’Doyouneverleaveyourroom，mother？’
’Whatwithmyrheumaticaffection，andwhatwithitsattendantdebilityornervousweakness——namesareofnomatternow——Ihavelosttheuseofmylimbs。Ineverleavemyroom。Ihavenotbeenoutsidethisdoorfor——tellhimforhowlong，’shesaid，speakingoverhershoulder。
’AdozenyearnextChristmas，’returnedacrackedvoiceoutofthedimnessbehind。
’IsthatAffery？’saidArthur，lookingtowardsit。
ThecrackedvoicerepliedthatitwasAffery：andanoldwomancameforwardintowhatdoubtfullighttherewas，andkissedherhandonce；thensubsidedagainintothedimness。