Martha，shehadbeenfussingaroundsomeflowerbusheswithapairofshearsandgloveson。ShelooksupwhenIsaysthat，andshesizesusallupstandingbythegate，andhereyespopsopen，andsodoeshermouth，andsheissosurprisedtoseemeshedropshershears。
　　Andshelooksscared，too。
　　“IsMissBucknerathome？”astsColonelTom，liftinghishatverypolite。
　　“MissB-B-Buckner？”Marthastutters，veryscared-like，andnottakinghereyesoffofmetoanswerhim。
　　“MissHampton，Martha，“Isays。
　　“Y-y-y-es，s-sh-sheis，“saysMartha。Iwonderedwhatwasthematterwithher。
　　Itisalwaysmylucktogetleftallalonewithmytroubles。Thedoctorandthecolonel，theywalkedrightpastuswhenshesaidyes，anduptowardthehouse，andleftherandmestandingthere。I
　　couldofwentalongandbuttedin，mebby。ButI
　　saystomyselfIwillhavethedernedthingouthereandnow，andknowtheworst。AndIwassointerestedinmytroubleandMarthathatIdidn'tevennoticeifMissLucymet'ematthedoor，andifso，howsheacted。WhenInextlookeduptheywasallinthehouse。
　　“Martha——“Ibegins。Butshebreaksin。
　　“Danny，“shesays，lookinglikesheisgoingtocry，“don'tl-l-lookatmel-l-likethat。IfyouknewALLyouwouldn'tblameme。You——“
　　“Wouldn'tblameyoufurwhat？”Iastsher。
　　“Iknowit'swrongofme，“shesays，begging-like。
　　“Mebbyitisandmebbyitain't，“Isays。“Butwhatisit？”
　　“Butyouneverwrotetome，“shesays。
　　“Youneverwrotetome，“Isays，notwantinghertogetthebestofme，whateveritwasshemightbetalkingabout。
　　“AndthenHEcametotown！——“
　　“Who？”Iastsher。
　　“Don'tyouknow？”shesays。“ThemanIamgoingtomarry。“
　　WhenshesaidthatIfelt，allofasudden，likewhenyouarebrokeandhungryandrunacrostahalfdollaryouhadforgotaboutinyourotherpants。
　　IwassogladIjumped。
　　“Greatguns！”Isays。
　　Ihadneverreallyknowedwhatbeinggladwasbefore。
　　“Oh，Danny，Danny，“shesays，puttingherhandsinfrontofherface，“andhereyouhavecometoclaimmeforyourbride！”
　　Whichshowedmewhyshehadlookedsoscared。
　　Thattheregirlhadwentandgotengagedtoanotherfeller。AndhadbeenlayingawakenightssufferingfurfearIwouldturnupagin。AndnowIhad。
　　Looey，healwayssaidnevertotrustawoman！
　　“Martha，“Isays，“youain'tactedrightwithme。“
　　“Oh，Danny，Danny，“shesays，“Iknowit！I
　　knowit！”
　　“Somefellersinmyplace，“Isays，“wouldraiseadickensofarow。“
　　“IDIDloveyouonce，“shesays，lookingatmefrombetweenherfingers。
　　“Yes，“saysI，actingrealmelancholy，“youdid。
　　Andnowyou'vequitit，theydon'tseemtometobenothinglefttolivefur。“Martha，shewasanawfulromancefulgirl。Igotthenotionthatmebbyshewasenjoyingherownremorsefulnessalittlebit。
　　IfetchedadeepsighandIsays：
　　“Somefellerswouldkilltheirselvesonthespot！”
　　“Oh！——Oh！——Oh！——“saysMartha。
　　“But，Martha，“saysI，“Iain'tthatmean。I
　　ain'tgoingtodothat。“
　　Thatderngirlackshellaygivemeadisappointedlook！Ifanything，shewasjestabitTOOromanceful，Marthawas。
　　“No，“saysI，cheeringupalittle，“Iamgoingtodosomethingtheyain'tmanyfellerswoulddo，Martha。I'mgoingtoforgiveyou。Freeandfairandopen。Andgiveyoubackmyhalfofthatring，and——“
　　Dernit！IhadforgotIhadlostthathalfofthattherering！Irememberedsoquickitstoppedme。
　　“Youalwayskeptit，Danny？”sheastsme，verysoft-spoken，soasnottogivepaintoonesofaithfulandsonobleaswhatIwas。“Letmeseeit，Danny。“
　　ImadelikeIwasfeelingthroughallmypocketsfurit。Butthatcouldn'tlastforever。Irunoutofpocketspurtysoon。Andherfacebeguntoshowshewassmellingarat。FinallyIsays：
　　“Theseain'tmyotherclothes——itmustbeinthem。“
　　“Danny，“shesays，“IbelieveyouLOSTit。“
　　“Martha，“Isays，takingachancet，“youknowyoulostYOURhalf！”
　　Sheownsupshehaslostitalongwhileago。
　　Andwhenshelostit，shesays，sheknowedthatwasfateandthatourlovewasomenedinunderanevilstar。Andwhowasshe，shesays，tostruggleaginfate？
　　“Martha，“Isays，“I'llbehonestwithyou。
　　FategotawaywithmyhalftooonedaywhenI
　　didn'tknowtheywascrookslikeherstickingaround。“
　　Well，Iseenthatgirlseenthroughmethen。
　　Marthawasawfulsmartsometimes。Andeachonewassodernedtickledtheotheronewasn'tgo-
　　ingtodoanypiningawayweliketooffellintolovealloveragin。Butnotquite。Furneitheronewouldevertrusttheotheroneagin。Sowefeltmorecomfortablewitheachother。Youain'tnevercomfortablewithapersonyouknowismorehonestthanyoube。
　　“But，“saysMartha，afteraminute，“ifyoudidn'tcomebacktomakememarryyou，whatdoesDoctorKirbywanttoseeMissHamptonabout？
　　Andwhowasthatwithhim？”
　　Ihadbeennightoforgettingthemainthingwehadallcomeherefur，inmygladnessatgettingridofanydangerofmarryingMartha。ButitcometomealltooncetIhadbeenmissingalotthatmustbetakingplaceinsidethathouse。Ihadevenmissedthewaytheyfirstlookedwhenshemet'ematthedoor，andIwouldn'tofmissedthatfuralot。AndIseenalltooncetwhatabigpieceofnewsitwillbetoMartha。
　　“Martha，“Isays，“theyain'tnoDr。HartleyL。
　　Kirby。ThemanknownassuchisDavidArm-
　　strong！”
　　IneverseenanyonesopeetrifiedasMarthawasfuraminute。
　　“Yes，“saysI，“andtheotheroneisMissLucy'sbrother。Andtheyareallthreeintherestraighten-
　　ingthemselvesoutandfindingwhereeverybodygetsoffat，andwhy。Oneofthesehereserioustimesyoureadabout。Andyouandmearemissingitall，likeacoupleofgumps。Howcanwehear？”
　　Marthasaysshedon'tknow。
　　“YouTHINK，“Itoldher。“We'vewastedfivegoodminutesalready。I'veGOTtoheartherestofit。Wherewouldtheybe？”
　　Marthaguessestheywillallbeinthesittingroom，whichhasgotthebestchairsinit。
　　“Whatisnexttoit？Abackparlour，orabed-
　　room，orwhat？”IwasthinkingofhowIhappenedtooverhearPerfessorBoothandhisfamblythat-a-way。
　　Marthasaystheyisnothinglikethattobetried。
　　“Martha，“Isays，“thisisserious。Thisherestorytheyarethrashingoutinthereistheonlydernedsure-enoughromancefulstoryeitheryouormeiseverlibletorunupagainstpersonalinallourlives。Itwouldofbeenagooddealniceriftheyhadastusintoseethewind-upofit。Fur，ifithadn'tofbeenfurme，theyneverwouldofbeenreunitedandrejuvenatedthewaytheybe。Butsomepeoplegetstingystreakswiththeirconcerns。
　　Youthink！”
　　Martha，shesays：“Danny，itwouldn'tbehonourabletolisten。“
　　“Martha，“Itellsher，“afterthewayyouandmewentandjiltedeachother，whatkindofsensesofhonourhaveWEgottobragabout？”
　　Sheremembersthatthesparebedroomisrightoverthesittingroom。Thehouseisheatedwithstovesinthewintertime。Thereisaregisterrightthroughthefloorofthesparebedroomandtheceilingofthesittingroom。Notthekindofaregisterthatcomesfromatwisted-aroundshaftinahousethatusesfurnaceheat。Butjestreallyaholeinthefloor，withacast-irongrating，tolettheheatfromtheroombelowintotheoneabove。
　　Shesayssheguessestwopeoplethatwasn'tsoveryhonourablemightsneakintothehousethebackway，andupthebackstairs，andintothesparebedroom，andlaydownontheirstummicksonthefloor，beingcarefultomakenonoise，andbothseeandhearthroughthatregister。Whichwedoneit。
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　Icouldhearwellenough，butatfirstIcouldn'tseeanyofthem。ButIgatheredthatMissLucywasstandingupwhilstshewastalking，andmovingaroundabitnowandthen。Iseenoneofhersleeves，andthenawispofherhair。Whichwasaggervating，furIwantedtoknowwhatshewaslike。Buthervoicewassosoftandquietthatyoukindofknowedbeforeyouseenherhowsheorterlook。
　　“PrentissMcMakincametomethatday，“shewassaying，“withanappeal——Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou。“Shebrokeoff。
　　“Goahead，Lucy，“saysColonelTom'svoice。
　　“Hewasinsulting，“shesaid。“Hehadbeendrink-
　　ing。Hewantedmeto——to——heappealedtometorunoffwithhim。
　　“Iwasfurious——NATURALLY。“HervoicechangedasshesaiditenoughsoyoucouldfeelhowfuriousMissLucycouldget。ShewaslikeherbrotherTominsomeways。
　　“Iorderedhimoutofthehouse。Hisanswertothatwasanoffertomarryme。YoucanimaginethatIwassurprisedaswellasangry——Iwasperplexed。
　　“'ButIAMmarried！'Icried。Theideathatanyofmyownpeople，oranyonewhomIhadknownathome，wouldthinkIwasn'tmarriedwastoomuchformetotakeinallatonce。
　　“'YouTHINKyouare，'saidPrentissMcMakin，withasmile。
　　“Inspiteofmyselfmybreathstopped。Itwasasifachillyhandhadtakenholdofmyheart。
　　Imean，physically，Ifeltlikethat。
　　“'IAMmarried，'Irepeated，simply。
　　“IsupposethatMcMakinhadgotthestoryofourweddingfromYOU。“Shestoppedaminute。
　　Thedoctor'svoiceanswered：
　　“Isupposeso，“likehewasaverytiredman。
　　“Anyhow，“shewenton，“heknewthatwewentfirsttoClarksville。Hesaid：
　　“'Youthinkyouaremarried，Lucy，butyouarenot。'
　　“IwishyoutounderstandthatPrentissMcMakindiditallvery，verywell。Thatismyexcuse。Heactedwell。Therewassomethingabouthim——I
　　scarcelyknowhowtoputit。Itsoundsodd，butthetruthisthatPrentissMcMakinwasalwaysamoreconvincingsortofapersonwhenhehadbeendrinkingalittlethanwhenhewassober。Helackedwarmth——helackedtemperament。Isupposejusttherightamountputitintohim。Itputthedevilintohim，too，Ireckon。
　　“Hetoldmethatyouandhe，Tom，hadbeentoClarksville，andhadmadeinvestigations，andthattheweddingwasafraud。Andhetolditwithawealthofconvincingdetail。Inthemidstofithebrokeofftoasktoseemyweddingcertificate。Ashetalked，helaughedatit，andtoreitup，sayingthatthethingwasnotworththepaperitwason，andhethrewthepiecesofpaperintothegrate。I
　　listened，andIlethimdoit——notthatthepaperitselfmatteredparticularly。ButtheveryfactthatIlethimtearitshowedme，myself，thatIwasbelievinghim。
　　“Heendedwithanimpassionedappealtometogowithhim。
　　“Ishowedhimthedoor。IpretendedtothelastthatIthoughthewaslyingtome。ButIdidnotthinkso。Ibelievedhim。Hehaddoneitallverycleverly。YoucanunderstandhowImight——
　　inviewofwhathadhappened？”
　　IwantedtoseeMissLucy——howshelookedwhenshesaiddifferentthings，soIcouldmakeupmymindwhethershewasforgivingthedoctorornot。NotthatIhadmuchdoubtbutwhattheywouldgettheirpersonaltroublesfixedupintheend。Theirongratinginthefloorwashelddownbyfourgood-sizedscrews，oneateachcorner。Theywasn'tnofillingatallbetwixtitandtheirongratingthatwasintheceilingoftheroombelow。Thespacewashollow。Igotanideaandtookoutmyjack-knife。
　　“Whatareyougoingtodo？”whispersMartha。
　　“S-sh-sh，“Isays，“shutup，andyou'llsee。“
　　Oneofthescrewswasloose，andIpickedherouteasyenough。ThesecondoneIbrokethepointoffofmyknifebladeon。Likeyounearlyalwaysdoonascrew。WhenitsnappedColonelTomhesays：
　　“What'sthat？”Hewaspowerfulquickofhear-
　　ing，ColonelTomwas。Ilaidlowtilltheywentontalkingagin。ThenMarthaslidesoutontiptoeandcomesbackinthreesecondswithoneoftheseherelittlescrew-driverstheyusearoundsewing-machinesandthelittleoilcanthatgoeswithit。Ioilsthemscrewsandhasthemoutinaholyminute，andliftsthegratingfromthefloorcarefulandlaysitcarefulontherug。
　　BydoingallofwhichIcouldgetmyheadandshouldersdownintothattherehole。Andbytwist-
　　ingmyneckagooddeal，seealittlewaystoeachsideintotheroom，insteadofjestunderneaththegrating。ThedoctorIcouldn'tseeyet，andonlyalittleofColonelTom，butMissLucyquiteplain。
　　“Youmeanthing，“Marthawhispers，“youareblockingitupsoIcan'thear。“
　　“Keepstill，“Iwhispers，pullingmyheadoutoftheholesothesoundwouldn'tfloatdownwardintotheroombelow。“Youarejestlikeallotherwomen——yougottoomuchcuriosity。“
　　“Howaboutyourself？”saysshe。
　　“Whowasitthoughtoftakingthegratingoff？”
　　Iwhispersbacktoher。Whichsettleshertem-
　　porary，butshesaysifIdon'tgiveherachancetatitpurtysoonshewillticklemyribs。
　　WhenIlistensagintheyareburyingthattherePrentMcMakin。Butwithoutanyflowers。
　　MissLucy，shewashalfsettingon，halfleaningagainst，thearmofachair。WhichherheadwasjestabitboweddownsothatIcouldn'tseehereyes。Buttheywasthebeginningsofasmileontoherface。Itwasbothsoftandsad。
　　“Well，“saysColonelTom，“youtwohavewastedalmosttwentyyearsoflife。“
　　“Thereisonegoodthing，“saysthedoctor。“Itisagoodthingthattherewasnochildtosufferbyourmistakes。“
　　Sheraisedherfacewhenhesaidthat，MissLucydid，andlookedinhisdirection。
　　“Youcallthatagoodthing？”shesays，inakindofwonder。Andafteraminuteshesighs。“Per-
　　haps，“shesays，“youareright。Heavenonlyknows。PerhapsitWASbetterthathedied。“
　　“DIED！”singsoutthedoctor。
　　AndIhearnhischairscrapeback，likehehadriztohisfeetsudden。Inearlybustedmynecktryingfurtoseehim，butIcouldn't。Iwasalltwistedup，headdown，andthebloodgettingintomyheadfromitsoIhadtopullitouteverylittlewhile。
　　“Yes，“shesays，withhereyeswide，“didn'tyouknowhedied？”AndthensheturnsquicktowardColonelTom。“Didn'tyoutellhim——“shebegins。Butthedoctorcutsin。
　　“Lucy，“hesays，hisvoiceshakingandcroakinginhisthroat，“Ineverknewtherewasachild！”
　　IhearsColonelTomhawkinHISthroatlikeamanwhoiseithergoingtospitorelsesaysomething。
　　Buthedon'tdoeitherone。Noonesaysanythingfuraminute。AndthenMissLucysaysagin：
　　“Yes——hedied。“
　　Andthenshefellintoakindofamuse。Ihavebeenmyselfinthefixshelookedtobeinthen——soyouforgetfurawhilewhereyouare，orwhoisthere，whilstyouthinkaboutsomethingthathasbeeninthebackpartofyourmindfuralong，longtime。
　　Whatshewasmusingaboutwasthatchildthathadn'tlived。Icouldtellthatbyherface。I
　　couldtellhowshemusthavethoughtofit，oftenandoften，furyearsandyears，andlongedfurit，sothatitseemedtoherattimesshecouldalmosttouchit。Andhowgoodamothershewouldofbeentoit。SomewomenhasjestnatcherallyGOTtomothersomethingorother。MissLucywasoneofthatkind。Iknowedallinaflash，whilstI
　　lookedatherthere，whyshehadadoptedMarthafurherchild。
　　Itwasawonderfullookthatwasontoherface。
　　Anditwasawonderfulfacethatlookwasonto。I
　　feltlikeIhadknowedherforeverwhenIseenherthere。Likethethoughtsofherthedoctorhadbeencarryingaroundwithhimfuryearsandyears，andthatIhadcaughthimthinkingoncetortwicet，hadbeenmythoughtstoo，allmylife。
　　MissLucy，shewasoneofthekindthere'snousetryingtodescribe。Thefellerthatcouldseeherthat-a-wayandnotfeelmadegoodbyitorterhaveawhaling。Notthekindofsticky，goodfeelingthatmakesyouuncomfortable，likebeingpesteredbyyourconsciencetojineachurchorquitcussing。
　　Butthekindofgoodthatmakesyouforgettheyisanythingonearthbutjestbravenessofheartandbeingwillingtobearthingsyoucan'thelp。Youknowedtheworldhadhurtheralotwhenyouseenherstandingthere；butyoudidn'thavethenervetopityhernone，either。Furyoucouldseeshehadgotoverpityingherself。Evenwhenshewasinthatmuse，longingwithallhersoulfurthatchildshehadneverknowed，youdidn'thavethenervetopityhernone。
　　“Hedied，“shesaysagin，purtysoon，withthatgentlekindofsmile。
　　ColonelTom，heclearshisthroatagin。Likewhenyouareawfuldry。
　　“Thetruthis——“hebegins。
　　Andthenhebreaksoffagin。MissLucyturnstowardhimwhenhespeaks。Bythestrangelookthatcomeontoherfacetheremustofbeensome-
　　thingrightcuriousinHISmannertoo。Iwasjestsimplylayingontomyforeheadmashingoneofmyderneyeballsthroughalittleholeinthegrating。
　　ButIcouldn't，eventhatway，seefurenoughtoonesidetoseehowHElooked。
　　“Thetruthis，“saysColonelTom，tryingitagin，“thatI——well，Lucy，thechildmaybedead，buthedidn'tdiewhenyouthoughthedid。“
　　TherewasaflashofhopeflaredintoherfacethatIhatedtoseecomethere。Becausewhenitdiedoutinaminute，asIexpecteditwouldhaveto，itlookedtomelikeitmighttakeallherlifeoutwithit。Herlipspartedlikeshewasgoingtosaysomethingwiththem。Butshedidn't。Shejestlookedit。
　　“Whydidyounevertellmethis——thattherewasachild？”saysthedoctor，veryeager。
　　“Wait，“saysColonelTom，“letmetellthestoryinmyownway。“
　　Whichhedoneit。ItseemswhenhehadwenttoGalesburgthisherechildhadonlybeenbornafewdays。AndMissLucywasstillsick。Andthekiditselfwassick，andliabletodieanyminute，bythelooksofthings。
　　WhichColonelTomwishesthatitwoulddie，inhisheart。Hethinksthatitisanillegitimatechild，andhehatestheideaofitandhehatesthesightofit。Thesecondnightheisthereheissettinginhissister'sroom，andthewomanthathasbeennursingthekidandMissLucytooisinthenextroomwiththekid。
　　Shecomestothedoorandbeckonstohim，thenursedoes。Hetiptoestowardher，andshesaystohim，verylow-voiced，that“itisallover。“
　　Meaningthekidhasquitstrugglingfurtolive，andjestnatcherallyfloatedaway。ThenursehadthoughtMissLucyasleep，butasbothherandColonelTomturnquicktowardherbedtheyseethatshehasheardandseen，andsheturnsherfacetowardthewall。Whichhetriesfurtocomforther，ColonelTomdoes，tellingherashowitisanillegitimatechild，andfuritsownsakeitwasbetteritwasdeadbeforeiteverlivedany。Whichshedon'tanswerofhimback，butonlystaresinawild-
　　eyedwayathim，andlaysthereandlooksdesperate，andsaysnothing。
　　InhisheartColonelTomisawfulgladthatitisdead。Hecan'thelpfeelingthatway。Andhequitstryingtotalktohissister，furhesuspicionsthatshewillketchontothefactthatheisgladthatitisdead。Hegoesonintothenextroom。
　　Hefindsthenurselookingawfulfunny，andbendingoverthedeadkid。Sheisputtingalook-
　　ing-glasstoitslips。Heastsherwhy。
　　Shesaysshethoughtshemightbemistakenafterall。Shecouldn'tsayjestWHENitdied。Itwasaliveandfeeble，andthenpurtysoonitshowednosignsoflife。Itwaslikeithadn'thadenoughstrengthtostayandhadjestwent。Ididn'tshowanypulse，anditdidn'tappeartobebreathing。
　　Andshehadwatcheditanddoneeverythingbe-
　　foreshebeckonedtoColonelTomandtoldhimthatitwasdead。Butasshecomebackintotheroomwhereitwasshethoughtshenoticedsomethingthatwastoolighttobecalledarealfluttermoveitseyelids，whichshehadcloseddownoveritseyes。
　　Itwastheghostofamove，likeithadtriedtoraisethelids，ortheyhadtriedtoraisetheirselves，andhadbeentooweak。Soshehasgotbusyandwrappedahotclotharoundit，andgotadropofbrandyortwobetweenitslips，andwasfightingtobringitbacktolife。Andthoughtshewasdoingit。Thoughtshehadfeltalittleflutterinitschest，andwastryingifithadbreathatall。
　　ColonelTomthinksofwhatbigfolkstheBucknerfamblyhasalwaysbeenathome。Andhowhightheyhadalwaysheldtheirheads。Andhownoneofthewomenhaseverbeenlikethisbefore。Nornodisgraceofanykind。Andthattherekid，ifitisalive，isasignofdisgrace。AndhehopedtoGod，hesaid，itwasn'talive。
　　Buthedon'tsayso。Hestandsthereandwatchesthatnursefightfurtoholdontothelittlemistoflifeshethinksnowisstillintoit。Sheun-
　　buttonsherdressandlaysthekidagainsttheheatofherownbreast。Andwillsfurittolive，andfightsfuritto，anddeterminesthatitmust，andjestnatcherallytriesfurtobullyragdeathintogoingaway。AndColonelTomwatching，andwishingthatitwouldn't。Buthegetsinterestedinthattherefight，andsopurtysoonheishopingbothwaysbyspells。Andthefightallgoingonwithoutawordspoken。
　　Butfinallythenursebeginsfurtocry。Notbe-
　　causesheissureitisdead。Butbecausesheissureitiscomingback。Whichitdoes，slow。
　　“'ButIhavetoldHERthatitisdead，'“saysColonelTom，jerkinghisheadtowardtheotherroomwhereMissLucyislying。Hespeaksinalowvoiceandclosesthedoorwhenhespeaks。Furitlooksnowlikeitwasgettingstrongenoughsoitmightevensquallalittle。
　　“Idon'tknowwhatkindofalooktherewasonmyface，“saysColonelTom，tellingofthestorytohissisterandthedoctor，“butshemusthaveseenthatIwas——andheavenhelpme，butIWAS！——sorrythatthebabywasalive。Itwouldhavebeensuchaneasywayoutofithaditbeenreallydead！
　　“'Shemustn'tknowthatitisliving，'Isaidtothenurse，finally，“saysColonelTom，goingonwithhisstory。IhadbeenwatchingMissLucy'sfaceasColonelTomtalkedandshewassoworkedupbythatfightfurthekid'slifeshewasbreath-
　　less。Buthereyeswascastdown，Iguesssoherbrothercouldn'tseethem。ColonelTomgoesonwithhisstory：
　　“'Youdon'tmean——'saidthenurse，startled。
　　“'No！No！'Isaid，'ofcourse——notthat！But——
　　whyshouldsheeverknowthatitdidn'tdie？'“
　　“'Itisillegitimate？'askedthenurse。
　　“'Yes，'Isaid。“Thelongandshortofitwas，ColonelTomwentontotell，thatthenursewentoutandgothermother。Whichthetwoofthemlivedalone，onlyaroundthecorner。Andgivethechildintothekeepingofhermother，whotookitawaythenandthere。
　　ColonelTomhadmadeuphismindtherewasn'tgoingtobenobastardsintheBucknerfambly。
　　AndnowthatMissLucythoughtitwasdeadhewouldletherkeeponthinkingso。Andthatwouldbesettledforgoodandall。Hefiggeredthatitwouldn'teverhurthernoneifsheneverknowedit。
　　Thenurse'smotherkeptitallthatweek，anditthrove。ColonelTomwascoaxingofhissistertogobacktoTennessee。Butshewouldn'tgo。SohehadmadeuphismindtogobackandgethisAuntLucyDavistocomeandhelphimcoax。Hewasonlywaitingfurhissistertogetwellenoughsohecouldleaveher。Shegotbetter，andsheneverastfurthekid，norsaidnothingaboutit。Whichwasprobablebecausesheseenhehateditso。Hehadmadeuphismind，beforehewentbackaftertheirAuntLucyDavis，totakethebabyhimselfandputitintosomekindofaninstitution。
　　“Ithought，“hesaystoMissLucy，tellingofthestory，“thatyouyourselfwerealmostreconciledtothethoughtthatithadn'tlived。“
　　MissLucyinterruptedhimwithalittlesound。
　　Shewasbreathinghard，andshakingfromheadtofoot。Noonewouldhavethoughttolookatherthenshewasreconciledtotheideathatithadn'tlived。Itwascruelhardonhertotearhertopieceswiththenewsthatitreallyhadlived，buthadlivedawayfromheralltheseyearsshehadbeenlongingfurit。Andnochancetfurherevertomotherit。
　　Andnowaytotellwhathadeverbecomeofit。I
　　feltawfulsorryfurMissLucythen。
　　“ButwhenIgotreadytoleaveGalesburg，“
　　ColonelTomgoeson，“itsuddenlyoccurredtomethattherewouldbedifficultiesinthewayofputtingitinahomeofanysort。Ididn'tknowwhattodowithit——“
　　“WhatDIDyou？WhatDIDyou？WHATDIDYOU？”
　　criesoutMissLucy，pressingherhandtoherchest，likeshewassmothering。
　　“ThefirstthingIdid，“saysColonelTom，“wastogetyoutoanotherhouse——youremember，Lucy？”
　　“Yes，yes！”shesays，excited，“andwhatthen？”
　　“PerhapsIdidaveryfoolishthing，“saysColonelTom。
　　“AfterIhadseenyouinstalledinthenewplaceandhadbiddenyougood-bye，Igotacarriageanddrovebytheplacewherethenurseandhermotherlived。ItoldthewomanthatIhadchangedmymind——thatyouweregoingtoraisethebaby——
　　thatIwasgoingtopermitit。Idon'tthinkshequitebelievedme，butshegavemethebaby。Whatelsecouldshedo？Besides，Ihadpaidherwell，whenIdischargedher，tosaynothingtoyou，andtokeepthebabyuntilIshouldcomeforit。Theyneededmoney；theywerepoor。
　　“Iwasdeterminedthatitshouldneverbeheardofagain。ItwasaboutnoonwhenIleftGalesburg。
　　Idroveallthatafternoon，withthebabyinabasketontheseatofthecarriagebesideme。Everybodyhasreadinbooks，sincebookswerefirstwritten——
　　andseeninnewspapers，too——aboutchildrenbeingleftondoorsteps。Givenaninfanttodisposeof，thatisperhapsthefirstthingthatoccurstoaper-
　　son。Therewasathickplaidshawlwrappedaboutthechild。Inthebasket，besidethebaby，wasanursingbottle。AboutduskIhaditrefilledwithwarmmilkatafarmhousenear——“
　　Myheadwasbeginningfurtoswim。Ipulledmyheadoutofthattherehole，andrammedmyfootintoit。Itbangedagainstthatgratingandloosenedit。Itbustedloosesomeplaster，whichshowereddownintotheroomunderneath。MissLucy，shescreamed。AndthedoctorandColonelTombothyelledouttooncet：
　　“Who'sthat？”
　　“It'sme，“Iyells，bangingthatgratingagin。
　　“Watchoutbelowthere！”AndthethirdlickI
　　givehershebrokelooseandclattereddownrightontoacentretableandspilledoversomepho-
　　tographsandavasefullofflowers，andbouncedoffontothefloor。
　　“Lookoutbelow，“Iyells，“I'mcomingdown！”
　　Iletmylegsthroughfirst，andswungthemsoI
　　wouldlandtoonesideofthetable，andheldbymyhands，anddropped。Butstruckthetableaside-
　　waysswipeandturneditover，andfellontothefloor。Thedoctor，hegrabbedmebythecollarandstraightenedmeup，andgivemeashakeandstoodmeontomyfeet。
　　“Whatdoyoumean——“hebegins。ButI
　　breaksin。
　　“Nowthen，“IsaystoColonelTom，“didyouleavethattherechildsuckingthattherebottleonthedoorstepofablacksmith'shousenexttohisshopattheedgeofalittlecountrytownabouttwentymilesnortheastofGalesburgwrappedupinthatthereplaidshawl？”
　　“Idid，“saysColonelTom。
　　“Then，“saysI，turningtoMissLucy，“IcanunderstandwhyIhavebeenfeelingdrawedtoYOU
　　furquiteaspell。I'mhim。“
　　End