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