MrsMercerstooduptogo：shewassorryshecouldn’twaitanylonger，butitwasaftereighto’clockandshedidnotliketobeoutlate，asthenightairwasbadforher。WhenshehadgoneIbegantowalkupanddowntheroom，clenchingmyfists。Myauntsaid：
`I’mafraidyoumayputoffyourbazaarforthisnightofOurLord。’
Atnineo’clockIheardmyuncle’slatchkeyinthehalldoor。Iheardhimtalkingtohimselfandheardthehallstandrockingwhenithadreceivedtheweightofhisovercoat。Icouldinterpretthesesigns。WhenhewasmidwaythroughhisdinnerIaskedhimtogivemethemoneytogotothebazaar。Hehadforgotten。
`Thepeopleareinbedandaftertheirfirstsleepnow，’hesaid。
Ididnotsmile。Myauntsaidtohimenergetically：