryme."

"Soher heart has had a resurrection," saidMrsToynbee. "It's an interestingidea.ButwhatwillDrownedJohnsayaboutit?"

IV

PeterandDonnawerenot theonlypairwhose trothwasplighted thatnight.ThephrasewasGay's--shethoughtitsoundedmuchmorewonderfulthanjustgettingengaged.Nan,whowas togo to thedancewithGayandNoel,wenthomewithherfromthefuneralandonthewaytoldGaythathermotherhaddecidedtostayontheislanduntilthematterofthejugwassettled.

"Shesaysshewon'tgobacktoSt.Johntill it'sknownwhois toget it.Poormums!She'llcertainlygolocoifshedoesn't.DadistobeinChinamostoftheyearonbusiness,sohewon'tmissus.We're taking theroomsatThePineryAuntBecky had.To thinkwhen life is so short Imust be buried here for ayear.It'spoisonous."

Gay felt a littledashed.Shedidn'tknowwhy it chilledher tohear thatNanwas going to stay around, but it did. She did not talkmuch andwas ratherrelievedwhentheyreachedMaywood.Maywoodhadbeenoneof theshow-placesoftheclanwhenHowardPenhallowwasalive,butithadgonetoseedsince--the shingles curled up a bit--the veranda roofwas sagging--it needed

paintbadly.Thegroundshadrunwild.Butithadbeautyofasortyet,nestledunder itssteephillofdarkspruceswith thenearshore in itssapphireofskyand wave, and Gay loved it. It hurt and angered her when Nan called it apicturesqueoldruin.

ButsheforgotallaboutNanandherpricklesasshedressedforthedance.ItwasdelightfultomakeherselfbeautifulforNoel.Shewouldwearherdressofprimrosesilkandhernew,high-heeledfairyslippers.Shealwaysfeltshewasbeautifulwhensheputonthatdress.Toslipsuchalovelygoldengownoverherhead--giveherbobbedhairashakelikeadaffodiltossinginthewind--andthenlookatthemiracle.

AllveryfinetillNanslippedinandstoodbesideher--purposelyperhaps.Naninawispydressyoucouldcrumple inyourhand--ashining,daringgownofredwithadesignofsilvergrapesallover it--hairwithafiletofsilver-greenleaves, starred with one red bud, around her sleek, ash-gold head. Gay feltmomentarilyquenched.

"Ilookhome-madebesideher,that'sthemiserabletruth,"shethought."Pretty,oh,yes,buthome-made."

And her eyebrows looked so black and heavy beside the narrow line overNan's subtle eyes. But Gay plucked up heart--the faint rose of her cheeksunder thedarkstainofher lasheswasnotmake-upandsaywhatyoumightabout smartness, that curl ofNan's in front of her ear looked exactly like aside-whisker.GayforgotNanagainassherandowntothegateinthebackofthegardenwhenceshecouldseethecurveintheCharlottetownroadaroundwhichNoel'scarmustcome.

ShesawMercyPenhallowandhermotherintheglassporchassheran.Andshe knew that quite likely theywere clapper-clawingNoel--Mercy, anyhow.WhenGayhadfirstbeguntogoaboutwithNoel,herwholeclanliftedtheirnosesandkeened.Ifpeopleonlywouldn'tinterferesoinone'slife!Theideaofthem insinuating that Noel wasn't good enough for her--those inbredDarksandPenhallows!Don't daremarry outside of theRoyal Family!Gay tossedher head in a fine scorn of them as she flitted through the garden on herslenderandgoldenfeet.

MercyPenhallowhadnotyetbegunonNoel.SheandMrsHowardhadbeendiscussing the funeral in all its details.NowMercy's palewatery eyeswerefixedonNan,whowasonthefrontverandasmokingacigarettetothescandalofallRoseRiverfolkswhohappenedtogoby.

"Shemust think her back beautiful--she shows somuch of it," saidMercy."Butthenit'sold-fashionedtobemodest."

Mrs Howard smiled tolerantly. Mrs Howard, her clan thought, was tootolerant.ThatwaswhymattershadgonesofarbetweenGayandNoelGibson.

"She's going to the dance at theCharlottetownCountryClubwithGay andNoel.IwouldhavepreferredGaynottohavegone,thenightafterthefuneral--buttheyoungpeopleofto-daydon'tfeelasweusedtodoaboutsuchthings."

"Thewholeworldisdancingmad,"snappedMercy."Theyoungfryofto-dayhaveneithermannersnormorals.AsforNan,she'sout tocatchaman, theysay.Boysonthebrain--runningafterthemallthetime,I'mtold."

"Thegirlsofour time let theboysdo the running," smiledMrsHoward. "Itwasmorefun.Ithink--onecouldstopwhenonewantedtobecaught."

Mercy,whohadneverbeen"caught,"whethershewantedtobeornot,sniffed.

"IsupposeGayisstillcrazyafterNoel?"shesaid."Whydon'tyouputastoptothat,Lucilla?"

MrsHowardlookeddistressed.

"How can I?Gay knows I don't like him.But the child is infatuated.Why,whenIsaidsomethingtoherabouthispedigreeshesaid, 'Motherdear,Noelisn'tahorse'."

"AndRogerjustmadabouther!"moanedMercy.

"Asplendidfellowwithgobsofmoney.Hecouldgivehereverything--"

"Except happiness," saidMrsHoward sadly.But she said it only in thoughtandMercyprattledon."Noelhasn'tapennybeyondhissalaryandIdoubtifhe'lleverhavemore.Besides,whatarethoseGibsons?Merelymushrooms.Iwonderwhatherpoorfatherwouldhavethoughtofit."

MrsHowardsighed.Shewasnotasworldlyassomeofherclan.ShedidnotwantGaytomarryRoger,whenshedidnotlovehim,simplybecausehehadmoney.AnditwasnotoneofhercountsagainstNoel thathehadnone.HisGibsonness mattered more. Mrs Howard knew her Gibsons as Gay couldneverknowthem.Andshehad,inspiteofGay'squipaboutthepedigree,anold-fashionedconvictionaboutwhatwasbredinthebone.Thefirsttimeshehad seenNoel shehad thought, "Aboy shouldn't knowhow tousehis eyeslikethat.AndhehastheGibsonmouth."

Butshecouldn'tbeartoquarrelwithGay.Gaywasallshehad.Mercydidn'tunderstand.Itwasn'tsosimple"puttingastop"tothings.Gayhadawillofherownunderallheryouthandhersweetness,andMrsHowardcouldn'tbearto

makeherchildunhappy.

"Maybehe's only flirtingwith her,"wasMercy's response to the sigh. "TheGibsonsareveryfickle."

MrsHowarddidn'tlikethateither.ItwasunthinkablethataGibsonshouldbe"onlyflirting"withaPenhallow.SheresentedtheinsinuationthatGaymightbetossedaside.

"I'mafraidhe'sonlytoomuchinearnestandIthink--I'mprettysure--they'realmostengagedalready."

"Almostengaged.Lucilladear, talksense.Eitherpeopleareengagedor theyarenot.AndifGayweremydaughter--"

Mrs Howard hid a smile. She couldn't help thinking that if Gay had beenMercy's daughter neither Noel nor any other boy might have bothered hermuch.PoorMercy!Shewassoveryplain.With that terribledewlap!Andafaceinwhichthefeaturesallseemedafraidofeachother.MrsHowardfeltforherthecomplacentpityofawomanwhohadoncebeenveryprettyherselfandwasstillagreeabletolookupon.

MrsHowardwasbyalloddsthemostpopularwomanintheclan.Wherevershewasshealwaysseemedtobeintherightplacewithoutmakinganyfussaboutit.Shegenerallygotthebestofanyargumentbecausesheneverargued--sheonlysmiled.Shedidnotknowanythingaboutagreatmany things,butsheknewagreatdealabout lovingandcookingandawomancangofaronthat.Shewasnopaw-and-clawfriend,givingadignowandapatthen,assomanywere;andtherewassomethingaboutherthatmadepeoplewanttotellher their secrets--their beautiful secrets. Aunt Becky had always flatteredherselfthatsheknewalltheclansecretsbeforeanybodyelse,butMrsHowardknewmanythingsbeforeAuntBeckydid.

EvenStantonGrundy,whoseldomspokewellofawomanbecausehehadareputation for sardonic humour to keep up, had been heard to say of MrsHowardthatforonceGodknewwhatHewasaboutwhenHemadeawoman.

SomeoftheclanthoughtMrsHowarddressedtoogayforawidowofherage,butMrsHowardonlylaughedatthis.

"IalwayslikedbrightcoloursandI'llwearthemtillIdie,"shetoldthem."Youcanburyme inblack if youwant to, but as longasbreath's inme I'llwearblue."

"TalkingofRoger,"saidMercy,"he'slookingmiserableoflate.Thinasalath.IsheworryingoverGay?Oroverworking?"

"A little of both, I'm afraid.MrsGateway died last week.No one on earthcouldhavesavedher,butRogertakesitterriblyhardwhenhelosesapatient."

"He's gotmore feeling thanmost doctors," saidMercy. "Gay's a blind littlegooseifshepasseshimoverforNoel,that'sallI'vegottosay."

Itwasn'tallMercyhadtosay,butMrsHowarddeftlychangedtheunwelcomesubject by switching to Aunt Becky's jug. Had Mercy heard? Two of MrsAdam Penhallow's boarders at Indian Spring, Gerald Elmslie and GrossetThompson,hadquarrelledwitheachotheroverthejugandleft.ItwashardonMrsAdam,whofoundithardenoughtomakebothendsmeet.

"But what on earth made Gerald and Grosset quarrel over the jug?" askedMercy."They'venothingtodowithit."

"Oh,Gerald is keeping companywithVeraDark andGrosset is engaged toSallyPenhallow,"wasthesufficientexplanation.But thatwouldnotfillMrsAdam'sleanpurse.

"It'smyopinionthatjugwilldrivesomebodycrazyyet,"saidMercy.

GaywaswatchingforNoelatthegate,underanoldsprucetreethatwaslikeagrim,blacksorrowfulpriest.Eveningsoutofmindshehadwatchedforhimso. She could distinctly hear on the calm evening air Drowned John'sOlympian laughter echoing along the shore down at Rose River and sheresentedit.WhenshecameheretodreamofNoel,onlytheloveliestofmutedsoundsshouldbeheard--thefaintestwhisperoftrees--thehalf-heard,half-feltmoanofthesurf--theairiestsighofwind.Itwasthedearesthalf-hourofthewholeday--thisfaint,gold,duskyonejustbeforeitgottrulydark.ShewantedtokeepitwhollysacredtoNoel--shewasyoungandinloveanditwasspring,remember.SoofcourseDrownedJohnhadtobebellowingandRogerhadtocomesteppingupbehindherandstandbesideher,lookingdownather.Tall,grim,scarredRoger!AtleastGaythoughthimgrim,contrastinghisthinfaceandmopofdarkredhairwithNoel'ssmoothnessandsleekness.YetshelikedRogerverymuchandwouldhavelikedhimmoreifherclanhadnotwantedhertomarryhim.

Rogerlookedather--atthetrim,shining,golden-brownheadofher.Herfineblack brows. Her fan-lashed, velvety eyes. That dimple just below thedelightfulredmouthofhers.Thatcreamythroatabovehergoldendress.Shewas as shy and sweet and wilful as April, this little Gay.Who could helplovingher?Herverylooksaid,"Comeandloveme."Whatasoft,gentlelittlevoice she had--one of the few women's voices he had ever heard withpleasure.Hewasverycriticalasregardswomen'svoices,andverysensitivetothem. Nothing hurt him quite so much as an unlovely voice--not even

unlovelinessofface.

Shehadsomethinginherhandforhim, ifshewouldbutopenherhandandgiveit.Hehadceasedtohopesheeverwould.Heknewthedreambehindherlasheswasnotforhim.Heknewperfectlywellthatshewaswaitingthereforanotherman,comparedtowhomhe,Roger,wasamereshadowandpuppet.Suddenlyherealizedthathehadlivedthirty-twoyearsagainstGay'seighteen.

Whyonearth,hewondered,hadhe to loveGaywhen thereweredozensofgirlswhowouldjumpathim,asheknewperfectlywell?Butthereitwas.Hedidloveher.Andhewantedhertobehappy.Hewasgladthatinsuchaworldany one could be as happy asGaywas. If that Gibson boy didn't keep herhappy!

"Thisoldgateisstillhere.I thoughtyourmotherwasgoingtohaveit takenaway."

"Iwouldn'tlether,"saidGay."Thisismygate.Iloveit."

"Ilikeanygate,"saidRogerwhimsically."Agateisaluringthing--apromise.Theremaybesomethingwonderfulbeyondandyouarenotshutout.Agateisamystery--asymbol.Whatwouldwefind,youandI,Gay,ifweopenedthatgateandwentthrough?"

"A little green sunset hollowofwhite violets," laughedGay. "Butwe're notgoing through, Roger--there's a dew on the grass and I'd spoil my newslippers."

She looked at him as she laughed--only for a moment, but that was themomentNoel'scarflashedaroundthecurveandshemissedit.Whenshewentbacktothehouse,leavingRogerattheunopenedgate,shefoundNoelsittingbesideNanonthesteps.Theyhadnevermetbeforebutalreadytheyseemedtohaveknowneachotheralltheirlives.AndNanwaslookingupatNoelwiththeeyesthatinstantlymeltedmenbutwerenotquitesoeffectivewithwomen.Astrange,icy,littlerippleranalloverGay.

"I've justbeenaskingNoel ifhewaveshishairwith thecurling-tongs,"saidNaninherlazy,impudentvoice.

Gayforgothershiversandallotherunpleasant thingsasshedrifted throughthe dances. Noel said delicious things to her and looked things still moredelicious; andwhen halfway through it she sat out a dancewithNoel in ashadowycornerof thebalconyher cupbrimmed full.ForNoelwhisperedaquestionandGay,smiling,blushing,yetwithaqueerlittlecatchinherthroat,andeyesstrangelynear to tears,whisperedheranswer.Theywerenolonger

"almost"engaged.

FortherestoftheeveningGayfloated--orseemedtofloat--inarosymistofsomethingtoorareandexquisiteeventobecalledbysocommonanameashappiness. They leftNan at The Pinery on theirway back and drove on toMaywood alone. They lingered over saying good-bye. It was such a sweetpleasurebecause theywouldmeet so soon again.They stoodunder thebig,late-blooming apple tree at the turn of the walk, among the soft, tremblingshadowsofthemoonlitleaves.Allaroundandbeyondwasadelicate,unrealmoonlitworld.Thenightwas fullofmysteryandwonder; thereneverhad--therenevercouldhavebeen--suchanightbefore.Gaywonderedasshegaveherlips,redastheRoseofLoveitself,toNoel,howmanyloversallovertheworldwere standing thus entranced--howmanyvowswerebeingwhisperedthusinthestarlight.Theoldtreesuddenlywaveditsboughsoverthemasifinblessing.Somanylovershadstoodbeneathit--ithadscreenedsomanykisses.Many of the lips that had kissed were ashes now. But the miracle of lovereneweditselfeveryspringtime.

InherroomGayundressedbymoonlight.SheshreddedthepetalsofthewhiteJunerosesshehadwornintothelittlebluerose-jaronhertable.Herfatherhadgivenherthejarwhenshewasachildandhadtoldhertodropahandfulofroseleavesinitforeveryperfectlyhappydayshehad.Thejarwasalmostfullnow. There was only room really for one more handful. Gay smiled. Shewouldputthathandfulinitonherwedding-dayandthensealitupforeverasasymbolofhergirlhood.

Of course she didn't sleep. Itwould be a pity towaste amoment of such anight sleeping. Itwas nicer to lie awake thinking ofNoel. Even planning alittlebitaboutherwedding.Itwastobeinthefall.Herwedding-dress--satinascreamyasherownskin--"Yourskinislikethepetalofawhitenarcissus,"Noel had told her--shimmering silk stockings--laces like sea-foam--one ofthoseslenderplatinumwedding-rings--"thelovelyMrsNoelGibson"--"oneoftheseason'smostcharmingbrides"--alittlehousesomewhere--perhapsoneofthose darling new bungalows--with yellow curtains like sunshine on itswindowsandyellowplateslikecirclesofsunshineonitsbreakfast-table.WithNoelopposite.

"Little love."She couldhearhimashe said it under the apple tree, lookingdown into the pools of darkness that were her eyes. How wonderful andunbelievable itwas that out of awholeworld of beautiful girls, his for theasking,heshouldhavechosenher.

JustonceshethoughtoftheoldMoonMan'swarning--"Don'tbetoohappy."That poor old crazyMoonMan. As if one could be too happy! As if God

didn'tliketoseeyouhappy!Why,peopleweremadeforhappiness.

"I'llalwayslovethisnight,"thoughtGay."TheeighthofJune--itwillalwaysbethedearestdateoftheyear.I'llalwayscelebrateitinsomedearsecretlittlewayofmyown."

And they would always be together--always. On rough paths and smooth.Dawnsandtwilightswouldbemorebeautifulbecausetheywouldbetogether.

"If I were dead," thought Gay, "and Noel came and looked at me I'd liveagain."

NextdayNanrangGayuponthetelephone.

"I think I like yourNoel,"Nan said, drawlingly. "I think I'll take him fromyou."

Gaylaughedtriumphantly.

"Youcan't,"shesaid.

V

Gaywasnottheonlyoneoftheclanwhokeptvigilthatnight.NeitherDonnanor Peter slept. Mrs David Dark and Mrs Palmer Dark lay awake in theirshamebesidesnoringspouses,wonderingdumblywhylifeshouldbesohardfordecentwomenwhohad always tried todowhatwas right.Virginiawasawakeworrying.MrsToynbeeDarkwas awakenursinghervenom.PaulineDarkwasawakewonderingifHughwouldreallygetthatdivorce.ThoraDarkwaited anxiously for a drunken, abusive husband to come home. The Samsslept,althoughboth,didtheybutknowit,hadcausetobewakeful.HughDarkandRogerPenhallowsleptsoundly.EvenWilliamY.slept,withapoulticeonhis nose.On thewhole, themen seemed tohave thebest of it, unlessAuntBecky, sleeping so dreamlessly in her grave in the trim Rose Riverchurchyard,evenedthingsupforthewomen.

Joscelyn was not sleeping either. She went to bed and tossed restlessly forhours. Finally she rose softly, dressed, and slipped out of the house to theshore. The hollows among the dunes were filled with moonlight. The coolwind nestled in the grasses on the red "capes," bringingwhiffs of the faint,cold,sweetperfumesofnight.Therewasawashofgleamingripplesallalong

the shore and amist mirage over the harbour. Far out she heard the heart-breakingcalloftheseathathadcalledforthousandsofyears.

Shefeltoldandcoldandsillyandempty.SupposeHughreallylovedPaulineandwanted to be free.Verywell.Why not?Did not she love FrankDark?Whycouldshenotthinkphilosophically,"Well,ifHughgetsadivorceIwillbefree,too,andperhapsFrankwillcomeback"--no,shecouldnotthinkthat.Suchathoughtseemedtotarnishandcheapenthehighflameofloveshehadnursedinherheartforyears.

Dawnwasbreakingover thedunesandlittleshudderswererunning throughthesand-hillgrasseswhenshewentbacktothehouse.Shehadnotdreamedofmeeting any one at that early hour, butwho should come trotting acrossAlGriscom's silent white pasture of morning dew but Aunty But, bent two-double,withherheadwrappedinagreyshawl,outofwhichherbrightlittleeyes peered curiously at Joscelyn. She seemed at once incredibly old andelfinlyyoung.

"You'reupearly,MrsDark."

JoscelynhatedtobecalledMrsDark,justasshehatedtotakealetteroutofthepost-officeaddressedto"MrsHughDark."Oncewhenshehadhadtosignsomelegaldocument"JoscelynDark,"shehadthrowndownthepenandrisenwithlipsaswhiteassnow.AuntyButwastheonlyoneoftheclanwhoeveraddressedheras"MrsDark."AndtherewasnouseinsnubbingAuntyBut.

"Andyou,too,Aunty."

"Eh,butI'veneverbeeninbedatall.I'vebeenupatForestMyers'allnight.Alittlegirlthere--afinebabybutgottheMyersmouth,I'mafraid."

"AndAlice?"

"Aliceisfinebutawfulsorryforherself.Yetshedidn'thaveabadtimeatall.No caterwauling to speak of. It's a pleasure to help awoman like that to ababy.Imighthavedonethesameforyouinthathouseupthere"--AuntyButwavedherhandatdistantTreewoofe,takingshapeinthepalegreylightthatwascreepingoverthehill--"ifyouhadn'tbehavedasyoudid.Ibroughtbabiesinto that housemany a time--I was there when Clara Treewoofe was born.Such a time! Old Cornelius--but he was young Cornelius then--was crazywild.You'd have thought nobody'd ever had a babybefore.Finally I had todecoyhimto thecellarand lockhimup,or thatchildwouldneverhavegotborn. PoorMrsCornelius couldn't rightly give hermind to it for the racketCorneliuswasmaking.Clarawas the last baby atTreewoofe. It's high timetherewassomemore.But theremaybe. I'mhearingHugh isgoing togeta

Yankeedivorce. If that's so,Paulinewon't lethimslip throughher fingersasecond time.But she'll neverhave thebabiesyou'dhavehad, Joscelyn.Shehasn'tthefiggerforit."

VI

Little Brian Dark had to walk home from the funeral because his UncleDuncantookanotiontogoontotown.

"Mindyegetthestonespickedoffthegore-fieldbeforemilking,"hetoldhim.

Brianneverhadadaytoplay--neverevenhalfaday.Hewasverytired,forhehadpickedstonesall theafternoonsinceearlymorning;andhewashungry.Tobesure,hewasalwayshungry;butthehungerinhisheartwasworsethanany physical hunger.And therewas nomonument to hismother.Would heeverbeable,whenhegrewup,toearnenoughmoneytogetone?

WhenhereachedDuncanDark'suglyyellowhouseamong its lean trees,hetookoffhisshabby"bestsuit,"putonhisraggedwork-garb,andwentouttothegoretopickstones.Hepickedstonesuntilmilking-time,hisbackachingaswellashisheart.ThenhehelpedMrConwaymilkthecows.MrConwaywas the only hiredman Brian had ever heard of whowas called "Mr."MrConwaysaidhewouldn'tworkforanyonewhowouldn'tcallhim"Mr."Hewas as good as any master, by gosh. Brian rather liked Mr Conway, wholookedmore like a poet gone to seed than a hiredman.He had a shock ofwavy,darkauburnhair,adroopingmoustacheandgoatee,andround,brilliant,brown eyes. He was a stranger from Nova Scotia and called himself aBluenose. Brian often wondered why, for Mr Conway's nose was far fromblue.Redinfact.

Whenmilkingwasover,AuntAlethea, a tall, fair, slatternlywoman,with ageneral air of shrewishness about her, told him to go down to Little FridayCoveandseeifhecouldgetacodfishfromoneoftheSams.

"Besmartaboutit,too,"sheadmonishedhim."Noneofyourdawdling,ortheMoonManwillcotchyou."

What theMoonManwoulddowhenhe "cotched"him shenever specified,perhapsreasoningthattheunknownwasalwaysmoreterriblethantheknown.Brian'sprivateopinionwasthathewouldboilhiminoilandpickhisbones.

HewasmoreafraidoftheMoonMannowthanofthedevil.Hehadoncebeendreadfullyafraidofthedevil.Somebodyhadtoldhimthatwhenaboyhadnofather, thedevilwashis father andwouldcomealong somenight andcarryhimoff.Hehadbeensickwithhorrormanyanightafterthat.ButMrConwayhadtoldhimtherewasnodevilandemphasizeditwithsomany"Bygoshes"thatBrianbelievedhim.Hewantedtobelievehim.ButMrConwayby-goshedheavenaway,too,andthatwasnotsogoodbecauseitmeanthewouldneverseehismotheragain.MrConwaydidn'tgosofarastosaytherewasnoGod.Heevenadmittedthereprobablywas.Somebodyhadtorunthings,thoughhewasmakingapoorjobofit.

"LikelyayoungGodwhohain't learnedhisbusinessyet,bygosh," saidMrConway.

Brianwastooyounghimselftobescandalizedbythis.HeratherlikedtheideaofayoungGod.HehadalwaysthoughtofGodasastern,beardedOldMan.

IfBrianhadnotbeensotiredhewouldhaveenjoyedthewalktoLittleFridayCove.Helovedtowatchtheharbourlightsblossomingoutintheblueofthetwilight.Helovedtowatchthemysteriousshipssailingoutbeyondthedunestowhoknewwhatenchantedshores.Hepickedonethatwasjustgoingoverthe bar and went with it in fancy.When he reached Little Friday Cove hefoundBigSamaloneandratherlowinhismind.Troublewascoming;varioussignsandportentshadpointedtoitfordays.Nolongercouldhebeblindtothem.Salt, thedog,hadhowleddismallyallMondayoftheprecedingweek.OnTuesdayLittleSamhadsmashed the looking-glasshehadshavedby forfortyyears.OnWednesdayBigSamhadfailedtopickupapinhehadseen;onThursdayhehadwalkedunderTomAppleby'sladderatthefactory--andonFriday--Friday,mindyou--BigandLittleSambetweenthemhadcontrivedtoupsetthesaltatsupper.

Big Samwas determined not to be superstitious.What did spilled salt andbroken looking-glassesmatter to good Presbyterians? But he did believe indreams--havingBiblicalwarrantforthesame.AndhehadhadahorribleonethenightafterAuntBeckydied--ofseeingthefullmoon,onemomentburningblack,thenextlividred,comingnearerandnearertheearth.Hewoke,justasitseemednearenoughtobetouched,withahowlofagonythatshatteredthestillnessofthespringnightatLittleFridayCoveforyardsaround.BigSam,whohadkeptacarefulandcopiousdiaryofhisdreamsforfortyyears,lookedthemalloverandconcludedthatnoneof themhadbeenasawe-inspiringasthisone.

Thentherewasthatpeculiarsoundthegulfhadbeenmakingoflate.WhentheOldLadyoftheGulfskirledlikeawitch,somebodywasgoingtosupsorrow.

"Little Sam sneaked off somewhere's after supper," he toldBrian. "I kinderthoughtI'dgouptotherunmyselfanddigsomeclams.ButIdidn't--feltabittired.I'mbeginningtofeelmyyears.ButI'vegotthekeyofthefish-houseandI'll get a codout for you.They're allmost toobig for you to carry, though.Stay and have a saucer of clam chowder. There's some left. That man canmakechowder,I'lladmit."

Brianwouldhavelikedthechowderwellenough,forhissupperhadbeenofthesketchiestdescription,butitwasgettingdark.Hemustgethomebeforeitgotverydark--hewasafraid.Hewasashamedofhiscowardice,but there itwas.Sometimeshethoughtifanyonereallylovedhimhewouldnotbeafraidofsomanythings.HelookedsosmallandwistfulthatBigSamgavethepoorlittle shrimp a nickel to buy a chocolate bar at theWidowTerlizzick's littlestoreonthewayhome.ButBriandidnotstopatthestore.HedidnotliketheWidow Terlizzick or the noisy crowd of loafers who were always in andaroundthestoreonsummernights.Hehurriedhomewithhisheavycodfishandwas told toclearoff tobed--hewouldhave tobeupat four tohelpMrConwaytakesomecalvestomarket.Brianwouldhavelikedtositoutunderthebigapple tree fora littlewhileandplayhis jew's-harp.He liked theoldappletree.Itseemedlikeafriendtohim--agreat,kindly,fragrant,bloomingcreaturestretchingprotectingarmsoverhim.Andhelovedtoplayonhislittlejew's-harp.Once he had played on his jew's-harp in the evening at a housewherehewasplantingpotatoes,andtwoyoungpeople--oneofthemagirlinawhitedress--haddanced tohisplaying in themoonlitorchard. Itwasoneofthefewmemoriesofbeautyinhislife.Whenheplayedhisjew's-harpnowhesaw them again--dancing--dancing--dancing. With the grace of wind-blownleaves--whiteandmysticandlovely--tohiselfintune.

ButAuntAletheawasinexorableandBrianclimbedtheladdertothekitchenloft,wherehealwayssleptaloneandwhichhehated.Hewasafraidoftheratsthatinfestedit.Therewasonlyonethinghelikedaboutit--fromitswindowhecouldgetaglimpseoftheseaandamistyblueheadlandbeyondwhichwerewonderfulsunsets.To-nighttherewasalovelyroseandgoldafterlightandtheseawasblackly-blueunderit.Andhecouldseethepink-shadedlampinthewindowoftheDollarhouseontheothersideoftheroad.Helovedtowatchit,makingagreatglowingspotofcolourinthedarkness.Whenitsuddenlywentouthefeltterriblylonely.Tearscametohiseyes.Hewassuchalittlecreature,aloneinagreat,dim,hostileworld.Brianlookedupatthesky.Howdarkthenightwas!Howfearfullybrightthestars!

"DearGod,"hesaidsoftly,"dearYoungGod,pleasedon'tforgetme."

Helaydownonhishardlittlemattress.Hewasgladtherewasnomoonlightyet.Moonlit nights in the loft frightened him. The things hanging from the

rafters took on such queer shapes.And that hole in thewall of the loft thatopenedintotheunflooredatticofthemainhouse--itwasdreadfulonmoonlitnights,whenitlookedsoblackandmenacing.Whoknewwhatmightpopoutofaholelikethat?Whenitwasdarkhecouldnotseeit.Itwasalongwhilebefore he fell asleep.But at last he did--just about the time that Little SamcamehometoLittleFridayCove.

VII

LittleSamhadheardatthefuneralthattheraffleforwhichhehadboughttheticket from Mosey Gautier, was to be held that night. So after supper hethoughthemightaswellsaunteraroundtoChapelPointandseeifhehadanyluck.

Hehad.

BigSamwassoundasleepinhisbunk,withMustardrolledupinagoldenballon his stomach. Little Sam unwrapped something from the parcel he wascarrying,lookedatitratherdubiously,shookhishead,andtriedtheeffectofitontheclockshelf.Somethinginhimlikedit.Somethingelsewasuneasy.

"She's got a real fine figger," he reflected, with a speculative glance at theunconsciousBig Sam. "But I dunnowhat he'll think of her--I really dunno.Northeminister."

TheseconsiderationsdidnotkeepLittleSamawake.HefellasleeppromptlyandAurora,goddessofthedawn,kepthervigilontheclockshelfthroughthehours of darkness, and was the first thing on which Big Sam's eyes restedwhenheopenedtheminthemorning.Thereshestood,herlithelovelyformpoised on tiptoe, smitten by a red-gold beam from the sun that was risingacrosstheharbour.

"What thedevil is that?"saidBigSam,thinkingthiswasanotherdream.Heflunghimselfoutofhisbunk,upsettingan indignantcat, andwalkedacrosstheroom.

"Itain'tadream,"hesaidincredulously."It'sastatoo--anakedstatoo."

Salt,whohadbeencurledupatLittleSam's feet,bounded to the floorafterMustard.HelikedMustardwellenoughbuthewasn'tgoingtohavehersittingthereonthefloorgrinningathim.TheresultantdisturbanceawokeLittleSam,

whosatupdrowsilyandinquiredwhattherowwasabout.

"SamuelBeelbyDark,"saidBigSamominously,"what'sthatupthere?"

"SamuelPhemisterDark,"returnedLittleSammockingly,"that'sanalabasterstatooette--genuinealabaster.IdrewitforfifthprizeattheChapellotterylastnight.Pretty,ain'tit?"

"Pretty?" Big Sam's voice boomed out. "Pretty! It's indecent and obscene,that'swhatitis.Youtakeitrightdownandfireitoutinthegulfasfarasyoucanfireit."

IfBig Samhad not thus flown off the handle it is probable that Little Samwould have done exactly that, being somewhat uneasy over the look of thethinggenerallyandwhatMrTrackleymightsayaboutit.ButhewasnotgoingtobebulliedintoitbythatlittleruntofaBigSamandhe'dlethimseeit.

"Oh,Iguessnot,"heretortedcoolly."Iguessit'sgoingtostayrightthere.Stopyelpingnowandletyourhaircurl."

Big Sam's scanty love-locks showed no signs of curling, but his red beardfairly crackledwith indignation.Hebegan striding about the room in a finerage, biting his right hand and then his left. Salt fled oneway andMustardanother,leavingtheSamstofightitout.

"'Tain'trighttohaveanykindofstatoos,letalonenakedones.It'saginGod'slaw.'Thoushaltnotmakeuntotheeanygravenimmidge--'"

"Goodgosh,Iain'tmadeit,andIain'tworshippingit--"

"That'llcome--that'llcome.AndaCatholicgee-gawat that.S'poselikelyit'stheVirginMary."

LittleSamlookeddoubtful.Hehadbeenbredup inagoodoldPresbyterianhatredofCatholicsandalltheirwaysandworks,butsomehowhedidn'tthinkeventheywouldgosofarastorepresenttheVirginMaryentirelyunclothed.

"No, 'tain't. I thinkhername's thereat thebottom--Aurorer. Justagal, that'sall."

"Do you think theApostle Paul ever carried anything like that aroundwithhim?" demanded Big Sam. "Or"--as an afterthought that might carry moreweightwithLittleSam--"poordearoldAuntBeckywhoisn'tcoldinhergraveyet?"

"Not likely. St Paul was kind of a woman-hater like yourself. As for AuntBecky,weain'tintherunningforherjug,sowhyworry?Nowstopchewing

your fistsandpretendyou'regrownupeven ifyouain't,Sammy.See ifyoucandressyourselflikeaman."

"Thank you. Thank you." Big Sam became ominously calm. "I'm entirelysatisfied to be classed with the Apostle Paul. My conscienceguidesmyconduct,youribaldoldthing!"

"Beenmakingamealofthedictionary,itseems,"retortedLittleSam,yankinghispantsofftheirnail,"anditdon'tseemtohaveagreedwithyourstomach.Bettertakeadoseofsody.Yourconscience,asyoucallit,hasn'tnothingtodowithit--onlyyourprejurdices.Lookat thatwritingman.Hain'thegothalfadozenofthemstatoosinhissummershantyuptheriver?"

"Ifhe'safool--andwuss--isthatanyreasonwhyyoushouldbe?Thinkofthatandyourimmortalsoul,SamDark."

"Thisain'tmydayforthinking,"retortedtheimperturbableLittleSam."Nowthatyou'veblownoffyoursteam,justsettheporridgepoton.You'llfeelbetterwhenyou've had your breakfast.Can't 'preciateworks of art properly on anemptystomach,Sammy."

BigSamglared at him.Then he grabbed the porridge pot, yanked open thedoor,andhurledthepotthroughit.Thepotboundedandclatteredandleapeddowntherockstothesandycovebelow.SaltandMustardfledoutafterit.

"Some day you'll drive me too far," said Little Sam darkly. "You're just anarrow-minded, small-souled oldmaid, that's what you are. If you hadn't adirtymindyouwouldn'tbethrowingafit'causeyouseeastonewoman'slegs.Yourowndon't looksoartistic,prancingaround in that shirt-tail, letme tellyou.Youreallyoughttowearpyjamas,Sammy."

"IfiredyouroldpotouttoshowyouI'minearnest,"roaredBigSam."Itellyou I won't have no naked hussy in this house, Sam Dark. I ain't over-squeamishbutIdrawthelineatnakedweemen."

"Yelllouder,can'tyou?It'smyhouse,"saidLittleSam.

"Oh, it is, is it?Verywell.Verywell. I'll tellyou this righthereandnow. Itain'tbigenoughformeandyouandyourRoarer."

"Youain't the firstperson that idee'soccurred to,"saidLittleSam."I'vehadtoomanytastesofyourjawoflate."

BigSamstoppedprancingandtriedtolookasdignifiedasamanwithnothingonbutashirtcanlook,ashelaiddowntheultimatumheneverdoubtedwouldbringLittleSamtohissenses.

"I'vestoodallI'ma-goingto.I'vestoodthemskullsofyoursforyearsbutItellyou right here and now, SamDark, Iwon't stand for that atrocity. If it's toremain--Ileave."

"As for leaving or staying, suit yourself. Aurorer stays there on that clockshelf," retorted Little Sam, striding out and down the rocks to rescue hismaltreatedporridgepot.

Breakfast was a gloomymeal. Big Sam looked very determined, but LittleSamwasnotworried.Theyhadhadaworserowthanthislastweek,whenhehadcaughtBigSamstealingapieceofraisinpiehehadputawayforhisownsnack.ButwhenthesilentmealwasoverandBigSamostentatiouslydraggedanold,battered,bulgingvaliseoutfromunderhisbunkandbeganpackinghisfew chattels into it, Little Sam realized that the crisiswas serious.Well, allright--all right. Big Sam needn't think he could bully him into giving upAurorer.HehadwonherandhewasgoingtokeepherandBigSamcouldgotoHades.LittleSamreallythoughtHades.Hehadpickedupthewordinhistheologicalreadingandthoughtitsoundedmorerespectablethanhell.

Little Sam watched Big Sam stealthily out of his pale woolly eyes as hewashedupthedishesandfedMustard,whocamescratchingat thewindow-pane.Themorning'ssunlitpromisehadbeendelusiveanditwasnow,asLittleSam reflected testily, one of them still, dark, misty mornings calculated todampenone'sspirits.Thiswaswhatcameofladdersandlooking-glasses.

BigSampackedhispictureofLaurierandthemodelofaship,withcrimsonhullandwhitesails,thathadlongadornedthecrater-corneredshelfabovehisbunk. These were indisputably his. But when it came to their small librarytherewasdifficulty.

"WhichofthesebooksamItotake?"hedemandedfrostily.

"Whichever you like," said Little Sam, getting out his baking-board. Therewereonlytwobooksinthelothecaredahootabout,anyhow.Foxe'sBookofMartyrsandTheHorribleConfessionandExecutionofJohnMurdoch(oneofthe Emigrants who lately left this country) who was hanged at Brockville(UpperCanada)onthe3rddayofSeptemberlastfortheinhumanMurderofHisownbrother.

WhenLittleSamsawBigSampackthelatterinhisvalise,hehadmuchadotorepressagrislygroan.

"I'm leaving you the Martyrs and all the dime novels," said Big Samdefensively."Whataboutthedogandcat?"

"You'dbetter take thecat," saidLittleSam,measuringout flour. "It'llmatchyourwhiskers."

ThissuitedBigSam.Mustardwashisfavourite.

"Andtheweegee-board?"

"Takeit.Idon'tholdnodealingswiththedevil."

BigSamshutandstrappedhisvalise,putthereluctantMustardintoabag,andwiththebagoverhisshoulderandhisSundayhatonhisheadhestrodeoutofthehouse anddown the roadwithout even aglance atLittleSam,whowasostentatiouslymakingraisinpie.

LittleSamwatchedhimoutofsightstillincredulously.Thenhelookedatthewhite,beautifulcauseofallthemischiefexultingontheclockitself.

"Well,hedidn'tgetyouout,mybeauty,andI'mjiggeredifhe'severgoingto.No,siree.I'vesaiditandI'llsticktoit.Anyhow,myearswon'thavetoacheanylonger,listeningtothatoldepicofhis.AndIcanwearmyearringsagain."

Little Sam really thought Big Sam would come back when he had cooleddown. But he underrated the strength of Big Sam's principles or hisstubbornness. The first thing he heard was that Big Sam had rented TomWilkins' old shanty at Big Friday Cove and was living there. But not withMustard.IfBigSamdidnotcomebackMustarddid.Mustardwasscratchingatthewindowthreedaysafterhisignominiousdepartureinabag.LittleSamlethiminandfedhim.Itwasn'thisfaultifBigSamcouldn'tkeephiscat.He,LittleSam,wasn'tgoingtoseenodumbanimalstarve.Mustardstayedhomeuntil oneSundaywhenBigSam, knowingLittleSamwas safely in church,and remembering Homer Penhallow's tactics, came down to Little FridayCove and got him. All to no purpose. Again Mustard came back--and yetagain.AfterthethirdattemptBigSamgaveitupinbitternessofsoul.

"DoIwanthisoldyallerflannelcat?"hedemandedofStantonGrundy."Godknows I don't.What hurtsmy feelings is that he knew the critterwould goback.That'swhyheofferedhim so free.Thedepthof thatman! I hearhe'sgoing round circulatingmean, false things aboutme and saying I'll soonbesick of living on salt codfish and glad to sneak back for a smell of goodcooking. He'll see--he'll see. I ain't never made a god of my stomachashe does.Youshouldhaveheard the riothe raisedbecause I et apieceofmouldyoldraisinpiehe'dcachedforhimselfthegreedypig.Andsayingit'llbe too lonesome atBigFriday for oneofmygabbypropensities.Yessir, hesaidthemwords.Me,lonesome!Thisplacejustsuitsmedowntotheground.Seethescenery.I'maloverofnature,sir,myfavouritebeingthemoon.And

them contented cows up on the Point pasture--I could gaze at 'em by thehour. They're all the society I want, sir--present comp'ny always excepted.Not,"addedBigSamfeelingly,"butwhatLittleSamhadhisp'ints.Theplumpuddingsthatmancouldmake!Andthemclamchowdersofhisstucktotheribs better'n most things. But I hadmy soul to think of, hadn't I? Andmymorals?"

MidsummerMadness

I

GaydidnotfindthefirstfewweeksofherengagementtoNoelallsunshine.One could not in a clan like hers. Among the Darks and Penhallows anengagementwastribalproperty,andeveryoneclaimedtherighttocommentand criticize, approve or disapprove, according to circumstances. In thisinstancedisapprovalwasrampant,fornoneoftheclanlikedanyGibsonandtheydidnotspareGay'sfeelings.Itsimplydidnotoccurtothemthatachildofeighteenhadanyfeelingstospare,sotheydealtwithherfaithfully.

"Poorlittlefool,willshegiggleasloudaftershe'sbeenmarriedtohimforacoupleofyears?"saidWilliamY.,whenheheardGay'sexquisitelaughassheand Noel whirled by in their car one night. To do him justice,William Y.wouldnothavesaiditinGay'shearing,butitwasstraightwaycarriedtoher.Gay only laughed again. And she laughed when Cousin Hannah fromSummersideaskedherifitcouldbetruethatshewasgoingtomarry"acertainyoungman."CousinHannahwouldnotsay"aGibson."HermannergavetheimpressionthatGibsonsdidnotreallyexist.TheymightimaginetheydidbuttheyweremereemanationsoftheEvilOne,toberesolutelydisbelievedinbyanyoneofgoodprinciplesandproperbreeding.Onedidnotspeakopenlyofthedevil.NeitherdidonespeakoftheGibsons.HercontemptstungGayabit,inspiteofherlaughter.ButaletterfromNoel,simplycrammedwithdarlings,soonremovedthesting.

"Doyoureallylovehim?"askedMrsWilliamY.solemnly.

Gay wanted to say no because she detested Mrs William Y. But she alsowantedtoshowherandeveryonejustwhatNoelmeanttoher.

"He'stheonlymanintheworldforme,Aunty."

"H'm!That'sa largeorderoutofabout fivehundredmillionmen,"saidMrsWilliamY.sarcastically."However,IrememberIoncefeltthatway,too."

This,althoughMrsWilliamY.wasunawareofit,wasthemostdreadfulthingGayhadheardyet.MrsWilliamY.couldn'thavethoughtWilliamY.theonlymanintheworld.Ofcourseshehadmarriedhim--butshecouldn't.Gay,withtheegotismofyouth,couldn'tbelievethatanywomanhadeverbeenin lovewithWilliam Y., not realizing that whenWilliam Y. had been slender andhirsute,twenty-fiveyearsbefore,hehadbeenquitealady-killer.

"Youcoulddobetter,youknow,"persistedMrsWilliamY.

"Oh,IsupposeyoumeanRoger,"criedGaypetulantly."Youallthinkthere'snobodylikeRoger."

"Neither there is," saidMrsWilliamY.withsimpleandsincere feeling.ShelovedRoger.Everybodylovedhim.IfonlyGaywasn'tsosillyandromantic.JustsweptoffherfeetbyNoelGibson'seyesandhair.

"Isupposeyouthinkit'sallfunbeingmarried,"MrsCliffordsaid.

Gaydidn't think itwas"fun"at all.Thatwasn'thowshe regardedmarriage.ButAuntRhodaDarkwasjustasbad.

"Doyourealizewhatanimportanteventmarriageisinanybody'slife,Gay?"

GaywasdrivenintoaflippantanswerthatmadeAuntRhodashakeherheadovermodernyouth.

RachelPenhallowremarkedinGay'shearingthatkidneytrouble"ran"intheGibsons. Mrs Clifford advised "not to let him feel too sure of you." MrsDenzilrakedNoel'sfatheroverthecoals.

"Theonlywaytogethimtodoanythingwastocoaxhimtodotheopposite.Iwas there thedayhe threwaplateathiswife.Shedodged it,but itmadeadentonthemantel.Youcanseethatdentthereyet,Gay,ifyoudon'tbelieveme."

"WhathasallthisgottodowithmeandNoel?"burstoutGay.

"Thesethingsareinherited.Youcan'tgetawayfromthem."

ButAuntKatePenhallowdidn't thinkNoelwasstubbornlikehisfather.ShethoughtNoelwas the opposite--weak and easily swayed. She didn't like hischin;andUncleRobertdidn'tlikehiseyes;andCousinAmasadidn'tlikehisears--"Theylietooclosetohishead.Youneverseesuchearsonasuccessfulman," saidCousinAmasa,who had outstanding ears of his own butwasn't

consideredmuchofasuccessforallthat.

"You would think they were the only people who ever got engaged in theworld," said Mrs Toynbee, who, having come through three engagements,naturallydidn'tthinkitthewonderGayandNoeldid.

"All the Gibsons are very fickle," said Mrs Artemas Dark, who had beenengagedtooneherselfbeforeshemarriedArtemas.Hehadtreatedherbadly,but in her secret soul she sometimes thought she preferred him toArtemasstill.

"You'dbetterwait until you're out of the cradle before youmarry," growledDrowned John,whowashaving troublesof his own just then andwasverytouchyonthesubjectofengagements.

AllthissortofthingonlyamusedGay.Itdidn'tamounttoanything.Whatdidworry her was the subtle undercurrent of disapproval among those whoseopinionshereallyvalued.Nobodythoughtwellofherengagement.Hermothercriedbitterlyoveritandatfirstrefusedtogiveherconsentatall.

"Ican'tstopyoufrommarryinghim,ofcourse,"shesaid,withwhatwasgreatbitterness for the easy-goingMrs Howard. "But I'll never say I'm willing--never.I'veneverapprovedofhim,Gay."

"Why--Why?" cried Gay piteously. She loved her mother and hated to goagainstherinanything."Why,Mother?Whatcanyousayagainsthim?"

"There'snothinginhim,"saidMrsHowardfeebly.Shethoughtitratherapoorreason,notrealizingthatshewasactuallyutteringthemostseriousindictmentintheworld.

Altogether Gay had a hard time of it for a couple of weeks. Then CousinMahalasweptdownontheclanfromherretreatupwest--CousinMahala,wholooked like a handsome old man with her short, crisp, virile grey hair andstrongwiseface.Theeyesalittlesunken.Themouthwithahumorousquirk.Thefaceofawomanwhohaslived.

"LetGaymarryhimifshewantsto,"shetoldtheharassedMrsHoward,"andlearntheupsanddownsoflifeforherself,thesameastherestofusdid.Noneofushavehadperfectmen."

"Oh,CousinMahala,you'retheonlypersoninthiswholeclanwithaheart,"criedGay.

CousinMahalalookedatherwithatwinkleinhereye.

"Oh,no, I'mnot,Gay.We'veallgothearts,moreor less.And the restofuswant tosaveyoufromthe troubleandmistakeswe'vehad.Idon't.Mistakesandtroubleareboundtocome.Bettercomeourownwaythansomeoneelse'sway.You'llbealovelylittlebride,Gay.Soyoung.Idolikeayoungbride."

"AuntMavisaskedmeifIthoughtmarriage 'allfun.'OfcourseIdon'tthinkit'sall'fun'--"

"Youbetitisn't,"saidCousinMahala--

--"ButIdon'tthinkit'sallvexationeither--"

"You'rerightthere,too,"saidCousinMahala--

"--Andwhateveritis,IwanttotryitwithNoelandnobodyelse."

Mrs Howard, thus attacked from the rear, surrendered. But only on onecondition.GayandNoelmustwaitayearbeforemarriage.Eighteenwastooyoung to marry. She couldn't give Gay up so soon. AndMrs Howard hadanotherreason.DandyDarkhatedtheGibsons.IfDandyhadthebestowalofthe jug and ifGaywere actuallymarried to aGibson,MrsHoward felt shewouldhavenochanceofitatall.ThissecretthoughtstiffenedheragainstallthepleadingofGayand theardentNoel, towhichshewouldprobablyhavesuccumbed otherwise. Noel resigned himself sulkily to the condition. Gay,sweetly.After all, shewas glad to purchase hermother's acquiescence by alittlewaiting.Shecouldn'tbeartodoanythingagainsthermother'swill.Andbeingengagedwasverydelightful.Therewasabighope-chesttobefilled.Ofcoursesheknewtheclanhopedthatinayearshewouldchangehermind.Asifanythingcouldevermakeherstop lovingNoel.Shekissedhis ring in thedark that night before she went to sleep. Dear CousinMahala! If only shelived nearer. Gay wanted to have her about while she made ready to bemarried.Sheknewall therest,althoughtheyhadtacitlyagreed torecognizetheengagementandmakethebestofit,wouldruballthebloomoffherdearromancewith theirhorriblepracticalitiesandgoonregrettingall the timeintheirheartsthatitwasn'tRoger.

Rogerhadbeen lovely.Hehadwishedher joy--inhisdearcaressingvoice--Rogerhad such a nicevoice--and toldher hewanted everyhappiness to behers.

"If I'd a black cat'swish-bone I'd give it to you,Gay," he saidwhimsically."They tell me as long as you have a black cat's wish-bone you can geteverythingyouwant."

"But I've got everything I want, Roger," cried Gay. "Now that mother has

come round so sweetly I haven't a thing left to wish for--except--except--thatyou--"Gaywentcrimson--"thateverybodycouldbeashappyasIam."

"I'm afraid it would take more than a black cat's wish-bone tobringthatabout,"saidRoger.Butwhetherhis"that"referredtothe"you"ortothe"everybody"Gaydidn'tknowanddarednotask.Shedancedbackto thehouse,flingingasmileoverhershouldertoRogerasifshehadthrownhimarose.Thensheforgotallabouthim.

RogerovertooktheMoonManonthewayhomeandaskedhimtotakealift.TheMoonManrefused.Hewouldnevergetinacar.ButhelookedpiercinglyatRoger.

"Whydon'tyousetyour loveonmyLadyMoon?"hesaid."Iwouldnotbejealous.Allmenmayloveherbutshelovesnoone.Itdoesn'thurttoloveifyoudonothopetobelovedinreturn."

"I'veneverhopedtobelovedinreturn--butithurtsdamnably,"saidRoger.

II

TheclanhaditsshockatAuntBecky'sleveeanditssensationoverthefightatthegraveyard;buttheaffairofPeterandDonnaburstuponitlikeacyclone.Itwas,naturally,almostthedeathofDrownedJohn.

PeterandDonnawouldhavelikedtokeepitadelightfulsecretuntiltheyhadperfected theirplans,butas soonas theysawMrsToynbee theyknew therewas no hope of that.Donnawent home in a state of uplift that lasted untilthreeo'clockatnight.Thentheterrorsanddoubtsthatstalkaroundatthathourswoopeddownonher.What--oh,whatwouldDrownedJohnsay?Ofcourse,therewasnothinghecoulddo.Shehadonly towalkoutof thedoorandgowithPeter.ButDonnahated the thoughtof eloping. Itwas simplynotdoneamongDarksandPenhallows.Andifsheelopedshewouldhavenochanceofthe jug.Not that the jugwas tobecompared toPeter.But if shecouldonlyhavePeterand the jug, too!Donna thoughtshehadagoodchanceof it if itrestedwithDandy.ShehadalwaysbeenapetofDandy's.ButshehadonceheardDandy'scommentsonanelopingcouple.

Then therewasVirginia.Virginiawouldnever forgiveher.Not thatVirginiamatteredbesidePetereither.Butshewas fondofVirginia; shewas theonly

chumshehadeverhad.AndshewasafraidofthereproachfulthingsVirginiawouldsay.Inthemorningshewouldn'tfeellikethis.Butatthreeo'clockonedidhavequalms.

It was all just as dreadful as Donna feared it would be.Mrs Toynbee sawDrownedJohnatthepost-officenextday,andDrownedJohncamehomeinatruly Drowned Johnian condition--aggravated by his determination not toswear.Butinotherrespectshegavetongue.

Donnawasplucky.Sheownedup fearlessly that shehadkissedPeterat theCourting-House, just as Mrs Toynbee said. "You see, Daddy, I'm going tomarryhim."

"You'remad!"saidDrownedJohn.

"IthinkIam,"sighedDonna."Butoh,Daddy,it'ssuchanicemadness."

DrownedJohnrepented,ashehadrepentedoftenbefore,thathehadeverletDonna have that year at the Kingsport Ladies' College in her teens. It wasthereshelearnedtosaythosesmart,flippantthingswhichalwaysknockedthewindoutofhim.HedarednotswearbuthebangedthetableandtoldDonnathatshewasnevertospeaktoPeterPenhallowagain.Ifshedid--

"ButI'llhavetospeaktohimnowandagain,Daddy.Onecan'tliveontermsofabsolutesilencewithone'shusband,youknow."

There itwas again.ButDonna, though flippant and seemingly fearless,wasquaking inside. She knew her Drowned John.When Peter came down thatafternoonDrownedJohnmethimatthedoorandaskedhimhisbusiness.

"I'vecometoseeDonna,"Petertoldhimcheerfully."I'mgoingtomarryher,youknow."

"My dear young man"--oh, the contempt Drowned John snorted into thephrase!--"youdoyourselftoomuchhonour."

Hewent inandshut thedoor inPeter's face.Peter thoughtat firsthewouldsmashawindow.ButheknewDrownedJohnwasquitecapableofhavinghimarrested for housebreaking.Where the devilwasDonna! Shemight at leastlookoutathim.

Donna, with a headache, was crying on her bed, quite ignorant of Peter'snearness.Theklahadbeensonasty.Theklahadsaidthatonehusband,likeonereligion,shouldbeenoughforanybody.ButthenTheklahadalwayshatedherfor getting married at all. She had no friends--she was alone in a hostile,unfeelingclanworld.ButshewasgoingtomarryPeter.

Itwasn'tsoeasy.Peter,whowouldhavemadenobonesofcarryingoffabridefrom theCongoorYucatan ifhehadhappened towantone, found itaverydifferent proposition to carry one off from the Darks and Penhallows. Hecouldn'tevenseeDonna.DrownedJohnwouldn't lethimin thehouseor letDonnaoutof it.Of course this couldn't have lasted.Drowned Johncouldn'tkeep Donna mewed up forever, and eventually Peter and she would havefound a way to each other. But the stars in their course, so poor Donnathought,foughtagainst them.Onenightshesneezed;thenextnighthereyesweresore;thenextnighttheyhadRoger,whotoldDonnashewasdownwithmeasles.

Itwould,ofcourse,havebeenmoreromanticifshehadhadconsumptionorbrain fever or angina pectoris. But a veracious chronicler can tell only thetruth.DonnaDarkhadmeaslesandnearlydiedofthem.

Once the rumour drifted to the distracted Peter that she had died. And hecouldn'tevenseeher.WhenhetoredowntoRoseRivernobodyansweredhisknock and the doors were locked and the lower windows shuttered. Peterthought of simply standing on the step and yelling until somebody had tocome;buthewasafraidanyexcitementmighthurtDonna.Rogercamealongandtriedtocalmhimdown.

"Donna'snotdead.She'saverysickgirlyetandneedscarefulnursing,butIthinkshe'soutofdanger.Iwasafraidofpneumonia.Don'tbeanass,Peter.GohomeandtakethingscoollytillDonnarecovers.DrownedJohncan'tpreventyourmarryingher, thoughhe'llmakeeverythingasunpleasantashecan,nodoubt."

"Roger,wereyoueverinlovewithanyone?"groanedPeter."No,youcouldn'thave been.Youwouldn't be such a cold-blooded fish if youwere. Besides,you'dhavefalleninlovewithDonna.Ican'tunderstandwhyeveryoneisn'tinlovewithDonna.Canyou?"

"Easily,"saidRogercoolly.

"Oh,youlikethembuxom,Isuppose,"sneeredPeter,"likeSallyWilliamY.--orjustoutofthecradlelikeGayPenhallow.Roger,youdon'tknowwhatit'slike tobe in love. It'shellish--andheavenly--and terrible--andexquisite.Oh,Roger,whydon'tyoufallinlove?"

RogerhadneverbeeninanydangeroffallinginlovewithDonnaDark.Asamatteroffact,heonlyhalflikedherandherposes,notrealizingthatthelatterwere only a pitiful device for filling an empty life. And he only half likedPeter.Buthewassorryforhim.

"I'lltakeamessagetoDonnaforyou--"

"Aletter--"

"No.Shecouldn'treadit.Hereyesareverybad--"

"Lookhere,Roger. I'vegot to seeDonna--by the sacredbaboon I'vegot to.Haveaheart,Roger--smuggleme in.They'llhave toopen thedoor foryou,andonceI'minsidethedevilhimselfshan'tgetmeouttillI'veseenDonna--thatThekla is quite capable ofmurdering her--thewhole pack areworryingher--that fiendof aVirginia iswithher night andday, I hear, poisoninghermindagainstme."

"Stopgibbering,Peter.ThinkwhateffectsafracasinthehousewouldhaveonDonna. It would set her backweeks if it didn't kill her. Thekla is a capitalnursewhateverelsesheis--andDonna'smindistoofullofyoutobepoisonedbyanybody--throughall herdeliriumshe ravedaboutyou--you shouldhaveseenDrownedJohn'sface."

"Wasshedelirious--mypoordarling?Oh,RogerPenhallow,areyoukeepinganythingbackfromme?ImettheMoonMancomingdown.Helookedatmestrangely.Theysaytheolddudhassecondsight--heknowswhenpeoplearegoingtodie.Pneumoniahasalwaysbeenfataltothatfamily--Donna'smotherdiedofit.ForGod'ssake,tellmethetruth--"

"PeterPenhallow,ifyoudon'tclearoutofthisatonceI'llkickyoutwice--onceformyselfandonceforDrownedJohn.Donnaisgoingtobeallright.Youactasifyouweretheonlymanintheworldwhowaseverinlovebefore."

"I am," saidPeter."You don't knowa thing about love,Roger.They tellmeyouwereinlovewithGayPenhallow.Well,I'dneverbeacradle-snatcher,butif I were, Noel Gibson shouldn't have taken her from me--that tailor'smannequin.You'reawhite-liveredhound,Roger,nobloodinyourveins."

"I'vesomesenseinmynoodle,"saidRogerdrily.

"Which proves that you don't know anything about love," said Petertriumphantly."Nobody'ssensibleifhe'sinlove.It'sadivinemadness,Roger.Oh,Roger,I'veneverlikedyouoverandabovebutIfeelnowasifIcouldn'tpartfromyou.Tothinkthatyou'llseeDonnainafewminutes--oh,tellher--tellher--"

"Heavengrantmepatience!"groanedRoger."Peter,gooutandgetintomycarandcountuptofivehundredslowly.I'lltellDonnaanythingyoulikeandI'llbringbackhermessageandthenI'lltakeyouhome.It'snotsafeforyoutobeoutalone--youdamn'fool,"concludedRogerunderhisbreath.

"Roger--haveyouanyideahowaman--"

"Tut--tut,Peter,you'renotamanatalljustnow--you'reonlyastateofmind."

Donna'sconvalescencewasatediousaffairandnotaveryhappyone.AssoonasDrowned John suspected that Rogerwas fetching and carryingmessagesbetweenDonna and Peter, he showed him to the door and sent for anotherdoctor.Virginiahauntedherpillownightanddayandvariousrelativesofherclique--aclanwithinaclan--cameandwentand"talkedthingsover."Donnalistened because shewas tooweak to argue.And all the talking-over in theworldcouldn'talterfacts.

"You never loved Barry," sobbed Virginia, "It was only his uniform youloved."

"IdidloveBarry.ButnowIlovePeter,"saidDonna.

"'Themindhasathousandeyes',"beganVirginia--andfinishedthequotation.The troublewas shehadquoted it sooftenbefore that itwas rather stale toDonna.

"Loveisn'tdone--forme.It'sbeginningalloveragain."

"I don't understand," said Virginia helplessly, "how you can be so fickle,Donna. It's acompletemystery tome.Butmy feelingshavealwaysbeensovery deep. Iwonder you still keep poorBarry's picture over your dressing-table.Doesn'thelookatyoureproachfully?"

"No.Barryseemslikeagoodoldpal.Heseemstosay,'I'mgladyou'vefoundsomeonetogiveyouthehappinessIcan'tnow.'Virginia,we'vebeenfoolishandmorbid--"

"I won't have you use such a word," sobbed Virginia. "I'm not morbid--I'm true.And you've broken our pact.Oh,Donna, how can you desertme?We'vebeenthroughsomanysad--andbeau-tiful--andterriblethingstogether.Howcanyoubreakthebond?"

"Virginia,darling,I'mnotbreakingthebond.Wecanalwaysbefriends--dearfriends--"

"Peterwilltakeyouawayfromme,"sobbedVirginia."He'lldragyoualloverthe world--you'll never have any settled home, Donna--or any position insociety."

"There'llbesomeadventureinmarryingPeter,"concededDonnainatoneofsatisfaction.

"Andhe'llneverallowyoutohaveanyinterestoutsideofhim.He'lltellyouwhatyouaretothink.Hemustpossessexclusively."

"Idon'twantanyinterestoutsideofhim,"saidDonna.

"Youtosaythat--youwhowereBarry'swife--hiswife.Why,tohearyoutalk--itmightjustaswellhavebeensomeoneelsewhowasBarry'swife."

"Well, to be honest, Virginia, that's exactly the way I do feel about it.I'mnot thegirlwhowasmarried toBarry--I'manentirelydifferentcreature.PerhapsI'vedrunkfromsomefairypoolofchange,Virginia.Ican'thelpit--andIdon'twanttohelpit.AllIwant justnowis tohavePetercomeinandkissme."

An aggravating sentence popped intoDonna's head. She uttered it to annoyVirginia,whowasannoyingher.

"You'venoideahowdivinelyPetercankiss,Virginia."

"I've no doubt he has had plenty of practice," saidVirginia bitterly. "As forme--IhavemymemoriesofNed'skisses."

Donna permitted herself a pale smile. Ned Powell had had a little full redmouth with a little brown moustache above it. The very thought of beingkissed by such a mouth had always made Donna shudder. She couldn'tunderstandhowVirginiacouldeverbearit.

"You can laugh," said Virginia coldly. "I suppose you can laugh now ateverythingwehaveheldsacred.But Ihappen toknow thatPeterPenhallowsaidthatyouwereanicelittlethingandhecouldhaveyoufortheasking."

"Idon'tbelievehesaidit,"retortedDonna,"butifhedid--whynot?It'squitetrue,youknow."

Virginiawentawaycrying.ShetoldDrownedJohnthatitwasuselessforhertocomeagain;shehadnolongeranyinfluenceoverDonna.

"Iknewthatopalwouldbringmebadluck."

Drowned John banged a table and glared at her.Drowned Johnwent aboutthose days banging tables.Drowned Johnwas in an atrocious humourwitheverythingandeverybody,anddeterminedtomakethemfeelit.Hadafathernorightsatall?Thiswasall itcameto--allyouryearsofsacrificeandcare.They floutedyou--just floutedyou.They thought theycouldmarryany foolfellowtheypleased.Womenweretheverydickens.Hehadtamedhisowntwobuttheyoungoneswerebeyondhim.

"Sheshallnevermarryhim--never."

"Shemeansto,"saidVirginia.

"She doesn't mean it--she only thinks she does," shouted Drowned John.Drowned John always thought that if he contradicted loud enough, peoplewouldcometobelievehim.

Bets were up in the clan about it. Some, like Stanton Grundy, thought itwouldn'tlast."Thehotterthefirethequickerit'sover,"saidStantonGrundy.SomethoughtDrownedJohnwouldneveryieldandsomethoughthe'dlikelycrumpleupatthelast.Andsomethoughtitdidn'tmatterahootwhetherhedidor not. Peter Penhallowwould take his ownwherever he found it. To poorDonna,lyingwearilyinbedorreclininginaneasy-chair,tryingtoenduretheunfeeling way in which day followed day without Peter, they came withadvice and innuendo and gossip. Peter had said,whenAuntBut asked himhowitwashewascaughtatlast,"Oh,Ijustgottiredofrunning."Peter,whenaboy,hadshotapeaatanelderinthechurch.Peterhadflungaglassofwaterin his schoolmaster's face. Peter had taken awasp's nest to prayer-meeting.Peterhadset looseatrappedratwhentheSewingCirclemetathismother'shouse. They dragged up all the things they knew that Peter had done. Andthereweresomanythingshemusthavedonethattheyknewnothingabout.

"IfyoumarryaroverlikePeterwhatareyougoingtodowithyourfamily?"MrsWilliamY.wantedtoknow.

"Oh,we're only going to have two children.A boy first and then a girl forgoodmeasure,"saidDonna."Wecanmanagetototethatmanyaboutwithus."

MrsWilliamY.washorrified.ButMrsArtemas,whohadcomewithher,onlyremarkedcalmly,

"Icouldn'tevergetthemtocomeinorderthatway."

"IfIwasawidow-womanIwouldn'tbefoolenoughtowanttomarryagain,"saidMrsSimDarkbitterly.

"That family of Penhallows are always doing such unexpected things andPeteristheworstofthem,"mournedMrsWilburDark.

"But ifyourhusbanddoesunexpected thingsat leasthewouldn'tboreyou,"saidDonna."Icouldendureanythingbutboredom."

MrsWilburdidnotknowwhatDonnameantbyherhusband'sboringher.Ofcourse men were tiresome at times. She told her especial friends that shethoughtthemeasleshadgonetoDonna'sbrain.Theydidthatsometimes,she

understood.

Dandy Dark came and asked her ominously how she thought Aunt Beckywouldhavelikedhertakingasecondhelpingafterallherfineprotestations.

"AuntBeckylikedconsistency,thatshedid,"saidDandy,whohadafondnessforbigwordsandusedmoreofthemthanevernowthathewastrusteeofthejug.

Thissoundedlikeathreat.Donnapouted.

"Dandy,"shecoaxed,"youmighttellmewho'stogetthejug--ifyouknow.Iwouldn'ttellasoul."

Dandychuckled.

"I've lost count how often that's been said to me the past month. No use,Donna.Nobody's going to knowmore about that jug thanAuntBecky toldthem until the time comes. A dying trust"--Dandy was very important andsolemn--"isa sacred thing.But think twicebeforeyoumarryPeter,Donna--thinktwice."

"Oh,AuntyCon,somedaysIjusthatelife,"Donnatoldarelativeforwhomshehadsomelove."AndthenagainsomedaysIjustloveit."

"That'sthewaywithusall,"saidplumpAuntyConplacidly.

Donnastaredatherinamazement.SurelyAuntyConcouldnevereitherloveorhatelife.

"Oh, Aunty Con, I'm really miserable. I seem to get better so slowly. AndPeterandIcan'tgetawordtoeachother.Fatherissounreasonable--heseemstosmellbrimstoneifanyonementionsPeter'sname.Theklaisbarelyciviltome--thoughshewasanangelwhenIwasreallyill--andVirginiaissulking.I--Igetsoblueanddiscouraged--"

"Youain'trealwellyet,"saidAuntyConsoothingly."Don'tyouworry,Donna.Assoonasyou'rerealstrongPeterPenhallowwillfindaway.Restyouwiththat."

Donna lookedoutofheropenwindowoverher right shoulder into the Julynight.AlittlewetnewmoonwashangingoveracurveofRoseRiver.Thereweresoundsasifacarweredyingintheyard.NobodyhadtoldDonnathatPeter came down toDrowned John's gate every night--where his father hadhung the dog--and made all the weird noises possible with his claxon, butDonnasuddenlyfelthewasverynearher.Shesmiled.Yes,Peterwouldfinda

way.

III

GayPenhallowcouldneverquite rememberwhen the first faint shadowfellacrossherhappiness.Itstoletowardshersosubtly.Ifyoulookedstraightatit--itwasn'tthere.Butturnawayyoureyesandoutofthecornersyoucouldseeit--alittlenearer--stillalittlenearer--waitingtopounce.

Everything had been sowonderful at first.Theweekswere notmade up ofdays at all. Sunday was a flame, Monday a rainbow, Tuesday a perfume,Wednesday a bird-song, Thursday a wind-dance, Friday laughter, andSaturday--NoelalwayscameSaturdaynight,whateverothernighthemissed--wassomethingthatwasthesoulofalltheothersix.

Butnow--thedayswerebecomingjustdaysagain.

NanandNoelwere such friends.Well,why shouldn't theybe?Weren't theygoing to be cousins! But still--there were moments when Gay felt like anoutsider,as they talked toeachotherapatter shecouldn't talk.Gaywasnotup-to-date in modern slang. They seemed to have so many mysteriouscatchwordsandunderstandings--orperhapsNan justmade it appear so.Nanwasanexpertatthatsortofthing--expertatcatchingandholdingforherselftheattentionofanymalecreature,nomatterwhathisaffiliationsmightbe.ForNan those affiliations didn't exist. She simply ignored them. Noel and Gaycouldnotrefuseto takeheraboutwith them--at leastGaycouldn'tandNoeldidn'tseemtowantto.Nancontinuedtoimplythatshehadnoonetotakeherabout--shewassuchastranger.Gayfelt itwouldbemeanandcattytoleaveNanoutinthecold.Butquiteoften--andoftenerasthedayswentby--shefeltasifitwereshewhowasleftoutinthecold.Andyettherewassolittletotakeholdof--solittleonecouldputintowordsorevenintothoughts.Shecouldn'texpectNoeltotakenonoticeofanyonebutherself.ButshethoughtwistfullyoftheolduntroubleddayswhentherehadbeennoNanatIndianSpring.

There was that dreadful afternoon when she had heard Nan and Noelexchangingairypersiflageoverthephone.Gayhadn'tmeanttolisten.ShehadtakendownthereceivertoseeifthelinewerefreeandshehadheardNoel'svoice.Whowas he talking to?Nan!Gay stood and listened--Gaywho hadbeen brought up to think listening on the phone the meanest form ofeavesdropping.Shedidn't realizeshewas listening--all she realizedwas that

NanandNoelwere carryingonagay, semi-confidential conversation.Well,whatofit?Afterall,whatwasreallyinit?Theydidn'tsayawordthewholeworld mightn't have heard. But it was the suggestion of intimacy in it--ofsomethingfromwhicheveryoneelsewasexcluded.Why,NoelwastalkingtoNanasheshouldtalkonlytoher.

WhenGayhungupthereceiver,afterNanhadsentanimpertinentkissoverthephone,shefeltchillyandlost.Forthefirsttimeshefeltthestingofabitterjealousy.Andforthefirsttimeitoccurredtoherthatshemightnotbehappyall her life.ButwhenNoel came that eveninghewas asdear and tender aseverandGaywenttobedlaughingatherself.Shewasjustalittlefooltogetworkedupovernothing.ItwasonlyNan'sway.Eventhekiss!VerylikelyNanwouldhavelikedtomaketroublebetweenherandNoel.ThatwasNan'sway,too.Butshecouldn't.

Gay was not so sure one evening two weeks later. Noel was to come thatevening.Gaywokeupinthemorningexpectinghim.Herheadlayinawarmpool of sunshine that spread itself over the pillow. She lay and stretchedherself in it like a little lazy golden cat, sniffing delicately at thewhiffs ofheliotropethatblewinfromthegardenbelow.Noelwouldbeoutto-night.Hehadsaidsoinhisletterofthepreviousday.Shehadthattolookforwardtoforawhole beautiful day. Perhaps theywould go for a spin along thewindingdrive.Or perhaps theywould go for awalk down to the shore?Or perhapsthey would just linger at the side gate under the spruces and talk aboutthemselves. There would be no Nan--Nan was away visiting friends inSummerside--shewassureofhavingNoelall toherself.Shehadn'thadhimmuchtoherselfoflate.NanwouldbeatMaywoodorNoelwouldsuggestthattheygosomewhereandpickherup--thepoorkidwaslonesome.IndianSpringwasprettyquietforagirlusedtocitylife.

Gaylivedthewholedayinamoodofexpectanthappiness.Afewweeksagoshehadlivedeverydaylikethatandshedidnotquiterealizeyethowdifferentithadbeen lately.Shedressed in the twilightespecially forNoel.Shehadanewdress and shewouldwear it for him.Such a pretty dress. Powder-bluevoileovera little slipof ivory silk.Shewondered ifNoelwould like it andnoticehow thebluebroughtout the topaz tintsofherhair andeyesand thecreaminessofherslimthroat.ItwassuchadelighttomakeherselfbeautifulforNoel.Itseemedlikeasacrament.Tobrushherhairtillitshone--totouchtheshadowyhollowofher throatwithadropofperfume--tomakehernailsshinesoftly likepinkpearls--to fastenaboutherneck the littlestringof tinygoldenbeads--Noel'slastgift.

"Every bead on it is a kiss," he had whispered. "It's a rosary of our love,darling."

Then to lookatherself andknowhemust findher fair and sweet.Toknowthatshewouldseethatlittlesparkleapintohiseyesashelookedather.

Oh,Gayfeltsorryforhomelygirls.Howcouldtheypleasetheirlovers?Andshe felt sorry forDonnaDark,whowasn't allowed to seeher lover at all--though how could anybody care for that queer wild rover of a PeterPenhallow?And she felt sorry for Joscelyn, who had been so outrageouslytreatedbyherbridegroom--andshefeltsorryforWilliamY.'sSally,whowasengagedtosuchanugly,insignificantlittleman--andshefeltsorryforMercyPenhallow, who had never had a beau at all--and she felt sorry for poorPaulineDark,whowashopelessly in lovewithHugh--and forNaomiDark,whowasworsethanwidowed--evenforpoorsillyVirginiaPowell,whowasso true and tiresome. In short, Gay felt sorry for almost every femininecreature she knew. Until late in the evening, when she was sorry only forherself.

Noelhadnotcome.Shehadwaited forhim in the littlegreencornerby thesidegate,whereVenuswasshiningoverthedarktrees,until teno'clockandhe had not come. Once she had got long-distance and called up hisstepmother'shouseintown.ButNoelwasnotthereandhisstepmotherdidnotknowwherehewas--orgreatlycare,hertoneseemedtoimply.Gaywentbackto her vigil by the gate.What had happened?Hadhis car acted up?But hecouldtelephone.Supposetherehadbeenanaccident--abadaccident--supposeNoelhadbeenhurt--killed?Orsupposehehadjustchangedhismind?Hadhisgood-byekiss,threenightsbefore,beenjustalittleabsent?Andevenhisletterwhichhadtoldherhewascominghadbegunwith"dear"insteadof"dearest"or"darling."

Once she thought she saw him coming through the garden. By the suddenupliftofherheartandspiritsheknewhowterriblehadbeenherdreadthathewouldnotcome.ThenshesawthatitwasonlyRoger.Rogermustnotseeher.Sheknewshewasgoingtocryandhemustnotseeher.Blindlysheplungedinto the green spruce copse beyond the gate--ran through it sobbing--theboughs caught and tore her dress--it didn't matter--nothing mattered exceptthatNoelhadnotcome.Shegainedherroomandlockedherdoorandhuddledherself into bed.Oh,what a long nightwas before her to live through. Sheremembered a pet phrase of Roger's--hewas always saying, "Don'tworry--there'salwaysto-morrow."

"Idon'twantto-morrow,"sobbedGay."I'mafraidofit."

Itwasthefirstnightinherlifeshehadcriedherselfchokinglytosleep.

InthemorningNoeltelephonedhisexcuses.Hehada-plenty.Nanhadcalled

himon the long-distance fromSummersideearly in theeveningandwantedhimtorunupandbringherhome.Hehadthoughthehadplentyoftimeforit.But when he got to Summerside Nan's friends were having an impromptupartyandshewantedtowaitforit.HehadtriedtogetGayonlong-distancebutcouldn't.ItwaslatewhenhehadbroughtNanhome--toolatetogoontoMaywood.Hewas frightfully sorryandhe'dbeup thevery firsteveninghewasfree.Theywereconfoundedlybusyinthebankjustnow.Hehadtoworktillmidnight,etc.

Gaybelievedhimbecauseshehad to.Andwhenhermothersaid toher thatfolks were beginning to talk about Nan and Noel, Gay was scornful andindifferent.

"They have to talk about something, Mumsy. I suppose they've got tiredgossiping about poor Donna and Peter and have to begin on Noel andme.Nevermindthem."

"I don't mind them. But theGibsons--they've always had a name for beingfickle--"

"Iwon't hear aword againstNoel," flashedGay. "Am I to keep him inmypocket?Ishenevertospeaktoagirlbutme?Anicelifeforhim.IknowNoel.Butyoualwayshatedhim--you'regladtobelieveanythingagainsthim--"

"Oh,Gay,child--no--no.Idon'thatehim--it'syourhappinessI'mthinkingof--"

"Thendon'tworrymewithmaliciousgossip,"criedGaysostormilythatMrsHowarddarednotsayanotherwordonthesubject.Sheswitchedtosomethingsafer.

"Haveyouwrittenthosechainlettersyet,Gay?"

"No.AndI'mnotgoingto.Mumsy,you'rereallyabsurd."

"But,Gay--Idon'tknow--no,I'mnotsuperstitious--butyouknowitsaidifyoubrokethechainsomemisfortunewouldbefallyou--anditdoesn'tcostmuch--onlysixcents--"

"Mother,itissuperstition.AndI'mnotgoingtobesofoolish.Writethelettersyourself,ifyoulike--ifit'sworryingyou."

"Thatwouldn'tdoanygood.Theletterwastoyou.Itwouldn'ttakeyoulong--"

"I'mnotgoingtodoitandthat'sallthereistoit,"saidGay,stubbornly."You

heardRogeronthesubject,Mother."

"Oh, Roger--he's a good doctor but he doesn't know everything.Therearethingsnobodyunderstands--yourfatheralwayslaughedjustasyoudo--buthewasoneofthirteenatatablejustbeforehedied.Andsaywhatyouwill,Iknewawomanwhowouldn'twritethechainlettersandshebrokeherknee-captwoweeksaftersheburnedtheoneshegot."

"MrsSimDarkbrokeherarmlastweek,but Ihaven'theardsheburnedanychain letters."Gay tried to laugh but she found it rather hard--she towhomlaughterhadalwayscomesoreadily.Therewassuchastrange,dreadfulachein her heart which she must hide from every one. And she would not bejealousandhatefulandsuspicious.NanwastryingtoweavehercobwebspellsaroundNoelofcourse.ButshehadfaithinNoel--oh,shemusthavefaithinhim.

Noeldidcomeupfoureveningslater.AndNancame,too.Thethreeofthemsatontheverandastepsandlaughedandchattered.AtleastNoelandNandid.Gaywasa littlebitsilent.Nobodynoticed it.At lastshegotupandstrolledawaytothetwilightgarden,throughthegayranksofthehollyhocksandtheoldorchardfullofmysteriousmoonlitdelights--theplaceofplacesforlovers--tothesidegate.SheexpectedNoelwouldfollowher.Hehadalwaysdoneso--yet.Shelistenedforhisfollowingfootsteps.Whenshereachedthesidegatesheturnedandpeepedbackthroughthespruceboughs.NoelwasstillsittingonthestepsbesideNan.Shecouldnotseethembutshecouldhearthem.Sheknewquitewell thatNanwas looking up atNoelwith those slanting greeneyesofhers--eyesthatdidsomethingtomenthatGay'slaughing,gold-fleckedones could never do. And no doubt--Gay's lip curled in contempt--she wasimplyingthathewasthemostwonderfulfellowintheworld.Gayhadheardher do that before.Well--hewas! ButNan had no right to think him so--ormakehimthinkshethoughtso.Gayclenchedherhands.

Shewaited there forwhat seemedavery long time.Therewasapalegreensunset sky, and idle, merry laughter came from far across the fields on thecrystal clear air. Somewhere there was a faint fragrance on the air, as ofsomethinghidden--unseen--sweet.

Gay remembered a great many things that she had almost forgotten. LittlethingsthatNanhaddoneintheirchildhoodvacationswhenshehadcomeoverto theIslandeverysummer.Therewas thatdayGayhadbeenquitebroken-heartedat theSunday-schoolpicnicbecause shehadn't acent topay for thepeep-showHicksyDarkwas running.And thenshehad foundacenton theroad--andwasgoingtoseethepeep-show--andNantookthecentawayfromher andgave it toHicksyand saw the show.Gay rememberedhowshehad

criedaboutthatandhowNanhadlaughed.

ThedaywhenNanhadcomeinwithalovelybigchocolatebarUnclePippinhadgivenher.Chocolatebarswerenewthingsthen.

"Oh, please give me a bite--just one bite," Gay had implored. She lovedchocolatebars.

Nanhadlaughedandsaid,

"MaybeI'llgiveyouthelastone."

ShesatdownbeforeGayandatethebar,slowly,deliberately,bitebybite.Atlasttherewasjustonegoodbiteleft--ajuicy,succulentbite,thelovelysnowyfillingoozingaroundabigBrazil-nut.AndthenNanhadlaughed--andpoppedthebite intoherownmouth--and laughedagainat the tears that filledGay'seyes.

"Youcrysoeasy,Gay,thatit'shardlyanyfuntomakeyoucry,"shesaid.

The day when Nan had snatched off Gay's new hair-bow, because it wasbiggerandcrisperthanherown,andslashedit tobitswiththescissors.MrsAlpheushadwhippedNanforit,butthatdidn'trestorethehair-bowandGayhadtowearheroldshabbyone.

The timewhenGaywas tosingat themissionaryconcert in thechurchandNan had broken up the song and reducedGay to the verge of hysterics bysuddenlypointingherfingeratGay'sslipperedfeetandcallingout,"Mouse!"

Oh,thereweredozensofmemorieslikethat.Nanhadalwaysbeenthesame--assleekandself-indulgentandcruelasalittletiger.Takingwhatevershehada whim for without caring who suffered. But Gay had never believed shecouldtakeNoel.

GaywasnotDarkandPenhallowfornothing.Shedidnotgobacktothesteps.Shewentintothehousebythesun-porchdooranduptoherroom,thoughitseemedasifateverystepshetrodonherownheart.Inherroomshelookedatherselfinthemirror.Itwasasifheryoungfacehadgrownoldinanhour.Hercheekswereastormyred,buthereyeswerestrangetoher.Surelysucheyeshadneverlookedoutofherfacebefore.Sheshudderedwithcold--withanger--withsicklonging--withincredulity.Thensheblewoutthelamppassionatelyandflungherselffacedownwardsonherbed.Theshadowhadpouncedatlast.Thatothernightshehadcriedherselftosleep--butshehadslept.Thiswastobethefirstnightofherlifeshecouldnotsleepatallforpain.

IV

ThequarrelandseparationoftheSamshadcausedconsiderablesensationintheclanandforatimeoustedAuntBecky'sjug,GayPenhallow'sengagementandDrownedJohn'stantrumsoverPeterandDonnaasatopicofconversationin clangroups.Few thought itwould last long.But the summerhadpassedwithoutareconciliationandfolksgaveupexpectingit.ThatfamilyofDarkshadalwaysbeenastubborngang.NeitheroftheSamsmadeanypretenceofdignified reserve regarding their mutual wrongs. When they met, as theyoccasionallydid,theyglaredateachotherandpassedoninsilence.Buteachwasforeverwaylayingneighboursandclansmentotellhissideofthestory.

"Ihearhe'sgoingabouttellingIkickedthedogintheabdomen,"LittleSamwouldsnort."What'sabdomen,anyhow?"

"Belly,"saidStantonGrundybluntly.

"Lookat thatnow. Iknewhewas lying. Ineverkickednodog in thebelly.Touched his ribs with the toe of my boot once, that's all--for good andsufficientcause.SaysIluredhiscatback.WhatdoIwantofhisoldPersianLambcat?Alwaysbringingdeadratsinandleavingthemlyingaround.Anddeterminedtosleeponmyabdomenatnights.Ifhe'dfedhiscatproperlyshewouldn't have left him.But I ain't going to turn no broken-hearted, ill-usedbeast out ofmy door. I hear he's raving round about moons and contentedcows.Theonlyuse thatmanhasformoonsis topredict theweather,andasforcontentedcowsordiscontentedcows,it'sallonetohim.ButI'mgladhe'shappy. So am I. I can sing all I want to now without having some onesarcastically saying, 'A good voice for chawing turnips,' or, 'Hark from thetombsadolefulsound,'ormaddeningthingslikethat.Ihadtoendurethatforyears.ButdidImakeafussaboutit?Orabouthisyelpingthatoldepicofhishalfthenight--cacklingandchortlingandguffawingandgurglingandyappingandyammering.Youneverheardsuchanungodlycaterwaulingas thatpoorcreature could make. 'Chanting,' he called it. Till I felt as if I'd been runthroughameat-chopper.DidImindhisalwaysconterdictingme?No;itkeptlife from being too tejus. Did I mind his being a fundamentalist? No; Irespectedhisprinciples.DidImindhisgettingupatunearthlyhoursSundaymornings to pray? I did not. Some people might have said his method ofprayingwasirrevent--talkingtoGodsameashewouldtomeoryou.Ididn'tmindirreverence,butwhatIdidn'tlikewashishabitofswingingroundrightinthemiddleofaprayerandgivingthedevilalicking.Still,didImakeafussover it? No; I overlooked all them things, and yet when I brings home a

beautifulstatooette likeAurorer thereBigSamupandthrowsthreedifferentkinds.Well,I'dratherhaveAurorerthanhimanydayandyoucantellhimso.She's easier to look at, for one thing, and she don't sneak into the pantryunbeknownsttomeandeatupmyprivatesnacksforanother.Iain'tsaidmuchabouttheaffair--I'veletBigSamdothetalking--butsomedaywhenIgittimeI'mgoingtotalkanawfullot,Grundy."

"I'mtoldthatpoorassofaLittleSamspendsmostofhissparetimeimagininghe's strewin' flowers onmygrave,"BigSam toldMrTrackley. "And I hearhe'sbeenmakingfunofmyprayers.Willyoubelieveit,hehadtheimpidencetotellmeonceIhadtomakemyprayersshorter'causetheyinterferedwithhismornin'nap?DidIshorten'em?Notbyajugful.Spun'emouttwiceaslong.WhatIputupwithfromthatman!HisdognighaboutchewedupmyVictorybond,butdidIcomplain?GodknowsIdidn't.Butwhenmycathadkittensonhissheethe toreup the turf.Talkingof thecat, Ihearshehaskittensagain.You'd think Little Sammight have sentme one. I hear there's three.And Ihaven't a thing except them two ducks I bought of Peter Gautier. They'recompany--butknowingyouhavetoeat'emupsomedayspoilsthings.Looka'here,MrTrackley.Whydid Jacob let out a howl andweepwhenhe kissedRachel?"

Mr Trackley didn't know, or if he did he kept it to himself. Some RoseRiveritesthoughtMrTrackleywastoofondofdrawingtheSamsout.

"Becausehefounditwasn'twhatitwascrackeduptobe,"chuckledBigSam.Hewashappyalldaybecausehehadputoneoverontheminister.

ButBigSamwassooninnomoodforjokingaboutkisses,ancientormodern.He nearly had an apoplectic fit when he heard that some of the summerboardersup the riverhadgone toLittleSamunder themistaken impressionthathewasthepoet,andaskedhimtorecitehisepic.TheawfulthingwasthatLittleSamdid.Wentthroughitfromstarttofinishandneverletonhewasn'tthetrueauthor.

"Fromworshippingimidgestostealingpoetryisonlywhatyou'dexpect.Youcanseehowthatman'scharacter'sdegen'rating,"saidBigSampassionately.

V

PeterPenhallowwasgrowing so lean andhaggard thatNancybegan to feel

frightenedabouthim.Shetriedtoinducehimtotakesomeironpillsandgotsworn at for her pains. A serious symptom, for Peter was not addicted toprofanity. Nancy excused him, for she thought he was not getting a squaredeal,eitherfromDrownedJohnorProvidence.TheverydayDonnaDarkwastobepermittedtocomedownstairsshetooktonsilitis.Thismeantthreemoreweeksofseclusion.Petersoundedhishornattheenchantedportaleverynightor, inmodern language, Drowned John's east lane gate--but that was all hecoulddo.DrownedJohn,soitwasreported,hadswornhewouldshootPeterat sight and the clanwaited daily in horrified expectancy, not knowing thatTheklahadhiddenDrownedJohn'sgununder thespare-roombed.DrownedJohn,notbeingabletofindit,ignoredPeterandhiscaterwaulingandtookitoutonpoorsickDonna,whowasbythistimealmostreadytodieofmisery.Sickinbedforweeksandweeks,staringatthathorriblewallpaperDrownedJohnhadselectedandwhichshehated.Horriblegreenish-bluepaperwithgiltstarsonit,whichDrownedJohnthoughtthelastwordinelegance.

Shehadlostallhergoodlooks,shetoldherself.Shecriedandsaidshedidn'twant to get better. Peter couldn't love her anymore--this pallid,washed-outskeletonshesawinhermirrorwhenshegotupaftertonsilitis.Thedoctorsaidshemusthavehertonsilsoutassoonasshewasstrongenoughfortheordeal.ThiswasreportedtoPeteranddrovehimstillfurtheronwhatallhisfriendsnow believedwas the road tomadness.He didn't believe in operations.Hewasn'tgoingtohavepiecesofhisdarlingDonnacutout.Theywerealltryingtomurderher, thatwaswhat theyweredoing--thewholedarntribeof them.He cursedMrsToynbeeDark a dozen times a day.Had it not been for her,Drowned John wouldn't have known of Donna's engagement, he wouldn'thave kept such watch and ward--Peter would have been able to snatch heraway,measlesandtonsilitistothecontrarynotwithstanding--andthenafigforyourgerms.Butnow--

"WhatamItodo?"groanedPetertoNancy."Nancy,tellafellowwhattodo.I'mdyingbyinches--andthey'regoingtocarveDonnaup."

Nancycouldonlyreplysoothinglythatlotsofpeoplehadhadtheirtonsilsoutandtherewasnothingtodobuttowaitpatiently.DrownedJohncouldn'tkeepDonnashutupforever.

"You don't know him," said Peter darkly. "There's a plot. I believeVirginiaPowelldeliberatelycarried the tonsilitisgerm toDonna.Thatwomanwoulddoanything tokeepmeandDonnaapart.Next time itwillbe inflammatoryrheumatism.They'llstickatnothing."

"Oh,Peter,don'tbesilly."

"Silly!IsitanywonderifI'msilly?ThewonderisI'mnotablitheringidiot."

"Somepeoplethinkyouare,"saidNancycandidly.

"Nancy,it'seightweekssinceI'veseenDonna--eighthellishweeks."

"Well,youlivedagoodmanyyearswithoutseeingheratall."

"No--Imerelyexisted."

"Cheer up--'It may be for years but it can't be forever'," quoted Nancyflippantly."IdidhearDonnawasgoingtobeoutinRoseRiverChurchnextSunday."

"Church!WhatcanIdoinchurch?DrownedJohnwillbeononesideofherand Thekla on the other. Virginia Powell will bring up the rear and MrsToynbeewill watch everything. The only thing to dowill be to sail in, hitDrownedJohnawalloponthepointofthejaw,snatchupDonnaandrushoutwithher."

"Oh, Peter, don't make a scene in church--not in church," implored Nancy,wishingshehadn'ttoldhim.

ShelivedinmiseryuntilSunday.Peterdidmakeabitofascene,butnotsobadasshefeared.HewassittinginapewunderthegallerywhentheDrownedJohn'spartycamein--DrownedJohnfirst,Donnanext,thenThekla--"Iknewitwouldbelikethat,"groanedPeter--thenoldJonasSwan,thehiredman--whohadfamilyprivileges,beingreallyadistantrelative--thentwovisitingcousins.Peter ate Donna up with his eyes all through the service. They had nearlykilled her, his poor darling.But shewasmore beautiful,more alluring thanever,with those greatmauve shadows under her eyes and her thick creamylids still heavywith the langour of illness. Peter thought the servicewouldneverend.DidTrackleypreachas longas thiseverySundayand if so,whydidn't they lynch him. Did that idiot who was yowling a solo in the choirimagine she could sing? People like that ought to be drowned young, likekittens. Would they never be done taking up the collection? Thereweresixversesinthelasthymn!

Petershotuptheaislebeforetherestofthecongregationhadliftedtheirheadsfromthebenediction.DrownedJohnhadsteppedoutofhispew tospeak toElder MacPhee across the aisle. Thekla was talking unsuspiciously to MrsHowardPenhallowinthepewahead.NobodywaswatchingDonnajustthen,notdreaming thatPeterwouldbe inRoseRiverChurch.Noneofhis cliquehadeverdarkenedthedoorofRoseRiverChurchsincethesheep-fight.TheywenttoBaySilver.

Donnahadturnedandherlargemournfuleyeswererovinglistlesslyovertherisingassemblage.ThenshesawPeter.Hewasinthepewbehindher,havingputhishandsoneithersideof littleMrsDenby'splumpwaistand liftedherbodilyoutintotheaisletomakewayforhim.MrsDenbygotthescareofherlife.Shetalkedaboutitbreathlesslyforyears.

PeterandDonnahadonlyamomentbut it sufficed.Hehadplannedexactlywhat to do and say. First he kissed Donna--kissed her before the wholechurchful,undertheminister'sveryeyes.Thenhewhispered:

"Beatyourwestlanegateateleveno'clocktomorrownight.I'llcomewithacar.Canyou?"

Donnahatedthethoughtofeloping,butsheknewtherewasnothingelsetobedone. If she shookherheadPetermight simplyvanishoutof her life.Dearknowswhathealreadythoughtofherforneversendinghimwordorline.Hecouldn'tknowjusthowtheywatchedher.Itwasnowornever.Soshenoddedjust as Drowned John turned to see whatMacPhee was staring at. He sawPeterkissDonnaforasecondtime,vaultairilyoverthecentraldivisionofthepewsandvanishthroughthesidedoorbythepulpit.DrownedJohnstartedtosay"damn"butcaughthimselfintime.DandyDark'spewwasnexttohisandDandyhadtakentoattendingchurchveryregularlysincetheaffairofthejug.Peopleknewhewent tokeep tabson them.Dandyhadapew inbothRoseRiver and Bay Silver Churches and said shamelessly that he kept thembecausewhenhewasn'tinonechurchhewouldgetthecreditofbeingintheother. The attendance at both churches had gone upwith a rush sinceAuntBecky'slevee.MrTrackleybelievedhissermonsweremakinganimpressionatlastandtookheartofgraceanew.

DandygaveDonnaalittlefacetiouspokeintheribsashewentpastherandwhispered:

"Don'tgoanddoanythingsilly,Donna."

BywhichDonnaunderstoodthatitreallywouldinjureherchancesforthejugifsheranawaywithPeter.EvenUnclePippinshookhisheaddisapprovinglyather.Ashesaid,whenheleftthechurch,theirlove-makingwasentirelytoopublic.

Donnaheardsomethingfromherfatherwhenshegothome.Itwasawondertheydidgethome, forDrownedJohndrovesorecklessly thathealmost ranoverafewfoolishpedestriansandjustmissedtwocollisions.Theklahadhersay,too.Thevisitingcousinsgiggled,butoldJonaswentoutstolidlytofeedthepigs.Donnalistenedlikeawomaninatrance.DrownedJohnwasn'tsuresheevenheardhim.Thenshewenttoherroomtothinkthingsover.

Shewascommittedtoelopingthenextnight.ItwasnotexactlyaniceideatoagirlwhohadbeenbroughtupinthetrueDarktradition--darkerthantheveryDarkest.Shethoughtofallthethingstheclanwouldsay--ofallthesignificantnods and winks. When Frank Penhallow and Lily Dark had eloped AuntBecky had said to them on their return, "You were in a big hurry." Donnawouldhate tohaveanyone sayanything like that toher.But sheandPeterwouldnotbereturning.Thatwasthebeautyofit.OnethrustandtheGordianknotof their difficultieswouldbe forever cut.Then freedom--and love--andescape from dull routine and stodginess--Thekla's jealousy and DrownedJohn'scontinualhectoring--andVirginia.Donnafeltapangofshameandself-reproachthatthereshouldbesuchreliefinthethoughtofescapingfrompoorVirginia.Butthereitwas.Shecouldn'tunfeelit.Thirty-sixhoursandshemustmeetPeteratthewestlanegateandtheoldscandal-mongerscouldgohang,jugandall.LuckilyTheklahadgoneback toherown room.DrownedJohnsleptbelow.Itwouldbeeasytoslipout.HadPeterthoughtshehadgoneoffveryterribly?Virginiasaidthetonsilitishadmadeherlooktenyearsolder.ItwasdreadfultohavePeterkissherbeforethewholecongregationlikethat--dreadfulbutsplendid.PoorVirginia'sface!

Somehow or other, Sunday passed--and Monday morning--and Mondayafternoon--thoughDonnahadneverspentsuchinterminablehoursinherlife.Shewas glad that shewas in such disgracewith her father andThekla thattheywouldn't speak to her. But that had begun towear off by supper-time.Theklalookedathercuriously.Donnacouldn'thelpanairofexcitementthathungabouther likeanaura, andunder themauveshadowshercheekswerefaintlyhuedwithrose.Abitofamusementflickeredinhersapphireeyes.Shewaswondering justwhatTheklaandDrownedJohnwouldsay if theyknewshewasgoingtorunawaywithPeterPenhallowthatverynight.Ofcourseshecouldn'teat--whocould,underthecircumstances?

"Donna,"saidTheklasharply,"youhaven'tbeenputtingonrouge?"

DrownedJohnsnorted.Healwayshadafitof indignationwhenhecaughtaglimpseofDonna'sdressing-table.Entirely toomany fal-als for trying tobebeautiful!Decentwomendidn'ttrytobebeautiful.Butifhehadeverfoundorsuspectedanyrougeaboutit,hewouldprobablyhavethrowntableandalloutofthewindow.

"Ofcoursenot,"saidDonna.

"Well,yourcheeksarered,"saidThekla."Ifyouaren'tpaintedyou'refeverish.You'vegotarelapse.Iknewyouwould,goingoutsosoon.You'llstayinbedto-morrow."

Donnagrasped at theopportunity.Shehadbeenwondering if she andPetercould possibly get off the Island before Drowned John caught them. TheIslandwassuchapoorplacetomurderorelope.Youweresuretobecaughtbeforeyoucouldgetawayfromit.Butbydinner-timenextdaytheywouldbesafelyoff,andthenafigforDrownedJohn.

"I--I think Iwill.For the forenoon,anyway.Youcancallme fordinner. I'msureIhaven'tanyrelapse--butI'mtired."

Really,Providenceatlastseemedtobeonherside.

EverybodyinDrownedJohn'shouseholdwenttobedearly.Atninethelightswereoutandthedoorlocked.ThisdidnotworryDonna.SheknewquitewellwhereTheklahidthekey,slyasshethoughtherselfaboutit.Shewasreadyathalf-past ten,witha small suitcasepacked.Sheopenedherdoorandpeeredout. Everythingwas silent. Thekla's doorwas shut tight.Down the hall oldJonaswassnoring.Fancyanyonesnoringonthiswonderfulnight.Wouldthestairs creak? They did, of course, but nobody seemed to hear.What wouldhappen if she sneezed? Drowned John slept in the little cubby-hole off thedining-room and the keywas in the blue vase on the clock shelf.DrownedJohnwas snoring too. Donna shuddered. She hoped Peter didn't snore. Sheunlockedthedoor,steppedout,andcloseditbehindher.Really,elopingwasridiculouslyeasy.

Donnafledthroughtheorchardtothewestlanegate.Shehadnearlyhalfanhourtowait.Thetallblackfirsaboutthegatecameoutagainstthestarlitsky.Thereweredancingnorthern lightsover thedarkharbour.Thewhitebirchesdownthewestlaneseemedtoshinewithasilverylightoftheirown.ThenightwasfullofwonderanddelightandasubtlebeautythatwasnotlostevenontheexcitedDonna,whohadinheritedfromhersilentlittlemotheraloveandunderstanding for such things which sometimes amused and sometimesexasperated Drowned John, who would have thought it all of a piece withVirginia'smaunderingsifhecouldhaverealizedthehappinessDonnafeltoverasunlight-patterned river--asilver shimmeron theharbour--starlightover firtrees--a blue dawn on dark hills--daisies like a froth of silver on seasidemeadows.

Donnawaited,enjoyingthenightforatime.IfPeterhadonlycomewhenshewas in thatmoodallwouldhavegonewell.Thenshebegantoshiver in thecool shrewishwind of September darkness. The treeswhispered eerily overher.Therewerestrangerustlingsandshadowsintheorchard.WilliamY.'sdogwas exchanging opinions with Adam Dark's dog across the river. A roarswooped out of nothing--passed into nothing--a car had gone by. Donnashrankback into the shadowof the firs.Had they seenher?Oh,whydidn't

Peter come?Would she ever getwarm again. Shewould catch her death ofcold. She should have put on a heavier coat. It had been summerwhen shebecame ill.Shehadn't realized that summerwasgoneandautumnhere.Hercourageandexcitementebbedwithhertemperature.Surelyitmustbeelevennow.He had said eleven. If he didn't care enough for her to be on time--toavoid keeping her here in the cold half the night!Waiting--waiting. Donnaknew how long time always seemed to one who was waiting. But evenallowing for that, she was sure it must be nearer twelve than eleven. If hedidn't come soon she would go back to bed--and then let Peter Penhallowproposeelopingtoheragain!

Then she saw his lights--and everything was changed. There was his carcomingupthewestlane,withherdestinyinit.IfTheklawokeupshewouldseethelightsfromherwindow.Godsendshedidn'twakeup!

Petercaughtherinhisarms,exultantly.

"I'vehadthemostdevilishluck.Twoflattiresandsomethingwrongwiththecarburettor.Iwasafraidyou'dhavegoneback--afraidyouwouldn'tbeabletogetoutatall.Butit'sallrightnow.We'veheapsoftime.Iallowedfordelays.Listen--myplan is this:We'llmotor toBordenandcatch theboat.Andwe'llstopattheKirtlandmanseandgetCharlieBlackfordtomarryus.I'vehadthelicencefordays.Charlie'sagoodsort--Iknowhimwell.He'llmarryuslikeashotandmakenobones if it isa fewminutesbeforesix.Oncewe'reon themainland--heigh-ho for New York in our own car--and we'll sail for SouthAmericafromthere.Girlofmyheart,doyoulovemeasmuchasever.Lord,Icould eat you. I feel famished.You're as lovely as darkmoonlight.Donna--Donna--"

"Oh, Peter, don't smotherme," gaspedDonna. "Wait--wait--let us get away.I'msoafraidFatherwillcomeout.Oh,itseemsI'vebeenhereforyears."

"Don'tworry.I'llsettlehiminajiffy,nowthatI'vegotyououtofthehouse.Donna,ifyouknewwhatI'vebeenthrough--"

"Peter,stop!Let'sgetaway."

Peter stopped, a bit sulkily. He thought Donna a trifle cool after such anagonizing separation. Surely she needn't grudge him a fewkisses.He didn'trealizehowcoldandfrightenedshereallywasorhowendlesshadseemedherwaiting.

"Wecan'tgetaway foraminuteor two.When IpassedyourAuntEudora'soverthere,youngEudorawasintheyardsayinggood-byetoMacPenhallow.We'vegottowaittillhe'sgone.Darling,you'reshivering.Getintothecar.It'll

bewarmthere,outofthisbeastlywind."

"Put out your lights--if Thekla sees your lights--oh, Peter, it's rather awfulrunningawaylikethis.We'veneverdonesuchthings."

"Ifyouaresorryit'snottoolateyet,"saidPeterinachanged,ominousvoice.

"Don't be ridiculous, Peter." Donna was still cold and frightened and hernerves were bad after all she'd been through. She thought Peter might bealittlemoreconsiderate.Instead,herehewasbeingdeliberatelydevilish."OfcourseI'mnotsorry.I'monlysorryithadtobelikethis.It'sso--sosneaky."

"Well," said Peter, who had also been through something, especially withthosefiendishtires,andhadagooddealyettolearnaboutwomen,"whatelsedoyoupropose?"

"Peter,you'rehorrid!OfcourseIknowwemustgothroughwithit--"

"Gothroughwithit.Isthathowyoulookatit?"

DonnafeltsuddenlythatPeterwasastranger.

"Idon'tknowwhatyouwantmetosay.Ican'tpickandchoosewordswhenI'mhalffrozen.Andthatisn'tall--"

"Ididn'tthinkitwouldbe,"saidPeter.

"You'vebeensayingsomefunnythingsyourself--oh,I'veheard--"

"Evidently.Andlistened,too."

"Well,I'mnotdeaf.YoutoldAuntyButthat--that--youletyourselfbecaughtbecauseyouweretiredofrunning."

"Goodheavens,woman,IonlysaidthattochokeAuntyButoff.WasIgoingtotellthatoldgossipIworshippedyou?"

Donnahadneverreallybelievedthathehadsaid itatall.Nowshefeltas ifshealmosthatedhimforsayingathinglikethatinaclanlikehers.

"AsifI'dbeenchasingyou--myfriendshavebeentellingmerightalongIwasafool."

If Donna had but known it, she was nearer having her ears boxed at thatmoment than ever in her life before. But Peter folded his arms and staredgrimlyaheadofhim.Whatusewasthereintalking?Wouldthatlove-sickfoolofaMacevergetthroughmakinghisfarewellsandclearout?OncetheywereonaclearroadatfiftyanhourDonnawouldbemorereasonable.

"They'llthinkIwasinsuchahurrytorunawaylikethis--IknowDandyDarkwill never giveme the jug now--Aunt Becky always thought eloping wasvulgar--"

The Spanish blood suddenly claimed right of way--or else the Penhallowtemper.

"Ifyoudogetthatfilthyjug,"saidPeterbetweenhisteeth,"I'llsmashitintofortythousandpieces."

That finished it. If it hadn'tbeen for the jug this sudden tempest in a teapotmight have blown off harmlessly, especially asMac Penhallow's old Lizziewentclatteringdowntheroadatlast.Donnaopenedthecardoorandsprangout,hereyesblazinginthepalestarlight.

"PeterPenhallow--Ideservethis--but--"

"Youdeserveadamn'goodspanking,"saidPeter.

Donnahadnever sworn inher life before.But shewasnotDrowned John'sdaughterfornothing.

"Gotohell,"shesaid.

Peter committed the only sin a woman cannot forgive. He took her at herword.

"Allright,"hesaid--andwent.

Donnapickedupthesuitcase,whichwaslyingwhereshehadfirstsetitdown,andmarchedbackthroughtheorchardandintothehouse.Shere-lockedthedoorandputthekeyinthebluevase.DrownedJohnwasstillsnoring--sowasoldJonas.Shegotintoherownroomandintoherownbed.Shewasnolongercold--shewasburninghotwithrighteousanger.Whatanescape!Tothinkshehad been on the point of running awaywith a creaturewho could say suchbeastly things to her. But of course one couldn't expect the Bay SilverPenhallows to have anymanners. It served her right for forgetting she hadalways hated him. Virginia had been right--poor dear ill-used Virginia. Butfrom henceforth forever-more, she, Donna, would be a widow indeed. Oh,how she hated Peter!As she hated everybody and everything.Hate,Donnareflectedforhercomforting,wasagoodlastingpassion.Yougotoverlovingbutyounevergotoverhating.She thoughtofa scoreof stinging thingsshecould have said toPeter.And now shewould never have the chance to saythem.Thepityofit!

Peter tore across the country all night and caught the boat. So she had

DrownedJohn's temperaswellashisnose!Hewaswelloutof that--by thesacred baboon hewas!He had no use forwomenwho swore--not knowinghow lucky he had been that Donna hadn't gone into hysterics instead ofswearing.Servehimrightfortakingupwiththatfamilyatall.Well,madnesswasfinishedandhurrahforsanity!Thankheaven,hewashisownmanagain--freetowandertheworldover,withnoclogofawomantiedroundhisneck.Nomoreloveforhim--hewasthroughwithlove.

VI

Donnawasnottheonlywomanoftheclantobeoutthatnight.GayPenhallowwaslyingamongthefernsinthebirchgrovebehindMaywood,weepingherheartoutatmidnight.

TherewasadanceattheSilverSlipperthatevening--theclosingdanceofthesummer season, before the last of the guests left the big hotel down by theharbour'smouth.NoelhadpromisedtocomeforGay.Oflatealittlehopehadsprung up inGay's heart that everythingwas coming right between her andNoel again.Theyhadhad a little quarrel after that nightwhenGayhad leftNoelandNanonthesteps.Gayfoundherselfputinthewrong.Noelwasveryangryoverthewayshehadacted.Anicepositionshehadputhimin,Gay,allherlittlebitofpridenowworndownbysuffering,hadapologizedhumblyandbeengrudginglyforgiven.Sheevenfeltalittlehappyagain.

But only a little.Her pretty, dewyvisionswere gone never to return.Therewasalwaysalittlecoldfearlurkingdeepdowninherheartnow.DaybydayNoelseemedtodriftfurtherawayfromher.Hewroteoftenerthanhecame--andhis lettershadgotsothin.Whenshehungeredfor thetouchofhishandandthesoundofhisvoice,withahungerandlongingthatdevouredhersoul,came only one of those thin letters of excuse--from Noel, who only a fewweeksagohadvowedhecouldnotgoonlivingtenmilesawayfromher.

But she could not believe he meant to jilt her--her, Gay Penhallow of theproudPenhallows.Gayknewgirlshadbeenjilted--evenPenhallowgirls.Butnotsosoon--sosuddenly.Notinafewweeksafteryourloverhadaskedyoutomarryhim.Surelytheprocessofcoolingoffshouldtakelonger.

Aftershedressedforthedancethatnightshedidacertainthinginsecret.Shehuntedthatoldchainletteroutofherdeskandwrotethreeneat,carefullittlecopies of it. Enveloped and addressed and stamped them.And flung on her

coatandslippeddowntothepost-officeinthecoolwindySeptembertwilighttopostthem.Whoknew?Afterall--theremightbesomethinginit.

Whenshegotbacklong-distancewascalling.Noelcouldn'tcomeafterall.Hehadtoworkinthebankthatnight.

Gaywentoutandsatdownonthesteps,huddledinhergreycoat.Her littlefacewith itspiteouseyes, rosewhitelyoverher soft furcollar.Roger foundhertherewhenhedroppedinonhisreturnfromasick-call.

"Ithoughtyou'dbeattheSilverSlipperto-night,"saidRoger--whoknewandwasfuriousandhelplessovercertainthings--morethingsthanGayknew.Helookeddownather--thislovely,sensitivelittlethingwhomustbesufferingasonly such a sensitive thing could--with clenched hands. But he avoided hereyes.He could not bear the thought of looking into her eyes and seeing nolaughterinthem.

"Noel couldn't come," saidGay lightly.Rogerwas not to know--to suspect."Hehastoworktonight.It'sratherashame,isn'tit?HereIam'alldressedupand nowhere to go.' Roger,"--she bent forward suddenly--"will you run medowntotheSilverSlipper?It'sonlyamile--itwon'ttakeyoulong--IcancomehomewithSallyWilliamY."

Rogerhesitated.

"Doyoureallywanttogo,Gay?"

"Ofcourse."Gaypoutedcharmingly."Adanceisadance,isn'tit--evenifyourbestbeaucan'tbethere?Don'tyouthinkitwouldbeashametowastetheselovelyslippers,Roger?"

Shepokedoutaslenderlittlegoldenfootinacobwebofastocking.Gayknewshe had the daintiest ankles in the clan. But she was thinking wildly--desperately--shemustbesure--surethatNoelhadnotliedtoher.

Rogeryielded.HedidnotknowwhatGaymightfindattheSilverSlipperbutwhateveritwasshehadbetterknowit,hardasitmightbe.Afterall,itmightnotbeNoel'scarhehadpassedwheretheroadturneddowntothedunes.

GaythankedRogerprettilyatthedoorofthedance-hallandwouldnotlethimwait--or come in. She ran along the verandawith laughing greetings to thefolkssheknew,hereyesdartinghitherandthitherfromonecanoodlingpairtoanotherinshadowycorners.Acrossthehalltothedance-room,withitsrusticseatsanditsredlanterns.Itwasfullofwhirlingcouples,andGayfeltherheadgo around. She steadied herself against the door-post and looked about theroom.Herheadgrewsteadier,herlipsceasedtotremble.Therewasnosignof

Noel--or Nan. Perhaps--after all--but there was a little room off the dance-room--shemustseewhowasinthere.Sheslippeddownthehallandsteppedin. There had been laughter in it before her entrance--laughter that ceasedabruptly.Severalgroupsofyoungfolkswere in theroom,butGaysawonlyNoel andNan.Theywere perched on the edge of a tablewhere the punch-bowlwas,eatingsandwiches.Tospeak thestrict truth,one sandwich, takingbitesfromitturnabout.Nan,laughingshrillyinadaringnewfrockoforchidandmauvetulle--afrockthatwasalmostbackless--washoldingituptoNoel'smouth when the general hush that followed Gay's entrance made her lookaround.Amalicious,triumphantsparkleflashedintohereyes.

"Justintimeforthelastbite,Gaydarling."ShetosseditinsultinglyatGay--but Gay was gone, sick and cold with agony to the depths of her being.Throughthehall--overtheveranda--downthesteps.Outintothenightwhereshecouldbealone.Ifshecouldjustgetawaywhereitwasdarkandcoolandquiet--no lights--no laughter--oh, no laughter! She thought everybody waslaughing at her--at her,GayPenhallow,who had been jilted.Unconsciouslysheclutchedatthelittlegoldbeadnecklacearoundherneckassheran--Noel'sgift--andbrokeit.Thegoldbeadsrolledliketinystarsoverthedustyroadinthepaleautumnmoonlight,butsheneverthoughtofstoppingtopickthemup.She knew if she ceased for a moment to run she would shriek aloud withanguish and not be able to stop. Some late-coming cars drenched thedistraught little figurewith their radianceandonenarrowlyescaped runningherdown.Gaywishedithad.Wouldshenevergetawaysomewherewherenoonecouldseeher?Theroadseemedendless--endless--shemustkeeprunninglikethisforever--ifshestoppedherheartwouldbreak.

EventuallyshedidgettoMaywood.Therewasalightintheliving-room.Hermotherwastherestill.Gaycouldn'tfaceher.Shecouldn'tfaceanyonethen.Shewasbreathlessandsobbing.Herprettyhoney-huedgownhungaboutherinshreds,limpwithdew,tornbythewildshrubsalongtheduneroad.Butthatdidn'tmatter.Dresseswouldnevermatteragain.Nothingwouldmatter.Gayfoundhertear-blindedwaytoalittlefernycornerinthebirchgroveandflungherselfdowninitinadreadfullittlehuddleofmisery.Allthebitternessofallbetrayedwomenwasdistilledinheryoungheart.Theworldhadendedforher.There was nothing beyond--nothing. Nobody ever had suffered like thisbefore--nobodyeverwouldsufferlikethisagain.Howcouldshegoonliving?Nobodycouldsufferlikethisandlive.

Anditwasallthefaultofthathorriblejug.AuntBeckyseemedtobelaughingderisively at her fromhergrave.As all theworldwould soonbe laughing--withtheWilliamY.brandoflaughter.

VII

PennycuikDarkhaddecidedthathemustgetmarried.Notwithoutlongandpainful cogitations on the subject. For years Penny had believed he wouldalwaysremainabachelor.Inhisyouthhehadratherpridedhimselfonbeingabit of a lady-killer.Hehad then every intentionof beingmarried sometime.But--somehow--while he was making up his mind the lady always gotengaged to somebody else. Before he realized it he had drifted into thedoldrumsofmatrimonialprospects.Theyounggirlsbegantothinkhimoneoftheoldfolksandall thedesirablemaidsofhisowngenerationwereweddedwives.TheclanbegantocountPennyamongitsconfirmedoldbachelors.Atfirst Penny had resented this. But of late years he had been well content.Marriage,hesaid,hadnocharms forhim.Hehadenoughmoney to liveonwithoutworking, a comfortable little house at Bay Silver and a fairly goodhousekeeperinoldAuntyRuthPenhallow,asmartlittlecartocoastaboutin,and twomagnificent cats forever at his heels. First Peter and Second Peter,who slept at the foot of his bed and ate at his table. What more couldmatrimony offer him? He compared his lot complacently with most of themarriedmen he knew.Hewouldn't, he vowed, take any of theirwives as agift.As for a family--well, therewere enoughDarks andPenhallows in theworldwithouthiscontributinganymore."Betterletthecursedbreeddieout,"Pennyhadgrowled irritablywhenUnclePippin rallied himabout not beingmarried. He liked to sit in church and pity Charlie Penhallow in the pewahead, who had to buy dresses for seven foolish daughters and looked it.Penny's pity had a special flavour for him by reason of the fact that MrsCharliehadbeentheonlygirlhehadeverseriouslyconsideredmarrying.Butbefore he could make up his mind positively that he wanted her she hadmarried Charlie. Penny told himself he didn't care, but when now, in hismellowfifties,hesatandrecalledhisoldflames,likeadogrememberinghowmanyboneshehasburied,hedidnotlingerontherecollectionofAmyDark.Whichmeant that the thought of her held a sting for him.Amyhad been aprettygirlandwasaprettywomanstill, inspiteofsevendaughtersandtwosons,andsometimeswhenPennylookedatherinchurchhefeltavagueregretthatshehadn'twaiteduntilhehaddecidedwhetherhewantedherornot.

But,on thewhole,Penny'sbachelorexistence suitedhimverywell.Hewasfond of saying he had "kept the boy's heart," and had no suspicion that theyounger folks thought him a chronic valentine. He thought he was quite adandystill,admiredbyallhisclan.Hecouldcomeandgoasheliked;hehadnoresponsibilitiesandfewduties.

Nevertheless,nowandthenoflateyears,adoubtofhiswisdominremainingunmarriedcreptintohismind.AuntRuthwasgrowingoldand,withherheart,mightdropoffanytime.Whatinthunderwouldhedoforahousekeeperthen?He began to feel rheumatic twinges in his legs, and remembered that hisgrandfather, Roland Penhallow, had been a cripple for years. If he, Penny,went like that,whowouldwait on him?And if the rheumatismwent to hisheart,asithadgonetoUncleAlec's,andhehadnohousekeeper,hemightdiein the night and nobody know of it for weeks. The gruesome thought ofhimselflyingtherealonedeadforweekswasmorethanPennycouldendure.Perhaps,afterall,hehadbettermarrybeforeitwastoolate.ButthesefleetingfearsmightnothavestirredhimtoactionhaditnotbeenforAuntBeckyandher jug.Pennywanted that jug.Notbecausehe caredahang for thedingusitselfbutasaquestionofright.HisfatherwasTheodoreDark'soldestbrotherandhisfamilyoughttohaveit.Andhefeltsurehewouldhavenochanceofitifheremainedunwedded.AuntBeckyhadasgoodassaidso.Thistippedthebalanceinfavourofmatrimony,andPenny,withalongsighofregretforthecarefreeandlight-heartedexistencehewasgivingup,madeuphismindthathewouldmarryifitkilledhim.

VIII

Itremainedtodecideonthelady.Thiswasnoeasymatter.Itshouldhavebeeneasierthanithadbeenthirtyyearsbefore.Therewasnotsuchawiderangeofchoice,asPennyruefullyadmittedtohimself.Hehadnoideaofmarryingoutoftheclan.Attwenty-fivehehadlikedtotoywithsuchadaringidea,butatfifty-threeasensiblemandoesnottakesucharisk.ButwhichoftheoldmaidsandwidowsshouldbeMrsPennyDark?Foroldmaidorwidowitmustbe,Pennydecidedwithanother sigh.Pennywasnotquitea fool, in spiteofhisjuvenilepretences,andheknewquitewellnoyounggirlwouldlookathim.Hehadnot,hesaidcynically,enoughmoneyforthat.Hebalancedtheabstractallurementsofoldmaidsandwidows.Somehow,anoldmaiddidnotappealtohim. He hated the thought of marrying a woman no other man had everwanted. But then--a widow! Too experienced in managing men. Better agrateful spinster who would always bear in mind what he had rescued herfrom.

Still,hewouldconsiderthemall.

For several Sundays after he had made up his mind he went to both Rose

RiverandBaySilverChurchesandlookedallthepossibilitiesover.Itwasaninterestingexperience.MuchmorefunthantryingtocountthebeadsonMrsWilliamY.'s dress,whichwas howhe had contrived for several Sundays toendure the tedium of the sermon. Penny felt quite youthful and exhilaratedoverit.HewonderedslylywhatMrTrackleywouldthinkaboutitifheknew.Andwhat excitement therewouldbe amongall the aforesaidpossibilities iftheydreamedwhatwas hanging in the balance.WouldHesterPenhallow inthe choir look so sanctimonious and other-worldly if she knew that herchancesofbeingMrsPennycuikDarkwerebeingdebateddowninthepew?Not that Hester hadmuch of a chance.Marry that terrible beak of a nose!Never!Notforfortyjugs.

"Ican'tmarryanuglywoman,youknow,"thoughtPennyplaintively.Therestoftheoldcatsinthechoirhedismissedwithoutasecondthought.

EdnaDarkwasladylikebutherfacewastootame.CharlottePenhallowwastoodowdyandhermouthtoowide.VioletDarkwashandsomeenoughstill--ahigh-coloured woman with small, light brown eyes and a nasal voice.Handsomebutcharmless.Pennyfeltthathecoulddowithoutbeautyandstylebut charm he must have. Besides, in the back of his mind was anunacknowledgeddoubtifshewouldtakehim.

BerthaDark's facewas presentable, but where did she get such thick legs?Penny did not think he could stand a pair of legs like thatwaddling up thechurchaisleafterhimeverySunday.ElvaPenhallowhadslim,daintylegsbutPenny decided shewas "too devout" for him.Religionwas all verywell--acertain amount became a woman--but Elva really had too much to make acomfortablewife.Wasn't thereastorythatshewassoconscientiousthatsheusedtowritedowninherdiaryeverynightthetimeshehadspentinidlenessthatday,andprayoverit?Toostrenuous--byfartoostrenuous.

Pennywondered how old LorellaDark reallywas. Nobody ever seemed toknow,beyond the idea that shewaskindof thirtyish.Shewas a plumpandjuicy little person, and hewould have picked her in a second if he had notbeenafraidthatshewasnotyetoldenoughtohavegivenuphopeofanymanexceptanoldbachelor.Pennydidnotmeantorunanyriskofarefusal.

JessieDarkmighthavedone.Buthehadheardhersayshelikedcats"intheirplace."Shewouldneverbelievetheirplacewasonthemarriage-bed,of thatPennyfeltsure.FirstandSecondPeterwouldforbidthosebanns.

Bessie Penhallow--no, quite out of the question.He couldn't endure the bigmole with three long hairs on it she had on her chin. Besides, she was asreligious in her way as Elva. She was--to quote Penny's phrase--a foreign-

missioncrank.Thelasttimehehadbeentalkingwithhershehadtoldhimthatinterest inChristian literaturewas increasing inChina andhadbeenpeevedbecausehedidn'tgetexcitedoverit.

MildredDark,whowasastenographerinalawofficeintownandcamehomefortheweek-ends,wasstylishandup-to-date.Butwhataterriblecomplexionofmothpatches. Itwasverywell to say allwomenwere sistersunder theirskins--Penny wasn't quite sure whether that was in Shakespeare or in theBible--buttheskinmadeadifference,confoundit.

AsforhersisterHarriet,who"wentin"forspiritualismanddeclaredshehada"spiritlover"on"theotherside,"lethercontinuetolovespiritually.Pennyhadnointentionofbeingherloveronthisside.Nospookyrivalsforhim.

Betty Moore would really have been his choice if she had been Dark orPenhallow.ButonetooktoomanychancesinmarryingaMoore.EmiliaTraskhadmoneybutshehadatemperishlook.No,no,DarkorPenhallowitmustbe.Marriagewasariskatbest,butbetter thedevilyouknowthan thedevilyoudon'tknow.

TherewasMargaret Penhallow.She had been pretty andher eyeswere stillpretty.MrTrackleysaidshehadabeautifulsoul.Thatwasprobablytrue--butherbodywassoconfoundedlylean.MrsClarenceDark,now--ah,therewasafinearmfulofawomanforyou!Butshewasawidowandtherewasalegendthat shehadonceslappedherhusband's faceatprayer-meeting.And thoughUnclePippinhadsaidthathewouldratherbeslappedthankissedinpublic--asAndyPenhallowwas--Penny couldnot see thenecessityof either.After all,Margaret's figurewas themore fashionable.All theyounggirlswereskinnynowadays.None of the plumpmorsels he remembered in his youth.Wherewere the girls of yesteryear? Girls that were girls--ah! But Margaret wasladylikeandgentleandwouldofcoursegiveupwritinghersillypoemswhenshehadahusband.BythetimeMrTrackley'ssermonwasfinishedPennyhaddecidedthathewouldmarryMargaret.HewentoutintothecrispsunshineoftheOctoberafternoonfeelinghimselfalreadyropedinandfettered.Whenallwassaidanddone,hewouldhave likeda littlemore--well--romance.Pennysighed.Hewishedhehadgotmarriedyearsago.Hewouldhavebeenusedtoitbynow.

IX

BigSamwasnotparticularlyhappy.Summerhadpassed;autumnwascomingin;winterloomedominouslynear.TheWilkinsshantywasdraughtyandBigFriday Cove was a dod-gasted lonesome place. He was getting indigestionfromeatinghisowncooking.Variousclanhousewivesinvitedhimfrequentlytomeals, but he did not care to go because he felt that theywere onLittleSam'sside.EventheDarksandPenhallowsweregettinglaxandmodern,BigSamreflectedgloomily.Theywouldtolerateanything.

But when Big Sam heard that Little Sam was going to see the WidowTerlizzickonSundaynights, hewas struckdumb for a time; thenhe turnedhimselflooseonthesubjecttoallwhowouldlisten.

"Wants towork anotherwife todeath, I s'pose. I reallywouldhave thoughtLittleSamhadmoresense.Butyoucan'ttrustamanwho'sbeenmarriedonce--thoughyou'dthinkhe'dbetheveryonetoknowbetter.Andhimtheugliestmanintheclan!NotthatthefairTerlizzickisanybeauty,whatwithallthemmolesandhersloppyankles.I'dsayshelookedlikeadog-fight.Andfat!Ifhehad to buy her by the pound he'd think it over. She's been married twicealready.Somefolksneverknowwhentostop.I'msorryforLittleSambutit'scertainlycomingtohim.Ihearhewaddleshomefromchurchwithher.Nextthinghe'llbeserenadingher.DidIever tellyouLittleSamimagineshecansing?OnceIsaystohim,saysI,'D'yecallthatungodlycaterwaulingmusic?'But theTerlizzicksneverhadanyear.Well, she'llhaveher troubles. Icouldtellafewthings,ifIwantedto."

None of the clan approved of the hinted courtship. To be sure, they had alllongagotacitlyagreedthattheSamswereinaclassbythemselvesandnottobe judged by the regular clan standards. Still, the Terlizzicks were alittle too rank. But none of them took Little Sam's supposed matrimonialdesigns toheart asmuchasBigSam.Whenhewasobserved standingonarock, waving his short arms wildly in the air, it was a safe bet that hewasnot,asheretofore,shoutinghisepicout towavesandstars,butabusingtheWidowTerlizzick.Shewas,he told theworld,ahoodedcobra,abig fatslob,arapaciousfemaleanimalandatigress.HeprofessedprofoundpityforLittleSam.Thepoorfellowlittledreamedwhathewasinfor.Heoughterhavemore sense! Taking two men's leavings! Huh! But them widows didbamboozle people so. And the Terlizzick had so much experience. Twohusbandsdone-in.

All thesecomplimentsbeingduly reported toLittleSamandMrsTerlizzickmay or may not have pleased them. Little Sam kept his own counsel andbrought upMustard's three kittens ostentatiously. Thewhite goddess of themorningstillstoodontheclockshelfbutthedusthadgatheredonhershapelylegs.When Father Sullivan started up another lottery at Chapel Point Little

SamsaiditoughterbestoppedbylawandwhatweretheProtestantsthinkingof?

TheMovingFinger

I

Thesuddenarrival"home"ofFrankDarkandhissisterEdnafellontheclanlikeamildbombshell.FrankannouncedthatEdnathoughtshehadasgoodarighttothejugasanybodyandhadgivenhimnopeaceuntilheconsentedtocome.Dandywashisuncleandwhoknew?Theywouldbeinat thekilling,anyhow.Andhewasaboutsickof thewest.Guessedhe'dsellout thereandbuyontheIsland.Settledownfortherestofhislifeamonghisownfolks.

"AndmarryanicelittleIslandgirl,"saidUnclePippin.

"Sure,"laughedFrank."They'rehardtobeat."

Butafterhehadleftthestoreamusedsmileswereexchanged.

"Doesn'tlookanytooprosperous,"wasthecomment.

"He's gone to seed. They say he's been going the pace," said William Y."Drankupeverythinghemadealittlefasterthanhemadeit."

"Too handsome to be any good when he was young. That always spoils aman," growled Sim Dark, who had certainly never been spoiled for thatreason.

Joscelyn heard he was home the next evening just as she was starting forchurch.AuntRachelmentioneditcasuallytoMrsClifford--"TheysayFrankDark's home again"--and Joscelyn's head reeled and her universe whirledabout her. For a moment she thought she was going to faint, and clutchedwildly at the table to steady herself. Frank home--Frank! For amoment tenyearsfoldedthemselvesbacklikealeafthatisturnedinabookandshesawherself,mist-veiled,lookingintoFrankDark'shandsomeeyes.

"Ain'tyoureadyyet,Joscelyn?"saidAuntRachelfretfully."We'regoingtobelate. And if we are we won't get a seat. Everybody will be there to hearJoseph."

TheRev. JosephDarkofMontrealwas topreach inBaySilverChurch thatnight andnaturally almost everyDarkandeveryPenhallowwouldbe there.TheywereveryproudofJoe.HewasthehighestsalariedministerinCanada--littleJoeDarkwhousedtorunaroundBaySilverbarefootedandworkintheholidays for his wealthier relatives. They hadn't bothered their heads muchabouthimthen,butnowhisoccasionalvisitshomewereeventsandwhenhepreachedinBaySilverChurchtheyhadtoputchairsintheaisles.

Joscelynwalkedtothechurchwithheraunt.ItwasonanOctobereveningaswarm as June. A frolicsome little windwas stripping all the gold from themaple trees. The western sky was like a great smoky chrysanthemum overhillsthatweresoftvioletandbrown.Afewearlyautumnalstarswereburningover the misty, shorn harvest fields. A great orange moon was rising overTreewoofeHill,bringingoutaremote,austerequalityinitsbeauty.Therewasa pleasant smell of damp mould from red ploughed fields. Everybody wasploughingnow.HughhadbeenploughingonthebighillfieldupatTreewoofeallday.Joscelynknewthathehadalwayslovedtoploughthathillfield.Shehadseenhimfromherwindowandwonderedagainifhewerereallygoingtosell Treewoofe. Every few weeks the rumour revived. Aunt Rachel hadmentioned it again that day and it had frettered Joscelyn like a grumblingtoothache.Buteverythingwasforgottennowintheshockofwhatshehadjustheard.Shewalkedasoneinadream.Shedidnotknowwhethershefeltgladorsorryorexultantor--or--afraid.Ay,shedidknow.Shewasafraid.Suddenlyandhorriblyafraid.OfseeingFrank.

Shedidnotthinktherewasanydangerofseeinghimthatevening.HewouldbestoppingwithhisbrotherBurtonatIndianSpringandBurtonnevercametohearJosephDarkpreach.JoeDarkhadmarriedthegirlBurtwantedandBurtalwaysascribedJoe'ssuccessintheministrytothefactthatheknewhowtoflatterthewomen.Besides,BurtalwaysaverredinhischaracteristicwaythatthatoldchurchatBaySilverwaslousywithfleas.AsUnclePippinhadoncesaid,BurtDarkwasarealisticsortofcuss.

ButJoscelynknewshewouldmeetFranksomewhereandsoon.Andshewasmortallyafraid,withasick,cold,dreadfulfear.

They were late; when they reached the church the Reverend Joseph wasprayingand theywaited in theporch thatwas fullofother late-comers.Theinner doors were tightly shut and only a sonorous murmur penetratedoutwards.JosephDarkhadabeautifulvoiceand therewassomething in thefaint,unworded rhythmofhisprayer that soothedJoscelyn.She rather likedstanding there in the porch, listening to it. One could fit one's own words,one'sownneeds,one'sowndesirestoit.

ShedidnotseeHughatfirst.Hewasstandingjustbehindher,gazingatherwithsmoulderingeyes.PalmerDarkandHomerPenhallowwereintheporchalso.Theyhadnoddedamicablyandmentionedtheweather.Thentheystoodhating each other while Joseph prayed. The truce of the jug still held butunderneathittheolddearfeudrankled.AmbrosineWinkworthsailedinpastthemandstreameduptheaisle,herheadheldhigh,herdiamondringonherunglovedhand.Ambrosinehadnointentionofwaitinginthedraughtyporchuntil little JoeDark,whom she had spanked in years gone by, had finishedpraying. He always prayed too proudly, anyway, Ambrosine thought.Ambrosine neverwore gloves now, and shewas the happiestwoman in thechurchthatnight.EnviouspeoplesaidthattheairsAmbrosineputonoverthatringweresimplyridiculous,

"Ain'tshethefineladynow?"whisperedUnclePippin,sittingonthethirdstepof thegallerystair,besideBigSam,whohadcometofindout if therewereanytruthinthestorythatLittleSamcametoBaySilverChurcheverySundaynighttowalkhomewiththeWidowTerlizzick.

"Whatalongtailourcathas,"whisperedBigSaminreturn.

BackintheshadowycornerStantonGrundyloomed,leanandtaciturn.Hehadnever been able to hear Joe Dark preach before. Something had alwaysprevented. But now his chance had come to see the man his Robina hadsecretlylovedallherlife.Robina,whowasnowahandfulofashesinanurnin the churchyard outside--all ashes, even to the heart that had belonged toJosephDarkinsteadoftoitslawfulowner,StantonGrundy.DonnaDarkandherfatherwerethere,althoughDrownedJohnwasneverover-anxioustohearJoepreach.NotthathehadanythingagainstJoe.Buthethoughtitmightgivehimaswelledheadiftoomanyofhisownclanwenttohearhim.However,DonnawassetoncomingandDrownedJohngavein.DrownedJohnwasbyway of getting into the habit of giving in now and then toDonna. It easedthingsupabit. In themonth thathadpassed,gossipaboutPeterandDonnahaddieddown.Therehadbeenagooddealofitatfirstandmuchwondermentas to why everything had stopped so suddenly. Drowned John did not vexhimselfwonderingwhy.Itwasverysimple.HehadorderedDonnatodiscardthefellowandshehadofcourseobeyed.SomethoughtPeter'sbehaviourthatnotable Sunday had disgusted Donna. Virginia thought that dear Donna'shighernaturehadreasserteditself.ThoughVirginiadidnotgetagreatdealofcomfortoutofthat.DearDonnawasfrightfullychanged,therewasnodoubtaboutit.Socynical.ShelaughedatVirginia'ssentimentalmemories.ShesaidthatifBarryhadlivedtheywouldprobablyhavefoughtlikecatanddog,halfthetime.AthomeDonna'sbehaviourwasratherlikethatofaladyliketigeressbytimes.ThenDrownedJohnwasdriventothereflectionthatlifemighthave

beenmorecomfortableifhehadletPeterhaveher.Andtherewasnolongeranyfuninher.TherehadusedtobeagoodbitwhenVirginiawasn'taround.Inshort,shewould,heconfidedtohispigs,neithergeenorhaw.

KateMuirwasthere,buxomandrosyandoverdressedasusual,withthethreelittle black curls every one made fun of lying sleekly and flatly on herforehead.MurrayDarkwasthere,waitingimpatientlyforJoetogetthrough,thathemightgoinandlookatThoraforanhour.PercyDarkandDavidDarkwere there, but they glowered gloomily past each other. They had never"spoken"sincetheirfightatthefuneralandbyheck,theyneverwouldspeak,jugornojug.TempestDarkwastherebecausehehadbeenacronyofJoe'sinboyhoodandstilllikedthebeggarinspiteofhispriestlyways.

Allinall,itwasanoddmélangeofpassions--hatesandhopesandfears--thatwaited in the old church porch at Bay Silver for Joseph Dark to finish hisseeminglyinterminableprayer.

JoscelynhadaloveforBaySilverChurch--atranquiloldgreychurchamongits sunken graves and mossy gravestones. She was glad the graveyard hadneverbeenironedoutandstandardizedliketheoneatRoseRiver.

Outside,themoonwasshiningcalmlyonthetombstonesandtheMoonManwaswanderingabout among them.Occasionallyhe stoppedand toldadeadcronysomething.Occasionallyhebowedtothemoon.Occasionallyhewouldcome to theporchdoororachurchwindowandpeer in.Lateronwhen thecongregationsanghewouldsing,too.Buthewouldneverenterachurchdoor.

"What's Joe so damn' long about?" thought Drowned John impatiently. Hedarednotswearinwordsbut,thankGod,thoughtwasstillfree.

FrankDarkwas in theporch, standingunder the littlehanging lamp,beforeJoscelyn saw him. He stood there, beaming rather fatuously around him.Joscelyn stared at him with eyes in which dawning horror struggled withamazement.This couldnotbeFrankDark--oh, this couldneverbe the slim,gallantstripling towhomshehadsosuddenly lostherheartonherweddingnight. This could not be the man she had loved in secret for tenyears.This!Fat;half-bald;nosered;eyespuffyandbloodshot;sallowjowls;shabby.Withfailurewrittenalloverhim.Shesawhimashewas;worse--ashehad always been under all the charm of his vanished youth. Paltry--crude--cheap.Shegazedat him in the stubborn incredulitywithwhichwe face thefactofasuddendeath.Itcouldnotbe!ItcouldnotbeforthisthatshehadtornHugh'slifeinshredsandlostTreewoofeforever?Joscelynwonderedifitwereshewhowaslaughing--certainlysomeonewaslaughing.ItwasHugh,behindher.Astrangelittlelaughwithnothingofmirthinit.SoHughsawwhatshe

was seeing. Joscelynwondered if therewereanydeeperdepthsof shame towhichshecoulddescend.

Hugh's laugh drew Frank's attention to them. He smiled broadly and cameforwardwithoutstretchedhand,effusiveandgushing.

"Hugh--andJoscelyn!Howdoyoudo!Howdoyoudo!My,it'sgoodtoseeallyoufolksagain.Youdon'tlookadayolder,Joscelyn--handsomerthanever.Itdon't seempossible it's tenyears since Idancedatyourwedding.How timedoesfly!"

Joscelynfeltsureshewasinanightmare.Shemustwakeup.Thisridiculous,hideoussituationcouldn'tbereal.ShesawHughshakinghandswithFrank--Frankwhomhehadvowedtothrashifheeverseteyesonhimagain.Nowhewould disdain to do it. Joscelyn saw the disdain in his eyes--in his bittermouth.Thrashthispoorcreatureforwhomhisbridehadthrownhimover.Theideawasfarcical.

"Andhow'sthefamily?"saidFrankwithaslywink.

SomethingintheelectricsilencethatfollowedgaveFranktimetothink.Therewasatitterfromsomeill-bredyoungcubbythedoor.Frankhadneverheardthesequeltotheweddingatwhichhehaddanced.Buthefelthehadputhisfootinitsomehow.Probablytheyhadnofamilyandweresensitiveaboutit.His tonguewasalwaysgettinghiminto trouble.Buthangit, if theyhadn'tafamilytheyoughttohave.Hughneedn'tglowerlikethat.AsforJoscelyn,shehadalwaysbeenahighandmightypieceofgoods.Butsheneedn'tbelookingat him as if he were some kind of a new and fancy worm. The airs somepeoplegavethemselvesmadehimtired.

TheReverendJosephhadconcludedhisprayerandwitha sighof relief thewaitinggrouppassedintothechurch.Joscelyn,whoonlywantedtorun--andrun--andrun,hadtofollowAuntRachelinandsitquietlythroughasermonofwhichsheheardnotoneword.Shefeltasifshehadbeenstrippednakedtothegaze of a world that was laughing at her shame. It was of no avail to tellherselfthatnoonebutHugheverkneworsuspectedthatshehadlovedFrankDark--orsomethingshehadbelievedFrankDarktobe.Thefeelingofnakedhumiliationpersisted.HowHughmustbemockingher!"Youfloutedmeforthis!Whatdoyouthinkofyourbargain?"

Hughwasnot thinkinganythingof thesort.He thoughtFrankDarkaprettypoorspecimenofaman--notworthallthehatredhehadlavishedonhim--buthe did not know that Joscelyn saw what he did. After all, Frank was stillhandsome in a floridway andwomen's tasteswere odd enough.HughwasanotherwhodidnothearmuchofJosephDark'ssermon.Alltheoldbitterness

andangerofhiswedding-nightwassurgingupinhissoulagain.Whatamesshadbeenmadeofhis life--throughno faultofhisown.Therewereadozengirls he might have had; some of them were in the church that night. Helookedatthemallanddecidedthat,afterall,he'dratherhaveJoscelyn.Justasthingswere--Joscelynwiththatglorioussweepofred-goldhairoverherpale,proud face. If shewere not his, at least shewas no otherman's.Nor couldbe.She could never divorcehim.Hugh ground his teeth in savage triumph.FrankDarkshouldnevergether--never!

BigSam,withLittleSamsittingacrossfromhim,gazingatthebuxomWidowTerlizzick like,BigSamvowed to himself, an intoxicated dog, did not hearmuch of the sermon either.Which was a pity because it was a remarkablygood sermon--brilliant, eloquent, scholarly. Joseph Dark's listeners satspellbound. He played skilfully on their emotions--perhaps a shade tooskilfully--andtheyrespondedasaharprespondstothewind.Theyfeltcaughtawayfromsordidthingstohill-topsofvisionandsplendour;life,forthetimebeingatleast,becameathingofbeautytobebeautifullylived;andfewtherewerewhodid not feel a throb of glad convictionwhen the speaker, leaningearnestly over the desk and addressing individually every member of hisaudience,saidthrillingly:

"Andnever, even inyourdarkest andmost terriblemoments, forget that theworldbelongs toGod,"closing theBible,ashespokewitha thunderclapofvictory.

OfthefewwasStantonGrundy.Hesmiledsardonicallyashewentout.

"Thedevilhasacornerortwoyet,"hesaidtoUnclePippin.

"Gosh,butthatwasasermonthough,"saidUnclePippinadmiringly.

"Hecanpreach,"concededGrundygrudgingly."Iwonderhowmuchofithebelieveshimself."

Which was unfair to Joseph Dark, who believed every word he preached--whilehewaspreachingit,atallevents--andsurelycouldnotbejustlyblamedbecauseRobinaDarkhad,allunasked,givenhim theheart that shouldhavebelongedonlytoherliegelord,StantonGrundy.

"FrankDark'sgotterriblefat,"saidAuntRachelassheandJoscelynwalkedhome."He'sfollowinginthefootstepsofhisfather.Heweighedthreehundredandfifty-twopoundsaforehedied.Imindhimwell."

Joscelyn writhed. Aunt Rachel had always possessed the knack of makingeverything shementioned supremely ridiculous. Joscelyn's romantic love for

FrankDarkwasdead--deadpastanypossibilityofaresurrection.Ithaddiedassuddenlyasithadbeenborn,thereintheporchofBaySilverChurch.Butshecouldhavewished,forherownsake, tobeabletolookuponthecorpsewith some reverence--some pity--some saving wish that it could have beenotherwise. It was dreadful to have to mock herself over dead love--to hearothersmocking.DreadfultothinkofhavingwastedonFrankDarktheyearsthatshouldhavebeengiven tobearingHugh'schildrenandbuildingahomeforhimandforthematTreewoofe.Dreadfultothinkthatallthepassionanddevotion and high renunciation of those processional years had beensquanderedonamanwhohadsimplybecomeapersonlikelyto"weighthreehundredandfifty-twopoundsbeforehedied."Joscelynwouldhavelaughedatherselfexceptforthefactthatsheknewifshebegantolaughshewouldneverbe able to stop.All theworldwould laugh at her if it knew. Even the tall,wind-writhenlombardiesagainstthemoonlitcloudsaboveWilliamY.'splace,seemedtobepointingderisivefingersather.Shehatedthestarsthattwinkledat her--the chilly, foolish night-wind that whined mockingly--the round hillshoulders over the bay that were shaking with merriment. What was AuntRachelsaying?SomethingaboutPennyDarkbeingmoreconceitedthaneversincehehadgotAuntBecky'sbottleofJordanwater.

"Heneedn'timaginehe'sgottheonlyoneintheclan."

Joscelynfeltthatshewantedtodosomethingverycruel.Shewantedtomakesomeoneelsefeelalittleofthepainandhumiliationshewasenduring.

"Oh,buthehas,AuntRachel. IspilledyourbottleofJordanwater longagoand filled it up with water from the barn pump. That's what you've beenworshippingalltheseyears!"

II

OnegreyNovembereveningGaycarriedhomealetterfromNoel.Whenthepostmasterhadhandeditouttoher,herhearthadgivenasuffocatingbound,asitwoulddo,shethought,ifshewereburiedundergroundandNoelwalkedbyhergrave.Itwasalongtimesinceshehadhadaletterfromhim.Alongtimesinceshehadseenhim--notsince thatbitternightat theSilverSlipper.Shedidnotevenhearmuchabouthim--herclanweresurprisinglyconsiderateinregard to that.Almost tooconsiderate.Theiravoidanceofall reference toNoel was too pointed. Gay knew what it meant when everybody stopped

talkingassheenteredaroom.Ithurther--orherpride.Forshehadstillsomepride left inwhich she triedpitifully towrapherself fromwhat she thoughtwasthehalf-pitying,half-contemptuousgazeofherlittleworld.Shefeltasifeveryonemustbewatchinghertoseehowshetookit--watchingheraroundcorners--behindwindow-blinds--acrossthechurch.

And she had still a tormenting secret hope that all would come right yet.Noelmust have loved her. It couldn't have been all pretence. He was justbewitchedbyNan'sdaringand"differentness"andboldcoquetry--bythewayshecouldusehereyes.Whatif--Gaycaughtherbreathasshehurriedalong--what if this letterwere to tellherhehadcometohissenses--what if itwereaskinghertoforgivehimandtakehimback?Whyelseshouldhehavewrittenatall?

Gayflittedhomelikealittleshadowthroughthemelancholymoonlightofthelateautumnnight.Thedistanthillswerecoldandeerie in thechill radiance.Theseamoanedhollowlydownonthebeach.Alonelywindwaslookingforsomething andmoaning pitifully because it could not find it. Itwas a deadworld--everythingwas dead--youth, hope and lovewere dead.But ifNoel'sletteronly saidwhat itmight say therewouldbean immediate resurrection.Springwould come back even in greyNovember and her poor, cold, dead,littleheartwouldbeatagain.IfNoelwouldonlycomebacktoher.Shedidnotcare howmuch he had hurt her--how rottenly he had used her--if hewouldonlycomeback.Herpridewasonlyfortheworld.ShehadnoprideasfarasNoelwasconcerned.Onlyadreadfullongingtohavehimback.

Shewenttoherroom,whenshereachedMaywood,andlaidtheletteronthetable.Thensatdownandlookedatit.Shewasafraidtoopenit.Shedarednotopen it yet--she would let herself hope a little longer. She thought of thatevening in Junewhen shehadgone fromAuntBecky's levee to readNoel'sletteramongthefernsintheshadowyhollowofthatlittlewaysidenook.Therehad been no fear then. How could a few short months have made such adifferenceinanybody'slife?Shewondereddumblyifshecouldpossiblyeverhave been the happy girl of the lovely apple-blossom-time. Then a wholeuniverseofwonderhadbeenhers,withtheMilkyWayforalover'spath.Nowithadshrunktoalittleroomwhereapalegirlsatstaringwithpiteousdilatedeyesatalettershewasafraidtoopen.

SherecalledthefirsttimeshehadgotaletterfromNoel--allthe"firsttimes."Thefirsttimetheyhadmet--thefirsttimeshehaddancedwithhim--thefirsttime he had called her "Gay"--the first time his smooth, flushed cheek hadrested against hers--the first time she had poked her fingers through a littlegoldcurlfallingdownonhisforeheadandsawitglisteningonherhandlikearingoftroth--thefirsttimehehadsaid,"Iloveyou."

Andthen thefirst timeshehaddoubtedhim--sucha little, littledoubt likeatinystonethrownintoapool.Therippleshadwidenedandwideneduntiltheytouchedthefarthestshoresofmistrust.Andnowshecouldnotopenherletter.

"Iwon'tbesuchacowardanylonger,"saidGaypassionately.Shesnatcheditupandopenedit.Forafewminutesshelookedatit.Thenshelaiditdownandlooked around her. The roomwas just the same. It seemed indecent that itshouldbejustthesame.Shewalkedalittleunsteadilytotheopenwindowandsatdownonachair.

Noelhadaskedhertoreleasehimfromhisengagement.Hewas"verysorry"but it would be foolish "to let a boyish mistake ruin three lives." He had"thoughthelovedher"butnowhe"realizedthathehadnotknownthenwhatlovewas."Therewasagooddealmoreofthis--NoelhadsomanyapologiesandexcusesthatGaydidn'tbothertoreadthemall.Whatdidtheymatter?Sheknewwhatwasintheletternow.

Shesatatherwindowallnight.Shecouldnotsleepandshedidnotwanttosleep.Itwouldbesoterribletoawakeandrememberagain.Therewasnothingin the world but cold, pale moonlight.Would she ever forget that dreadfulwhite, unpityingmoon above thewaitingwoods--themournful soundof thewindrustlingthedeadleavesonthetrees,thischillyNovembernight?Therewasnothingleftforherinlife--nothing--nothing.ItwasjustastheMoonManhadwarnedher--shehadbeentoohappy.

Shethoughtthenightwouldneverend.Yetwhenthetreesbegantoshiverinthewindofdawnsheshrankfromit.Shecouldnotbearthisdawn--allotherdawnsshecouldbearbutnotthisone.Anditwassuchawonderfuldawn--athingofcrimsonandgoldandquiveringsplendour--offlamesandwingsandmystery--such adawnas shouldbreakonlyover a happyworldon ahappymorningforhappypeople.Itwasaninsulttohermisery.

"I could live through this morning if there were to be nomoremornings,"thoughtGaydrearily.Thoseinterminablemornings,stretchingbeforeher,yearafteryear,yearafteryear, till shewasoldand leanandfadedandbitter likeMercy Penhallow. The very thought of themmadeGay feel desperate. Sheshivered.

"WillIevergetusedtopain?"shethought.

Gay told her mother quite calmly that afternoon that she had broken herengagement with Noel.Mrs Howard wisely said very little and less wiselymadeGay'sfavouritecakewithspicefrostingforsupper.ItdidnothealGay'sbrokenheart;itonlymadeGayhatespicecakefortherestofherlife.

Mercy recommended fresh air and an iron tonic.WilliamY. said he hopedNoelGibsonwould get enough of that littlewasp of aNan before shewasthroughwithhim.

"Rememberyou'reaPenhallow.Theydon'tweartheirheartsontheirsleeves,"cautionedCousinMahalakindly.Gay lookedatherwith sickeyes.Shehadgoneonsmiling,thatday,beforetheclanuntilshecouldsmilenomore.Butshe did not mind Cousin Mahala seeing into her soul. CousinMahalaunderstood.

"CousinMahala,howcanIgoonliving?Justtellmehow--that'sallIwanttoknownow.BecauseIhavetolive,itseems."

CousinMahalashookherhead.

"Ican't--nobodycan.Andyou'donlythinkmeheartlessandunfeelingifItoldyouyou'dgetoverthis.ButIwilltellyousomethingI'venevertoldanyonebefore.Doyou see that little fieldover therebetweenDrowned John's farmandtheshoreroad?Well, I lay thereamongthecloverallnight, thirtyyearsago,agonizingbecauseDalePenhallowdidn'twantme.Ididn'tseehowIwastogoon livingeither.Andnow Ineverpass that fieldwithout thankingmyluckystarshedidn't."

Gayshrankintoherself.Afterall,CousinMahaladidn'tunderstand.Nobodyunderstood.

NobodybutRoger.RogercamealongthateveningtofindGayhuddledontheverandastepsinthetwilight,feelinglikesomepoorlittlecatfreezingbeforeamercilesslockeddoor.Shelookedupathimwithherterrible,torturedyoungeyes,overthefurofhercollarashesatdownbesidehere,herfaceonelittle,white,pinchednoteofpain--thefacethatwasmeantforlaughter.

"Gay--mypoorlittleGay,"hecried."Whathavetheybeendoingtoyou?"

Gaylaidhertiredheaddownonhisshoulder.

"Roger," she whispered, "will you take me for a drive in your car?Afastdrive--Idon'tcarehowfast--alongdrive--Idon'tcarehowlong--rightthroughthesunsetifyoulike--anddon'ttalktome."

They had their long and fast drive--so fast that they nearly ran over UnclePippinat the turnof the IndianSpring road.Heskippednimblyoutof theirwayandlookedafterthem,chuckling.

"SoRoger'soutfortherebound,"hesaid."Healwayswasacoolsortofdevil.Knewhowtowait."

ButUnclePippindidn'tunderstandeither.Rogerjust thenwasfeelingthat itwould be a delightful sensation to find Noel Gibson's throat between hisfingers.AndGaywasn'tfeelinganything.Shewasnumb.Butthatwasbetterthansuffering.Sheseemedtoleavepainbehindherassheswoopedalongtheroad,thelightsflashingondarkwoodsandtossingtreesandfrostedfernsandalluringdunes--on--on--onthroughthenight--acrosstheworld--nothavingtotalk--nothaving to smile--consciousonlyof the sweepof free, coldwind inher face andRoger's dark strength beside her at thewheel. This big, quiet,gentle Roger, with his softly luminous eyes and his slim brown hands. Itseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatheshouldbetherebesideher.Whentheywentback--whentheystopped--painwouldruntomeetheragain.Butthisreliefwasblessed.If theyneedonlyneverstop--if theycouldgoonandonlikethisforever--overthehills--downintothevalleysofnight--alongthe windy shores of starlit rivers--past the curls of foam on long, shadowybeaches, in thebeautifuldarkness thatwas likea cooldraught for a feveredsoultodrink!Ifonlytheyneedneverturnback!

III

PennycuikDarkwasonhiswaytoproposetoMargaretPenhallow.Thoughhehad made up his mind to do it in September, it was not done yet. EverymorningPennythoughthewouldgouptoDenzil'sthateveningandhavedonewithit.Buteveryeveninghefoundanexcusetodeferit.Hemightneverhavegoneatallhaditnotbeenforthegravystainsonthetable-cloth.Penny,whowasasneatasoneofhisowncats,couldnotendureamussytable-cloth.OldAuntRuthwasgettinginexcusablycareless.Itwashightimethehousehadapropermistress.

"I'llgothiseveningandgetitover,"saidPennydesperately.

Hedressedandshavedasforasolemnrite,wonderinguneasilywhatitwouldbeliketohavesomeonethereintheroom,watchinghimshave.

"Itmaybeallrightwhenafellowgetsusedtoit,"sighedpoorPenny.

He walked up to Denzil's--no use wasting gas on a two-mile errand--wonderingwhat thepeoplehemetwouldsay if theyknewwhathewasoutfor.MrsJimPenhallow'sgreatflockofsnowygeeseinadun,wetNovemberfield--white as snow in the autumnal twilight--hissed at him as he passed.Penny reflected that he might as well buy a goose for the wedding-supper

fromMrsJimasnot.Shemightlethimhaveitabitcheaper,sincetheywerefirstcousins.

AtDenzil'sgatehepaused.Itwasnottoolateyettobackout.Hemightstillreturnhomea freeman.But thegravystains!And the jug!Penny lifted thegatelatchfirmly.TheRubiconwascrossed.

"By ginger, this makes me feel queer," thought Penny. He found he wasperspiring.

Theamazing, theununderstandable thingwas thatMargaretdidnot jumpathim.When she had finally disentangled hismeaning--for Pennywent all topieces at the crucial moment--forgot every word of the speech he had socarefully composed and rehearsed and floundered terribly--realizing thatPennycuik Dark was actually proposing marriage to her, she asked ratherprimlyfortimetoconsiderit.ThisflabbergastedPenny.He,whohadnothadtheleastdoubtthathewouldgohomeanengagedman,foundhimselfgoinghomenothingof the sort.Hewas so indignant that hewishedhehadnevermentioned thematter toher.GraciousPeter, suppose shewouldn'thavehimafter all!Ridiculewould be his portion all the rest of his life.And she hadwantedaweektomakeuphermind--tomakeuphermindwhetherornotomarryhim,PennycuikDark!Didanyoneeverknowthelike?

Margaret really passed as disagreeable a week as Penny did. One day shethoughtshewouldmarryPenny;thenextshethoughtshecouldn't.Inspiteofher desire for marriage in the abstract she found that in the concrete, asrepresentedbylittledapperPennyDark,itwasnotwhollydesirable.ItwouldhaveamazedPenny,whohadnosmallopinionofhisowngoodlooks,hadheknownthatMargaretthoughthisbodilypresencecontemptibleandhischubbypimply little facepositivelyugly--andworse thanugly, rather ridiculous.Towakeup everymorning and see that facebesideyou.To listen tohis funnyvulgarstoriesandhisgreathaw-hawsoverthem!TohearhimyellingtoBaalifhehadahangnail.Tothinkitajoke,ashestilldid,whenhestuckouthisfootandtrippedsomebodyup.Tobealwayscalled"Mar'gret."

Thenshedidn'tlikehisfussy,lace-trimmedhouse.Toomanyjigareesonit.Sodifferent from little grey Whispering Winds, veiled in trees. Margaret feltpositiveanguishwhensherealizedthatmarriagemeantthesurrenderofallthemysteryandmusicandmagicthatwasWhisperingWinds.Shewouldbetoofaraway from it even foroccasionalvisits.Shecouldneveragainnourishadear,absurdlittlehopethatitmightsometimebehers.

And shemust give up certain imaginary love affairswith imaginary lovers,suchasshehadbeenfondofdreaming.Shefeltthatitwouldbewrong,when

she wasmarried, to dream those romantic love-affairs. Shemust "keep heronly"toPennythen.Andsheknewhewouldneverconsenttoheradoptingababy.Hedetestedchildren.

Buttherewerecertainadvantages.Shewouldbeaweddedwifewithahomeandsocialstandingsuchasshehadneverpossessed.Nobodywouldeversaytoheragain,"Notmarriedyet--well--well?"Shewouldhaveacarofherowntoridein--orherhusband'sown.Margaretremindedherselfverysensiblythatshecouldnotexpecttohaveamanmadeforher.SheknewmostoftheclanwouldthinkshewasinlucktogetPenny.Yet,assheworkedallthatweekatSallyY.'s nasturtium-coloured chiffon dress, watching it grow to a thing offlameand lovelinessunderher fingers, she "swithered," as she expressed it.She just couldn't make up hermind tomarry Penny, somehow. Finally sheremembered that shewouldcertainlyhavenochanceofAuntBecky's jug ifshe stayed an oldmaid.That tipped the balance. She sat down andwrote anotetoPenny.Determinedtoinfusealittlesentimentintoheracceptance,shemerelysenthimacopyofsomeBibleverse--Ruth'simmortalreplytoNaomi.At firstPennydidn'tknowwhat thedeuce itmeant.Thenheconcluded thatshehadacceptedhim.HeandSecondPeterlookedateachotherwithanairofmakinguptheirmindstotheinevitable.

HewentuptoseeMargaret,tryingtofeelthatitwasthehappiestdayofhislife.Hethoughtithisdutytokissherandhedid.Neitherenjoyedit.

"Is'posethereisn'tanyparticularhurryaboutgettingmarried,"hesaid."It'sacoldtimeofyear.Betterwaittillspring."

Margaret agreed almost toowillingly.Shehadhadherwhitenight after shehadmailed her letter to Penny. Shewent toWhisperingWinds andwalkedabout it untilmidnight to recoverher serenity.But shewasnow resigned tobeing Mrs Pennycuik Dark. And she could have the winter to plan hertrousseau.Shewouldhaveaniceone.Shehadneverhadprettyclothes.Life,asfarbackasshecouldlook,hadbeenasdullandcolourlessinclothesasineverything else. She would have a wedding-dress of frost-grey silk withsilverystockings.Shehadneverhadapairofsilkstockingsinherlife.

AltogetherMargaretwasmuchmorecontentedthanPenny,whowhenhewenthomehadtobrewhimselfajorumofhot,bitterteabeforehecouldlookhispositionsquarelyintheface.Sadlyheadmittedthathewasnotashappyasheoughttobe.

"Things,"PennygloomilytoldthetwoPeters,"willneverbethesameagain."

The affair surprised the clan but was generally approved. "The jug'sresponsibleforthat,"saidDandyDarkwhenheheardofit.

Margaretsuddenlyfoundherselfofconsiderableimportance.Pennywaswell-off;shewasdoingwellforherself.Sheratherenjoyedthisinashyway,butPenny writhed when people congratulated him. He thought they had theirtongues in their cheeks. The story went that when Stanton Grundy said toPenny,"Ihearyou'reengaged,"Pennyhadturnedallcoloursandsaidfeebly,"Well, it's not--not an engagement exactly--more like--like an experiment."ButnobodyknowstothisdaywhetherPennyreallysaiditornot.ThegeneralopinionisthatStantonGrundymadeitup.

The affairmade less of a sensation than itmight have, had it not coincidedwithGreshamDark's discovery that hiswife, after eighteen childless years,was going to present him with an heir. Gresham, who belonged to theexcitable Spanish branch, quite lost his head over it. He rushed around,buttonholingpeopleatchurchandauctionstotell themaboutit.Thewomenoftheclancouldhavekilledhimbutthemenchuckled.

"Isupposeyoucan'tblamethatonthejug,"saidUnclePippin.

IV

Early in December Frank Dark's engagement to Mrs Katherine Muir wasannounced in the local papers. It surprised nobody; all had seen in whatquarter thewindwas setting from the firstweek after Frank's arrival home.Frank,theythought,hadfeatheredhisnestwell.Katewasacutortwosociallyabovewhathehadanyrighttoexpect.Herfacewasrathertheworseforwearandshewasabitbossy.Butshehadthecash.ThatwaswhatFrankwasafter.OfKate'swisdomtheyhadapooreropinion.Shewas,itwasthought,takingarisk.ButFrankwasnotgoingwestagain.Hewasgoingtobuyafarm--withKate'smoney?--and settle down among his clan. Hewould likely go prettystraight,surroundedbysuchacloudofwitnesses.Tobesure,on thedayhemarriedhisplumpwidow,itwaseasytoseehewasthreesheetsinthewind.Butpublicopinionexcusedhim.Amanmusthave somecourage, even if itwereonlyDutchcourage,totackleKate.

ItwasreportedthathewastryingtogetTreewoofe.SomesaidHughrefusedtosellandhadsnubbedFrankcruelly;othershaditthathewasconsideringtheoffer.KatehadalwayshadafancyforTreewoofe.

Joscelynheardalltherumourswithmanyothers.ShehadnotseenFranksincethatnightinBaySilverChurch,butgossipsooninformedherthathewasafter

Kate.Well,what did itmatter? She had always despisedKateMuir. ItwasnothingtoherwhomthisnewFrank,red-nosedandpuffy-eyed,married.ButwhensheheardthathewasgoingtobuyTreewoofeafreshagonypossessedher.FrankatTreewoofe!Black,moustachedlittleKatemistressofTreewoofe!Joscelynfledtoherroomtofacethethoughtandfounditcouldnotbefaced.

It had been a hard day for her. Her mother and Aunt Rachel had bickeredalmost continually, owing toAuntRachel's havingupset her stomach eatingsomething she should not.AuntRachel had been "on a diet" ever since thenightJoscelynhadtoldherabouttheJordanwater.Shehadfrettedsooveritthat she grew ill and Roger had been called in. Joscelyn hated herself forhaving told Aunt Rachel--poor Aunt Rachel who had so little to make lifeworthliving.Shewouldhavebittenhertongueoutifthatwouldhaveunsaidthe fatal words. Nothing could unsay them; stricken Aunt Rachel took thebottleofftheparlourmantelandburieditinthegarden;thensheproceededtodevelop"stomachtrouble,"andJoscelynsoonhadplentyofotherreasonsforwishing she had held her tongue. Aunt Rachel's stomach became the pivotaboutwhichall themeals revolved; theycouldnothave thisand theycouldnot have that because "poor Rachel" could not eat it. If they had it "poorRachel"couldnot resist the temptationandcalamity followed.Thepreviousevening company had come to tea and something extra had to be provided.MrsCliffordhadwarnedRachelthatthecheesesouffléwouldnotagreewithher stomachandRachelhad respondedpettishly that sheguessed itwasherownstomach.To-daywastheconsequenceandJoscelynhadtosetherteethtoendureit--asasortofpenancebecauseitwasallherfault.ButthisnewsaboutTreewoofewasunbearable.

Shelookedupatit,lyinginitsmysterioussilenceofmoonlitsnowfields,withflyingshadowsfromthepassingcloudsofthewindynightsweepingoverit,so that it nowbecame almost invisible in the silver loveliness of thewinterlandscape,andagainloomedsuddenlyforthatheronitswhiteeeriehillinthatcold ghostlymoonlight.WasHugh there?Was he going to sell Treewoofe?WashegoingtogetadivorceandmarryPaulineDark?Thesilencearoundherseemedverilytoshriekthesequestionsather.Andtherewasnoanswer.

It had been a hard autumn and winter for Joscelyn. She felt indescribablypoorer. Life had tricked her--betrayed her--mocked her. And when herromanticinfatuation,asshenowbitterlysawit,hadvanished,heroldfeelingforHughhadcomeback.Allatoncehewasdear--sodear.Notthatsheheldanyhope thatmatters couldeverbeput rightbetween them.Hugh, shewassure,hatedhernow,ifhedidnotactuallydespiseher.Besides,hewasgoingtogototheStatesforadivorceandwouldmarryPauline.Everybodysaidso.

Joscelynwas rackedwith jealousy.Shehated thevery sightofPauline.She

felt that Pauline already pictured herself as Hugh's wife and mistress ofTreewoofe. She remembered how she had seen Hugh and Pauline talkingtogetheratAuntBecky'sfuneralandlookingupatTreewoofe.Butitwasstillmoredreadful to thinkofFrankandKatebeing there.Thatwasdesecration.As long asHughwas at Treewoofe, evenwith Pauline, Joscelynwould notfeel so helplessly bereft. Every day and night she looked up at Treewoofe,lovingandcravingitthemoreintenselythatshedarednotletherselfloveandcraveHugh.Shesawitonstormydays,withswirlsofsnowblowingaroundit--underfrostysunsetswhenitslightburnedlikejewelsovertherosetintsofthe snowy fields--on mild afternoons when the grey rain wrapped it like acloak--inthepalegoldandmistysilverofearly,windlessmornings.Alwaysitwas there, her home--her real and only home--luring, repellent, scornful,desirablebyturns.Herhomefromwhichshemustalwaysbeanexilethroughherownfolly.Paulinewouldbethere--orfat,gigglingKate.Joscelyngrittedher strong white teeth. A mad impulse assailed her. Suppose she went toHugh--now--when hewas sitting alone in that lonely housewith thewinterwind blowing around it--and flung herself at his feet--asked him to forgiveher--totakeherback--humiliatedherselfintheverydust?No,shecouldneverdothat.Shemightifshehadanyhopehestillcared.Butsheknewhedidn't.Hewas in lovewithPaulinenow--everybody said so--Paulinewithher slimdarknessandherlongvelvetyeyes.She,Joscelyn,wasawomanwithoutlove--without a home--without roots. Shemust spend the rest of her life foreverbeatingwithfutilehandsatcloseddoors.Anoldlineofpoetry,readlongagoandforgottenforyears,flickeredbackintomemory:

ExceedingcomfortlessandwornandoldForadream'ssake.

Yes,thathadbeenwrittenforher."Foradream'ssake."Andnowthedreamwasover.

"Joscelyn,"wailedAuntRachelfromthehall,"Iwishyou'dfillthehot-waterbottle andbring it up and lay it acrostmy stomach. If that don't help you'llhave to phone for Roger. And I suppose he'll be off joy-riding with GayPenhallow. It's off with the old love and on with the new mighty easynowadays.Peopledon'tseemtohaveanydeepfeelingsanymore.AuntyBut'sjustbeeninonherwaytoGresham's.They'vesentforherthreetimesalreadyonfalsealarms,butsheguessesthisisgenuine.ShesaysGreshamwasyellingoverthephoneasif'twashimwashavingthebaby'steadofhiswife.Shesaysshe knows for a fact that Aunt Becky's jug is to be raffled off. Dandy got

stewed atBillyDark's silverwedding and let it out.Raffling's immoral andoughterbestoppedbylaw."

"Dandydidn'tgetdrunkat thewedding,"saidJoscelynwearily."Hetookanoverdoseofpainkillertocureastomach-achebeforehewentanditmadehimactveryqueerly;buthekeptfastholdonhissecrets,AuntRachel."

"It'sawfulwhatstoriesgetaround,"sighedAuntRachel."AndAuntyButsaysMar'gretPenhallow'sgettingalotofsilly,fashionableclo'estobemarriedin.Mar'gretwantstakingdownapegortwo,andifmystomachwaswhatisusedtobe"--AuntRachelgaveahollowgroan--"I'dgoanddo it.But somehowIcan'tgetupmuchpepnowadays--livingonslops."

V

LikelyGaywas"joy-riding"withRogerthenightAuntRachel'sstomachwasacting up. If not, it was a safe wager that Roger was talking to her in theliving-room at Maywood, with a driftwood fire dreaming dreams of fairycolours in the grate and a maddeningly complacent mother painstakinglyeffacingherselfassoonashecame.Gay,whocouldn'tbeartobealonewithherself,didnotknowwhatshewouldhavedonethroughthatterribleautumnandwinterwithoutRoger.

Bynightshewasstillgivenovertotorturebutbydayshehadachievedself-command. The clan had decided that she hadn't cared so much for NoelGibson after all. They thought she had taken it prettywell.Gay knew theywerewatchinghertoseehowshedidtakeitandsheheldherheadupbeforetheworld.Shewouldnotgiveallthoseheartlessgossipersfoodfortalk.Shewouldnot let them think sheknewof theirwhispers and their curious eyes.Shedidnotlaughverymuch--shewhohadalwaysbeenagirlofthemerriestsilver laughter--and Stanton Grundy said to himself, as he looked at her inchurch,"Thebloom'sgone,"and,oldcynicthoughhewas,thoughthewouldenjoy"booting"NoelGibson.SomeoftheclanthoughtGaywas"improved"sincecertain little airs andgraceshadbeendropped.All in all, theydidnottalkorthinkabouthernearlyasmuchassensitivelittleGaythoughttheyweredoing. They had their own lives to live and their own loves and hates andambitions to suffer and scheme and plan for.And, anyway,Roger could betrustedtohandlethesituation.

Atfirst,whentheywentriding,Gaywantedtogoinsilence--silenceinwhich

ahurtheartcouldfindsomestrengthtobearitspain.Butonenightshesaidsuddenly,

"Talktome,Roger.Don'taskmetotalk--Ican't--butjusttalktome."

Roger,tohisownsurprise,foundthathecould.HehadnevertalkedmuchtoGay before. He had always felt that he could talk of nothing that wouldinteresther.Therehadbeensuchagapbetweenheryouthandhismaturity.But the gap had disappeared.Roger foundhimself telling her things he hadnever told anybody.Hehadnever talkedof his experiencesoverseas to anyonebuthefoundhimselfrelatingthemtoGay.AtfirstGayonlylistened;then,insensibly,shebegantotalk,too.Shetooktoreadingthenewspapers--whichworriedMrsHoward,whowasafraidGaywasgetting"strong-minded."ButGayonlywanted to learnmore about the thingsRoger talkedof, so that hewould not think her an empty-headed goose. She had, without realizing it,comealong,longwayfromthetorturedlittlecreaturewhohadlainunderthebirches, thatSeptembernight,andcriedherheartout.Nolongeranisolated,selfishunit, shehadbecomeonewithherkind.Shehad realizedwhatsomeonehadcalled"theinfinitesadnessofliving"andtherealizationhadmadeawomanofher.HerAprildayswereended.

Therewasasadpeace inknowingnothingcouldeverhappen toheragain--that life held nothing for her but Roger's friendship. But shewould alwayshavethat;andwithitshecouldfaceexistence.HowsplendidRogerwas!Shehadnever half appreciatedhimbefore.Tender--strong--unselfish.Seeing thebest in everybody. He told her things about the clan she had never knownbefore--not the petty gossip everybody knew or the secret scandals AuntBecky and her ilk knew--but noble things and kindly things and simple,wholesomethingsthatmadeGayfeelshecameofaprettydecentstock,afterall,andmust liveuptothetraditionsof it. Itwasamazinghowgoodpeoplereallywere.EvenherownDarksandPenhallowswhomshehadlaughedatordisliked.WhowouldhavesupposedthatMercyPenhallow,maliciousMercywho was afraid to be out after dark--perhaps for fear of the ghosts ofreputationsshehadslain--couldhavebeenaperfectheroineduringtheterribleSpanishfluepidemic?OrthatWilliamY.,whoheldthemortgageonLeonardStanley'sfarm,should,whenLeonarddied,leavingawifeandeightchildren,have gone to Mrs Leonard--pompously, because William Y. couldn't helpbeing pompous--and torn the mortgage to pieces before her eyes? Or thatshrinkinglittleMrsArtemasDark,seeingthatbigbullyofaRobGriscomatthe harbour cruelly beating his dog one day, had flown through the gate,snatchedthewhipfromthethunderstruckGriscom,andwhippedhimaroundand around his own house until he had fallen on his knees before her andbeggedformercy?

And--Gay thought it suddenly one evening before the driftwood fire--whatnicedimplesRogerhadinhisthincheekswhenhesmiled!

Still,Gayhadherbadhours--hourswhenherheartachedfiercelyforherlosthappiness--hourswhenshewantednothingbutNoel.Ifshecouldonlywakeandfinditalladream--ifshecouldonlyfeelhisarmsaboutheragainandhearhimsayinghelovedherandheronly!Shewantedtobehappyagain.Notjustthisdullresignationwiththemoonlightoffriendshiptoshowthenarrowpathoflife.Shewantedloveandfullsunshineand--Noel.EverythingwassummedupinNoel.AndNoelwaswithNan.

GaysawnothingofNannow.MrsAlpheushadfoundherselfnolongerabletoendure thedullnessofIndianSpringandhad takenanapartment in town.SheneversawNoeleither.ShewonderedwhenheandNanwouldbemarriedandhowshecouldgetoutofgoingtothewedding.Nanwouldinviteher,shewassureof that.Nanwhohad toldhersoconfidently thatshewasgoing totakeNoel fromher.AndGay had been so sure she couldn't.Oh, poor littlefool!

"Lifeisn'tfair,"saidGay,herlipsquivering.Foranhourshewouldbenothingbutlittle, jilted,heartbrokenGayagain,onlywantingNoel.Ifhewouldonlycomebacktoher!Ifhewouldonlyfindouthowselfishandvainand--and--emptyNanwas!Nancouldn't loveanybody--not really.Ofcourseshe lovedNoelafterafashion--nobodycouldhelplovingNoel--butnever,neverasGaylovedhim.

There came an evening at the end of a blustery March day when MercyPenhallowtoldMrsHowardthatMrsAlpheushadtoldherthatNoelandNanwould be married in June. There was to be a clan church wedding withbridesmaids in mauve taffeta, tulle hats of mauve and pink, and corsagebouquetsofpinksweetpeas.Nanhadeverythingplannedouttothesmallestdetail.Alsoherhouse.Shewaseven,soMercysaid,goingtohavesheetsinher guest-room tomatch her guests' hair--nile-green for red hair, orchid forbrunettes,paleblueforgoldenhair.Andallthefurniturewastobeextremelymodern.

"Iexpectshe'sevengotthenurseryplannedout,"saidMercysarcastically.

MrsHoward did not tell Gay about the nile-green and orchid sheets or themauveandpinkbridesmaidsbutshedidtellherofthewedding.Gaytookitquietly,hereyesgrowingalittlelargerinhersmallwhiteface.Thenshewentuptoherroomandshutthedoor.

Why had she kept hoping--hoping? She must have been hoping, else thiswouldnottwistherheart-stringsso.ShetookabundleofNoel'slettersoutof

herdesk.Shehadneverbeenabletoburnthembeforebutshemustdoitnow.Here they all were--the ones he had written her first on top--fat, bulgingletters.Theygrewthinnerandthinner.Thelateroneswerepitifullythin.Still,they were from Noel. Something of his dear personality was inthem.Couldsheburnthem?Anoldversecameintoherhead--aversefromasentimentalpoeminanoldfadedscrapbookofhermother's.TherehadbeenatimewhenGayhadthoughtitsolovelyandsweetandsad.ShequoteditnowaboutNoel'sletters,feelingthatitwasveryappropriate.

"Yes--yes,"saidpoorGaytrembling,

Yes,theflamesthelinkshallseverTheirredtongueswillnevertell,WhenI'vecrossedthemysticriverTheywillkeepmysecretwell.

ShelaidNoel'sfirstletterinthegrateandheldalightedmatchtoit.Thelittleflamesbegantoeatitgreedily.Gaydroppedthematchandcoveredherface.Shecouldn'tbeartolookatit.Shecouldn'tburnthosedearletters.Itwastoomuchtoaskofherself.Shesnatcheduptherestofthem,herbodyrackedbypainfullittlesobs,andhurriedthembackintoherdesk.Theywereallshehadleft.Nobodycouldblameherforkeepingthem.

Shesatatherwindowforawhilebeforeshewenttobed.Ared,redsunwassinking between two young spruces inDrowned John's hill pasture.After itdisappearedtherecametheunearthlylovelinessofacalmbluewintertwilightover snow.Aweirdmoonwith a cloud-ribbed facewas risingover the sad,darkharbour.Winterbircheswithstarsintheirhairweretossingallaroundthehouse.Therewasastrangecharmabouttheevening.ShewishedRogercouldseeitwithher.Helovedeveningslikethis.Therehadbeenalittlesnowthatday,followingontheheelsofthemadgallopingMarchwind,andthehedgeofyoungfirs totheleftof thehousewerewhitewithit.SomethingaboutthemmadeherthinkoftheappleblossomsonthedayofAuntBecky'slevee.Howhappyshehadbeenthen.Andithadallgonewiththeappleblossoms.

"Ifeelsoold,"saidGay,lookingparticularlyyoungandpiteous.

VI

LittleBrianDarkwasaloneinhiskitchenloftonenightinlateMarch,lookingoutonalandscapethatwasblackanduglyintheugliesttimeofyear--whenthe winter whiteness has gone, leaving only the bare bones of the worldexposed to view.Therewas a cold, yellow strip of sky in thewest under asullen, cloudy sky, hanging over frozen fields. The trees looked as if theycouldneverliveagain.

Brian,asusual,waslonelyandhungryandtired.Aslongasthelightlastedhehadconsoledhimselfbylookingatthegorgeouspicturesofgoodthingstoeatin the advertising pages of a pile of old magazines under the eaves.Whatcurly,delicious stripsofbacon--what temptingmuffins--whatmouth-meltingcakeswithicing!Weretherereallypeopleintheworld--perhapslittleboys--whoatesuchdeliciousthings?

The lamp in theDollar living-roomwas out but a light burned in the littleroomupstairslookingoutonthekitchenroof.BrianknewthatLennieDollarsleptthere;hehadenviedLennieallwinterbecausehehadsuchawarmcosylittleroomtosleepin.OftenduringthepastwinterBrianhadwishedhecouldsnuggle in there, too. The loftwas always cold, but it had been colder thiswinter than ever because in the preceding autumn Brian had accidentallybrokenoneofthewindow-panesandUncleDuncanandAuntAletheaweresoangry with him because of his carelessness that they would not replace it.Brianhadstuffedanoldsweaterinitbutthatdidnotkeepall theextracoldout.

YetBrianwas not so entirely friendless as he hadbeen.TherewasCricket.Onelittlewhiteblossomoflovehadbeguntobloomintheariddesertofhisunwelcome existence.Cricketwould soon comenow.Hepulled out the oldsweaterbeforehelaydownonhisbed,sothatCricketcouldgetin.

He lay thereexpectantly, listening to theeerie sounds the spruce treesmadeoutside in the dark. It was time Cricket came. Surely Cricket would come.Surely nothing had happened to Cricket. Brian lived in daily terror thatsomethingwouldhappentoCricket.

Crickethadbeencomingeverynightforthreeweeks.Hehadbeentherealoneone night, very lonely and unhappy as usual.AuntAlethea had been angrywithhimandhadsenthimsupperless tobed.He lookedoutof thewindow.Theskywassharpandbrilliant,thestarscoldandbright.Hewassuchalittlefellow to be all alone in a great, lonely world. He had prayed to his deadmotherinheavenforfoodandcomfort.HewasafraidthatGod,evenayoungGod,mightbe toobusy lookingaftermore important things tobotherabout

him,butMotherwouldhavetime.Brianknewalittleabouthismothernow.OnedayhehadmettheoldMoonManonhisceaselessquestandtheMoonManhadstoppedandbeckonedtohim.Brian'skneesknockedtogetherasheobeyed.Hedidnotdaredisobey,althoughhewentinsuchterroroftheMoonMan.AndthenhefoundtheMoonManwaslookingdownathimwithgentle,kindeyes.

"LittleBrianDark,whyareyousofrightenedofme?"askedtheMoonMan."Havetheybeentellingyoufalse,cruelthingsaboutme?"

Briannodded.Hecouldnotspeakbutheknewnowthethingswerefalse.

"Don'tbelievethemanylonger,"saidtheMoonMan."Iwouldhurtnothing,muchlessachild.LauraDark'slittlechild.Iknewyourmotherwell.Shewasasweetthingandlifehurtherterribly.Lifeiscrueltousallbutitwasdoublycrueltoher.Shelovedyousomuch,Brian."

Brian's heart swelled. This was wonderful. He had often wondered if hismotherhadlovedhim.Hehadbeenafraidshecouldn't,whenhewassuchadisgracetoher.

"She loved you,"went on theMoonMan dreamily. "She used to kiss yourlittle face and your little feet and your little hands when nobody saw her--nobodybut thepoor crazyoldMoonMan.And she took suchgoodcareofyou.Therewasn'tanybabytakensuchgoodcareof,noteventherichfolks'babiesthatcamethroughagoldenring."

"ButIhadn'tanyrighttobeborn,"saidBrian.Hehadheardthatsooften.

TheMoonManlookedathimcuriously.

"Whoknows? I don't thinkEdgleyDark had any right to be bornwhen hismotherhatedanddespisedhisfather.Buttheclanthinksthatisallright.It'sastrangeworld,Brian.Good-night.Icannotstaylonger.Ihaveatrysttokeep--she'srisingyonderoverthatdarkhill,mybeautifulQueenMoon.Weallmusthave something to love. I have the best thing of all--the silver Lady of theskies. Margaret Penhallow has a little grey house down yonder--foolishMargaretwhoisgoingtomarryanddesertherdream.ChrisPenhallowloveshisviolin.He'sgivenitupjustnowfor thesakeofanoldshardbuthe'llgobacktoit.RogerDarkandMurrayDark,foolisherstill,lovingmortalwomen,disdaining thewisdomof themoon.Butnotso foolishas if theydidn't loveanything.Whathaveyoutolove,Brian?"

"Nothing."Brianfeltthetearscomingintohiseyes.

TheMoonManshookhishead.

"Bad--very bad. Get something to love quick--or the devil will get hold ofyou."

"MrConwaysaysthereisn'tanydevil,"saidBrian.

"NotthedeviloftheDarksandPenhallows--no,there'snosuchdevilasthat.Youneedn'tbeafraidoftheclandevil,Brian.Butgetsomethingtolove,child,orelseGodhelpyou.Good-night.I'mgladI'vemetyou."

Brianwasglad, too,althoughhedidn'tunderstandmore thanhalf theMoonManhadsaid.Notonlybecauseonefear,atleast,hadgoneoutofhislifebutbecauseheknewthathismotherhadlovedhim--andhadtakengoodcareofhim. That seemed wonderful to Brian, who could not remember any onetakingcareofhiminhislife.Itmustbeverysweettobetakencareof.

Sohehadprayedtohismother,thinkingthatperhapsshemightbeabletotakea little careofhimyet if sheknewheneeded it somuch.Thenhehad laindownonhispoorbed,forgettingtostuffthesweaterinthewindow.Presentlytherewasalittlescrambleontheroofoftheporchoutsidetheloft,adarklittlebodyandtwomoon-likeeyesforamomentpoisedonthesillagainstthedimstarlight--then a leap to the floor--the pad of tiny paws--a soft furry thingnestlingtohim--asilkentonguelickinghischeek--alittlebodypurringlikeasmalldynamo.Crickethadcome.

Briangatheredthelittlecreatureinhisarmsinrapture.HelovedcatsandAuntAletheawouldnothaveonearoundtheplace.Nowhehadakittenofhisown--adearstripedgreythingafterhisownheart,ashediscoveredwhenthedawncame.Thekitten stayedwithhimallnightbutat the firsthintofdaylight itwasoff.Brianthoughtsadlyhewouldneverseeitagain.Buteverynightsincethenithadcome.Brianhadnoideawhereitcamefrom.ItdidnotbelongtotheDollarsandtherewasnootherhousenear.Hebelievedhismotherhadsentit.Shewasstilltakingcareofhim.

Brian loved the little cat passionately and knew it loved him. It purred soecstaticallywhenhepetted it.Whatcomfortandcompanionshiphefoundinit! He was no longer afraid of the rats. They never dared come out whenCricketwasthere.Andhewasnolongerlonely.Hesavedbitsfromhisownscanty rations for Cricket, who was thin and evidently got none too muchfood,althoughoccasionallyhewouldbringamouseinhisownlittlejawsandeat itdaintilyon the loft floor.HowCricketenjoyed thosemorselsandhowBrianenjoyedseeinghimenjoythem,lickinghissmallchopsafterthemasiftosalvageeveryghostofflavour.BrianwasdesperatelyafraidhisauntwouldfindoutaboutCricket.SupposeCricketweretocomeintheday?ButCricketnevercamebyday.Justatnighthecametobringamessageoflovetoalonely

childwhohadnofriends.

And thisnight, too,Cricketcame, just asBrianwasbeginning to feel reallyfrightenedthathewasnotcoming.

"DarlingCricket,"Brianreachedunderhisflatchaffpillowanddrewoutthebitofmeathehadsavedfromhisdinner.Hungryashewashimself,heneverthought of eating it. He listened with a heart full of happiness to Cricketcrunching it in the darkness and fell asleep with the kitten cuddled on hisbreast.

VII

It was spring again and Gay Penhallow was walking over a road she hadwalkedwithNoel a year ago--and remembering it. Calmly remembering it!Gay had reached the stage where she remembered these things calmly, asthings that had happened long ago to somebody who was a quite differentperson.Someof theoldsweetnesshadcomeback into life.Onecouldn'tbealtogetherhopelessinspring.ShewasactuallyenjoyingthecharmoftheMayevening;shewasconsciousofthefactthatshehadonaverybecomingnewdressofyoung-leafgreenwithalittlescarletsweater.ShewonderedifRogerwouldlikeit.

Allthefamiliarthingsthathadoncemadelifesweetwerebeginningtomakeit sweetagain.Yet therewasalways that littleheartacheunder it all.AyearagosheandNoelhadwalkeddownthisroadonjustsuchanevening.Therehadbeenamistynewmoon,justasto-night;therehadbeenthesamegaylittlewind in the tree-tops and the same little smoky shadows under the young,white,wildcherry trees.Andtheirstepsandheartshadbeaten timetogetherandGayhadbeenthrilledwitharaptureshewouldknownomore.

ShesawoldErasmusDarkwhitewashingthetrunksofhisappletreesasshepassedbyhisorchard,andenviedhimalittle--donewithallpassionsoflife.DrownedJohn,UnclePippinandStantonGrundywere talkingat the latter'sgate as shewent by.Gay smiled atUncle Pippin,whom she liked, and theradianceofitfellalikeoverDrownedJohn,whomshelikedonlymoderately,and on Stanton Grundy, whom she did not like at all because he alwaysseemed tobesocynicallyscepticalof theexistenceof things thatwerepureand lovely and of good report. She did not know that Grundy's glancefollowedheradmiringly.

"Aneyeful,eh--aneyeful,"heremarked,nudgingUnclePippin.

DrownedJohnnoddedagreement.Athoroughbred,everyinchofher.Showedherkneestoomuch,ofcourse.Butatanyratekneesthatcouldbeshown.NotlikeVirginiaPowell'sknees--knocksthataffrontedthedaylight.

WhenRoger's car flashed past them and picked upGay at the curve of theroad,thethreeweather-beatenoldfarmerssmiledquitesympathetically.

"Looksasifthatwouldbeamatchyet,"saidGrundy.

"Fine--fine--except--isn't he a little too old for her?" asked Uncle Pippinanxiously.

"AhusbandolderthanherselfwouldbeagoodthingforGay,"saidDrownedJohn.

"IfshemarriesRoger,willitbeforloveorloneliness?"queriedGrundydryly.

"Love,"saidDrownedJohn,withanairofknowingallaboutit."She'sinlovewithRogernow,whethersheknowsitornot."

"Ireckonshecanlove,"saidGrundy."Somewomencanloveandsomecan't,youknow--justassomecancookandsomecan't."

"Well,it'sagoodthingkissingnevergoesoutoffashion,"saidUnclePippin.

Roger thoughtGay looked like a slim green dryad as she stood against thetreesatthecurveintheroad.Inspiteofthenewmoonandtheshadowsandthefaintstars,shemadehimthinkofmorning.Therewasalwayssomethingofthedawnabouther;herveryhairseemedtolaugh;thelittlerosylobesofherearslookedlikeunfoldedappleblossoms.Andshewasgazingathimwithjusttheveryeyesadryadshouldhave.

"Hopin,Gay,"heorderedlaconically.Gayhopped,thinkingwhatadelightfulvoiceRogerhad,evenwhenhespokecurtly.

"Goinganywhereinparticular?"

"No.IjustcameoutforawalktoescapeMrsToynbee.ShewasatMaywoodforsupperandInearlydiedofher."

"It's only femalemosquitoes that bite," saidRoger cheerfully. "Where'll wego?"

"Theshoreroadandsteponthejuice,"laughedGay.

The shore road. Had Gay forgotten the last time they went along it? They

whirled past the blueberry barrens and the maple clearings, past the SilverSlipperandthebigemptyhotel,ondowntowheretheduneslay,darklysoftagainstasilverysea.Rogerstoppedhiscarandtheysatinsilenceforawhile--oneofthosesilencesGayloved.ItwassoeasytobesilentwithRoger.TherehadneverbeenanysilencewithNoel--Noelwastoomuchofatalkertolikesilence.

Themoon had gone down and the world lay in the starlight. Starlight is astrange thingandnot tobe takenasamatterof course.Roger suddenly fellunder itsmagic and did something he hadn't seen himself doing for a longtimeyet.

"Gay,"hesaidcoolly,"Ialwaysdoonewildthingeveryspring.I'mgoingtodothisspring'stonight.I'mgoingtoaskyoutomarryme."

Gayflushedbeautifully--thenturnedverywhite.

"Oh,Roger--mustyou?"shesaid.

"Yes.Imust.Ican'tstandthisanylonger.Eitheryou'vegottomarryme,Gay--orwemuststop--allthis."

"All this." All their jolly drives and talks together. All the vividcompanionshipthathadhelpedherthroughtheotherwiseunbearablemonthsbehind.Gay felt desperately that she couldnot lose it.Shewas so afraidoflife.Itisdreadfulandunnaturaltobeafraidoflifeinyouth.Butithadplayedhersuchatrick.Shemusthavesomeonetohelpherfaceitagain.Shedidn'twanttomarryanyone,butifshehadto,itmightaswellbeRoger.Heneededsomeonetotakecareofhim--heworkedsohard.

"YouknowIdon't--loveyou,Roger,"shewhispered."Notinthatway."

"Yes,Iknow.Thatmakesnodifference,"saidRogermendaciously.

"Then--"Gaydrew a long sigh--"then I'llmarry you,Roger,--whenever youplease."

"Thank you, dear," said Roger in a strangely quiet voice. Inside he was aseethingvolcanoofjoyandexultation.Shewouldbehis--hisatlast.He'dsoonteachhertoforgetthatpopinjay.Lovehim.She'dlovehimfastenough--he'dseetothat,whenthetimecame.Gay,darlingadorablelittleGaywashis,withherwind-blowncurlsandhermarigoldeyesandtheslimlittlefeetthatweremadefordancing.Rogercouldhavekneltandkissedthoselittlefeet.Buthedidnotevenkissherlips.Onlyherlittlehandswhenheliftedherfromthecarattheendoftheirdrive.Rogerwaswise--thetimeforkisseshadnotcomeyet.Gaywasgladhedidnotkissher.EvenyetherlipsseemedtobelongtoNoel.

Shewentuptoherroomveryquietlyandsatforalongtimebehindherwhitecurtains.Shefeltalittletiredbutcontent.Onlyshewishedshecouldjustfindherself married to Roger without any preliminaries. The clan would be soodiously pleased. Their complacency would be hard to bear. What was itMercyhadsaidtoheronedaylately--"You'llfindRogerwillbethebestforkeeps?" No doubt he would be, but Gay knew if Roger and Noel werestandingtherebeforeher,hersforthetaking,towhichoneshewouldturn.YetRoger,knowingthis,stillwantedtomarryher.

Gaydidonefoolishsecret thingbeforeshewent tosleep.Shetookthe littlerose-bowl,wherethelastroseleaveshadbeendroppedonthenightshewasengagedtoNoel,andwentdownwithittothegateatthesideofthegarden.The fieldbeforeherwasArtemasDark'sand thegardenbehindherwashermother's.But thiswee green cornerwas hers; she dug out a hole under thetreeswithatrowelandburiedthelittlerose-jar,pattingtheearthonthegravetenderly.Allherchildhoodandgirlhoodwereinit--allthehappinessshehadeverknown.Nomatterwhat lifeheldforherwithRoger, therewouldbenomoreroseleavesforthelittleWedgewoodjar.Itwassacredtosomethingthatwasdead.

VIII

PennyandMargaretwerenotmarriedyet.Itwastohavebeeninthespring;butwhenspringcamePennythoughtthey'dbetterputitofftothefall.Thereweresomealterationstomakeinthehouse;anewporchshouldbebuiltandahardwoodfloor laid in thedining-room.Margaretwasverywilling.ShewasnomoreeagerforthehappydaythanPennywas.

In reality Penny was a rather miserable man. At times he fairly oozeddejection.

"Dashit,"heinformedthetwoPetersgloomily,"I'velostmyenthusiasm."

Hedidn'twanttobreakuphisoldhabits--hiscomfortablewaysoflife.AsforAuntRuth,certainlyshehadherfaults.Buthewasusedtothem;itwouldbeeasier toputupwith themthan togetused toMargaret'snewvirtues.Therewasn't really any danger of his dying in the night.Hewas good for twentyyearsyet.

He began to have horrible nightmares, in which he really found himself

married--sewedupfastandhopelessly.Itwasaninfernalsensation.Hebeganto lose weight and a hunted look came into his eyes. Margaret was quiteunconscious of this but the clan at large were not so blind, and bets wereexchangedat theblacksmith's forgeas towhetherPenny's affairwouldevercometoaclimaxornot.Theoddswereagainstit, thegeneralopinionbeingthat Pennywas simply stringingMargaret along until thematter of the jugshouldbedecided.

"Thenhe'llsquirmoutofitsomeway,slickandclever,"saidStantonGrundy."Penny'snobody'sfool."

Penny,however,feltlikeafool.Andwhentheincidentofthemerry-go-roundoccurred he feltmore keenly than ever thatMargaretwould never do for awife.

Themerry-go-roundaffairdidmakeconsiderableofastir.MorepeoplethanPenny were scandalized. It was certainly an odd thing for a woman ofMargaret'sage todo.Hadshenodignity?Nosenseof the fitnessof things?NorealizationthatshewasaPenhallow.

Themerry-go-roundwasintheparkintown.Margaretfoundherselflookingwistfullyat itoneeveningwhenPennyhad takenher in foradriveandhadgone to park his car before they settled down to listen to the band concert.NeitherhenorMargaretcaredforbandconcertsbuthangit,afellowhadtodosomethingtopassthetimewhenhetookhisgirlout.

Margarethadhankeredallherlifeforarideonthemerry-go-round.Therewassomethingabout it that fascinatedher.She thought itwouldbedelightful tomountoneofthosegaylittlehorsesandspinmadlyroundandround.Butshehadneverreallythoughtofdoingit.Itwasonlyabrightimpossibledream.

Then she saw little Brian Dark looking at it longingly. Mr Conway hadbroughtBrianinandhadgoneoffandlefthim.Hedidnotmindgivingthekidadrivebuthehadnomoneytowasteonhim,bygosh.Brianthoughtitwouldbeawonderfulthingtohavearideonthemerry-go-round.HislittlefacewassowistfulthatMargaretsmiledathimandsaid,

"Wouldyoulikearide,Brian?"

"Oh,yes,"whisperedBrian."ButIhaven'tanymoney."

"Here'sthedime,"saidMargaret."Takeitandhaveagoodride."

ForamomentBrianwasradiant.Thenhisfacecloudedover.

"Thankyou,"he stammered, "but--Iguess--Idon'tknow--Iguess I'ma little

scaredtogoalone,"heconcludeddesperately.

Margaret couldneverquiteunderstand and explain justwhat did comeoverher.Theinhibitionsofyearsfellaway.

"Comewithme.I'llgowithyou,"shesaid.

AndthatwashowPenny,returningamomentlater,sawasightthatparalysedhim with horror. Margaret--his Margaret--spinning furiously about on themerry-go-round--up and down--round and round--riding for dear lifeandridingastride.Herhathad fallenoff andher loosenedhairblewwildlyroundherface.PennygaveanagonizedyelpbutMargaretneitherheardnorheeded.Shewashavingthetimeofherlife--shewas--why,shewasdrunkorexactlylikeit,Pennythoughtindisgust.Hereyeswereshining,herfacewasflushed.When the ride was endedMargaret wouldn't get off. She paid forherselfandBrianforanotherride--andthenanother.Attheendofthethirdhersenses returned to her and she got off dazedly. It did not need Penny'sexpressiontomakeherthoroughlyashamedofherself.

"Oh,Penny--I'msorry--Idon'tknowwhatgotintome,"shegasped.

"Youmadeaniceexhibitionofyourself,"saidPennycoldly.

"Iknow--Iknow--butoh--"foramomentthatgracelessexultationsweptoverMargaretagain--"Oh,Penny,itwasglorious.Whydon'tyoutryityourself?"

"No,thankyou."Pennywasverydignifiedalltherestoftheevening,andhesnubbedMargaretonthewayhome.Margarettookitmeekly,recognizinghisrightandhisjustgrievance.ButshewasnotsomeekwhenMrsDenziltackledherafewdayslateraboutit.Theyhadanactualfightoverit.Margaretwasbynomeansasunassertiveassheusedtobe.Sometimesshespokehermindwithastonishingvim.Gettingengaged,MrsDenzil toldher,seemedtohavegonetoherhead.Denzil soonsettled them.Hewasn'tgoing tohaveany ructionsamonghiswomenfolk.HetoldMargaretshe'dbettermindherP'sandQ'sorshewouldn'tgetPennyafterall.ThisdidnotalarmMargaretquiteasmuchasDenzil expected.Therewere timeswhenMargaret, in spiteofher trousseaudressesandsilkstockings,andtheglamourofbeingMrs,almostwishedshehadneverpromisedtomarryPenny--timeswhenshewonderedifitwerenotpossiblesomehowtoescapemarryinghim.Shealwaysconcludedrathersadlythatitwasn't.NobodywouldbelieveanythingbutthatPennyhadthrownheroverandMargaretcouldn'tfacethat.Itwouldbetoohumiliating.Shemustgothroughwithit.

Penny, however, hadmade up hismind after themerry-go-round affair thatMargaret would never suit him--not with that wild strain in her.Where on

earthdidshegetit?TherewasnoSpanishbloodinher.Buthowtogetoutofit?That was the difficulty. The whole clan would cry shame on him if hethrewMargaretover.AndDandywouldnevergivehim the jug. Ifhecouldonly induceMargaret to throwhim over.Ah, therewas an ideanow!But itwould be no easy matter--no easy matter. Penny had what he considered averitableinspiration.Hewouldgetdrunk--ay,thatwasit.Hewouldgetdrunkandgodrunktothechurchgarden-partyatBaySilver.Margaretwouldbesodisgusted that she would turn him down. He knew her strict temperanceprinciples.Hadn'theheardher reciteataconcert longago."Lips that touchliquor shallnever touchmine"?Hewould shockher till shewasblue roundthegills,bygadhewould.Ofcourse therewouldbeabitofscandalbuthecould soon live it down.Lots of othermen in the clangot stewednowandthen.Hedidnotthinkitwouldseriouslyimpairhischancesforthejug.AuntBeckyhadsaid"addicted todrinking."Youcouldn'tbe thoughtanaddictonthegroundofonespree.Itwasovertwenty-fiveyearssincehehadbeendrunkbeforeandanelectionhadbeentoblameforthat.Hehadbeenprettyoffensiveonthatoccasion.AprimoldmaidlikeMargaretwouldn'tstandforit.Pennychuckled.Hewasasgoodasfree.

Everybodywasat thegarden-partywhenPennyarrivedthere.NanandNoelwerethere;theirwedding,whichwastohavebeeninJune,hadbeenputofftillSeptember.GayandRogerwerethere.Youhadtogotoyourownchurchgarden-party,eventhoughyouwouldmuchratherbeawayforalongmoonlitspintogether.Gayachievedacareless,impudentlittlenodforNanandNoel,thoughherheartseemedtoturnoverinherbreastatsightof them.Joscelynwasthere--andHugh.FrankandKatewerethere,thoughthewomenthoughtKate would be better at home in her condition. But people had no shamenowadays.ThetwoSamswerethere,carefullyavoidingeachother.BigSamcame to get a square feed, butwhen he sawLittle Sam treating theWidowTerlizzicktohot-dogsandice-creamitspoiledthepartyforhim.

AcoghadslippedinPenny'splans.MostoftheclanperceivedwithatolerantsmilethatPennywasmoreorlesslitup,buthewasnotactuallydrunk.Hehadonlygotasfarasthesentimentalstagewhenitwassuddenlyrevealedtohimthathewasreallydesperately in lovewithMargaret.Bygad,shewasafinelittlewoman--andhewasmadabouther.Hewouldgoandtellherso.Hadheeverthoughtofjiltingher?Never!HehuntedoutsomeclovesandsetoutforBaySilver,theardentloveratlast.

MargarethadvisitedWhisperingWindsbeforecomingtotheparty.Shewentthereasoftenasshecouldnow,becausesheknewthatshewouldneverseeitagainonceshewasmarriedtoPenny.Thatnightshehadhunganoldironpoton a tree and filled it with water for the birds. The little garden was very

sweet,withtheperfumeofyoungwildfernsgrowingalongthesaggingfence.Thepeaceanddignityandbeautyof it seemed toenvelopher likeacharm.Shewantedtostaythereforever,alonewiththehappythoughtsthatcametoheramongitsflowersandgrasses.Tearscameintohereyes.Sheloathedthesparkle of Penny's ring on her hand. It was a diamond--Penny liked to dothings handsomely and hewas notmean--andMargaret had once thought itwouldbeawonderful thing tohaveadiamondengagement-ring.Butnowitwasonlyafetter.

Margaret was surprised when Penny rushed to meet her on the churchgrounds.Shehadadreadful feeling thathewasgoing tokissherright therebeforeeverybody;andalthoughhedidnotactuallydoit,itwascertainshehada narrow escape.Margaret was so innocent that she really never suspectedPenny'scondition;butshewassuresomethingqueerhadcomeoverhim.Hewassqueezingherhand--hewasgazingatheradoringly--hewas--yes,hewasactuallycallingher"LittleOne."

"LittleOne,"hewassaying,"Ihadbeguntothinkyouwerenevercoming."

MargaretletPennycarryheroffforawalkthroughthegraveyard.Heinsistedonwalkingwithhisarmaroundherwaist,whichmadeherfeelterriblyself-conscious.FromthebottomofthegraveyardtherewasaveryfineviewofthegulfandtheRoseRivervalleywiththemoonrisingoverit.

"What a lovely moon," said Margaret desperately, because she had to saysomething.WhathadgotintoPenny?

"Oh, damn themoon," said Penny, aggrieved becauseMargaret was not soresponsiveashethoughtsheoughttobe.

Margaretwasshocked.Sheknewmensworebutsurelynotinthepresenceofladiestheywereengagedto.Pennymightatleastwaituntiltheyweremarried.

Pennymadehastetoapologize.

"I never could seemuch sense in admiring themoon," he explained, "but IonlysaidthatbecauseIwantyoutothinkaboutmeandnotaboutthemoon.Forgive me, Little One. I won't say naughty words again before my ownsweetest."

"We--weoughttogetbacktothegrounds,"saidMargaretconfusedly.Really,this love-makingwhichwassoattractive in fancy,wasnothingmoreor lessthandreadfulinreality."Wewon'tgetagoodseatifwearelate."

"Idon'tcarewhereIsitaslongasIsitwithyou,mydarling,"saidPenny.

PennysatwithhisarmaroundMargaretallthroughtheprogramme,obliviousto the giggles of the young fry and the amused grins of the oldsters. HesqueezedMargaret'shandatallthesentimentalpassagesinthesongs,andhetoldhershehadthefinestpairoflegsintheclan,bygad,shehad!

Margaret, who had always secretly thought her slender, well-shaped legsrathernice,neverthelessbelongedtoagenerationthatdidnotdiscusslegs.Shewasembarrassedandtuckedherlegsblushinglyoutofsightundertheplankshe saton.To turn theconversation into safer channels, she toldPenny thatNigelPenhallowhadcalledtoseeheronhisrecentvisitfromNewYorkandhad told her he wouldn't be surprised if that old Pilgrim's Progress AuntBeckyhadgivenher,turnedouttobeofsomevalue.Itwasaveryoldeditionand in fair condition. He had offered to find out just what it was worth.Margaretwonderedifshehadn'tbetterlethim.Pennyadvisedagainstsellingit.

"I've enough for our comfort, Little One, and"--Pennywas on the verge oftears by now--"when I'm gone,Mar'gret, there'll be enough to keep you indecentwidowhood."

MargarethadnotyetaccustomedherselftothethoughtofbeingPenny'swife.The idea of being his widow overcame her. She went home very unhappy.Penny had almost wept when he kissed her good-night. And, having heardsomeoneaskherifhersorethroatwerebetter,hecouldnotleaveheruntilshehadpromised to tiea stocking roundher throatwhenshewent tobed. Ifhecaredasmuchasthisforhershemustbefaithfultohim.

BlindlyWise

I

"That damn' jug will be the death of some of us yet," said Uncle Pippinviciously.

ForithadcomeoutthatthereasonWalterDark'spigwaswhereitshouldnothavebeenthatparticularafternoon,wasbecauseWalterwashavingaspatinhisyardwithPalmerPenhallowaboutwhoshouldgetthejug.TheyweresohotaboutitthatWalterdidnotnoticebeforeitwastoolatethathispighadgotoutofhispenatthebarnandwasscootingdownthelanetotheroad.WhenWalterdidseeitandstartedinpursuit,thepigwasalreadyoutontheKing's

HighwayandbeforeWaltercouldevenyell,thewholethinghappened.

YoungPrinceDarkandMiltonGrangerwerespinninguptheroadinPrince'smotor-cycle. HughDarkwas coming down the road in his car, on his wayhomefromapoliticalconventionwhereithadbeenasgoodasdecidedthathewas tobehisparty'scandidateat the forthcomingProvincialelection. Ithadbeen one of Hugh's ambitions for years but he felt no elation over itsrealization.HewasnotthinkingofitatallashedrovemoodilyalongthroughtheamberhazeofthewarmJulyafternoon,pastsunnyoldpasturesandrose-sweetlanes,friendlygardensfullofwine-huedhollyhocks,mistyrivershores,old stone dykes under the darkmagic of the sprucewoods, andwindy hillswherethefirtreeswereblowinggailyandthetangoftheseamethim.AllthebeautyoftheworldaroundhimsuggestedonlythoughtsofJoscelyn.SupposeheweregoinghometoTreewoofetotellherofthehonourthathadcometohim.SupposewhenhegotoutathisgateJoscelynweremeetinghimwiththewindofthehillrufflingherred-goldcurls,eagertoknowwhathadhappenedat the convention--ready to consoleor congratulate, as the event required. Itwouldbeworthwhilethen.Butnow--dustandashes.

At thismomenteverythinghappenedatonce.WalterDark'spighadreachedthe road. Prince Dark, tearing onward at his usual headlong rate, struck itbeforehecouldturnorslowdown.PrinceandGrangerwereboththrownoutby the impact, Prince flying clean across the ditch against the fence andGrangerbeinghurledlikeastoneintotheditchitself.Thepiglaycalmly,toodeadtotellwhathethoughtaboutit,andthemotor-cycleshotblindlyacrossthe road. Hugh swerved sharply to avoid it. His car skidded in a circle.Everything suddenly became doubly clear. All the colours of the landscapetookonanincrediblevividnessandbrilliancy.Alsothewholeaffairseemedtotakeaninterminabletime,duringwhichhelivedoveralltheemotionsofhislifeandlovedandhatedanddespairedforaneternity.Thenthecarwentovertheedgeof thelittleravinethatskirtedtheroad, justasWalter'sbelatedyellrent theairandthegroupofmenbeforetheblacksmith'sforgeawoketothefactthatatragedyhadbeenenactedbeforetheireyes.

Wildconfusionfollowedforaspace.UnclePippinfranticallyimploredthemtokeeptheirheads.TheconsciousPrinceandtheunconsciousGrangerwerepickedupandcarried in, the latterwithanearalmost slicedoff.Hugh'scarwasupsidedown in theditchwithHugh still clutching thewheel.Whenhewas eventually extricated he gasped Joscelyn's name twice before relapsingintocompleteunconsciousness.Bythetimethethreevictimshadbeentakento the hospital andWalterDark had sadly dragged his dead pig home on astone boat, uneasily speculating whether Prince Dark could sue him fordamagesorwhetherhehadacaseagainstPrinceforkillingavaluablepig,the

newsof the accident had spread toBaySilver in a garbled fashion that lefteveryone indoubtas towhowaskilledandwhoweremaimedfor life,andJoscelyn was walking up and down her room in a frenzy of suspense anddread.Whatreallyhadhappened?WasHughbadlyhurtor--shewouldnotletherselfeventhinktheword.Andshecouldnotgotohim.Hewouldnotwanther. He had no need of her. She meant nothing to him--she who had oncemeantsomuch.Shecouldnoteventelephonetofindout the truthabout theaffair.Anyone--everyoneelse--couldmakeinquiriesbutnotshe.Meanwhileshewouldgomad;shecouldnotendureit;shehadbeenafoolandanidiot,butevenfoolsandidiotscansuffer.Onceshepausedwithclenchedhandsandlooked at Treewoofe. The day had been cloudy by times but now the sunsuddenly came out and performed its usual miracle. The hill swam inlovelinessandTreewoofe--herhome--herhome--shoneonitlikeajewel.WasHugh there--dead--suffering?And she couldnotgo tohim!PerhapsPaulinewasthere!

"If I think things like this I'll losemy senses,"moaned Joscelyn. "Oh,God,dearGod,IknowIwasafool.Buthaven'tYouanypityforfools?Therearesomanyofus."

Joscelynhadtoendureasbestshecoulduntiltheevening.Andyet,amidallheragony,shewasconsciousofanexultationthatshehadthistobeinanguishover.Anguishwasnotsodreadfulas theemptiness thathadbeenher lifeoflate.ThenUnclePippincalledandtoldthemthetruth.Thingswerenotsobadafterall.PrinceandHughwerenot seriouslyhurt.PrincewasalreadyhomeandHughwasstillinthehospital,sufferingfromslightconcussion,butwouldbeallrightinafewdays.YoungGrangerwastheworst;hehadnearlylostanearandwasstillunconscious,but thedoctors thoughthewould recoverandmeanwhiletheyhadsewedonhisear.

"IhopeitwillcurePrinceofthathabitofrecklessdriving,"saidUnclePippin,shaking his head, "but I dunno's anything will do that. He was swearingdreadfulwhenwepickedhimup;Irebukedhim.Isays,'Anyonethat'sbeenasnearthepearlygatesasyouwastwominutesagohadn'toughttoswearlikethat,'buthe justkepton.Hedamned thatpoorpigupanddownandall theuniversethrownin."

"Ididn'tlikethewaythewindsobbedlastnight,"saidAuntRachel,shakingherhead."Iknewsorrowwasa-coming.Thisprovesit."

"But sorrow hasn't come--Hugh wasn't badly hurt," cried Joscelyninvoluntarily. She was so suddenly light-hearted in her release from torturethatshehardlyknewwhatshewassaying.

"WhataboutpooryoungGrangerinthehospital,withhisearoff?"saidAuntRachelreproachfully.

"Andthepig?"saidUnclePippin."Itwassorrowenoughforthepig."

II

Joscelyn,cominghomeacrosslotsfromanerrandtotheharbour,pausedforamomentatthelittlegateinSimonDark'spasturethatopenedonthesideroadleadingdowntoBaySilver.Itwasawindy,darkgreynight,coldforAugust,withmorethanahintofnearingautumninit.Betweenthegustsofwindtheairwasfullofthelowcontinuousthunderofthesea.Lowinthewestwasasinglestripofbrilliantprimroseagainstwhichthespireofachurchstoodupblackly. Above it was the dark sullen beauty of the heavy storm-clouds.Everywhere,onthehillsandalongtheroads,treesweretossinghaglikeinthewind. A group of them overhanging the gate was like a weird cluster ofwitchesweavingunholyspells.

The summer--another summer--was almost over; asters and goldenrodwereblooming along the red roads; goldfinches were eating the cosmos andsunflowerseedsinthegardens;andinalittleoveramonththematterofthejugwouldbedecided.Claninterestwasagainbeingkeenlyworkedupoverit.Dandyhadkepthismouthshutimmovablyandnobodyknewanythingmoreaboutitthanatthestart.

ButJoscelyncarednothingwhogotthejug.Shewasgladtobealonewiththenight--especiallythiskindofanight.Itwasinkeepingwithherownstormymood. She liked to hear the wild night wind whistling in the reeds of theswamp in the corner of the pasture--she liked to hear its sweep in the treesaboveher.

She had been tempest-tossed all day. In such stress shewas accustomed tothinkthatpeacewasallsheaskedordesired.Butnowshefacedthethoughtthat shewantedmuch--muchmore.Shewantedwomanhoodandwifehood--she wanted Hugh and Treewoofe--she wanted everything she had wantedbeforehermadnesscameuponher.

Everything beautiful had gone out of her life. She had lived for years in afool's paradise of consecration to a great passion. Now that she had beenrudely made wise, life was so unbelievably poor--thin--barren--so bitterly

empty.IfFrankhadnevercomehomeshecouldhavegoneonlovinghim.Butshecouldnotlovethetubby,middle-agedhusbandofKateandtheprospectivefatherofKate'sbaby.Life,withall its finenessandvulgarity, its colour anddrabness,itsfrenzyanditspeace,seemedtohavepassedherbyutterlyandtobelaughingatheroveritsshoulder.

Nothingwastalkedofintheclanjustnowbutweddings--NanandNoel,GayandRoger,PennyandMargaret,LittleSamand theWidowTerlizzick--evenDonnaandPeter.ForPeterwashomeagain,andreportsaidhehadcomeforDonna andwould have her inDrowned John's very teeth.AsUncle Pippinsaid, Cupid was busy. Amid all this chatter of marrying and giving inmarriage,Joscelynfeltlikeanonentity--andnobody,leastofallaPenhallowwithSpanishbloodinher,likestofeellikeanonentity.

Itwas not quite dark yet--not too dark to seeTreewoofe.The hill had beenaustereallthatday,underthelow,flyinggreyclouds.Nowitwaswithdrawnand remote.One solitary light bloomed on it through the stormydusk.WasHughthere--alone?SupposehedidreallylovePaulineandwantedtobefree?ThethoughtofPaulinewaslikeapoison.Paulinehadgonetoseehimwhenhewasinthehospital.ButsohadeveryotherDarkandPenhallowintheclan--exceptJoscelynandhermotherandaunt.

Sometimes,asnow,Joscelynfeltthatifshecouldnotdiscovertheanswertocertainquestionsthattorturedhershewouldgowhollymad.

ShedidnotseeMrsConradDarkuntiltheywerefairlyfacetofaceoverthegate. Joscelyn started a little as she recognized the tall, dark, forbiddingwomanbeforeher.Thenshestoodverystill.ShehadnotseenMrsConradforalongwhile.Now,eveninthegloom,shecouldrecognizethathoodedlookofhersasshebroodedhervenom.

"So?" said Mrs Conrad tragically. Stanton Grundy had once said that MrsConradalwaysspoketragically,evenifsheonlyaskedyoutopassthepepper.Butnowshehadafittingsettingforher tragictoneandafittingobject.Sheleaned across the gate and peered into Joscelyn's face. Theywere both tallwomen--Joscelynalittlethelatter.PeoplehadoncesaidthatthemainreasonMrsConraddidn'tlikeJoscelynwasthatshedidn'twantadaughter-in-lawshewouldhavetolookupto.

"Soit'syou--JoscelynPenhallow.H'm--verysleek--veryhandsome--notquitesoyoungasyouoncewere."

ConventionfellawayfromJoscelyn.ShefeltasifsheandMrsConradwerealoneinsomestrangeworldwherenothingbutrealitiesmattered.

"MrsDark,"shesaidslowly,"whyhaveyoualwayshatedme--notjustsince--sinceImarriedHugh--butbeforeit?"

"Because I knew you didn't love Hugh enough," answered Mrs Conradfiercely."Ihatedyouonyourwedding-nightbecauseyoudidn'tdeserveyourhappiness. Iknewyouwouldplayfastand loosewithhiminsomeway.Doyouknowtherehasn'tbeenanightsinceyourweddingthatIhaven'tprayedfor evil to come on you. And yet--if you'd go back to him and make himhappy--I'd--I'dforgiveyou.Evenyou."

"Go back to him. But does he want me back? Doesn't he--doesn't he lovePauline?"

"Pauline!Iwishhedid.Shewouldn'thavebrokenhisheart--shewouldn'thavemadehimalaughing-stock.Iusedtoprayhewouldloveher.Butshewasn'tprettyenough.Menhavesuchacursedhankeringforgoodlooks.Youhadhimfast--snaredinthegoldofyourhair.Evenyet--evenyet.Whenhewasfaintingon the road down there, after the accident that might have killed him--hecalledforyou--youwhohadlefthimandshamedhim--itwasyouhewantedwhenhethoughthewasdying."

A fierce pang of joy stabbed through Joscelyn. But she would not let MrsConradsuspectit.

"Isn'thegoingtosellTreewoofe?"

"SellTreewoofe!SometimesI'mafraidhewill--andgoGodknowswhere--mydearestson."

Something gave way in Mrs Conrad. Joscelyn's apparent immobilitymaddenedher.Sheletlooseallthesuppressedhatredofyears.Sheshouted--shecried--sheraved--sheleanedacrossthegateandtriedtoshakeJoscelyn.Inshort shemade such a show of herself that all the rest of her life shewentmeeklyandhumblybefore Joscelyn, remembering it.UnclePippin, amblingalongthesideroadfromaneighbourlycall,heardherandpausedindismay.Twowomen fighting--twowomenof the clan--theymustbeof the clan, fornobodybutDarksandPenhallowslivedjustaroundthere.ItmustbeMrsSimDarkandMrsJuniusPenhallow.Theywerealwaysbickering,thoughhecouldnot recollect that they had evermade such a violent scene as this in publicbefore.What if StantonGrundy should hear of it? Itmust be put a stop to.LittleUnclePippinvaliantlytrotteduptothegateandattemptedtoputastoptoit.

"Now,now,"hesaid."Thisismostunseemly!"

JustthenhediscoveredthatitwasJoscelynDarkandhermother-in-law.UnclePippin felt that he had rushed inwhere both angels and foolsmight fear totread.

"I--Ibegyourpardon,"hesaidfeebly,"IjustthoughtitwassomeonefightingoverAuntBecky'sjugagain."

ItwasquiteunthinkablethatJoscelynandMrsConradcouldberowingoverthejug.Sinceitcouldn'tbethejugitmustbeHugh,andUnclePippin,whowasnot lacking insenseofakind--asheput ithimself,heknewhowmanybeansmadefive--understoodthatthiswasnoplaceforaniceman.

"Pippin," said Mrs Conrad, rather breathlessly but still very tragically, "gohomeandthankthegoodLordHemadeyouafool.Onlyfoolsarehappyinthisworld."

UnclePippinwent.AndifhedidnotthanktheLordforbeingafoolhedidatleastthankHimdevoutlythathestillhadtheuseofhislegs.Hepausedwhenhegottothemainroadtowipetheperspirationfromhisbrow.

"Arecklesswomanthat--averyrecklesswoman,"saidUnclePippinsadly.

III

NanwasintheroombeforeGayhadheardanysound.ShehadneverbeentoMaywood since the night of the dance at the Silver Slipper--Gay had nevermetheralonesincethen.Occasionallytheymetatclanaffairs,whereNanhadalwaysgreetedGayaffectionatelyandmockinglyandGayhadbeencoolandaloof.TheclanthoughtGayhandledthesituationverywell.Theywereproudofher.

Gay lookedup inamazementandanger fromher seatby thewindow.Whatwas Nan doing here? How dared she walk into one's room like that,unannounced,uninvited?Nan,smilingandinsolent, inayellowfrockwithastringofamberbeadsonherneckandlongdanglingamberearrings,withherblood-redmouthandherperfumedhairandherslygreeneyes.WhatbusinesshadNanhere?

"Hasshecome,"thoughtGay,"toaskmetobeherbridesmaid?Shewouldbequitecapableofit."

"You don't look overjoyed to see me, honey," said Nan, coolly depositingherselfonGay'sbedandproceedingtolightacigarette.Gayreflectedratherabsently thatNanwaswearing that ringshewassofondof--aring thatGayalwayshated--withapale-pinkstonecabachon,lookingexactlyasifalumpofflesh were sticking through the ring. The next moment Gay felt an oddsensation tinglingoverher.WherewasNoel'sdiamond?AndwhatwasNansaying?

"AndyetI'vecometotellyousomethingyou'llbegladtohear.I'vebrokenmyengagementwithNoel.Senthimpacking,inshort.Youcanhavehimafterall,Gay."

Long after she had spoken, thewords seemed toGay to be vibrating in theatmosphere. It seemed to Gay a long, long time before she heard herselfsayingcoolly,

"DoyouthinkIwanthimnow?"

"Yes, I think you do," said Nan insolently. She could make any tone--anymovement--insolent. "Yes, in spiteof thatbigdiamondofRoger's"--ah,GayknewverywellNan had been jealous of that diamond--"and in spite of thenewbungalowgoingupatBaySilver,IthinkyouwantNoelasbadlyasyoueverdid.Well,you'requitewelcometohim,dear.IjustwantedtoshowyouIcouldgethim.DoyouremembertellingmeIcouldn't?"

Yes,Gayremembered.Shesatverystillbecauseshewasafraidifshemovedan eyelash she would cry. Cry, before Nan! This girl who had flung NoelGibsonasidelikeaworn-outtoy.

"Ofcourseitwillgivetheclanthetummy-ache,"saidNan."TheirideasaboutengagementsdatebacktotheNeolithic.EvenMother!Althoughinherheartshe'sglad,too.ShewantsmetomarryFredMargoldsbyathome,youknow.IdaresayIwill.TheMargoldsbydollarswilllastlongerthanlove.IreallywasalittlebitinlovewithNoel.Buthe'sgettingfat,Gay--hereallyis.He'sgotthebeginningsofacorporation.Fancyhimat forty.Andhehadgot intosuchahabitoftellingmehistroubles."

Gay suddenly realized that thiswas true. It struckher thatNoel had alwayshadagoodmanytroublestotell.Andsherememberedassuddenlythathehadneverseemedmuchinterestedinhertroubles.ButshewishedNanwouldstoptalkingandgoaway.Shewantedtobealone.

Nanwastalkingairilyon.

"So I'm going toHalifax for a visit.Mother, of course,won't leave till she

knowswhois toget thatpottyold jug.Doyouever think,Gay, that ifAuntBecky--Godresthersoul--hadn'tleftthatjugasshedid,you'dprobablyhavebeenmarriedtoNoelbynow?"

Gayhad thoughtof it often--thought of it bitterly, rebelliously, passionately.Shewasthinkingitagainnow,butwithacuriousfeelingofdetachment,asifthe Gay who might have been married to Noel were some other personaltogether.IfonlyNanwouldgo!

Nan was going. She got up and flung another gratuitous piece of adviceinsolentlytoGay.

"So, Gay dear, just tell your middle-aged beau that you don't want aconsolationprizeafterallandwarmupthecoldsoupwithNoel."

Really,Nancouldbeveryodiouswhensheliked.Yetsomehowshedidn'thateherasbefore.Shefeltveryindifferenttoher.Shefoundherselflookingatherwith cool, appraising eyes, seeingher as shehadnever seenher before.Anempty,selfishlittlecreature,whohadalwaystobeamusedlikeachild.Agirlwhosaid"hell"becauseshethoughtitwouldshockherpoorolddecentclan.Agirlwho thought shewasdoing somethingverycleverwhen shepubliclypowderedhernosewiththeunconcernofacatwashingitsfaceinthegazeofthousands.Agirlwhoposedasasophisticatebeforehercountrycousinsbutwhowasreallymoreprovincialthantheywere,knowingnothingofreallifeorrealloveorrealemotionofanykind.Gaywondered,asshelooked,howshecouldeverhavehated thisgirl--everbeen jealousofher.Shewasnotworthhating.Gayspokeatlast.ShestoodupandlookedlevellyatNan.Therewascontemptinherquietvoice.

"I supposeyoucamehere tohurtme,Nan.Youhaven't--youcanneverhurtme again. You've lost the power. I think I even feel a little sorry for you.You'vealwaysbeenataker,Nan.Allthroughyourlifeyou'vetakenwhateveryouwanted.But you've never been a giver--you couldn't be because you'venothing to give. Neither love nor truth nor understanding nor kindness norloyalty.Justtakingallthetimeandgivingnothing--oh,ithasmadeyouverypoor.Sopoorthatnobodyneedenvyyou."

Nanshruggedhershoulders.

"Pleaseomitflowers,"shesaid.Buthersubtleairoftriumphhadlefther.ShewentoutwithanuneasyfeelingthatGayhadhadthebestofit.

Leftalone,Gaysatdownbyherwindowagain.Everythingseemeddifferent--changed.Shewishedthishadn'thappened.Ithadunsettledher.Shehadbeenso contented beforeNan came--even happy. Thinking of the new bungalow

Rogerwasbuildingfortheirhome.

"Iwanttobuildahouseforyou,"hehadsaid,hiseyeslookingdeepintoherswithalookthatwaslikeakiss."AhousethatwillbeahometocometowhenI'mtired--onalittlehillsothatwe'llhaveaview,butnotahilllikeTreewoofe--too high above all the rest of the world. A house with you in it, Gay, towelcomeme."

They had planned it together. The clan overwhelmed them with floods ofadvicebuttheytooknoneofit.Itwastohaveonewindowthatfacedtheseaandanotherthatlookedonthedreamy,over-harbourhills.Andaquaintlittleeyebrowwindowintheroof.

Theywouldbeabletolookthroughtheiropendining-roomdoorintotheheartofabloomingappletreeinitsseason--ahillofwhiteblossomagainstthebluesky--toeatsupperthereandseethemoonrisebehindit.Therewasaclumpofcool,white birches at one corner.A spruce bush behind itwhere dear littlebrown owls lived. Gay had been so interested in everything. Her bathroomwas to be mauve and pale yellow. She would have window-boxes ofnasturtiums and petunias and Kenilworth ivy. She was thinking about nicelinen--nicelittleteacups.TheweddingwastobeinlateOctober.Theclanhadreallybehavedbeautifully--althoughGayknewwhattheyweresayingbehindherback.

Andnoweverythingwastangledupagain.Gaywalkedlatethatnight,intheoldMaywoodgardenthatlayfragrantandvelvetyundertheenchantmentofawaningmoon.Theghostofalosthappinesscameandmockedher.Noelwasfreeagain.AndGayknewthatwhatNanhadsaidwastrue.Shedidwanthim--with all her heart she wanted him still--and she had to marry Roger inOctober.

IV

Peter Penhallow was finding out the fun of really trying to get something.After a year inAmazonian jungles,where,when his temper had cooled, hespentmostofhistimelongingtohearDonna'sexquisitelaughagain,hehadcomehometomakeitupwithher.Neverdoubtingthathewouldfindherasreadyandeagerto"makeup"ashewas.Peterknewverylittleaboutwomenand still less about a woman who was the daughter of Drowned John. HearrivedSaturdaynight,muchtothesurpriseofhisfamily,whohadsupposed

himstill inSouthAmerica,andhadpromptlytelephonedDonna--or triedto.Old Jonas answered the phone and said all the folks were away--he didn'tknowwhere.

Peter chewed his nails in frenzy until next morning, when he saw Donnaacrossthechurch.Hisdarling--unchanged--withthemournfulshadowsunderhereyesandherdark,cloud-likehair.Whatapairoffools theyhadbeentoquarrelovernothing!Howtheywouldbelaughingoveritpresently!

DonnagottheshockofherlifewhenshesawPeterlookingatheracrossthechurch.OutwardlyshetookitsocoollythatVirginia,whowaswatchingheranxiously,threwhereyesupattheceilinginrelief.

DonnahadhatedPeter furiously foroverayearand it seemednow that shehatedhimmorethanever.Afterthefirststartledglanceshewouldnotlookathim again.When church came out he strode across the green tomeet her--exultantly,triumphantly,masterfully.Thatwaswherehemadeafatalmistake!Ifhehadbeenalittletimid--alittlelesscocksure--ifhehadshownhimselfarepentant,ashamedPeter,creepingbackhumblyforpardon,Donna,inspiteofherhate,mighthaveflungherselfonhisneckbeforeeverybody.Buttocomelike this--as if they had parted yesterday--as if he had not behavedoutrageously to her when they had parted--as if he had not ignored herexistence for a year, sending never a word or message--expressing nocontrition--comingsmilingtowardsherasifheexpectedhertobegratefultohim for forgivingher--whichwas exactlywhat Peterdid expect--no, it wasreallytoomuch.Donna,afteronelevel,contemptuousglance,turnedherbackonPeterandwalkedaway.

Peterlookedratherfoolish.Someboysstandingneargiggled.VirginiasweptafterDonna to help her through this ordeal.And, "Don't be so--emotional,"wasallthethanksshegot.

DrownedJohnwantedtoswearbutcouldn't,realizingthankfullythatinlittleoveramonthmoretheaffairofthejugwouldbesettledandfreespeechoncemorebepossible.FinallyPeterturnedawayandwenthome,lostinwonderathimselfforputtingupwithallthisjusttogetawoman.

Peter'snextattemptwastostalkdowntoDrownedJohn's,walkintothehousewithout knocking, and demand Donna. Drowned John raved, stamped andplayed the heavy parent to perfection--yet still--will it be believed?--did notswear.PeterwouldhavecaredlittleforDrownedJohnifhecouldhaveseenDonnabutnotaglimpsecouldhegetofher.Hewenthome,defeated,askinghimselfforthehundredthtimewhyheenduredthissortofthing.Itwasreallyanobsession.Donnawasn'tworth it--no feminine creature in theworldwas

worth it.But hemeant to haveher for all that.Hewasnot going to endureanothersuchyearashehadenduredamongtheupperreachesoftheAmazon.SoonerwouldheknockDonnaovertheheadandcarryheroffbodily.ItneveroccurredtoPeterthatallhehadtodowastoaskforgivenessforthatnightatthewestgate.Nor,haditoccurredtohim,wouldhehavedoneit.IthadbeenallDonna'sfault.Hewasforgivingher--mostmagnanimously,withoutawordofreproach,andyetsheseemedtoexpecthimtocrawlonallfoursforher.

Eventually,findingitimpossibletoobtainspeechwithDonna,Peterwroteheraletter--probablytheworstletterthatwaseverwrittenintheworldforsuchapurpose.Donnagot it herself at thepost-office and, although shehadneverseenPeter's large,black,untidyhandwritingbefore,knewatoncethat ithadcomefromhim.Shecarriedithomeandsatdownbeforeitinherroom.Shethoughtsheoughttoreturnittohimunopened.Virginiawouldadvisethat,shewas sure. But if she did, she knew she would spend the rest of her lifewonderingwhathadbeeninit.

Eventually she opened it. It was a blunt epistle. There was no word ofrepentance--or even of love in it. Peter told her hewas leaving in aweek'stimeforSouthAfrica,wherehemeanttospendfouryearsphotographinglionsintheirnativehaunts.Wouldshecomewithhimorwouldshenot?

This take-it-or-leave-it epistle infuriatedDonna,whenone "darling" or evenanXforakissmighthavemeltedherintoaforgivenessthathadn'tbeenaskedfor.Beforeherragecouldcoolshehadtorntheletterfourtimesacross,putitinanenvelopeanddirectedittoPeter.

"I'll never forgive him," she said through set teeth. It was a comfort toarticulatethewords.Itmadeherfeelmoresureofherself.Inherheartshewasafraidshemightforgivehim.Shedarednotleavetheletterlyingonhertableallnight,lestherresolutionfailher,soshewentdownandgaveittooldJonastomailonhiswaytotown.Then,thethingbeingirrevocable,shewenttoherfatherand toldhimshewasgoingaway to trainasanurse,whetherhewaswillingornot.DrownedJohn,whowasthoroughlyfedupwithhavingasulkythunderstorm at table and hearth for a year, told her she could go and bedingedtoher.Whatevertheologicaldifferencetheremaybebetween"damn"and "ding," there was none whatever in Drowned John's meaning orintonation.

AsforPeter,whenhegotbackhistornletter,hegavehimselfuptohateforatime and hated everything and everybody, living or dead. Somatters stooduntilthenightDandyDark'shouseburneddown.

V

The oldMoonManwent singing softly through the quiet September night,underasilveryharvestmoon.HewentalongbythedimghostlyshoreoftheIndianSpringriver,past friendlyoldfieldswhere thewindpurred likeabigcat,throughwoodswherethetreesweretalkingabouthim,alonglaneswheretherewasastripplingofmoonlighton thenarrowgrassypathandoverhillswherehepausedtolistentoeternity.Hewasveryhappyandhepitiedthepoorfolksasleepinthehousesashewentby.Theydidnotknowwhattheyweremissing.

ItwashewhofirstsawthatDandyDark'shouse,perchedontheshoulderofasmallwoodedhillwheretheroadturneddowntoBaySilver,wasonfire.Theflameswerealreadyburstingoutof the roofof theellwhen theMoonManthunderedonthedoorandadrowsyhiredboyshuffleddownfromthekitchenchamber to demandwhatwas up.TheMoonMan told him and then strodecalmlyoff.The firewasno longer anyconcernofhis.Hewasnotgoing toloseanotherminuteofthisbeautifulnightforit.Behindhimheleftalarmandconfusion.DandyDarkwasaway--nobodyknewwhere.Dandyhad taken tostayingoutlateatnights,thoughasyetnobodyknewofitexcepthiswife.Buttheclanat largeknew that somethinghadcomeoverDandy in thepast fewweeks.Hewas changed.Unsociable, uneasy, irritable, absent-minded.SomeputitdowntothefactthatthedateforthejugdecisionwasdrawingnearandarguedthatthedecisionmustbeinDandy'shands,sincehewassomanifestlyuncomfortable about it. Either that, or something had happened to the jug.Nobody dared ask Dandy about it; he positively snapped now if any onereferredtothejug.Buteverybodymoreorlesswasbeginningtofeeluneasy,too.AndnowDandy'shousewasburning.ThehiredboyhadyelleddownthehallforMrsDandy,hadrousedaneighbouronthephoneandhaddashedtothe barn for ladders. In an incredibly short time a crowd had gathered, butfrom the first itwasmanifest that thehousewasdoomed.Theyhadgotoutmost of the furniture and were grimly watching the spectacle when Dandyarrivedhome.

"GoodGosh,"criedDandy,"whereisthejug?"

Incredible as it may seem, nobody had thought about the jug. Everybodystaredateachother.Therewasnoonetoask.MrsDandy,whenthehiredboyroused her, had promptly run out of the front door in her night-dress andfainted in a corner of the garden. FoolishMrs Dandy was noted for doingthingslikethat.ShehadbeencarriedovertoPennyDark'shouseonthenext

farmandwasbeingattendedtothere.

"Doesn't any one know anything about the jug?" howled Dandy, losing hishead completely and running wildly about, clawing over the stuff that hadbeensavedfromhisblazingroof-tree.

"Wherewasitkept?"shoutedsomebody.

"Inthespare-roomcloset,"moanedDandy.

Nothinghadbeensavedfromthespareroom.Itwasfardowntheupstairshallintheellandthehallhadbeentoofullofsmoketoreachit.

Peterwas standingamong thecrowd.Hehadbeenamong the first to arriveand had worked heroically. And now they had not saved the jug. The jugDonnawantedsomuch--theoldjugAuntBeckyhadtoldhimtalesof inhischildhood--thejugthathadruinedhiselopementandwreckedhishopes.Petersnatchedareekingcoatthatwashangingonthefence,flungitoverhisheadanddashedintothehouse.HemustsavethatjugforDonna.

Every one yelled after him and then went mad. The yard was filled withdancing, shouting frantic figures, amongwhich suddenly appeared a ravingmaniac of a boy from Penny Dark's who gasped out a horrifying question.WherewasDonnaDark?ShehadbeenstayingallnightwithMrsDandy--shehadbeensleepinginthespareroom--wasshesafe?

Some women fainted with a better excuse than Mrs Dandy. Some wentshrieking about for Donna. The men gazed at each other and then at theburning house. They shook their heads. Itwas amadman's attempt to enterthat house now. Peter would be burned to death, trying to save Donna--fornobodynowdoubteditwasDonnahehadgonetosave.Hemusthaveheardwhattheboywassayingbeforeanyoneelsedid.

Peterhadgoneuptheblazingstaircasethreestepsatatime,readytoplungeintotheinfernoofsmokeandflamethathadbeenthehall,whenhestumbledandalmostfellovertheunconsciousformofawomanlyingonthefloorattheheadofthestairs.

GoodGod,whowasit?Shemustberescued,jugornojug.Hepickedherupandturnedbackwithafeelingofregret.Nohopeofthejugnow.PoorDonnawould be bitterly disappointed.He stumbled down the stairs and out of thedoor into the seething crowd. The yells and shouts changed suddenly tohurrahs.Peterwasahero.Eagerhandstookhisslimwhiteburdenfromhim.Drowned John, who had just driven in, having heard of the fire but not ofDonna'sdangeruntilhearrivedthere--wasshakinghishandandsobbing,with

tearsrunningdownhisface.

"Godblessyou,Peter--you savedher--Godblessyou for savingDonna--mypoor littlemotherlessgirl--"DrownedJohnwasalmostmaudlin--peoplehadtoleadhimawayandcalmhimdown,whilePeterstoodverystillandtriedtorealize that itwasDonnawhomhehadcarriedoutofDandyDark'sburninghouse.Donna!

"Shekemupto-daytohelpmemakethebakeddamsonpreserve,"sobbedMrsDandyonthekitchenloungeatPennyDark's."Ineverdidorcouldseemableto bake damsons so as to pleaseDandy.Donna knew how--Dandy'smothertaughther 'foreshedied--soIaskedherifshe'dcomeupanddo'emforme.They'reallburnedupnow.It lookedlikerainatsupper-timeandDandywasaway--he's always awaynow, it seems tome--so I toldDonna shemight aswellstayallnight.Oh,dearieme,tothinkwhatmighthavehappened!"

"Thejug'sgone,though,"saidWilliamY.gloomily.

"Thejug?Itain'tbroken?"criedMrsDandyshrilly.

"It'sburnedupwithalltherestofthespare-roomthings."

"Oh,no,itain't."MrsDandylookedveryslyandcunning."WhenIputDonnatosleepinthespareroomItookthejuginitsboxoutentheclosetandtookitdowntomyownroom.Ididn'tknowwhatDandymightofsaidtomeifI'dleftthatjuginthesameroomwithanybody.FolkssayI'msillybutI'mnotsosillyasthat.AndwhenIheardTyleryellingfireIgrabbedholtofthatboxfirstthingalongwiththeoldteapotwiththebrokenspoutIkeepmybitofmoneyin,andrunoutwiththemanddroppedthemoverthefenceintotheburdocksinthebackyard.Ireckonyou'llfindthemthere."

Findthemtheretheydid,muchtoeverybody'srelief.Donnahadcometohersensesandhadbeentakentothehospital,andeverybodywenthomethroughthepale-yellow,windydawn, telling talesabout thefire.Oneof thefunniestwasthatofPennyDark,who,summonedto the telephonefromhisbed,hadlost his head and torn over toDandy's place in his pyjamas.Worse still, intryingtoclimboverthepicketfencebackofDandy'sbarn,hehadslippedandthewaistcordofhispyjamashadcaughtonapicket.TherepoorPennyhadhung,yelpingpiteously,until someonehadheardhimaboveall thedinandrescuedhim.Mostpeoplethoughtitservedhimrightforwearingpyjamas.Ithadbeensuspected for severalyears thathedidbutnobodyeverwas reallysure,foroldAuntRuthhadkepthissecretwell.

"AndHappyDark is home," said SimDark. "Walked in last night after hismotherhadgonetobed,atethesuppershe'dleft,andthenwenttosleepinhis

own room.She didn't know it till he come down to breakfast thismorning.Saidhe'dmetanoldcronyinSingaporewhogavehimanoldCharlottetownpapertoread.Itwastheonewherethatfoolreporterhadwritupthestoryofthejug.Happysaidhethoughthemightaswellcomehomeandseewhathischanceswereforit.Hismother'ssoupliftedshecanhardlytalk.Justsitsandlooksathim."

Butamongalltheeventsofthatnight,thereallytragiconewasnottalkedoverattheclanbreakfast-tablesbecauseitwasnotknownuntilseveraldayslater.Christopher Dark, drunk, as usual, had run in at the kitchen door of theburningbuildingunseenof anybody, andhadbeenkilledbya fallingbeam.Peoplesupposedhemusthavebeenmakingacrazyefforttosavethejug.TheclanwasproperlystirredupoverthedreadfulendofpoorChris,butunderalltheir horror was a calm conviction that everything was for the best. Onedisgracetotheclanwasended.

Murray Dark looked at his house proudly when he came home from thefuneral.

"We'llsoonhaveamistressforyounow,"hesaid.

DonnasentforPeterassoonasshewasallowedtoseeanybody,andbeggedhim to forgive her. She knew now that he really did love her, in spite ofeverything,orhewouldneverhavedashedintothatblazinghousetosaveher.Peterdidnotundeceiveher.Heremembered thathehadonceheardStantonGrundysaythatlifewouldbeunbearableifwedidn'tbelieveafewlies.ThedeceptionsatlightlyonPeter'sconscience,forheknewthatifhehaddreamedfor amoment that Donnawas, or evenmight be, in that doomed house hewouldhavegonethroughitfromcellartoatticforher.

"But nomore eloping," saidDonna. "I'llmarry you in the open, in spite ofFather'steeth."

DrownedJohn,however,showednoteeth.HetoldDonnathatsincePeterhadsavedherlifehedeservedtogetherandshecouldgoandphotographlionsinAfricawith his blessing. The first time Peterwent toDrowned John's afterDonna came home,Drowned John shook hands geniallywith him and tookhimouttoseehisfavouritepig.Peterconcludedthat,afterall,DrownedJohnwasagreatoldboy.

"Well, here's congratulations," said Roger,meeting Peter coming beaminglyoutofthewestgate.

"Thanks.AndIhearyou'retobecongratulated,too."

Roger'sfacehardened.

"I don't know.Are congratulations in order if you are going tomarry a girlwhoisinlovewithanotherman?"

"So?It'sthatwaystill?"

"Still."

"Andyouaregoingtomarryher?"

"Iam.Congratulatemenowifyoudare."

VI

JoscelynDarkwakenedoneSeptembermorning,knowingthatsomethingwasgoingtohappenthatday.Shehadreceivedsomesigninhersleep.Shesatupand looked out of her window. The sunlight of dawn was striking onTreewoofe,althoughthelowerslopeswerestill inshadow.Arounditgoldengrain fields lay in thebeautyof harvesting.The airwas rose and silver andcrystal.Thehouseseemedtobeckontoher.Allatoncesheknewwhatwastohappenthatday.ShewouldgotoHughandaskhimifhecouldforgiveher.

Shehadwanted togoeversince thenightshehadmetMrsConrad,butshehad not been able to summon up enough courage. And now, in somemysteriousway,thecouragehadcome.Shewouldlearnthetruth.Whateveritmight be, sweet or bitter, it would be more bearable than this intolerablesuspense.

Shecouldnotgobeforeevening.Thedayseemedlong;ithatedtogoout;itlingeredontheredroads,onthetopsofthesilverdunes,ontheredploughedsummerfallowontheshoulderofTreewoofe.NotuntilithadreallygoneandthefullmoonwasshiningovertheTreewoofebirchesdidJoscelyndaretosetout.Hermother andAuntRachel had gone to prayer-meeting, so that therewasnoonetoquestionher.OldMillerDarkshortlyovertookherinhisbuggyandofferedhera"lift,"whichJoscelynacceptedbecausesheknewitwouldoffendpooroldMillerifsherefused.Inherhighraptmoodshedidnotwanttoseeorridewithanyone.OldMillerwasinagreatgoodhumour;hehadjustaboutfinishedhishistoryoftheclan.Meanttohaveitpublishedinbookform,andwould she subscribe for a copy? Joscelyn said shewould take two; shewondered if oldMiller had put anything about her andHugh in it.Hewas

quitecapableofit.

JoscelyngotoutatWilliamY.'sgate.OldMiller supposedshewasgoing tosee the William Y.'s and she let him think so. But as soon as he haddisappearedaroundthewoodedcurveshewalkedup theThreeHills roadtoTreewoofe. The air was keen and frosty; the waves far down on the bayquiveredasiftheyweretipsywithmoonlight;itwasjustsuchanothernightasher wedding-night had been, eleven years ago.What a fool she had been?Hughcouldneverforgiveher.Shewasseizedwithaspasmofpanicandwasonthepointofturningandrunningmadlydownthehill.

ButTreewoofewasclosetoher--dearfrustratedTreewoofe.Shetrembledwithlongingasshelookedatit.Shepulledherselftogetherandwalkedacrosstheyard. There was a light in the kitchen but no answer came to her repeatedknocks.She felt heart-sick.She couldnot gobackwithoutknowing.With ashaking hand she lifted the latch and went in. She crossed the kitchen andopenedthedoorintothehall.Hughwassittingthere,alone,bytheashesofhisdesolatefireplace.Inthelightthatfelloverhisfacefromthekitchenshesawthestarkamazementonitashestoodup.

"Hugh,"criedJoscelyndesperately--shemustspeakfirst,forwhoknewwhathemightsay?--"I'vecomeback.Iwasafool--afool.Canyouforgiveme?Doyoustillwantme?"

Therewasa silence that seemedendless to Joscelyn.She shivered.Thehallwasverycold.Ithadbeensolongsincetherehadbeenafireinit.Thewholehousewascold.Therewasnowelcomeinitforher.Shehadalienatedit.

After what seemed an eternity Hugh came towards her. His hungry eyesburnedintohers.

"Whydoyouwanttocomeback?Don'tyoustill--lovehim?"

Joscelynshuddered.

"No--no."Shecouldsaynothingmore.

AgainHughwassilent.Hisheartwaspoundingwithawildexultationinhisbreast.Shehadcomebacktohim--hisagain--notFrankDark's--his,hisonly.Shewasstandingthereinthemoonlightwhereshehadmockedhimsolongago.Askinghis forgiveness andhis love.Hehadonly toputouthishand--drawhertohisbreast.

HughDarkwashismother'sson.Hecrushedbackthemadwordsofpassionthatrushedtohislips.Hespokecoldly--sternly.

"GobacktoBaySilver--andputonyourwedding-dressandveil.Comebacktomeinitasyouwentaway--comeasabridetoherbridegroom.Then--Imaylistentoyou."

Proud Joscelynwent humbly. Shewould have done anything--anything thatHughcommanded.Neverhadshelovedhimasshelovedhimstandingthere,tall and dark and stern in the moonlit hall of Treewoofe. She would havecrawled to him on all fours and kissed his feet had he so commanded. ShewentbacktoBaySilver--shewenttothegarretandgottheboxthatcontainedherwedding-dressandveil.Sheputthemon,likeawomaninatranceobeyingthecompulsionofsomestrongerwillthanherown.

"ThankGod,I'mstillbeautiful,"shewhispered.

ThenshewalkedbacktoTreewoofe,glimmeringbyinthesilverofmoonlightandtheshimmerofsatin.

UnclePippin,whowasalwayswherenobodyexpectedhimtobe,thoughtshewasaghostwhenhe sawher.Theexcitedyelpheemittedmighthavebeenheard for a mile. Uncle Pippin didn't approve of it. Well-behaved youngwomendidn'tgostrollingaboutonmoonlitnights,wearingwedding-clothes.Itcouldn'tbethejugthatmadeJoscelyndothis.SoUnclePippinfellbackontheSpanishblood.Abadbusiness that.Really,nothingbutqueer thingshadhappenedsinceAuntBeckydied.Hesatinhisbuggyandstaredafterheruntilshedisappeared.Thenhedrovehomewithbadlyshakennerves.

JoscelynhadnotevennoticedUnclePippin.Shewenton,pastthegraveyardwhereherfatherlay,uptheThreeHillsroad.Forawonder,nooneelsesawher.NobodyeverbelievedUnclePippinhadseenher.Thepooroldmanwasgettingdotty.Imaginingthingstomakehimselfimportant.

The lights of beautiful Treewoofe were twinkling through the tall slenderbircheswhenshecameback.Everyroomwaslighteduptoflashawelcometoher--its mistress for whom it had waited so long. She and Treewoofe weregood friends again. The front door was open--and goblins of firelight weredancing in the hall beyond it. The mirror over the mantel was turned faceoutwardagain,andHughwaswaitingforherby thefirehehadkindled.Asshepausedentreatinglyinthedoorway,hecameforwardandledheroverthethreshold by one of her cold hands.Awedding-ringwas lying on the dustymantel,where ithad lain formanyyears.Hugh took itupandput itonherfinger.

"Joscelyn,"hecriedsuddenly."Oh,Joscelyn--myJoscelyn!"

VII

Margaret had made many wedding-dresses for other people with vicariousthrills anddreamsbut shemadeherownveryprosaically.Herwedding-daywas finally fixed for the first of October. That would give them time for abridal trip to points on themainland before the date appointed for the finaldisposalofAuntBecky'sjug.NeithershenorPennyfeltanyelationovertheaffair. In truth,as thefatal timedrewnear,Pennygrewabsolutelydesperate.At first he thought hewould askMargaret to postpone thewedding again--untilafterthepuzzleofthejugwassolved.Thatwouldnotaffecthischancesmaterially.ThenPenny threwuphishead.Thatwouldbedishonourable.Hewould break the engagement before, if break it hemust.Ay, thatwould benobler.Pennyfeltafineglowofvictorioussatisfactionwithhimself.

He went up to Denzil's, one evening, firmly resolved. No more shilly-shallying.Jugornojug,hewouldbeafreeman.Hehadknownyesterdaythathe could not go throughwith it.Margaret had told him that hiswatchwaswrong.ItalwaysinfuriatedPennytobetoldhiswatchwaswrong.Itwasnotthe first timeMargarethadoffended ina similar fashion.Andhewas in formarryingawomanlikethat.Whatadevilishpredicament!

Margaret had evidently been crying. And Margaret was not one of thosefortunate women who can cry without their noses turning red. Pennywondered testilywhy awomanwhowas engaged to him should be crying.Then he thought she might suspect his real feelings on the matter and beweeping over them. Penny felt his heart softening--after all--no, this wouldnever do. He must not be hen-hearted now. This was his last chance. Hemoppedhisbrow.

"Mar'gret," he said pleadingly, "do you thinkwe'd better go throughwith itafterall?"

"Gothrough--withwhat?"askedMargaret.

"With--withgettingmarried."

"Don'tyouwanttomarryme?"saidMargaret,asuddengleamcomingintohereyes.ItterrifiedPenny.

"No,"hesaidbluntly.

Margaretstoodupanddrewalongbreath.

"Oh,I'msothankful--sothankful,"shesaidsoftly.

Pennystaredatherwithadawningsenseofoutrage.Thiswasthelastthinghehadexpected.

"Thankful--thankful?Whatthehellareyouthankfulfor?"

Margaretwastooupliftedtomindhisprofanity

"Oh,Penny,Ididn'twanttomarryyoueither.IwasonlygoingthroughwithitbecauseIdidn'twanttodisappointyou.Youdon'tknowhowhappyitmakesmetofindoutthatyoudon'tcare."

Penny looked rather dour. Itwas one thing to explain to awoman that youdidn'tseeyourwaycleartomarryingherafterall.Itwasquiteanothertofindhersoelatedaboutit.

"Ionlyaskedyououtofpity,anyhow,Mar'gret,"hesaid.

Margaret smiled.TheGriscom showed therePenny's great-grandmother hadbeenaGriscom.

"That isn't a sporting thing to say," shemurmured gently. "Andwould youmind--verymuch--rememberingthatmynameisMargaret--notMar'gret.Hereisyourring--andI'vesomethingratherimportanttoattendtothisevening."

Thus coolly dismissed, Penny went--stiffly, rigidly, neither with handshake,bow,norbackwardglance.

Pennywashuffed.

Theimportant thingwhichMargarethadtodowastowritea letter.ShehadnotbeencryingbecauseshewasgoingtomarryPennyexactly--shehadbeencryingbecausesuddenly,unbelievably,magically,adarlingdreamcouldhavecometrueifshedidnothavetogetmarried.Andnowthatthemarriagewasoff,thedreamcouldcometrue.TheletterwastoNigelPenhallow.

When it was written Margaret felt curiously young again, as if life hadsuddenly folded back for thirty years. She slipped away in the Septembermoonlight to visit Whispering Winds. It would be hers--dear friendlyWhisperingWinds.Allthelovesomethingsinitsgardenwouldbetendedandloved. The little house should be whitewashed twice every year so that itwould always be white as a pearl. She would be there in cool, exquisitemornings--ingrey,sweetevenings--there tohear littlewindscrying toher inthenight. Itwouldbesodeliciouslyquiet;nobodycouldeveropenherdoorwithout knocking. Shewould be alonewith her dreams. She could cry and

laughand--and--swearwhenshewanted to.Andshewouldadoptababy.Ababy with dimples and sweet, perfumed creases and blue eyes and goldencurls.Theremustbesuchababysomewhere,justwaitingtobecuddled.

She looked lovingly at the trees that were to be hers. Whispering Windsbelongedtoitstreesanditstreestoit.Onelittlebirchgrewclosetoitinoneofitsangles.Awillowhoveredoveritprotectingly.Amaplepeepedaroundacorner. Little bushy spruces crouched under its windows. DearWhisperingWinds.AnddearAuntBeckywhohadmadeitallpossible.Margaretprayedthatnighttobeforgivenforthesinofingratitude.

Noonein theclancouldfindout justwhytheengagementhadbeenbrokenoff.ItwasinconceivablethatMargaretcouldhavedoneit,althoughforsomereason best known to himself Penny had taken up and was nursing anaggrievedattitude.

"Thesemysterieswilldrivemedistracted,"groanedUnclePippin,"butI'llbetthatfiendishjugwasatthebottomofitsomehow."

The clan were astounded when they heard Margaret had bought old AuntLouisa'scottagefromRichardDark,stillmoreastoundedwhentheyfoundshehad sold thePilgrim's Progress Aunt Becky had given her to a New Yorkcollector for a fabulous sum. Actually ten thousand dollars. It was a firsteditionandwouldhavebeenworththirtythousandifithadbeeninfirst-classcondition. It was plain to be seen nowwhy she had thrown Penny over soheartlessly.Pennyhimselfchewedsomebittercudsofreflection.Whowouldeverhavedreamed thatanyonewouldbecrazyenough topay ten thousanddollarsforanoldbooklikethat?Tenthousanddollars!Tenthousanddollars!Butitwastoolate.NeitherhenortheclaneverreallyforgaveMargaret--notforsellingthebookbutforgettingitfromAuntBeckyinthefirstplace.Whatrighthadshetoitmorethananybodyelse?Denzilwasespeciallygrouchy.HethoughtMargaretshouldhavegoneonlivingwithhimandusedhermoneytohelpeducatehisfamily.

"Throwingitawayonahouseyoudon'tneed,"hesaidbitterly."You'dshowmoresenseifyouputwhatitcostyouawayforarainyday."

"Umbrellashavebeeninventedsincethatproverb,"saidMargaretblithely.

VIII

Gaywaslingeringbythegate,watchingabigredmoonrisingbehindafringeoflittledarkelfinsprucesoverDrownedJohn'shillpasturetotheeastofher.Behindher,throughthetreesaroundMaywood,wasvisibleagreat,fresh,soft,empty,windy yellow sky of sunset.A little ghost of laughter drifted to herfromthehillroad.Therewas,itseemed,still laughterintheworld.Shewasaloneandshewasgladof it. Justnow lifewasbearableonlywhenshewasalone.

ForweeksGayhadbeendullyunhappy--restless--indifferent.Thenewhousenolongerthrilledher;everythingwastarnished.Shewisheddrearilythatshecouldgoaway--ordie--oratleastceasetoexist.Lifewastooperplexing.Shecouldnothelp thinkingofNoel all the time.Whatwashedoing--thinking--feeling? Was he very unhappy? Or was he--wiser? If she only knew theanswerstothosequestions!Shewouldneverknowthem.AndinlittleoveramonthshehadtomarryRoger.

ShewasstilltherewhenNoelcame.Nowthatshewasnotwaitingforhim--nowthatshewasgoingtomarryRoger--hecame.Whensheliftedherheadhewas standing before her. Looking like a movie star--handsome and--and--dapper! Yes, dapper, just like little Penny Dark. In twenty years' time hewouldbejustlikePennyDark.Gay'sheadspunaroundandshewonderedifsheweregoingcrazy.

"Noel!"shegasped.

"Yes--it'sNoel."Hecamecloseandtookherhand.Shelookedathim.Hadhegrown shorter? No, it was only that she had grown used to looking up atRoger.Noel'shairwastoocurly--whathadNansaidonceaboutthetongs?Oh,whathadgotintoher?Whywasshethinkingsuchabsurdthings--nowatthiswonderfulmomentwhenNoelhadcomebacktoher?

Noelwasleaningoverthegate,talkingrapidly--tellingherhehadneverreallycaredforNan.Nanhadchasedhim--huntedhimdown--hehadbeenbewitchedtemporarily--he had never really loved any one but her, Gay. Would sheforgivehim!Andtakehimback?

Noelhadevidentlyvery littledoubt thathewouldbeforgiven.Hehad,Gayfound herself thinking, quite a bit of confidence in his own powers ofattraction.Heputhisarmsabouthershouldersanddrewherclosetohim.Forlongmonthsshehadlongedtofeelhisarmsaboutherso--hislipsonhers--hisfacepressedtohercheek.Andnowthatithadcomeabout,Gayfoundherselflaughing--shaking with laughter. A bit hysterical perhaps--but Noel did notknow that.He released her abruptly and steppedback a pace in amazementandchagrin.

"You're--so--so--funny!"gaspedpoorGay.

"I'msorry,"saidNoelstiffly.Thiswasnotatallwhathehadlookedfor.

GayforcedherselftostoplaughingandlookedatNoel.Theoldenchantmenthad gone. She saw him as she had never seen him before--as her clan hadalwaysseenhim.Ahandsomefellow,who thoughteverygirlwho lookedathimfellinlovewithhim;shallow,selfish.Wasthiswhatshehadsupposedsheloved?Love!Shehadknownnothingaboutittillthisverymoment,whensherealized that itwasRoger she loved.Rogerwhowasaman!ThisNoelwasonly a boy. And he would never be anything but a boy, if he lived to ahundred--withaboy'sfickleheart,aboy'svanity,aboy'semptiness.Shehadfanciedherself in lovewithhimonce--fanciedherselfheart-brokenwhenhejiltedher--andnow--

"Why,it'sallancienthistory,"shethoughtinamazement.

Assoonasshecouldspeakshe toldNoel torunaway.HervoicestillshookandNoelthoughtshewasstilllaughingathim.Hewentoffinhighdudgeon.ItwasanewandverywholesomeexperienceforNoelGibsontobelaughedat.Itdidhimnoendofgood.Hewasneverquitesoself-assuredagain.

Gaystoodbythegateforalongwhile,tryingtoadjustherself.Theskyfadedout into darkness and themoonshine bathed her. Passing breaths of autumnwindsentshowersofsilverygoldenleavesalloverher.Shelovedthenight--shelovedeverything.Shefeltasifshehadbeenbornagain.HowluckyNoelhad come back. If he hadn't come back shemight always have fancied shecared--might never have seen the fathomless difference between him andRoger.Tocomebacksosoon--soshamelessly.Hadn'theanydepth?Couldn'thecarereallyforanybody?Buthehadcome--andhiscominghadsetherfreefromphantomfetters.

"I suppose if it were not for the jug I'd still be engaged to him--perhapsmarriedtohim."

Sheshuddered.Howdreadful thatwouldbe--howdreadfulitwouldbetobemarriedtoanyonebutRoger!ItwassimplyimpossibleeventoimaginebeingmarriedtoanyonebutRoger.GodblessAuntBecky!

Stillshehadanoddbutfleetingsenseoflossandfutility.Allthatpassionandpainfornothing.Ithurtherthatitshouldseemsofoolishnow.Ithurthertorealizethatshehadonlybeeninlovewithlove.Theclanhadbeenright--soright. That stung a little. It isn't really nice to be forced to agreewith yourfamilythatyouhavebeenalittlefool.

Butsheknewshedidnotcarehowrighttheyhadbeen.Shewasgladtheyhadbeenright.Oh,itwasgoodtofeelvividandinterestedandaliveagain--asshehadn'tfeltforsolong.Allthelostcolourandlaughteroflifeseemedtohavereturned. The time of apple-blossom love was over. Nothing could bring itback. It was the time of roses now--the deep, rich roses of the love ofwomanhood.ThosemonthsofsufferinghadmadeawomanofGay.Sheliftedupherarmsinraptureasiftocaressthenight--thebeautifulsilverySeptembernight.

"Letmebrushthemoonlightoffyou,"somebodysaid--adearsomebodywithadear,dearvoice.

"Oh,Roger!"Gayturnedandthrewherselfintohisarms.Herfacewasliftedto his--her armswent about his neck of their own accord--for the first timeRogerfelthiskissreturned.

Heheldheroffandlookedather--asifhecouldneverhaveenoughoflookingather.Shewasanexquisitethinginthemoonlight,withherbrillianteyesandherwind-ruffledhair.

"Gay!Youloveme!"hesaidincredulously.

"Itwilltakemeawholelifetimetotellyouhowmuch--andIneverknewittillanhourago,"whisperedGay."Youwon'tmindhowsillyI'vebeen,willyou,Roger?You'llfindout--intime--howwiseIamatlast."

RogermettheMoonManonthewayhome.

"Onedoesgetthemoonsometimes,"Rogertoldhim.

IX

LittleBrianDarkwasprowlingabouttheroads,lookingforsomeofhisUncleDuncan's young cattlewhichhadbrokenout of their pasture.His uncle hadtoldhimnottocomehomeuntilhefoundthem,andhecouldgetnotraceofthem. Rain was brewing and it was a very dark and cold and melancholyOctobernight.Afoghadblottedouttheendoftheharbourroad;aghostlysailortwodrifteddownthedarkeningbay.Brianfelthorriblyaloneintheworld.Hisheartswelledashepassedhappyhomesandsawmorefortunatechildrenthrough lighted,cheerykitchenwindows.Oncehesawaboyabouthisownage standing by his mother's side. The mother put her arm about him and

kissedhimfondly.Brianchokedbackasob.

"Iwonder,"hethoughtwistfully,"whatitwouldbeliketobeloved."

Now and then through an open door he caught delicious smells of supperscooking.Hewasveryhungry,forhehadnothadhissupper.Andverytired,forhehadbeenpickingpotatoesallday.Buthedarednotgohomewithouttheyoungcattle.

SimDark, ofwhom he inquired timidly, told him he had seen some youngbeasts down on the shore road leading to Little Friday Cove. Sim felt animpulseofpityforyoungBrianashedroveaway.Thechild lookedas ifhedidn'tgethalfenoughtoeat.Andthatthinsweaterwasnotenoughforacoldfallnight.TheDuncanDarksoughttobeashamedofthemselves.Afterwhich,Simwenthometohisexcellentsupperandwell-dressedfamilyandforgotallaboutBrian.

BriantrudgeddownthelonggrassyroadtoLittleFridayCove.Itwasgettingverydark,andhewasfrightened.LittleSam'slightgleamedcheerilythroughtheblurofrainthatwasbeginningtofall.Brianwenttothehouseandaskedhimifhehadseenthecalves.LittleSamhadnot,buthemadeBriangoinandhavesupperwithhim.Brianknewheoughtnottogoin,withthecalvesyetunfound,butthesmellofLittleSam'schowderwastootempting.Anditwassowarmandcosy inLittleSam's living-room.Besides,he likedLittleSam.LittleSamhadoncetakenhimoutforarowoneeveningwhenthegulfhadbeenlikerippledsatinandtherewasalittlenewmooninthewest.ItwasoneofthefewbeautifulmemoriesinBrian'slife.

"We'reinforarain,"saidLittleSam,ladlingoutthechowdergenerously."Myshin's been aching scandalously for two days." Little Sam sighed. "I'mbeginningtofeelmyyears,"hesaid.

Bythetimesupperwasover,therainwaspouringdown.LittleSaminsistedthatBrianstayallnightwithhim.

"Itain't fit foryoutogooutanight likethis.Listentothatwindgettingup.Stayherewhereyou'recomfortableandhavealookroundinthemorningforyourcalves.Likelyyou'llfind'emoverinJakeHarmer'swood-lot.Hisfencesaredisgraceful."

Brianyielded.Hewasafraidtogohomeinthedark.Anditwassowarmandpleasanthere.Tobesure,hethoughtuneasilyofCricket.ButifCricketcamehewouldlikelyjustcurluponBrian'sbedandbequitecomfortable.Noharmwouldcometohim.

Brianspent thepleasantesteveninghehadknownfora longtime,sittingbyLittleSam'sblazingfire,pettingMustard--whowasaveryniceoldcat,thoughnottobecomparedtoCricket--andlisteningtoLittleSam'shair-raisingghoststories. Itdidnotoccur toLittleSam thathe shouldnot tellghost stories toBrian.Itwasalongtimesincehehadhadanybodytolistentohistales.LittleSam had already spent many lonely evenings this fall. He dreaded anotherwinter like the last.But he did notmentionBigSam.TheSamshad at lastgivenup talkingaboutoneanother.LittleSamonlypointedAuroraproudlyout toBrian and asked him if he didn't think her pretty.Brian did think so.Therewassomethinginthewhite,poisedfigurethatmadehimthinkofmusicinmoonlightandcoralcloudsinamorningskyandallthebitsofrememberedbeautythatsometimes--whenhewasn'ttootiredandhungry--madeaharmonyinhissoul.

Itwas a long timebeforeBrian could sleep, curled up in the bunk that hadoncebeenBigSam's.Thewind roaredat thewindowand the rainstreameddown on the rocks outside. Thewindwas offshore and thewaveswere nothigh,but theymadea strange, sobbing, lonelysound.Brianwondered ifhisauntandunclewouldbeverycrosswithhimforstayingawayandifCricketwouldmisshim.

Whenhefinallyfellasleephehadadreadfuldream.Hewasstandingaloneona great, far-reaching plain of moonlit snow. Right before him was a hugecreature--acreaturelikethewolfinthepicturesofRedRidingHood,buttentimes bigger than any wolf could be, with snarling, slavering jaws andmalignant, flaming eyes. Such hate--such hellish hate--looked out of thoseeyesthatBrianscreamedwithterrorandwakened.

Theroomwasfilledwithadimgreynessofdawn.LittleSamwasstillsnoringpeacefully, withMustard curled up on his stomach. Thewind and rain hadceasedandapeep from thewindowshowedBrianaworldwrapped ingreyfog.Butthehorrorofhisdreamwasstillonhim.Somehow--hecouldnothavetoldhoworwhy--hefeltsure ithadsomething todowithCricket.Softlyheslippedoutofbedandintohisraggedclothes--softlyslippedoutofthehouseandlatchedthedoorbehindhim.Anhourlaterhereachedhome.Nobodywasup.Therewasastrangecarinthegarage.Briantiptoedacrossthekitchenandclimbed the ladder to the loft. His heart was beating painfully. He prayeddesperatelythathemightfindCricketthere,warmandfurryandpurring.

WhatBriansawwashisUncleDuncanasleeponhisbed.TherewasnosignofCricketanywhere.Briansatdownonthefloor,withasickfeelingcomingover him. He knew what must have happened--what had happened oncebefore.Visitorshadcome--morevisitorsthantherewerebedsfor.

Hisunclehadgivenuphisownbedandcometotheloft.

HadCricket come?And if so, had he gone away safely? Brianwas askingthesequestionsofhimselfoverandoverwhenhisuncleawoke,stretched,satup,andlookedathim.

"Findthecattle?"hesaid.

"No-o-o,butLittleSamsayshethinksthey'reinJakeHarmer'swood-lot.I'llgorightawayandgetthem."

Brian'svoiceshookbeyondcontrolbut itwasnotwith fearabout thecattle.What--oh,whatwasthetruthaboutCricket?

DuncanDarkyawned.

"You'dbetter.Andwhere'dthatcatcomefromthatwokemeuppawingatmyface?Youbinhavingcatshere,youngster?"

"No-o-o,onlyone--itcamesometimesatnights,"gaspedBrian.Itseemedthathisverysoulgrewcoldwithinhim.

"Well, itwon'tcomeagain.Iwrungitsneck.Now,youhustleoffafter themcows.You'veplentyoftimebeforebreakfast."

Lateron,Brianfoundthepoordeadbodyofhislittlepetamongtheburdocksunderthewindow.BrianfeltthathisheartwasbreakingashegatheredCricketupinhisarmsandtriedtoclosetheglazedeyes.Hefeltsohelpless--soalone.Theonlythingthatlovedhimintheworldwasdead--murdered.Neveragainwouldhehearthepad-padoflittlefeetontheporchroof--neveragainwouldasoft paw touch his face in the darkness--never againwould a purring thingsnuggleagainsthimlovingly.TherewasnoGod.NotevenayoungcarelessGodcouldhaveletathinglikethishappen.

WhennightcameBrianfeltthathecouldnot--couldnot--gotohisbedintheloft.Hecouldnotlietherealone,waitingforCricket,whocouldnevercomeagain--Cricket lying cold and stiff in the little graveBrian had dug for himunderthewildcherrytree.Inhisdespairthechildrushedawayfromthehouseandalongthetwilitroad.Hehardlyknewwherehewasgoing.Bysomeblindinstinctratherthandesign,hisfeetborehimtotheRoseRivergraveyardandhismother'sneglectedgrave.Hecasthimselfdownuponit,sobbingterribly.

"Oh,Mother--Mother.IwishIwasdead--withyou.Mother--Mother--takeme--Ican'tliveanylonger--Ican't--Ican't.Please,Mother."

Margaret Penhallow stood looking down at him. She had been down to

ArtemasDarkwithadressforMayDarkandhadtakenashortcutthroughthegraveyardonherwayback,walkingslowlybecausesheratherenjoyedbeinginthisdreamyspotwheresomanyofherkindredsleptandwhere thecrisp,frostywestwindwas blowing over old graves.Was this poor LauraDark'sboy?Andwhatwashistrouble?

Shebentdownandtouchedhimgently.

"Brian,--whatisthematter,dear?"

Brianstartedconvulsivelyandgotup,shrinkingintohimself.Hispainfullittlesobsceased.

"Brian,--tellme,dear."

Brianhadthoughthecouldnevertellanybody.ButMargaret'ssoftgrey-blueeyeswereso tenderandpitiful.Hefoundhimself tellingher.HesobbedoutthestoryofpoorCricket.

"ItwasallIhadtolove--andnobodybutCricketeverlovedme."

Margaretstoodverystillforafewmoments,pattingBrian'shead.Inthosefewmoments the dream of the golden-haired baby vanished for ever from herheart.Sheknewwhatshemustdo--whatshewantedtodo.

"Brian,wouldyouliketocomeandlivewithme--downatWhisperingWinds?I'mmovingtherenextweek.Youwillbemylittleboy--andIwillloveyou--Ilovedyourmother,dear,whenweweregirlstogether."

Brianstoppedsobbingandlookedatherincredulously.

"Oh,MissPenhallow--doyoumeanit?CanIreallylivewithyou?Andwill--willUncleDuncanletme?"

"Yes,Idomeanit.AndIdon'tthinkthere'smuchdoubtthatyourunclewillbegladtoget--toletyoucometome.Don'tcryanymore,dear.Runrighthome--it's toocold foryou tobehere like this.Nextweekwe'llarrange itall.AndwillyoucallmeAuntMargaret?"

"Oh,AuntMargaret,"--Briancaughtherhand--herprettyslenderhandthathadsokindlytouchedhishair--"I--I--oh,I'mafraidyouwon't lovemewhenyouknowallaboutme.I'm--I'mnotgood,AuntMargaret.AuntAletheasaysso.Andshe's--she's right. Ididn'twant togo tochurch,AuntMargaret,becausemy clothes were so shabby. I know that was wicked. And I--I had suchdreadful thoughtswhenUncleDuncantoldmehe'dkilledCricket.Oh,AuntMargaret,Iwouldn'twantyoutobedisappointedinmewhenyoufoundoutI

wasn'tagoodboy."

Margaret smiled andputher armaroundhim.How thinhispoor littlebodywas.

"We'llbothbebadandwickedtogetherthen,Brian.Come,dear,I'llwalkpartofthewayhomewithyou.You'recold--you'reshivering.Youshouldn'tbeoutwithoutajacketonanightlikethis."

They went over the graveyard, past Aunt Becky's grave and gleamingmonumentanddown the road,hand inhand.Theywerebothsuddenlyveryhappy. They knew they belonged to each other. Brian fell asleep that nightwith tears on his lashes for poor Cricket but with a warm feeling of beinglapped round with love--such as he had never known before. Margaret layblissfully awake.WhisperingWindswas hers and a little lonely creature toloveandcherish.Sheaskedfornothingmore--notevenforAuntBecky'sjug.

Finally,Brethren

I

TheclanhadhardlygotitssecondwindafterthereconciliationofHughandJoscelynwhenthelastdayofOctoberloomednear--thedaywhenitshouldbeknownwhowas togetAuntBecky's jug.Theearlierexcitement,whichhadwaned a little, especially in viewof all the approachingweddings--"a lot ofmarrying this year," asUncle Pippin said--blazed up again fiercely, coupledwithanxiousspeculationsastowhathadcausedthechangeinDandy.

For Dandy was changed. Nobody could deny that. He had become furtive,morose,unfriendly,absent-minded.Hesnappedatpeople.Hewenttochurchregularlybutheneverlingeredtotalkwithfolksaftertheservice.Assembliesat the blacksmith's forge knew him not. Town on Saturday knew him not.Somethoughtitwasbecauseofthefirebutthemajorityrefusedthatopinion.Dandyhadlostpracticallynothingbythefireexcepthisspare-roomfurniture.Hewaswell insured and had an old house on his lower farm tomove intotemporarily. Itmustbe somethingconnectedwith the jug.DidDandy reallyhavetodecidewhowastogetitandwasafraidoftheconsequences?

"Lookslikeamanwithsomethingonhisconscience,"saidStantonGrundy.

"Can'tbethat,"saidUnclePippin."Dandyneverhadanyconscience,tospeakof."

"Thenhemusthavenervousprostration,"saidGrundy.

"Ishouldn'twonder,"agreedUnclePippin."Havingthatjugforawholeyearandmebbehavingtosettlewho'stogetit'dbehardonanybody'snerves."

"Do you suppose," suggested Sim Dark horribly, "that Mrs Dandy hassmashedthejug?"

ThetensiongrewasthelastofOctoberapproached.DrownedJohnandTitusDarkbothreflectedthat,jugornojug,theycouldletthemselvesgoinanotherweek.WilliamY. had bought a newmahogany table in Charlottetown, andgossipsaidhemeantitasastandforthejug.OldMillerDarkwasholdingthefinalchapterofhishistoryopenuntilhecouldincludetheluckyname.ChrisPenhallowwaslookinglovinglyathisdearneglectedfiddle.MrsAllanDark,whosespiritanddeterminationhadsofarkeptheralive,reflectedwithatiredsighthatshecoulddieinpeaceafterthethirty-firstofOctober.

"Andhere'sEdithgoingtohaveababythatveryweek,"wailedMrsSimDark.

ItwasjustlikeEdithtohaveababyatsuchaninconvenienttime.Really,hermotherthoughtvexedly,shemighthaveplannedthingsbetterthanthat.

Thedaycameat last.Agreydaywithagreywind.Autumngrovesthathadbeenanenchantmentofgoldandspruce-greenwereleaflesslygreynow.Red-ribbed fields on the Treewoofe hill testified to many a glad day's work onHugh's part. A great pyramid of pumpkins shone goldenly in HomerPenhallow'syard.Thegulfwasdarkblueandthepasturefieldsadream.

EverybodywasatDandy's,exceptpoorMrsSim--Edithhadruntruetoform--and the Jim Trents, who were quarantined for measles and were at homebitterly wondering if they had served God for naught. Dandy's bull-dog,Alphonso,satonhishaunchesatthefrontdoorasifheneverexpectedtodoanythingbutsit.

"On thewhole, you are the ugliest brute I ever saw,"Peter told him--whichdidn'thurtthedog'sfeelingsany.Hesimplymadeablood-curdlingsoundthatgaveMrsToynbeeaspasm.

"Goingtogiveusanythingtoeat,Dandy?"whisperedUnclePippin.

"The wife has prepared refreshments, I believe," said Dandy nervously. Hedidn'tthinkanybodywouldhavemuchappetiteaftertheyheardwhathehadtosay.

MurrayDarksatandwatchedThoraasusual--withthisdifference:thathewaswondering how soon itwould be decent to begin courting her. IfChris haddied a natural deathMurray would have waited only three months. But asthingswere,hethoughthe'dbettermakeitsix.Margaretworeanexceedinglyprettygreysilkdress--ithadbeen intendedforherweddingone--andlookedso young and dainty and happy that Penny felt another dreadful qualm andStantonGrundywonderedifitmightn'tbewisetomarryagainafterall.Theremustbeagoodbitofthattenthousandleft,inspiteofherfoolishpurchaseofthattumbledownlittleplaceandallthenewfurnituretheysaidshehadputinit. Stantondetermined to think it over.Eventually hedecidednot to.WhichwasjustaswellbecauseMargarethadnolongeranyhankeringsformarriage.She hadWhisperingWinds andBrian and shewas perfectly happy. She nolongerevencaredaboutthejug.

Donnastillcaredalittle,butnotsogreatly.Afterall,youcouldnottakeajuglike that toAfrica.Shewas thinkingmoreof thewedding-breakfast and thedecorationsofthechurch.ForPeter,whowasoneofthebornwanderersoftheearth,foundhimselfropedinforaconventionalweddingwithallthefussandfrillspossible.DrownedJohnwasdeterminedonit.Helovedabigcolourfulwedding,inkeepingwiththetraditionsoftheclan.HehadbeencheatedoutofitonDonna'shurriedwarbridalwithBarrybutby--goodness,hewasn'tgoingtobecheatedoutofitthesecondtime.Andthankheavendecentdresseswerein again!Donna's wedding-dress, Drowned John decided, should sweep thefloor. Donna didn't care.Where she was going with Peter she would wearnothing but knickerbockers.LuckilyDrowned John knewnothing of this. Itwouldhaveseemedmoreoutrageoustohimthanthelions.

RogersatandworshippedGayopenlyandshamelessly--hershininghair,hermarigold eyes, the charminggesturesof herwonderful hands.He looked sohappythathemadesomeofthemfeelabituneasy,asifitwereflyinginthefaceofProvidence.

Nan was there, darting the mockery of her green eyes over everything,althoughsheratheravoidedlookingatGay.ThomasAshleyandhiswife,ofHalifax,were there, though the clan thought theyhadn't anybusiness to be.Theywerenorelations,althoughtheywerevisitingtheWilliamY.'s.Nobody,looking at Thomas' moon face, pursy old mouth and tortoise-shell glasseswould have dreamed that he came there fired by a romantic memory. HewantedtoseeMrsCliffordPenhallowagain.Hehadbeenwildlyinlovewithherwhenhewasyoungand,ashiswifeknewbitterly,hadneverwhollygotover it. Thomas was looking furtively at all the women in the room. MrsCliffordhadnotcomeyet.Hewonderedwhothegrim,homelywomanunderthemantelpiecewas.

Hugh and Joscelyn were there, although Joscelyn would rather have beenhome, painting the woodwork in the spare room at Treewoofe. RachelPenhallowwas there, ashappyas itwaspossible forher tobe.PennyDarkhadheardthatherbottleofJordanwaterhadbeenspilledandhepromptlysentherhis,gladtogettheabsurdthingoutofthehouse.Rachelhadgoneoffhermilkdietatonce.KateandFrankandtheirbabywerethere.ThebabycriedagreatdealandStantonGrundyglaredatit.TempestDarkwasthere.LawsonandNaomiDarkwerethere.Naomilookedalittleolderandtirederandmorehopeless. David Dark was there, comfortably sure that Dandy, at any rate,would not ask him to openwith prayer.Uncle Pippinwas there,wonderingwhy, in spiteof all the repressedexcitement, everything seemeda little flat.Not much like Aunt Becky's levees. Uncle Pippin decided it was becauseevery one was too polite. Things weren't interesting when people were toopolite.AuntBeckyhadneverbeen toopolite.Thatwaswhyher leveeshadbeensointeresting.

II

The crucial moment had arrived. Dandy had come in and stood before thestove,hisback to themantelpiece.Hewasdeathlypaleand itwasobservedthathishandsweretrembling.Thestrainsuddenlybecamealmostunbearable.Artemas Dark tried to steady his nerves by counting the roses on thewallpaper. Rachel Penhallow immediately had a feeling that somethingwasgoingtohappen.MrsHowardreflectedwithagaspthat thewindowsinthathouse couldn't havebeenopened for a hundredyears.WhyhadMrsDandyputsucharoaringfireinthestove,evenonachillyOctoberday?Butshewasalwaysalittlemad,anyway.

Dandyhadoncelookedforwardtothismoment,when,clothedwithauthority,heshouldstandupbeforethemallandannounceAuntBecky'sdecision.Andnowhewishedhimselfdead.HeturnedsuddenlyonPercyDark.

"Wouldyoumindstoppingthateverlastingdrummingonthetable?"heaskedirritably.

Percy jumped and stopped. He started to say something but Drowned Johnnudgedhimfiercely.

"Dryup,"saidDrownedJohn.

Percydriedup.

"Come,come,Dandy,"saidWilliamY.impatiently."Steponthejuice.We'vehadenoughofsuspense.Telluswho'stogetitandhaveitover."

"I--Ican't,"saidDandy,moisteninghislips.

"Can'twhat?"

"Can'ttellyouwho'stogetthejug.I--I--don'tknow.Nobodyeverwillknow--now."

"Lookhere,Dandy--"WilliamY.rosethreateningly."Whatdoesthismean?"

"Itmeans"--theworstwasoutandDandyhadalittlemorecourage--"I'velostthe letterAunt Becky gaveme--the letterwith the name in it. Therewas anameinit--shetoldmesomuch."

"Lostit!Wheredidyouloseit?"

"I'm--notsure,"hesitatedthewretchedDandy."Thatis--I'malmostsureitfellinto thepig-pen. I alwayscarried it round ina folder inmybreastpocket. Ineverletitoutofmypossession.Oneday,sometwomonthsago,Iwasupinthebarn loft forkingdown straw.Youknow the flooring is just poles--therewasgapsbetweenthem.ItookoffmycoatwhenIgotwarmworkingandputit on againwhen I finished.When Iwent back to the house I--Imissed thefolder.Ihuntedeverywhere--everywhere.Itmusthavefallenintothepig-pen--thepig-penisrightundertheloft,andthepigsmusthaveetitaltogether,letterandfolderandall."

Forafewminuteseverybodysaidnothingveryrapidly.Then--

"Damnit!"explodedDrownedJohn.Alltherepressionofmonthswasinhisejaculation.Everybodyforgavehim.TitusDarklookedenvious.Hehadgotsoout of the habit of swearing hewas afraid he could never get into it again.Evenhishorseshadlearnedtounderstandamildervocabulary.Andafatlotofgoodithaddone!

TomDarkrememberedhehadseenablackcatrunacrosstheroadonhiswaytoDandy's.WilliamY.lookedaroundonthecircleofoutragedfaces.Thiswaswhat you might call a hellish discovery. The situation demanded carefulhandlingandhefeltthathe,WilliamY.,wasthemantohandleit.

"Areyousureyouhaditinyourpocketwhenyouwentupintotheloft--sureithadn'tdroppedoutbefore?"

"Almostsure,"stammeredthemiserableDandy,whocouldn'tfeelsureevenof

his own name just then. "I searched everywhere. It's beenwearingme to ashadow.Thewifesaidtoprayaboutit.Dangit,I'veprayedtillIwasblackintheface."

"Andyou'venoideawhatnamewasintheenvelope?"

ItseemedincrediblethatDandydidn'tknowthat.

"I ain'tgot the least idea," saidDandy. "Itwas sealed--Inever sawsomuchsealing-wax on the back of any letter. And Aunt Becky made me swear Iwouldn'ttamperwithit."

Drowned Johndetermined to take ahand.WilliamY.wasn't going tobe letrunthings.

"We'llhavetodrawlotsforit,"hesaid.

"That isn't aChristianway todecide it," saidWilliamY. "Anybodygot anyothersuggestion?"

"Let'svotewho'stohaveit--secretballot,"saidJuniusPenhallow.

"Witheverybodyputtinghisownname in theballot," remarkedWilliamY.,with a smile of icy contempt for such a suggestion. "No; I'll tell youwhatshouldbedone--"

"Here'stheMoonManrunningacrosstheyard,"interruptedUnclePippin."Heseemsinamightyhurry."

Thosewho could look out of thewindowdid so. They saw theMoonManwithhislongblackcoatstreamingoutbehindhiminthewindlikethemantleofaprophetofold. Ina fewsecondshehad reached thehouse, crossed thehall, andwas standing breathlessly in the doorway of the room. ThewholeclanrealizedthattheMoonManhadoneofhisreallycrazyfitson.

"IheardthedevilcacklingasIcamedownbythebarn,"saidtheMoonMan."He was in glee over this unholy gathering where envy and alluncharitablenessprevail."

Hislookscorchedeverybodyandleftthemfeelinglikecinders.

"IthasbeenrevealedtomewhatIshoulddo."

TheMoonManstrodetothetablebetweenthetwowindows--hesnatchedupAuntBecky's jug--hehurled it furiously at themantelpiece.Roger, realizingbeforeanyoneelse,butjusttoolate,whattheMoonManmeanttodo,sprangupandcaughtathisarm.Hecouldnotsavethejugbuthedeflectedslightly

theMoonMan's aim.The jughurtled through the air atLawsonDark.AndLawsonDark,whohadnotstoodorwalked forelevenyears, saw itcomingand sprang to his feet to avoid it.The jug struckhim squarely on the head,crashed like an egg-shell, slid off against the stove, and fell on the floor inhundreds of tiny fragments. Harriet Dark perhaps turned over in her grave.PossiblyAuntBeckydid,too.ButLawsonDark,withbloodtricklingfromacutonhisforehead,hadturneddazedlytohiswife.

"Naomi!"hecried,holdingouthishandstoher."Oh,Naomi."

III

"Don'titbeathell?"saidSimDark.

"Andwewon'teverknowwhoshouldhavehadthepieces,"saidWilliamY.disconsolately, as they lingered in theyard, afterRogerhad taken chargeofLawsonandcarriedhimandNaomioffhome.

The clan were not inclined to discuss what had happened to Lawson. Itsavouredtoostronglyofsomethingmiraculousandunclan-like.Thejugwasasafertopic--now.

"Thatdoesn'tmattermuch,"saidDavidDark."There'sthousandsof'em--theycouldneverbestucktogether."

"Anyhow,ifanybodyhadgotitIreckonhe'dneverhavegothomealive,"saidStanton Grundy. Tom Dark, who had never cried in his life, was cryingbecausehehadn'tgot the jug.Hiswifedraggedhimhastilyoff tohiscar tohidehisshame.JoscelynandHughwentawaytogetherverysilently,thinkingonlyof the lookonNaomiDark's facewhenLawsonhad turned toherwithhisgladcryofrecognition.MrsAlpheuswasfuriouswithboththeMoonManandDandy.Something--shewasn'tquiteclearwhat--oughttobedonetobothof them. Homer Penhallow and Palmer Dark passed each other withoutrecognition. It was very satisfying to be enemies again. Life had been sodarned dull when they had to be friendly. David and Percy Dark noddedshamefacedlytoeachotherandmentionedtheweather.Thegraveyardfracaswasforgotten.

"It'safunnyworld,"sighedUnclePippin.

"Let'slaughatitthen,"saidStantonGrundy.

OldThomasAshleywas not happy. Somebody had come up to him on theverandaandsaidarchly,"Don'tdaretosayyoudon'tknowme."Hestaredatherinsilence.Itwasthegrimladywhohadsatunderthemantelpiece.No,hedidn'tknowher--andyet--

"I'mMavisDark,"shesaidmorearchlystill.

"MavisDark!Impossible!"exclaimedThomasAshley.

"Oh, have I changed so much?" said Mrs Clifford poutingly. "Don't yourememberthatsummeryouwerehere?"

ThomasAshleylookedather.Theskinwhichhadbeencreamyinyouthwasyellownow--thesmoothcheekswerewrinkled--thesmoothneckwattled.Thesleek,blackhairhadturnedgrey--thegraciouscurveshadvanished.

"But--but--youwerebeautifulthen,"stammeredpooroldThomas.

"You'vechangedalittleyourself,"MrsCliffordremindedhimacidly.

ThomasAshleywentaway,lamentingalostdream.HewishedhehadneverheardoftheoldDarkjug.Buthisplump,prettylittlewifewasnotill-pleased.Theghostlyrivalofthirtyyearswaslaidatlast.GodblessAuntBecky'sjug!

TempestDark,hiseyesalightwithgood-humouredmockery,haddecidedthathewouldkeeponliving.HehadfoundajobthatwouldgivehimbreadanddiscoveredthatexistencewaspossibleevenwithoutWinnifred.

"After all, life's worth living when a comedy like this is played out," hereflected.

"Dangit,Ibelievethereissomethinginprayerafterall,"saidDandy,whenthelastcarhaddrivenaway.

IV

Winterwascomingonapace;Novemberworeaway.AtTreewoofeHughandJoscelyn kept glowing fires in every room and laughed at the winds thatswirledupfromthegulf.PeterandDonnawereontheirwaytoAfrica.RogerandGaywerenotyethomefromtheirhoneymoon.MargaretandBrianwerenestedinWhisperingWinds.Andonecoldeveningpoor, lonely,hungryBigSamsetoutforawalkaroundtheshoretothelighthouseonBaySilverPoint.

Itwasalongwalkandhehadvariousrheumaticspotsabouthisanatomy,butthere would be some cronies at the lighthouse and Big Sam thought aneveningofsocial intercoursewouldbebetter forhisnerves thanplaying tit-tat-o, righthandagainst the left, at home.These short days and long, early-falling eveningswere depressing, he admitted.And theWilkins' shantywasdraughty. PerhapsHappyDarkwould be at the lighthouse,with his ringingtalesoflifeinthetropicseas.Andmaybethelighthouse-keeper'swifemighteven give them a bite of lunch.But hewould not let his thoughts dwell onLittleSam'ssuetpuddingsandchowdersandhotbiscuits.Thatwaymadnesslay.

Therehadbeen a skimof snow thatmorning,melting intodampness as thesunroseforanhourortwoofwaterybrightnessbeforeshroudinghimselfinclouds.Thebriefdayhadgrowncoldandrawasitworeonandnowlandandsealaywrappedinagrey,broodingstillness.FarawayBigSamheardatrain-whistleblowdistinctly.TheOldLadyof theGulfmoanednowand then.AstormwascomingupbutBigSamwasnotafraidofstorms.Hewouldcomehomebytheriverroad;thetidewouldbetoohighonhisreturntocomebytheHole-in-the-Wall.

Asamatteroffact,whenhereachedthelongredheadlandknownastheHole-in-the-Wall,heblanklyrealizedthatthetidewasalreadyaheadofhim.Therewasnogettingaroundit.Hecouldnotclimbitssteepruggedsides;andtogobacktowherearoadleddowntotheshoremeantalotofextrawalking.

AdaringinspirationcametoBigSam.SincehecouldnotgetaroundtheHole-in-the-Wall, could he go through it?Nobody ever had gone through it. Buttherehadtobeafirsttimeforanything.Itwascertainlybiggerthanlastyear.Nothingventure,nothingwin.

The Hole-in-the-Wall had begun with a tiny opening through the relativelythin side of the headland. Every year it grew a little larger as the yieldingsandstonecrumbledunderwaveandfrost.Itwasafairsizenow.BigSamwassmallandthin.Hereckonedifhecouldgethisheadthrough,therestofhimcouldfollow.

Helaydownandcautiouslybegansquirmingthrough.Itwas tighter thanhehad thought. The sides seemed suddenly very thick. All at once Big Samdecided that hewas not cut out for a pioneer.Hewould gobackout to theroad.Hetried to.Hecouldnotmove.Somehowhiscoathadgotruckleduparoundhisshouldersandjammedhimtight.Vainlyhetwistedandwrithedandtugged.Thebig rock seemed toholdhimas in a grip of iron.Themorehestruggled the tighter he seemed togetwedged in.Finally he lay stillwith acoldsweatofhorrorbreakingoverhim.HisheadwasthroughtheHole-in-the-

Wall.Hisshouldersweretightinit.Hislegs--wherewerehislegs?Therewasnosensationinthem,buttheywereprobablyhangingdowntherockwallonthehinderside.

What a position to be in!On a lonely shore on a fast-darkeningNovembernightwithastormcomingup.Hewouldneverlivethroughit.Hewoulddieofheart-failure before morning, like old Captain Jobby who tried to climbthroughagatewhenhewasdrunk,andstuckthere.

Nobodycouldseehimanditwasnousetoyell.Beforehim,asbehindhim,wasnothingbut acurving, shadowycoveboundedbyanotherheadland.Nohouse,nohumanbeinginsight.Nevertheless,BigSamyelledwithwhatlittlebreathhehadleft.

"Wouldn't you just as soon sing as make that noise?" queried Little Sam,stickinghisheadaroundthehugeboulderthatscreenedhim.

BigSam stared at the familiar spidery nose andhugemoustache.Of all themen in River and Cove to catch him in this predicament, that it should beLittle Sam!What the devil was he doing, squatted here a mile away fromhomeonsuchanight?

"Iwasn'taimin' tosing,notbeingafflictedassomefolksare,"saidBigSamsarcastically."Iwasjusttryingtofillmylungswithair."

"Whydon'tyoucomeallthewaythrough?"jeeredLittleSam,comingaroundtheboulder.

"'CauseIcan't,andyouknowit,"saidBigSamsavagely."Lookhere,SamuelDark,youandIain'tfriendsbutI'mahumanbeing,ain'tI?"

"There are times when I can see a distant resemblance to one in you,"acknowledgedLittleSam,sittingcalmlydownonajutoftheboulder.

"Well,then,inthenameofhumanityhelpmeoutofthis."

"Idunno'sIcan,"saidLittleSamdubiously."Seemstometheonlyway'dbetoyankyoubackbythelegsandIcan'tgitroundthecapetodothat."

"Ifyoucangetagoodgriponmyshouldersormycoatyoucanyankmeoutthisway.Itonlywantsagoodpull.Ican'tgetmyarmsfreetohelpmyself."

"AndIdunno'sIwill,"wentonLittleSamasifhehadnotbeeninterrupted.

"You--dunno's--you--will!D'yemeantosayyou'llleavemeheretodieanightlikethis?Well,SamDark--"

"No; I ain't aiming todo that. It'll beyourown fault ifyou're lefthere.Butyou'vegottoshowsomesignsofsenseifI'mgoingtopullyouout.WillyoucomehomeandbehaveyourselfifIdo?"

"Ifyouwantmetocomehomeyouknowallyou'vegottodo,"snappedBigSam."ShootoutyourRoarer."

"Aurorerstays,"saidLittleSambriefly.

"Then I stay, too."BigSam imitatedLittleSam'sbrevity--partlybecausehehadverylittlebreathtousefortalkingatall.

LittleSamtookouthispipeandproceededtolightit.

"I'llgiveyouafewminutestoreflect'foreIgo.Idon'taimtostaylonghereinthe damp. I dunno how a littlewizened critter like you'll stand it all night.Anyhow,you'llhavesomefeelingafter this for thepoorcamel trying togetthroughtheneedle'seye."

"CallyourselfaChristian?"sneeredBigSam.

"Don'tbepeevishnow.Thisain'taquestionofreligion--this isaquestionofcommonsense,"retortedLittleSam.

BigSammadeaterrificefforttofreehimselfbutnotevenatremorofthegrimredheadlandwasproducedthereby.

"You'llbustablood-vesselinoneofthemspasms,"warnedLittleSam."You'dorter to seeyourselfwithyour redwhiskers stickingoutof thathole.And Is'posetherestofyou'sstickingoutoftheotherside.Beautifulrearviewifanyonecomesalong.Notthatanyonelikelywill,thistimeo'night.Butifyou'restillaliveinthemorningI'mgoingtogetPrinceDarktotakeasnapofyourhindlegs.Besensible,Sammy.I'vegotpeasoupforsupper--hotpeasoup."

"Takeyourpeasouptohell,"saidBigSam.

Followed a lot of silence. Big Sam was thinking. He knew where hisextremitieswerenow,forthecoldwasnippingthemlikeaweasel.Therockaroundhimwashardasiron.Itwasbeginningtorainandthewindwasrising.Alreadytheshowersofspraywerespumingupfromthebeach.Bymorninghewouldbedeadorgibbering.

But itwasbitter toknuckleunder toLittleSamandthatwhite-limbedhussyon the clock shelf. Big Sam tried to pluck a little honour from the jaws ofdefeat.

"IfIcomeback,willyoupromisenottomarrythatfatwidow?"

LittleSamconcealedallevidenceoftriumph.

"Iain'tpromisingnothing--butIain'tmarryinganywidow,fatorlean."

"Is'posethatmeansshewouldn'thaveyou."

"Shedidn'tgetthechancetohavemeornothaveme.Iain'tcontractinganyalliancewiththeHouseofTerlizzick,maidorwidow.Well,I'mforhomeandpeasoup.Coming,Sammy?"

BigSamemittedasigh,partlyofexhaustion,partlyofsurrender.Lifewastoocomplicated.Hewasbeaten.

"Pullmeoutofthisdamn'hole,"hesaidsourly,"andIdon'tcarehowmanynakedweemenyouhaveround."

"One'senough,"saidLittleSam.

He got a grip somehow of Big Sam's coat over his shoulders and tuggedmanfully.BigSamhowled.Hewas sure his legswere being torn off at thehips.Thenhefoundthattheywerestillattachedtohisbody,standingontherockbesideLittleSam.

"Wring your whiskers out and hurry," said Little Sam. "I'm afraid that peasoup'llbescorched.It'ssittingonthebackofthestove."

V

Thiswascomfortnow--withthecoldrainbeatingdownoutsideandthegulfbeginning tobellow.Thestovewaspurringa lyricofbeechandmaple, andMustardwaslickingherbeautifulfamilyunderit.

Big Sam drew a long breath of satisfaction. There weremany things to betalked over with Little Sam--incidents they could discuss with the calmdetachmentofthosewholivedonthefringeoftheclanonly.Whatnamehadreally been in the envelopeDandy's pig had eaten. The uncannymiracle ofLawsonDark'srestoration.ThefactthatJoscelynDarkhadgotoverherlongfitofthesulks.TheweddingofPeterandDonnaandalltheexpenseDrownedJohnmust havegone to.All the things that hador hadnot happened in theclanbecauseofAuntBecky's jug.AndsomeamazingyarnofWalterDark'sblackcatthathadfallenintoagallonofgasolineandcomeoutwhite.

Reallythepeasoupwassublime.

Afterall,themearringsratherbecameLittleSam.Balancedthemoustache,sotospeak.AndAurorer--butwhatwasthematterwithAurorer?

"What you bin doing with that old heathen graven immidge of yours?"demanded Big Sam, setting down half drunk his cup ofmilitant tea with athud.

"Giveheracoatofbronzepaint,"saidLittleSamproudly."Looksrealtasty,don't it?Knewyou'dbesneakinghomesomeof these long-come-shortsandthoughtI'dshowyouIcouldbeconsid'rateofyourprinciples."

"Thenyoucanscrapeitoffagain,"saidBigSamfirmly."ThinkI'mgoingtohaveanunclothedniggersittingupthere?IfI'vegotterbelookingatanakedwomandayinanddayout,Iwantawhiteonefordecency'ssake."

LikedThisBook?

ForMoreFREEe-BooksvisitFreeditorial.com