Shewasdirtyandlazy，andlikedtololltherewhentravellerscame，tohearthementalk，butshehadasoftheart。Presentlyahandcameoutofthewindow，andapairofvelvetslipperstouchedhisshoulder，tinyslipperswithblackflowers。Hepulledthemoutofherhand。Onlyonewoman’sfeethadwornthem，heknewthat。
　　"Leftherelastsummerbyalady，"saidthegirl；"mightbetheoneyouarelookingfor。Neversawanyfeetsosmall。"
　　Gregoryroseandquestionedher。
　　Theymighthavecomeinawagonandspider，shecouldnottell。Butthegentlemanwasveryhandsome，tall，lovelyfigure，blueeyes，woreglovesalwayswhenhewentout。AnEnglishofficer，perhaps；noAfricander，certainly。
　　Gregorystoppedher。
　　Thelady？Well，shewaspretty，rather，thegirlsaid；verycold，dullair，silent。Theystayedfor，itmightbe，fivedays；sleptinthewingoveragainstthestoep；quarrelledsometimes，shethought——thelady。Shehadseeneverythingwhenshewentintowait。Onedaythegentlemantouchedherhair；shedrewbackfromhimasthoughhisfingerspoisonedher。Wenttotheotherendoftheroomifhecametositnearher。Walkedoutalone。Coldwifeforsuchahandsomehusband，thegirlthought；sheevidentlypitiedhim，hewassuchabeautifulman。Theywentawayearlyonemorning，how，orinwhichway，thegirlcouldnottell。
　　Gregoryinquiredoftheservants，butnothingmorewastobelearnt；sothenextmorninghesaddledhishorseandwenton。Atthefarmshecametothegoodoldoomsandtantesaskedhimtohavecoffee，andthelittleshoelesschildrenpeepedoutatthestrangerfrombehindovensandgables；butnoonehadseenwhatheaskedfor。Thiswayandthatherodetopickupthethreadhehaddropped，butthespiderandthewagon，thelittleladyandthehandsomegentleman，noonehadseen。Inthetownshefaredyetworse。
　　Onceindeedhopecametohim。Onthestoepofanhotelatwhichhestayedthenightinacertainlittlevillage，therewalkedagentleman，graveandkindly—looking。Itwasnothardtoopenconversationwithhimabouttheweather，andthen——Hadheeverseensuchandsuchpeople，agentlemanandalady，aspiderandwagon，arriveatthatplace？Thekindlygentlemanshookhishead。Whatwastheladylike，heinquired。
　　Gregorypainted。Hairlikesilkenfloss，smallmouth，underlipveryfullandpink，upperlippinkbutverythinandcurled；therewerefourwhitespotsonthenailofherrighthandforefinger，andhereyebrowswereverydelicatelycurved。
　　"Yes；andarose—budtingeinthecheeks；handslikelilies，andperfectlyseraphicsmile。"
　　"Thatisshe！thatisshe！"criedGregory。
　　Whoelsecoulditbe？Heaskedwhereshehadgoneto。Thegentlemanmostthoughtfullystrokedhisbeard。
　　Hewouldtrytoremember。Werenotherears——。Heresuchaviolentfitofcoughingseizedhimthatheranawayintothehouse。Anill—fedclerkandadirtybarmanstandinginthedoorwaylaughedaloud。Gregorywonderediftheycouldbelaughingatthegentleman’scough，andthenheheardsomeonelaughingintheroomintowhichthegentlemanhadgone。Hemustfollowhimandtrytolearnmore；buthesoonfoundthattherewasnothingmoretobelearntthere。PoorGregory！
　　Backwardandforward，backwardandforward，fromthedirtylittlehotelwherehehaddroppedthethread，tothisfarmandtothat，rodeGregory，tillhisheartwassickandtired。Thatfromthatspotthewagonmighthavegoneitsownwayandthespideranotherwasanideathatdidnotoccurtohim。Atlasthesawitwasnouselingeringinthatneighbourhood，andpressedon。
　　Onedaycomingtoalittletown，hishorsesknockedup，andheresolvedtorestthemthere。Thelittlehotelofthetownwasabrightandsunnyplace，likethejovialfaceofthecleanlittlewomanwhokeptit，andwhotrottedabouttalkingalways——talkingtothecustomersinthetaproom，andtothemaidsinthekitchen，andtothepassers—bywhenshecouldhailthemfromthewindows；talking，asgood—naturedwomenwithlargemouthsandsmallnosesalwaysdo，inseasonandout。
　　Therewasalittlefrontparlourinthehotel，keptforstrangerswhowantedtobealone。Gregorysattheretoeathisbreakfast，andthelandladydustedtheroomandtalkedofthegreatfindsattheDiamondFields，andthebadnessofmaid—servants，andtheshamefulconductoftheDutchparsoninthattowntotheEnglishinhabitants。Gregoryatehisbreakfastandlistenedtonothing。Hehadaskedhisonequestion，andhadhadhisanswer；nowshemighttalkon。
　　Presentlyadoorinthecorneropenedandawomancameout——aMozambiquer，witharedhandkerchieftwistedroundherhead。Shecarriedinherhandatray，withasliceoftoastcrumbledfine，andahalf—filledcupofcoffee，andaneggbrokenopen，butnoteaten。Herebonyfacegrinnedcomplacentlyassheshutthedoorsoftlyandsaid，"Goodmorning。"
　　Thelandladybegantotalktoher。
　　"Youarenotgoingtoleaveherreally，Ayah，areyou？"shesaid。"Themaidssayso；butI’msureyouwouldn’tdosuchathing。"
　　TheMozambiquergrinned。
　　"HusbandsaysImustgohome。"
　　"Butshehasn’tgotanyoneelse，andwon’thaveanyoneelse。Come，now，"
　　saidthelandlady，"I’venotimetobesittingalwaysinasickroom，notifIwaspaidanythingforit。"
　　TheMozambiqueronlyshowedherwhiteteethgood—naturedlyforanswer，andwentout，andthelandladyfollowedher。
　　Gregory，gladtobealone，watchedthesunshineasitcameoverthefuchsiasinthewindow，andranupanddownonthepanelleddoorinthecorner。TheMozambiquerhadcloseditlooselybehindher，andpresentlysomethingtoucheditinside。Itmovedalittle，thenitwasstill，thenmovedagain；thenthroughthegapasmallnoseappeared，andayellowearoverlappingoneeye；thenthewholeheadobtruded，placeditselfcriticallyononeside，wrinkleditsnosedisapprovinglyatGregory，andwithdrew。
　　Throughthehalf—opendoorcameafaintscentofvinegar，andtheroomwasdarkandstill。
　　Presentlythelandladycameback。
　　"Leftthedooropen，"shesaid，bustlingtoshutit；"butadarkywillbeadarky，andnevercarriesaheadonitsshoulderslikeotherfolks。Notill，Ihopesir？"shesaid，lookingatGregorywhenshehadshutthebedroomdoor。
　　"No，"saidGregory，"no。"
　　Thelandladybeganputtingthethingstogether。
　　"Who，"askedGregory，"isinthatroom？"
　　Gladtohavealittleinnocentpieceofgossiptorelate，andsomeonewillingtohearit，thelandladymadethemostofalittlestoryassheclearedthetable。Sixmonthsbeforealadyhadcomealonetothehotelinawagon，withonlyacolouredleaderanddriver。Eightdaysafteralittlebabyhadbeenborn。
　　IfGregorystoodupandlookedoutatthewindowhewouldseeabluegum—
　　treeinthegraveyard；closebyitwasalittlegrave。Thebabywasburiedthere。Atinything——onlylivedtwohours，andthemotherherselfalmostwentwithit。Afterawhileshewasbetter；butonedayshegotupoutofbed，dressedherselfwithoutsayingawordtoanyone，andwentout。Itwasadrizzlyday；alittletimeaftersomeonesawhersittingonthewetgroundunderthebluegum—tree，withtheraindrippingfromherhatandshawl。Theywenttofetchher，butshewouldnotcomeuntilshechose。
　　Whenshedid，shehadgonetobedandhadnotrisenagainfromit；neverwould，thedoctorsaid。
　　Shewasverypatient，poorthing。Whenyouwentintoaskherhowshewasshesaidalways"Better，"or"Nearlywell！"andlaystillinthedarkenedroom，andnevertroubledanyone。TheMozambiquertookcareofher，andshewouldnotallowanyoneelsetotouchher；wouldnotsomuchasallowanyoneelsetoseeherfootuncovered。Shewasstrangeinmanyways，butshepaidwell，poorthing；andnowtheMozambiquerwasgoing，andshewouldhavetotakeupwithsomeoneelse。
　　Thelandladyprattledonpleasantly，andnowcarriedawaythetraywiththebreakfastthings。WhenshewasgoneGregoryleanedhisheadonhishands，buthedidnotthinklong。
　　Beforedinnerhehadriddenoutofthetowntowhereonariseanumberoftransport—wagonswereoutspanned。TheDutchmandriverofonewonderedatthestranger’seagernesstofreehimselfofhishorses。Stolenperhaps；
　　butitwasworthhiswhiletobuythematsolowaprice。Sothehorseschangedmasters，andGregorywalkedoffwithhissaddlebagsslungacrosshisarm。Onceoutofsightofthewagonshestruckoutoftheroadandwalkedacrosstheveld，thedry，floweringgrasseswavingeverywhereabouthim；half—wayacrosstheplainhecametoadeepgullywhichtheraintorrentshadwashedout，butwhichwasnowdry。Gregorysprungdownintoitsredbed。Itwasasafeplace，andquiet。Whenhehadlookedabouthimhesatdownundertheshadeofanoverhangingbankandfannedhimselfwithhishat，fortheafternoonwashot，andhehadwalkedfast。Athisfeetthedustyantsranabout，andthehighredbankbeforehimwascoveredbyanetworkofrootsandfibreswashedbarebytherains。AbovehisheadrosetheclearblueAfricansky；athissidewerethesaddlebagsfullofwomen’sclothing。Gregorylookeduphalfplaintivelyintothebluesky。
　　"AmI，amIGregoryNazianzenRose？"hesaid。
　　Itwasalsostrange，hesittingthereinthatslootinthatup—countryplain！——strangeasthefantastic，changingshapesinasummercloud。Atlast，tiredout，hefellasleep，withhisheadagainstthebank。Whenhewoketheshadowhadstretchedacrossthesloot，andthesunwasontheedgeoftheplain。Nowhemustbeupanddoing。Hedrewfromhisbreastpocketalittlesixpennylooking—glass，andhungitononeoftherootsthatstuckoutfromthebank。Thenhedressedhimselfinoneoftheold—fashionedgownsandagreatpinked—outcollar。Thenhetookoutarazor。Tuftbytuftthesoftbrownbeardfelldownintothesand，andthelittleantstookittolinetheirnestswith。Thentheglassshowedafacesurroundedbyafrilledcap，whiteasawoman’s，withalittlemouth，averyshortupperlip，andarecedingchin。
　　Presentlyarathertallwoman’sfigurewasmakingitswayacrosstheveld。
　　Asitpassedahollowed—outantheapitkneltdown，andstuffedinthesaddlebagswiththeman’sclothing，closinguptheanthillwithbitsofgroundtolookasnaturalaspossible。Likeasinnerhidinghisdeedofsin，thehiderstartedonceandlookedround，butyettherewasnoonenearsaveameerkat，whohadliftedherselfoutofherholeandsatonherhindlegswatching。Hedidnotlikethatevensheshouldsee，andwhenheroseshedivedawayintoherhole。Thenhewalkedonleisurely，thattheduskmighthavereachedthevillagestreetsbeforehewalkedthere。Thefirsthousewasthesmith’s，andbeforetheopendoortwoidleurchinslolled。
　　Ashehurriedupthestreetinthegatheringgloomheheardthemlaughlongandloudlybehindhim。Heglancedroundfearingly，andwouldalmosthavefled，butthatthestrangeskirtsclungabouthislegs。Andafterallitwasonlyasparkthathadalightedontheheadofone，andnotthestrangefiguretheylaughedat。
　　Thedoorofthehotelstoodwideopen，andthelightfelloutintothestreet。Heknocked，andthelandladycame。Shepeeredouttolookforthecartthathadbroughtthetraveller；butGregory’sheartwasbravenowhewassonearthequietroom。Hetoldherhehadcomewiththetransportwagonsthatstoodoutsidethetown。
　　Hehadwalkedin，andwantedlodgingsforthenight。
　　Itwasadeliberatelie，gliblytold；hewouldhavetoldfifty，thoughtherecordingangelhadstoodinthenextroomwithhispendippedintheink。
　　Whatwasittohim？Herememberedthatshelaytheresayingalways："Iambetter。"
　　Thelandladyputhissupperinthelittleparlourwherehehadsatinthemorning。Whenitwasonthetableshesatdownintherocking—chair，asherfashionwastoknitandtalk，thatshemightgathernewsforhercustomersinthetaproom。Inthewhitefaceunderthequeer，deep—fringedcapshesawnothingofthemorning’straveller。Thenewcomerwascommunicative。Shewasanursebyprofession，shesaid；hadcometotheTransvaal，hearingthatgoodnurseswereneededthere。Shehadnotyetfoundwork。Thelandladydidnotperhapsknowwhethertherewouldbeanyforherinthattown？
　　Thelandladyputdownherknittingandsmoteherfathandstogether。
　　Ifitwasn’ttheveryfingerofGod’sprovidence，asthoughyousawithangingoutofthesky，shesaid。Herewasaladyillandneedinganewnursethatveryday，andnotabletogetonetohermind，andnow——well，ifitwasn’tenoughtoconvertalltheAtheistsandFreethinkersintheTransvaal，shedidn’tknow！
　　Thenthelandladyproceededtodetailfacts。
　　"I’msureyouwillsuither，"sheadded；"you’rejustthekind。Shehasheapsofmoneytopayyouwith；haseverythingthatmoneycanbuy。AndI
　　gotaletterwithacheckinitforfiftypoundstheotherdayfromsomeone，whosaysI’mtospenditforher，andnottoletherknow。Sheisasleepnow，butI’lltakeyouintolookather。"
　　Thelandladyopenedthedoorofthenextroom，andGregoryfollowedher。A
　　tablestoodnearthebed，andalampburninglowstoodonit；thebedwasagreatfour—posterwithwhitecurtains，andthequiltwasofrichcrimsonsatin。ButGregorystoodjustinsidethedoorwithhisheadbentlow，andsawnofurther。
　　"Comenearer！I’llturnthelampupabit，thatyoucanhavealookather。Aprettything，isn’tit？"saidthelandlady。
　　Nearthefootofthebedwasadentinthecrimsonquilt，andoutofitDoss’smallheadandbrighteyeslookedknowingly。
　　ThenGregorylookedupatwhatlayonthecushion。Alittlewhite，whiteface，transparentasanangel’swithaclothboundroundtheforehead，andwithsofthairtossedaboutonthepillow。
　　"Wehadtocutitoff，"saidthewoman，touchingitwithherforefinger。
　　"Softassilk，likeawaxdoll’s。"
　　ButGregory’sheartwasbleeding。
　　"Nevergetupagain，thedoctorsays，"saidthelandlady。
　　Gregoryutteredoneword。Inaninstantthebeautifuleyesopenedwidely，lookedroundtheroomandintothedarkcorners。
　　"Whoishere？WhomdidIhearspeak？"
　　Gregoryhadsunkbackbehindthecurtain；thelandladydrewitaside，andpulledhimforward。
　　"Onlythislady，ma’am——anursebyprofession。Sheiswillingtostayandtakecareofyou，ifyoucancometotermswithher。"
　　Lyndallraisedherselfonherelbow，andcastonekeenscrutinizingglanceoverhim。
　　"HaveIneverseenyoubefore？"sheasked。
　　"No。"
　　Shefellbackwearily。
　　"Perhapsyouwouldliketoarrangethetermsbetweenyourselves，"saidthelandlady。"Hereisachair。Iwillbebackpresently。"
　　Gregorysatdown，withbentheadandquickbreath。Shedidnotspeak，andlaywithhalf—closedeyes，seemingtohaveforgottenhim。
　　"Willyouturnthelampdownalittle？"shesaidatlast；"Icannotbearthelight。"
　　Thenhisheartgrewbraverintheshadow，andhespoke。Nursingwastohim，hesaid，hischosenlife’swork。Hewantednomoneyif——Shestoppedhim。
　　"ItakenoserviceforwhichIdonotpay，"shesaid。"WhatIgavetomylastnurseIwillgivetoyou；ifyoudonotlikeityoumaygo。"
　　AndGregorymutteredhumbly，hewouldtakeit。
　　Afterwardshetriedtoturnherself。Heliftedher！Ah！ashrunkenlittlebody，hecouldfeelitsweaknessashetouchedit。Hishandsweretohimglorifiedforwhattheyhaddone。
　　"Thankyou！thatissonice。Otherpeoplehurtmewhentheytouchme，"shesaid。"Thankyou！"Thenafteralittlewhilesherepeatedhumbly，"Thankyou；theyhurtmeso。"
　　Gregorysatdowntrembling。Hislittleewe—lamb，couldtheyhurther？
　　ThedoctorsaidofGregoryfourdaysafter，"SheisthemostexperiencednurseIevercameincontactwith。"
　　Gregory，standinginthepassage，hearditandlaughedinhisheart。Whatneedhadheofexperience？Experienceteachesusinamillenniumwhatpassionteachesusinanhour。AKafferstudiesallhislifethediscerningofdistantsounds；buthewillneverhearmystep，whenmylovehearsit，comingtoherwindowinthedarkovertheshortgrass。
　　AtfirstGregory’sheartwassorewhendaybydaythebodygrewlighter，andthemouthhefedtookless；butafterwardhegrewaccustomedtoit，andwashappy。Forpassionhasonecry，oneonly——"Oh，totouchthee，Beloved！"
　　InthatquietroomLyndalllayonthebedwiththedogatherfeet，andGregorysatinhisdarkcornerwatching。
　　Sheseldomslept，andthroughthoselong，longdaysshewouldliewatchingtheroundstreakofsunlightthatcamethroughtheknotintheshutter，orthemassivelion’spawonwhichthewardroberested。Whatthoughtswereinthoseeyes？Gregorywondered；hedarednotask。
　　SometimesDosswherehelayonherfeetwoulddreamthattheytwowereinthecart，tearingovertheveld，withtheblackhorsessnorting，andthewindintheirfaces；andhewouldstartupinhissleepandbarkaloud。
　　Thenawaking，hewouldlickhismistress’handalmostremorsefully，andslinkquietlydownintohisplace。
　　Gregorythoughtshehadnopain，shenevergroaned；onlysometimes，whenthelightwasnearher，hethoughthecouldseecontractionsaboutherlipsandeyebrows。
　　Hesleptonthesofaoutsideherdoor。
　　Onenighthethoughtheheardasound，and，openingitsoftly，helookedin。Shewascryingoutaloud，asifsheandherpainwerealoneintheworld。Thelightfellontheredquilt，andthelittlehandsthatwereclaspedoverthehead。Thewide—openeyeswerelookingup，andtheheavydropsfellslowlyfromthem。
　　"Icannotbearanymore，notanymore，"shesaidinadeepvoice。"Oh，God，God！haveInotborneinsilence？HaveInotenduredtheselong，longmonths？Butnow，now，oh，God，Icannot！"
　　Gregorykneltinthedoorwaylistening。
　　"Idonotaskforwisdom，nothumanlove，notwork，notknowledge，notforallthingsIhavelongedfor，"shecried；"onlyalittlefreedomfrompain！
　　Onlyonelittlehourwithoutpain！ThenIwillsufferagain。"
　　Shesatup，andbitthelittlehandGregoryloved。
　　Hecreptawaytothefrontdoor，andstoodlookingoutatthequietstarlight。Whenhecamebackshewaslyinginherusualposture，thequieteyeslookingatthelion’sclaw。Hecameclosetothebed。
　　"Youhavemuchpaintonight？"heaskedher。
　　"No，notmuch。"
　　"CanIdoanythingforyou？"
　　"No，nothing。"
　　Shestilldrewherlipstogether，andmotionedwithherfingerstowardthedogwholaysleepingatherfeet。Gregoryliftedhimandlaidhimatherside。ShemadeGregoryturnopenthebosomofhernightdress，thatthedogmightputhisblackmuzzlebetweenherbreasts。Shecrossedherarmsoverhim。Gregoryleftthemlyingtheretogether。
　　Nextday，whentheyaskedherhowshewas，sheanswered"Better。"
　　"Someoneoughttotellher，"saidthelandlady；"wecan’tlethersoulgooutintoeternitynotknowing，especiallywhenIdon’tthinkitwasallrightaboutthechild。Yououghttogoandtellher，doctor。"
　　So，thelittledoctor，edgedonandon，wentinatlast。Whenhecameoutoftheroomheshookhisfistinthelandlady’sface。
　　"Thenexttimeyouhaveanydevil’sworktodo，doityourself，"hesaid，andheshookhisfistinherfaceagain，andwentawayswearing。
　　WhenGregorywentintothebedroomheonlyfoundhermoved，herbodycurledup，anddrawnclosetothewall。Hedarednotdisturbher。Atlast，afteralongtime，sheturned。
　　"Bringmefood，"shesaid，"Iwanttoeat。Twoeggs，andtoast，andmeat——
　　twolargeslicesoftoast，please。"
　　Wondering，Gregorybroughtatraywithallthatshehadaskedfor。
　　"Sitmeup，andputitclosetome，"shesaid；"Iamgoingtoeatitall。"
　　Shetriedtodrawthethingsnearherwithherfingers，andre—arrangedtheplates。Shecutthetoastintolongstrips，brokeopenbotheggs，putatinymorselofbreadintoherownmouth，andfedthedogwithpiecesofmeatputintohisjawswithherfingers。
　　"Isittwelveo’clockyet？"shesaid；"IthinkIdonotgenerallyeatsoearly。Putitaway，please，carefully——no，donottakeitaway——onlyonthetable。WhentheclockstrikestwelveIwilleatit。"
　　Shelaydowntrembling。Afteralittlewhileshesaid：
　　"Givememyclothes。"
　　Helookedather。
　　"Yes；Iamgoingtodresstomorrow。Ishouldgetupnow，butitisratherlate。Putthemonthatchair。Mycollarsareinthelittlebox，mybootsbehindthedoor。"
　　Hereyesfollowedhimintentlyashecollectedthearticlesonebyone，andplacedthemonthechairasshedirected。
　　"Putitnearer，"shesaid，"Icannotseeit；"andshelaywatchingtheclothes，withherhandunderhercheek。
　　"Nowopentheshutterwide，"shesaid；"Iamgoingtoread。"
　　Theold，oldtonewasagaininthesweetvoice。Heobeyedher；andopenedtheshutter，andraisedherupamongthepillows。
　　"Nowbringmybookstome，"shesaid，motioningeagerlywithherfingers；
　　"thelargebook，andthereviewsandtheplays——Iwantthemall。"
　　Hepiledthemroundheronthebed；shedrewthemgreedilycloser，hereyesverybright，butherfaceaswhiteasamountainlily。
　　"Nowthebigoneoffthedrawers。No，youneednothelpmetoholdmybook，"shesaid；"Icanholditformyself。"
　　Gregorywentbacktohiscorner，andforalittletimetherestlessturningoverofleaveswastobeheard。
　　"Willyouopenthewindow，"shesaid，almostquerulously，"andthrowthisbookout？Itissoutterlyfoolish。Ithoughtitwasavaluablebook；butthewordsaremerelystrungtogether，theymakenosense。Yes——so！"shesaidwithapproval，seeinghimflingitoutintothestreet。"ImusthavebeenveryfoolishwhenIthoughtthatbookgood。"
　　Thensheturnedtoread，andleanedherlittleelbowsresolutelyonthegreatvolume，andknitherbrows。ThiswasShakespeare——itmustmeansomething。
　　"Iwishyouwouldtakeahandkerchiefandtieittightroundmyhead，itachesso。"
　　Hehadnotbeenlonginhisseatwhenhesawdropsfallfrombeneaththehandsthatshadedtheeyes，ontothepage。
　　"Iamnotaccustomedtosomuchlight，itmakesmyheadswimalittle，"shesaid。"Gooutandclosetheshutter。"
　　Whenhecameback，shelayshrivelledupamongthepillows。
　　Heheardnosoundofweeping，buttheshouldersshook。Hedarkenedtheroomcompletely。
　　WhenGregorywenttohissofathatnight，shetoldhimtowakeherearly；
　　shewouldbedressedbeforebreakfast。Nevertheless，whenmorningcame，shesaiditwasalittlecold，andlayalldaywatchingherclothesuponthechair。Stillshesentforheroxeninthecountry；theywouldstartonMondayandgodowntotheColony。
　　Intheafternoonshetoldhimtoopenthewindowwide，anddrawthebednearit。
　　Itwasaleadenafternoon，thedullrain—cloudsrestedclosetotheroofsofthehouses，andthelittlestreetwassilentanddeserted。Nowandthenagustofwindeddyingroundcaughtupthedriedleaves，whirledthemhitherandthitherunderthetrees，anddroppedthemagainintothegutter；
　　thenallwasquiet。Shelaylookingout。
　　Presentlythebellofthechurchbegantotoll，andupthevillagestreetcamealongprocession。Theywerecarryinganoldmantohislastresting—
　　place。Shefollowedthemwithhereyestilltheyturnedinamongthetreesatthegate。
　　"Whowasthat？"sheasked。
　　"Anoldman，"heanswered，"averyoldman；theysayhewasninety—four；
　　buthisnameIdonotknow。"