"Whoisitthathascome？"askedBonaparte，whenhestooddrinkinghiscoffeeinthefrontroom。
　　"Why，myniece，tobesure，"saidTantSannie，theHottentotmaidtranslating。"She’stheonlydaughterofmyonlybrotherPaul，andshe’scometovisitme。She’llbeanicemouthfultothemanthatcangether，"
　　addedTantSannie。"Herfather’sgottwothousandpoundsinthegreenwagonboxunderhisbed，andafarm，andfivethousandsheep，andGodAlmightyknowshowmanygoatsandhorses。Theymilktencowsinmid—
　　winter，andtheyoungmenareafterherlikefliesaboutabowlofmilk。
　　Shesaysshemeanstogetmarriedinfourmonths，butshedoesn’tyetknowtowhom。ItwassowithmewhenIwasyoung，"saidTantSannie。"I’vesatupwiththeyoungmenfourandfivenightsaweek。Andtheywillcomeridingagain，assoonasevertheyknowthatthetime’supthattheEnglishmanmademeagreenottomarryin。"
　　TheBoer—womansmirkedcomplacently。
　　"Whereareyougoingto？"askedTantSanniepresently，seeingthatBonaparterose。
　　"Ha！I’mjustgoingtothekraals；I’llbeintosupper，"saidBonaparte。
　　Nevertheless，whenhereachedhisowndoorhestoppedandturnedinthere。
　　Soonafterhestoodbeforethelittleglass，arrayedinhisbestwhiteshirtwiththelittletucks，andshavinghimself。Hehadonhisverybesttrousers，andhadheavilyoiledthelittlefringeatthebackofhishead，which，however，refusedtobecomedarker。Butwhatdistressedhimmostwashisnose——itwasveryred。Herubbedhisfingerandthumbonthewall，andputalittlewhitewashonit；but，findingitrathermademattersworse，herubbeditoffagain。Thenhelookedcarefullyintohisowneyes。Theycertainlywerealittlepulleddownattheoutercorners，whichgavethemtheappearanceoflookingcrosswise；butthentheywereaniceblue。Soheputonhisbestcoat，tookuphisstick，andwentouttosupper，feelingonthewholewellsatisfied。
　　"Aunt，"saidTranatoTantSanniewhenthatnighttheylaytogetherinthegreatwoodenbed，"whydoestheEnglishmansighsowhenhelooksatme？"
　　"Ha！"saidTantSannie，whowashalfasleep，butsuddenlystarted，wideawake。"It’sbecausehethinksyoulooklikeme。Itellyou，Trana，"saidTantSannie，"themanismadwithloveofme。ItoldhimtheothernightI
　　couldn’tmarrytillEmwassixteen，orI’dloseallthesheepherfatherleftme。AndhetalkedaboutJacobworkingsevenyearsandsevenyearsagainforhiswife。Andofcoursehemeantme，"saidTantSanniepompously。"Buthewon’tgetmesoeasilyashethinks；he’llhavetoaskmorethanonce。"
　　"Oh！"saidTrana，whowasalumpishgirlandnotmuchgiventotalking；butpresentlysheadded，"Aunt，whydoestheEnglishmanalwaysknockagainstapersonwhenhepassesthem？"
　　"That’sbecauseyouarealwaysintheway，"saidTantSannie。
　　"But，aunt，saidTrana，presently，"Ithinkheisveryugly。"
　　"Phugh！"saidTantSannie。It’sonlybecausewe’renotaccustomedtosuchnosesinthiscountry。Inhiscountryhesaysallthepeoplehavesuchnoses，andtheredderyournoseisthehigheryouare。He’softhefamilyoftheQueenVictoria，youknow，"saidTantSannie，wakeningupwithhersubject；"andhedoesn’tthinkanythingofgovernorsandchurcheldersandsuchpeople；theyarenothingtohim。Whenhisauntwiththedropsydieshe’llhavemoneyenoughtobuyallthefarmsinthisdistrict。"
　　"Oh！"saidTrana。Thatcertainlymadeadifference。
　　"Yes，"saidTantSannie；"andhe’sonlyforty—one，thoughyou’dtakehimtobesixty。Andhetoldmelastnighttherealreasonofhisbaldness。"
　　TantSanniethenproceededtorelatehow，ateighteenyearsofage，Bonapartehadcourtedafairyounglady。Howadeadlyrival，jealousofhisverdantlocks，hisgoldenflowinghair，had，withadamnableandinsinuatingdeception，madehimapresentofapotofpomatum。How，applyingitintheevening，onrisinginthemorninghefoundhispillowstrewnwiththegoldenlocks，and，lookingintotheglass，beheldtheshiningandsmoothexpansewhichhenceforthhemustbear。Thefewremaininghairswereturnedtoasilverywhiteness，andtheyoungladymarriedhisrival。
　　"And，"saidTantSanniesolemnly，"ifithadnotbeenforthegraceofGod，andreadingofthepsalms，hesayshewouldhavekilledhimself。Hesayshecouldkillhimselfquiteeasilyifhewantstomarryawomanandshewon’t。"
　　"Allewereld！"saidTrana：andthentheywenttosleep。
　　Everyonewaslostinsleepsoon；butfromthewindowofthecabinthelightstreamedforth。Itcamefromadungfire，overwhichWaldosatbrooding。Hourafterhourhesatthere，nowandagainthrowingafreshlumpoffuelontothefire，whichburntupbravely，andthensankintoagreatbedofredcoals，whichreflectedthemselvesintheboy’seyesashesattherebrooding，brooding，brooding。Atlast，whenthefirewasblazingatitsbrightest，herosesuddenlyandwalkedslowlytoabeamfromwhichanoxriemhung。Looseningit，herananooseinoneendandthendoubleditroundhisarm。
　　"Mine，mine！Ihavearight，"hemuttered；andthensomethinglouder，"ifIfallandamkilled，somuchthebetter！"
　　Heopenedthedoorandwentoutintothestarlight。
　　Hewalkedwithhiseyesbentupontheground，butoverheaditwasoneofthosebrilliantsouthernnightswheneveryspacesosmallthatyourhandmightcoveritshowsfiftycoldwhitepoints，andtheMilky—Wayisabeltofsharpfrostedsilver。HepassedthedoorwhereBonapartelaydreamingofTranaandherwealth，andhemountedtheladdersteps。Fromthoseheclamberedwithsomedifficultyontotheroofofthehouse。Itwasofoldrottenthatchwitharidgeofwhiteplaster，anditcrumbledawayunderhisfeetateverystep。Hetrodasheavilyashecould。Somuchthebetterifhefell。
　　Hekneltdownwhenhegottothefargable，andbegantofastenhisriemtothecrumblingbricks。Belowwasthelittlewindowoftheloft。Withoneendoftheriemtiedroundthegable，theotherendroundhiswaist，howeasytoslidedowntoit，andtoopenit，throughoneofthebrokenpanes，andtogoin，andtofillhisarmswithbooks，andtoclamberupagain！
　　Theyhadburntonebook——hewouldhavetwenty。Everyman’shandwasagainsthis——hisshouldbeagainsteveryman’s。Noonewouldhelphim——hewouldhelphimself。
　　Heliftedtheblackdamphairfromhisknitforehead，andlookedroundtocoolhishotface。Thenhesawwhataregalnightitwas。Hekneltsilentlyandlookedup。Athousandeyeswerelookingdownathim，brightandsocold。Therewasalaughingironyinthem。
　　"Sohot，sobitter，soangry？Poorlittlemortal？"
　　Hewasashamed。Hefoldedhisarms，andsatontheridgeoftherooflookingupatthem。
　　"Sohot，sobitter，soangry？"
　　Itwasasthoughacoldhandhadbeenlaiduponhisthrobbingforehead，andslowlytheybegantofadeandgrowdim。TantSannieandtheburntbook，Bonaparteandthebrokenmachine，theboxintheloft，hehimselfsittingthere——howsmalltheyallbecame！Eventhegraveoveryonder。Thosestarsthatshoneonupabovesoquietly，theyhadseenathousandsuchlittleexistencesfightjustsofiercely，flareupjustsobrightlyandgoout；
　　andthey，theold，oldstars，shoneonforever。
　　"Sohot，soangry，poorlittlesoul？"theysaid。
　　Theriemslippedfromhisfingers；hesatwithhisarmsfolded，lookingup。
　　"We，"saidthestars，haveseentheearthwhenitwasyoung。Wehaveseensmallthingscreepoutuponitssurface——smallthingsthatprayedandlovedandcriedveryloudly，andthencreptunderitagain。Butwe，"saidthestars，"areasoldastheUnknown。"
　　Heleanedhischinagainstthepalmofhishandandlookedupatthem。Solonghesattherethatbrightstarssetandnewonesrose，andyethesaton。
　　Thenatlasthestoodup，andbegantoloosentheriemfromthegable。
　　Whatdiditmatteraboutthebooks？Thelustandthedesireforthemhaddiedout。Iftheypleasedtokeepthemfromhimtheymight。Whatmatter？
　　itwasaverylittlething。Whyhate，andstruggle，andfight？Letitbeasitwould。
　　Hetwistedtheriemroundhisarmandwalkedbackalongtheridgeofthehouse。
　　BythistimeBonaparteBlenkinshadfinishedhisdreamofTrana，andasheturnedhimselfroundforafreshdozeheheardthestepsdescendingtheladder。Hisfirstimpulsewastodrawtheblanketoverhisheadandhislegsunderhim，andtoshout；butrecollectingthatthedoorwaslockedandthewindowcarefullybolted，heallowedhisheadslowlytocropoutamongtheblankets，andlistenedintently。Whosoeveritmightbe，therewasnodangeroftheirgettingathim；soheclamberedoutofbed，andgoingontiptoetothedoor，appliedhiseyetothekeyhole。Therewasnothingtobeseen；sowalkingtothewindow，hebroughthisfaceasclosetotheglassashisnosewouldallow。Therewasafigurejustdiscernible。Theladwasnottryingtowalksoftly，andtheheavyshufflingofthewell—
　　knownvelschoenscouldbeclearlyheardthroughtheclosedwindowastheycrossedthestonesintheyard。Bonapartelistenedtilltheyhaddiedawayroundthecornerofthewagon—house；and，feelingthathisbarelegsweregettingcold，hejumpedbackintobedagain……
　　"Whatdoyoukeepupinyourloft？"inquiredBonaparteoftheBoer—womanthenextevening，pointingupwardsandelucidatinghismeaningbytheadditionofsuchDutchwordsasheknew，fortheleanHottentotwasgonehome。
　　"Driedskins，"saidtheBoer—woman，"andemptybottles，andboxes，andsacks，andsoap。"
　　"Youdon’tkeepanyofyourprovisionsthere——sugar，now？"saidBonaparte，pointingtothesugar—basinandthenupattheloft。
　　TantSannieshookherhead。
　　"Onlysalt，anddriedpeaches。"
　　"Driedpeaches！Eh？"saidBonaparte。"Shutthedoor，mydearchild，shutittight，"hecalledouttoEm，whostoodinthediningroom。ThenheleanedovertheelbowofthesofaandbroughthisfaceascloseaspossibletotheBoer—woman’s，andmadesignsofeating。Thenhesaidsomethingshedidnotcomprehend；thensaid，"Waldo，Waldo，Waldo，"pointeduptotheloft，andmadesignsofeatingagain。
　　NowaninklingofhismeaningdawnedontheBoer—woman’smind。Tomakeitclearer，hemovedhislegsafterthemannerofonegoingupaladder，appearedtobeopeningadoor，masticatedvigorously，said，"Peaches，peaches，peaches，"andappearedtobecomingdowntheladder。
　　ItwasnowevidenttoTantSanniethatWaldohadbeeninherloftandeatenherpeaches。
　　Toexemplifyhisownshareintheproceedings，Bonapartelaydownonthesofa，andshuttinghiseyestightly，said，"Night，night，night！"Thenhesatupwildly，appearingtobeintentlylistening，mimickedwithhisfeetthecomingdownaladder，andlookedatTantSannie。Thisclearlyshowedhow，rousedinthenight，hehaddiscoveredthetheft。
　　"Hemusthavebeenagreatfooltoeatmypeaches，"saidTantSannie。
　　"Theyarefullofmitesasasheepskin，andashardasstones。"
　　Bonaparte，fumblinginhispocket，didnotevenhearherremark，andtookoutfromhiscoat—tailalittlehorsewhip，nicelyrolledup。Bonapartewinkedatthelittlerhinoceroshorsewhip，attheBoer—woman，andthenatthedoor。
　　"Shallwecallhim——Waldo，Waldo？"hesaid。
　　TantSannienodded，andgiggled。Therewassomethingsoexceedinglyhumorousintheideathathewasgoingtobeattheboy，thoughforherownpartshedidnotseethatthepeacheswereworthit。WhentheKaffermaidcamewiththewash—tubshewassenttosummonWaldo；andBonapartedoubledupthelittlewhipandputitinhispocket。Thenhedrewhimselfup，andpreparedtoacthisimportantpartwithbecominggravity。SoonWaldostoodinthedoor，andtookoffhishat。
　　"Comein，comein，mylad，"saidBonaparte，"andshutthedoorbehind。"
　　Theboycameinandstoodbeforethem。
　　"Youneednotbesoafraid，child，"saidTantSannie。"Iwasachildmyselfonce。It’snogreatharmifyouhavetakenafew。"
　　Bonaparteperceivedthatherremarkwasnotinkeepingwiththenatureoftheproceedings，andofthelittledramaheintendedtoact。Pursingouthislips，andwavinghishand，hesolemnlyaddressedtheboy。
　　"Waldo，itgrievesmebeyondexpressiontohavetosummonyouforsopainfulapurpose；butitisattheimperativecallofduty，whichIdarenotevade。Idonotstatethatfrankandunreservedconfessionwillobviatethenecessityofchastisement，whichifrequisiteshallbefullyadministered；butthenatureofthatchastisementmaybemitigatedbyfreeandhumbleconfession。Waldo，answermeasyouwouldyourownfather，inwhoseplaceInowstandtoyou；haveyou，orhaveyounot，didyou，ordidyounot，eatofthepeachesintheloft？"
　　"Sayyoutookthem，boy，sayyoutookthem，thenhewon’tbeatyoumuch，"
　　saidtheDutchwoman，good—naturedly，gettingalittlesorryforhim。
　　Theboyraisedhiseyesslowlyandfixedthemvacantlyuponher，thensuddenlyhisfacegrewdarkwithblood。
　　"So，youhaven’tgotanythingtosaytous，mylad？"saidBonaparte，momentarilyforgettinghisdignity，andbendingforwardwithalittlesnarl。"ButwhatImeanisjustthis，mylad——whenittakesaboythree—
　　quartersofanhourtofillasalt—pot，andwhenatthreeo’clockinthemorninghegoesknockingaboutthedoorsofaloft，it’snaturaltosupposethere’smischiefinit。It’scertainthereismischiefinit；andwherethere’smischiefin，itmustbetakenout，"saidBonaparte，grinningintotheboy’sface。Then，feelingthathehadfallenfromthathighgravitywhichwasasspicetothepudding，andtheflavourofthewholelittletragedy，hedrewhimselfup。"Waldo，"hesaid，"confesstomeinstantly，andwithoutreserve，thatyouatethepeaches。"
　　Theboy’sfacewaswhitenow。Hiseyeswereontheground，hishandsdoggedlyclaspedbeforehim。
　　"What，doyounotintendtoanswer？"
　　Theboylookedupatthemoncefromunderhisbenteyebrows，andthenlookeddownagain。
　　"Thecreaturelooksasifallthedevilsinhellwereinit，"criedTantSannie。"Sayyoutookthem，boy。Youngthingswillbeyoungthings；IwasolderthanyouwhenIusedtoeatbultonginmymother’sloft，andgetthelittleniggerswhippedforit。Sayyoutookthem。"
　　Buttheboysaidnothing。
　　"Ithinkalittlesolitaryconfinementmightperhapsbebeneficial，"saidBonaparte。"Itwillenableyou，Waldo，toreflectontheenormityofthesinyouhavecommittedagainstourFatherinheaven。Andyoumayalsothinkofthesubmissionyouowetothosewhoareolderandwiserthanyouare，andwhosedutyitistocheckandcorrectyou。"
　　Sayingthis，Bonapartestoodupandtookdownthekeyofthefuel—house，whichhungonanailagainstthewall。
　　"Walkon，myboy，"saidBonaparte，pointingtothedoor；andashefollowedhimouthedrewhismouthexpressivelyononeside，andmadethelashofthelittlehorsewhipstickoutofhispocketandshakeupanddown。
　　TantSanniefelthalfsorryforthelad；butshecouldnothelplaughing，itwasalwayssofunnywhenonewasgoingtohaveawhipping，anditwoulddohimgood。Anyhow，hewouldforgetallaboutitwhentheplaceswerehealed。Hadnotshebeenbeatenmanytimesandbeenallthebetterforit？
　　Bonapartetookupalightedcandlethathadbeenleftburningonthekitchentable，andtoldtheboytowalkbeforehim。Theywenttothefuel—
　　house。Itwasalittlestoneerectionthatjuttedoutfromthesideofthewagon—house。Itwaslowandwithoutawindow，andthedrieddungwaspiledinonecorner，andthecoffee—millstoodinanother，fastenedonthetopofashortpostaboutthreefeethigh。Bonapartetookthepadlockofftheroughdoor。
　　"Walkin，mylad，"hesaid。
　　Waldoobeyedsullenly；oneplacetohimwasmuchthesameasanother。Hehadnoobjectiontobeinglockedup。
　　Bonapartefollowedhimin，andclosedthedoorcarefully。Heputthelightdownontheheapofdunginthecorner，andquietlyintroducedhishandunderhiscoat—tails，anddrewslowlyfromhispockettheendofarope，whichheconcealedbehindhim。
　　"I’mverysorry，exceedinglysorry，Waldo，mylad，thatyoushouldhaveactedinthismanner。Itgrievesme，"saidBonaparte。
　　Hemovedroundtowardtheboy’sback。Hehardlylikedthelookinthefellow’seyes，thoughhestoodtheremotionless。Ifheshouldspringonhim！
　　Sohedrewtheropeoutverycarefully，andshiftedroundtothewoodenpost。Therewasaslipknotinoneendoftherope，andasuddenmovementdrewtheboy’shandstohisbackandpasseditroundthem。Itwasaninstant’sworktodragittwiceroundthewoodenpost：thenBonapartewassafe。
　　Foramomenttheboystruggledtofreehimself；thenheknewthathewaspowerless，andstoodstill。
　　"Horsesthatkickmusthavetheirlegstied，"saidBonaparte，ashepassedtheotherendoftheroperoundtheboy’sknees。"Andnow，mydearWaldo，"
　　takingthewhipoutofhispocket，"Iamgoingtobeatyou。"
　　Hepausedforamoment。Itwasperfectlyquiet；theycouldheareachother’sbreath。
　　"’Chastenthysonwhilethereishope，’"saidBonaparte，"’andletnotthysoulspareforhiscrying。’ThoseareGod’swords。Ishallactasafathertoyou，Waldo。Ithinkwehadbetterhaveyournakedback。"
　　Hetookouthispenknife，andslittheshirtdownfromtheshouldertothewaist。
　　"Now，"saidBonaparte，"IhopetheLordwillblessandsanctifytoyouwhatIamgoingtodotoyou。"
　　Thefirstcutranfromtheshoulderacrossthemiddleoftheback；thesecondfellexactlyinthesameplace。Ashudderpassedthroughtheboy’sframe。
　　"Nice，eh？"saidBonaparte，peepingroundintohisface，speakingwithalisp，asthoughtoaverylittlechild。"Nith，eh？"
　　Buttheeyeswereblackandlustreless，andseemednottoseehim。WhenhehadgivensixteenBonapartepausedinhisworktowipealittledropofbloodfromhiswhip。
　　"Cold，eh？Whatmakesyoushiverso？Perhapsyouwouldliketopullupyourshirt？ButI’venotquitedoneyet。"
　　Whenhehadfinishedhewipedthewhipagain，andputitbackinhispocket。Hecuttheropethroughwithhispenknife，andthentookupthelight。
　　"Youdon’tseemtohavefoundyourtongueyet。Forgottenhowtocry？"saidBonaparte，pattinghimonthecheek。
　　Theboylookedupathim——notsullenly，notangrily。Therewasawild，fitfulterrorintheeyes。Bonapartemadehastetogooutandshutthedoor，andleavehimaloneinthedarkness。Hehimselfwasafraidofthatlook……
　　Itwasalmostmorning。Waldolaywithhisfaceuponthegroundatthefootofthefuel—heap。Therewasaroundholenearthetopofthedoor，whereaknotofwoodhadfallenout，andastreamofgreylightcameinthroughit。
　　Ah，itwasgoingtoendatlast。Nothinglastsforever，noteventhenight。Howwasithehadneverthoughtofthatbefore？Forinallthatlongdarknighthehadbeenverystrong，hadneverbeentired，neverfeltpain，hadrunonandon，upanddown，upanddown；hehadnotdaredtostandstill，andhehadnotknownitwouldend。Hehadbeensostrong，thatwhenhestruckhisheadwithallhisforceuponthestonewallitdidnotstunhimnorpainhim——onlymadehimlaugh。Thatwasadreadfulnight。
　　Whenheclaspedhishandsfranticallyandprayed——"OGod，mybeautifulGod，mysweetGod，once，onlyonce，letmefeelyounearmetonight！"hecouldnotfeelhim。Heprayedaloud，veryloud，andhegotnoanswer；whenhelisteneditwasallquitequiet——likewhenthepriestsofBaalcriedaloudtotheirgod——"Oh，Baal，hearus！Oh，Baal，hearus！ButBaalwasgonea—
　　hunting。
　　Thatwasalongwildnight，andwildthoughtscameandwentinit；buttheylefttheirmarksbehindthemforever：for，asyearscannotpasswithoutleavingtheirtracesbehindthem，neithercannightsintowhichareforcedthethoughtsandsufferingsofyears。Andnowthedawnwascoming，andatlasthewasverytired。Heshiveredandtriedtodrawtheshirtupoverhisshoulders。Theyweregettingstiff。Hehadneverknowntheywerecutinthenight。Helookedupatthewhitelightthatcameinthroughtheholeatthetopofthedoorandshuddered。Thenheturnedhisfacebacktothegroundandsleptagain。
　　SomehourslaterBonapartecametowardthefuel—housewithalumpofbreadinhishand。Heopenedthedoorandpeeredin；thenentered，andtouchedthefellowwithhisboot。Seeingthathebreathedheavily，thoughhedidnotrouse，Bonapartethrewthebreaddownontheground。Hewasalive，thatwasonething。Hebentoverhim，andcarefullyscratchedopenoneofthecutswiththenailofhisforefinger，examiningwithmuchinteresthislastnight’swork。Hewouldhavetocounthissheephimselfthatday；theboywasliterallycutup。Helockedthedoorandwentawayagain。
　　"Oh，Lyndall，"saidEm，enteringthediningroom，andbathedintears，thatafternoon，"IhavebeenbeggingBonapartetolethimout，andhewon’t。"
　　"Themoreyoubegthemorehewillnot，"saidLyndall。
　　Shewascuttingoutapronsonthetable。
　　"Oh，butit’slate，andIthinktheywanttokillhim，"saidEm，weepingbitterly；andfindingthatnomoreconsolationwastobegainedfromhercousin，shewentoffblubbering——"IwonderyoucancutoutapronswhenWaldoisshutuplikethat。"
　　FortenminutesaftershewasgoneLyndallworkedonquietly；thenshefoldedupherstuff，rolledittightlytogether，andstoodbeforethecloseddoorofthesittingroomwithherhandscloselyclasped。Aflushrosetoherface：sheopenedthedoorquickly，andwalkedin，wenttothenailonwhichthekeyofthefuel—roomhung。BonaparteandTantSanniesatthereandsawher。
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"theyaskedtogether。
　　"Thiskey，"shesaid，holdingitup，andlookingatthem。
　　"Doyoumeanhertohaveit？"saidTantSannieinDutch。
　　"Whydon’tyoustopher？"askedBonaparteinEnglish。
　　"Whydon’tyoutakeitfromher？"saidTantSannie。
　　Sotheylookedateachother，talking，whileLyndallwalkedtothefuel—
　　housewiththekey，herunderlipbittenin。
　　"Waldo，"shesaid，asshehelpedhimtostandup，andtwistedhisarmaboutherwaisttosupporthim，"wewillnotbechildrenalways；weshallhavethepower，too，someday。"Shekissedhisnakedshoulderwithhersoftlittlemouth。Itwasallthecomfortheryoungsoulcouldgivehim。
　　Chapter1。XIII。HeMakesLove。
　　"Here，"saidTantSannietoherHottentotmaid，"Ihavebeeninthishousefouryears，andneverbeenupintheloft。FatterwomenthanIgoupladders；Iwillgouptodayandseewhatitislike，andputittorightsupthere。Youbringthelittleladderandstandatthebottom。"
　　"There’sonewouldbesorryifyouweretofall，"saidtheHottentotmaid，leeringatBonaparte’spipe，thatlayonthetable。
　　"Holdyourtongue，jade，"saidhermistress，tryingtoconcealapleasedsmile，"andgoandfetchtheladder。"
　　Therewasanever—usedtrap—dooratoneendofthesittingroom：thistheHottentotmaidpushedopen，andsettingtheladderagainstit，theBoer—
　　womanwithsomedangeranddifficultyclimbedintotheloft。ThentheHottentotmaidtooktheladderaway，asherhusbandwasmendingthewagon—
　　house，andneededit；butthetrap—doorwasleftopen。
　　ForalittlewhileTantSanniepokedaboutamongtheemptybottlesandskins，andlookedatthebagofpeachesthatWaldowassupposedtohavelikedso；thenshesatdownnearthetrap—doorbesideabarrelofsaltmutton。Shefoundthatthepiecesofmeatweremuchtoolarge，andtookoutherclasp—knifetodividethem。
　　Thatwasalwaysthewaywhenoneleftthingstoservants，shegrumbledtoherself：butwhenonceshewasmarriedtoherhusbandBonaparteitwouldnotmatterwhetherasheepspoiledorno——whenoncehisrichauntwiththedropsywasdead。Shesmiledasshedivedherhandintothepickle—water。
　　Atthatinstanthernieceenteredtheroombelow，closelyfollowedbyBonaparte，withhisheadononeside，smilingmawkishly。HadTantSanniespokenatthatmomentthelifeofBonaparteBlenkinswouldhaverunawhollydifferentcourse；asitwas，sheremainedsilent，andneithernoticedtheopentrap—doorabovetheirheads。
　　"Sitthere，mylove，"saidBonaparte，motioningTranaintoheraunt’selbow—chair，anddrawinganothercloseupinfrontofit，inwhichheseatedhimself。"There，putyourfeetuponthestovetoo。Youraunthasgoneoutsomewhere。LonghaveIwaitedforthisauspiciousevent！"
　　Trana，whounderstoodnotonewordofEnglish，satdowninthechairandwonderedifthiswasoneofthestrangecustomsofotherlands，thatanoldgentlemanmaybringhischairuptoyours，andsitwithhiskneestouchingyou。ShehadbeenfivedaysinBonaparte’scompany，andfearedtheoldman，anddislikedhisnose。
　　"HowlonghaveIdesiredthismoment！"saidBonaparte。"Butthatagedrelativeofthineisalwayscastingherunhallowedshadowuponus。Lookintomyeyes，Trana。"