CHAPTERI。
IHADnotbeensettledmuchmorethansixweeksinmycountrypracticewhenIwassentfortoaneighboringtown，toconsultwiththeresidentmedicalmanthereonacaseofverydangerousillness。
Myhorsehadcomedownwithmeattheendofalongridethenightbefore，andhadhurthimself，luckily，muchmorethanhehadhurthismaster。Beingdeprivedoftheanimal’sservices，I
startedformydestinationbythecoach（therewerenorailwaysatthattime），andIhopedtogetbackagain，towardtheafternoon，inthesameway。
Aftertheconsultationwasover，Iwenttotheprincipalinnofthetowntowaitforthecoach。Whenitcameupitwasfullinsideandout。TherewasnoresourceleftmebuttogethomeascheaplyasIcouldbyhiringagig。Thepriceaskedforthisaccommodationstruckmeasbeingsoextortionate，thatI
determinedtolookoutforaninnofinferiorpretensions，andtotryifIcouldnotmakeabetterbargainwithalessprosperousestablishment。
Isoonfoundalikely—lookinghouse，dingyandquiet，withanold—fashionedsign，thathadevidentlynotbeenrepaintedformanyyearspast。Thelandlord，inthiscase，wasnotabovemakingasmallprofit，andassoonaswecametotermsherangtheyard—belltoorderthegig。
\"HasRobertnotcomebackfromthaterrand？\"askedthelandlord，appealingtothewaiterwhoansweredthebell。
\"No，sir，hehasn’t。\"
\"Well，then，youmustwakeupIsaac。\"
\"WakeupIsaac！\"Irepeated；\"thatsoundsratherodd。Doyourhostlersgotobedinthedaytime？\"
\"Thisonedoes，\"saidthelandlord，smilingtohimselfinratherastrangeway。
\"Anddreamstoo，\"addedthewaiter；\"Ishan’tforgettheturnitgavemethefirsttimeIheardhim。\"
\"Neveryoumindaboutthat，\"retortedtheproprietor；\"yougoandrouseIsaacup。Thegentleman’swaitingforhisgig。\"
Thelandlord’smannerandthewaiter’smannerexpressedagreatdealmorethantheyeitherofthemsaid。IbegantosuspectthatImightbeonthetraceofsomethingprofessionallyinterestingtomeasamedicalman，andIthoughtIshouldliketolookatthehostlerbeforethewaiterawakenedhim。
\"Stopaminute，\"Iinterposed；\"Ihaveratherafancyforseeingthismanbeforeyouwakehimup。I’madoctor；andifthisqueersleepinganddreamingofhiscomesfromanythingwronginhisbrain，Imaybeabletotellyouwhattodowithhim。\"
\"Iratherthinkyouwillfindhiscomplaintpastalldoctoring，sir，\"saidthelandlord；\"but，ifyouwouldliketoseehim，you’rewelcome，I’msure。\"
Heledthewayacrossayardanddownapassagetothestables，openedoneofthedoors，and，waitingoutsidehimself，toldmetolookin。
Ifoundmyselfinatwo—stallstable。Inoneofthestallsahorsewasmunchinghiscorn；intheotheranoldmanwaslyingasleeponthelitter。
Istoopedandlookedathimattentively。Itwasawithered，woe—begoneface。Theeyebrowswerepainfullycontracted；themouthwasfastset，anddrawndownatthecorners。
Thehollowwrinkledcheeks，andthescantygrizzledhair，toldtheirowntaleofsomepastsorroworsuffering。HewasdrawinghisbreathconvulsivelywhenIfirstlookedathim，andinamomentmorehebegantotalkinhissleep。
\"Wakeup！\"Iheardhimsay，inaquickwhisper，throughhisclinchedteeth。\"Wakeupthere！Murder！\"
Hemovedoneleanarmslowlytillitrestedoverhisthroat，shudderedalittle，andturnedonhisstraw。Thenthearmlefthisthroat，thehandstretcheditselfout，andclutchedatthesidetowardwhichhehadturned，asifhefanciedhimselftobegraspingattheedgeofsomething。Isawhislipsmove，andbentloweroverhim。Hewasstilltalkinginhissleep。
\"Lightgrayeyes，\"hemurmured，\"andadroopinthelefteyelid；
flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit——allright，mother——fairwhitearms，withadownonthem——littlelady’shand，withareddishlookunderthefingernails。Theknife——alwaysthecursedknife——firstononeside，thenontheother。Aha！youshe—devil，where’stheknife？\"
Atthelastwordhisvoicerose，andhegrewrestlessonasudden。Isawhimshudderonthestraw；hiswitheredfacebecamedistorted，andhethrewupbothhishandswithaquickhystericalgasp。Theystruckagainstthebottomofthemangerunderwhichhelay，andtheblowawakenedhim。Ihadjusttimetoslipthroughthedoorandcloseitbeforehiseyeswerefairlyopen，andhissenseshisownagain。
\"Doyouknowanythingaboutthatman’spastlife？\"Isaidtothelandlord。
\"Yes，sir，Iknowprettywellallaboutit，\"wastheanswer，\"andanuncommonqueerstoryitis。Mostpeopledon’tbelieveit。It’strue，though，forallthat。Why，justlookathim，\"continuedthelandlord，openingthestabledooragain。\"Poordevil！he’ssowornoutwithhisrestlessnightsthathe’sdroppedbackintohissleepalready。\"
\"Don’twakehim，\"Isaid；\"I’minnohurryforthegig。Waittilltheothermancomesbackfromhiserrand；and，inthemeantime，supposeIhavesomelunchandabottleofsherry，andsupposeyoucomeandhelpmetogetthroughit？\"
Theheartofminehost，asIhadanticipated，warmedtomeoverhisownwine。Hesoonbecamecommunicativeonthesubjectofthemanasleepinthestable，andbylittleandlittleIdrewthewholestoryoutofhim。Extravagantandincredibleastheeventsmustappeartoeverybody，theyarerelatedherejustasIheardthemandjustastheyhappened。
CHAPTERII。
SOMEyearsagotherelivedinthesuburbsofalargeseaporttownonthewestcoastofEnglandamaninhumblecircumstances，bynameIsaacScatchard。Hismeansofsubsistencewerederivedfromanyemploymentthathecouldgetasanhostler，andoccasionally，whentimeswentwellwithhim，fromtemporaryengagementsinserviceasstable—helperinprivatehouses。Thoughafaithful，steady，andhonestman，hegotonbadlyinhiscalling。Hisillluckwasproverbialamonghisneighbors。Hewasalwaysmissinggoodopportunitiesbynofaultofhisown，andalwayslivinglongestinservicewithamiablepeoplewhowerenotpunctualpayersofwages。\"UnluckyIsaac\"washisnicknameinhisownneighborhood，andnoonecouldsaythathedidnotrichlydeserveit。
Withfarmorethanoneman’sfairshareofadversitytoendure，Isaachadbutoneconsolationtosupporthim，andthatwasofthedreariestandmostnegativekind。Hehadnowifeandchildrentoincreasehisanxietiesandaddtothebitternessofhisvariousfailuresinlife。Itmighthavebeenfrommereinsensibility，oritmighthavebeenfromgenerousunwillingnesstoinvolveanotherinhisownunluckydestiny，butthefactundoubtedlywas，thathehadarrivedatthemiddletermoflifewithoutmarrying，and，whatismuchmoreremarkable，withoutonceexposinghimself，fromeighteentoeight—and—thirty，tothegenialimputationofeverhavinghadasweetheart。
Whenhewasoutofservicehelivedalonewithhiswidowedmother。Mrs。Scatchardwasawomanabovetheaverageinherlowlystationastocapacityandmanners。Shehadseenbetterdays，asthephraseis，butsheneverreferredtotheminthepresenceofcuriousvisitors；and，thoughperfectlypolitetoeveryonewhoapproachedher，nevercultivatedanyintimaciesamongherneighbors。Shecontrivedtoprovide，hardlyenough，forhersimplewantsbydoingroughworkforthetailors，andalwaysmanagedtokeepadecenthomeforhersontoreturntowheneverhisillluckdrovehimouthelplessintotheworld。
OnebleakautumnwhenIsaacwasgettingonfasttowardfortyandwhenhewasasusualoutofplacethroughnofaultofhisown，hesetforth，fromhismother’scottageonalongwalkinlandtoagentleman’sseatwherehehadheardthatastable—helperwasrequired。
Itwantedthenbuttwodaysofhisbirthday；andMrs。Scatchard，withherusualfondness，madehimpromise，beforehestarted，thathewouldbebackintimetokeepthatanniversarywithher，inasfestiveawayastheirpoormeanswouldallow。Itwaseasyforhimtocomplywiththisrequest，evensupposinghesleptanighteachwayontheroad。
HewastostartfromhomeonMondaymorning，and，whetherhegotthenewplaceornot，hewastobebackforhisbirthdaydinneronWednesdayattwoo’clock。
ArrivingathisdestinationtoolateontheMondaynighttomakeapplicationforthestablehelper’splace，hesleptatthevillageinn，andingoodtimeontheTuesdaymorningpresentedhimselfatthegentleman’shousetofillthevacantsituation。Hereagainhisillluckpursuedhimasinexorablyasever。Theexcellentwrittentestimonialstohischaracterwhichhewasabletoproduceavailedhimnothing；hislongwalkhadbeentakeninvain：onlythedaybeforethestable—helper’splacehadbeengiventoanotherman。
Isaacacceptedthisnewdisappointmentresignedlyandasamatterofcourse。Naturallyslowincapacity，hehadthebluntnessofsensibilityandphlegmaticpatienceofdispositionwhichfrequentlydistinguishmenwithsluggishly—workingmentalpowers。
Hethankedthegentleman’sstewardwithhisusualquietcivilityforgrantinghimaninterview，andtookhisdeparturewithnoappearanceofunusualdepressioninhisfaceormanner。
Beforestartingonhishomewardwalkhemadesomeinquiriesattheinn，andascertainedthathemightsaveafewmilesonhisreturnbyfollowingthenewroad。Furnishedwithfullinstructions，severaltimesrepeated，astothevariousturningshewastotake，hesetforthonhishomewardjourneyandwalkedonalldaywithonlyonestoppageforbreadandcheese。Justasitwasgettingtowarddark，theraincameonandthewindbegantorise，andhefoundhimself，tomakemattersworse，inapartofthecountrywithwhichhewasentirelyunacquainted，thoughheknewhimselftobesomefifteenmilesfromhome。Thefirsthousehefoundtoinquireatwasalonelyroadsideinn，standingontheoutskirtsofathickwood。Solitaryastheplacelooked，itwaswelcometoalostmanwhowasalsohungry，thirsty，footsoreandwet。Thelandlordwascivilandrespectable—looking，andthepriceheaskedforabedwasreasonableenough。Isaacthereforedecidedonstoppingcomfortablyattheinnforthatnight。
Hewasconstitutionallyatemperateman。
Hissupperconsistedoftworashersofbacon，asliceofhome—madebreadandapintofale。Hedidnotgotobedimmediatelyafterthismoderatemeal，butsatupwiththelandlord，talkingabouthisbadprospectsandhislongrunofill—luck，anddivergingfromthesetopicstothesubjectsofhorse—fleshandracing。Nothingwassaideitherbyhimself，hishost，orthefewlaborerswhostrayedintothetap—room，whichcould，intheslightestdegree，excitetheverysmallandverydullimaginativefacultywhichIsaacScatchardpossessed。
Atalittleaftereleventhehousewasclosed。Isaacwentroundwiththelandlordandheldthecandlewhilethedoorsandlowerwindowswerebeingsecured。Henoticedwithsurprisethestrengthoftheboltsandbars，andiron—sheathedshutters。
\"Yousee，weareratherlonelyhere，\"saidthelandlord。\"Weneverhavehadanyattemptsmadetobreakinyet，butit’salwaysaswelltobeonthesafeside。Whennobodyissleepinghere，I
amtheonlymaninthehouse。Mywifeanddaughteraretimid，andtheservant—girltakesafterhermissuses。Anotherglassofalebeforeyouturnin？No！Well，howsuchasobermanasyoucomestobeoutofplaceismorethanIcanmakeout，forone。Here’swhereyou’retosleep。You’reouronlylodgerto—night，andI
thinkyou’llsaymymissushasdoneherbesttomakeyoucomfortable。You’requitesureyouwon’thaveanotherglassofale？Verywell。Good—night。\"
Itwashalf—pastelevenbytheclockinthepassageastheywentupstairstothebedroom，thewindowofwhichlookedontothewoodatthebackofthehouse。
Isaaclockedthedoor，sethiscandleonthechestofdrawers，andwearilygotreadyforbed。
Thebleakautumnwindwasstillblowing，andthesolemn，monotonous，surgingmoanofitinthewoodwasdrearyandawfultohearthroughthenight—silence。Isaacfeltstrangelywakeful。
Heresolved，ashelaydowninbed，tokeepthecandlealightuntilhebegantogrowsleepy，fortherewassomethingunendurablydepressinginthebareideaoflyingawakeinthedarkness，listeningtothedismal，ceaselessmoaningofthewindinthewood。
Sleepstoleonhimbeforehewasawareofit。Hiseyesclosed，andhefelloffinsensiblytorestwithouthavingsomuchasthoughtofextinguishingthecandle。
Thefirstsensationofwhichhewasconsciousaftersinkingintoslumberwasastrangeshiveringthatranthroughhimsuddenlyfromheadtofoot，andadreadfulsinkingpainattheheart，suchashehadneverfeltbefore。Theshiveringonlydisturbedhisslumbers；thepainwokehiminstantly。Inonemomenthepassedfromastateofsleeptoastateofwakefulness——hiseyeswideopen——hismentalperceptionsclearedonasudden，asifbyamiracle。
Thecandlehadburneddownnearlytothelastmorseloftallow，butthetopoftheunsnuffedwickhadjustfallenoff，andthelightinthelittleroomwas，forthemoment，fairandfull。
Betweenthefootofhisbedandthecloseddoortherestoodawomanwithaknifeinherhand，lookingathim。
Hewasstrickenspeechlesswithterror，buthedidnotlosethepreternaturalclearnessofhisfaculties，andhenevertookhiseyesoffthewoman。Shesaidnotawordastheystaredeachotherintheface，butshebegantomoveslowlytowardtheleft—handsideofthebed。
Hiseyesfollowedher。Shewasafair，finewoman，withyellowishflaxenhairandlightgrayeyes，withadroopinthelefteyelid。
Henoticedthosethingsandfixedthemonhismindbeforeshewasroundatthesideofthebed。Speechless，withnoexpressioninherface，withnonoisefollowingherfootfall，shecamecloserandcloser——stopped——andslowlyraisedtheknife。Helaidhisrightarmoverhisthroattosaveit；but，ashesawtheknifecomingdown，threwhishandacrossthebedtotherightside，andjerkedhisbodyoverthatwayjustastheknifedescendedonthemattresswithinaninchofhisshoulder。
Hiseyesfixedonherarmandhandassheslowlydrewherknifeoutofthebed：awhite，well—shapedarm，withaprettydownlyinglightlyoverthefairskin——adelicatelady’shand，withthecrowningbeautyofapinkflushunderandroundthefinger—nails。
Shedrewtheknifeout，andpassedbackagainslowlytothefootofthebed；stoppedthereforamomentlookingathim；thencameon——stillspeechless，stillwithnoexpressionontheblank，beautifulface，stillwithnosoundfollowingthestealthyfootfalls——cameontotherightsideofthebed，wherehenowlay。
Assheapproached，sheraisedtheknifeagain，andhedrewhimselfawaytotheleftside。Shestruck，asbefore，rightintothemattress，withadeliberate，perpendicularlydownwardactionofthearm。Thistimehiseyeswanderedfromhertotheknife。Itwaslikethelargeclasp—kniveswhichhehadoftenseenlaboringmenusetocuttheirbreadandbaconwith。Herdelicatelittlefingersdidnotconcealmorethantwo—thirdsofthehandle：henoticedthatitwasmadeofbuck—horn，cleanandshiningasthebladewas，andlookinglikenew。
Forthesecondtimeshedrewtheknifeout，concealeditinthewidesleeveofhergown，thenstoppedbythebedside，watchinghim。Foraninstanthesawherstandinginthatposition，thenthewickofthespentcandlefelloverintothesocket；theflamediminishedtoalittlebluepoint，andtheroomgrewdark。
Amoment，orless，ifpossible，passedso，andthenthewickflamedup，smokingly，forthelasttime。Hiseyeswerestilllookingeagerlyovertheright—handsideofthebedwhenthefinalflashoflightcame，buttheydiscoverednothing。Thefairwomanwiththeknifewasgone。
Theconvictionthathewasaloneagainweakenedtheholdoftheterrorthathadstruckhimdumbuptothistime。Thepreternaturalsharpnesswhichtheveryintensityofhispanichadmysteriouslyimpartedtohisfacultiesleftthemsuddenly。Hisbraingrewconfused——hisheartbeatwildly——hisearsopenedforthefirsttimesincetheappearanceofthewomantoasenseofthewoefulceaselessmoaningofthewindamongthetrees。Withthedreadfulconvictionoftherealityofwhathehadseenstillstrongwithinhim，heleapedoutofbed，andscreaming\"Murder！
Wakeup，there！wakeup！\"dashedheadlongthroughthedarknesstothedoor。
Itwasfastlocked，exactlyashehadleftitongoingtobed。
Hiscriesonstartinguphadalarmedthehouse。Heheardtheterrified，confusedexclamationsofwomen；hesawthemasterofthehouseapproachingalongthepassagewithhisburningrush—candleinonehandandhisgunintheother。
\"Whatisit？\"askedthelandlord，breathlessly。Isaaccouldonlyanswerinawhisper。\"Awoman，withaknifeinherhand，\"hegaspedout。\"Inmyroom——afair，yellow—hairedwoman；shejobbedatmewiththeknifetwiceover。\"
Thelandlord’spalecheeksgrewpaler。HelookedatIsaaceagerlybytheflickeringlightofhiscandle，andhisfacebegantogetredagain；hisvoicealtered，too，aswellashiscomplexion。
\"Sheseemstohavemissedyoutwice，\"hesaid。
\"Idodgedtheknifeasitcamedown，\"Isaacwenton，inthesamescaredwhisper。\"Itstruckthebedeachtime。\"
Thelandlordtookhiscandleintothebedroomimmediately。Inlessthanaminutehecameoutagainintothepassageinaviolentpassion。
\"Thedevilflyawaywithyouandyourwomanwiththeknife！Thereisn’tamarkinthebedclothesanywhere。Whatdoyoumeanbycomingintoaman’splaceandfrighteninghisfamilyoutoftheirwitsaboutadream？\"
\"I’llleaveyourhouse，\"saidIsaac，faintly。\"Betteroutontheroad，inrainanddark，onmyroadhome，thanbackagaininthatroom，afterwhatI’veseeninit。Lendmealighttogetmyclothesby，andtellmewhatI’mtopay。\"
\"Pay！\"criedthelandlord，leadingthewaywithhislightsulkilyintothebedroom。\"You’llfindyourscoreontheslatewhenyougodownstairs。Iwouldn’thavetakenyouinforallthemoneyyou’vegotaboutyouifI’dknownyourdreaming，screechingwaysbeforehand。Lookatthebed。Where’sthecutofaknifeinit？
Lookatthewindow——isthelockbursted？Lookatthedoor（whichIheardyoufastenyourself）——isitbrokein？Amurderingwomanwithaknifeinmyhouse！Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！\"
Isaacanswerednotaword。Hehuddledonhisclothes，andthentheywentdownstairstogether。
\"Nighontwentyminutespasttwo！\"saidthelandlord，astheypassedtheclock。\"Anicetimeinthemorningtofrightenhonestpeopleoutoftheirwits！\"
Isaacpaidhisbill，andthelandlordlethimoutatthefrontdoor，asking，withagrinofcontempt，asheundidthestrongfastenings，whether\"themurderingwomangotinthatway。\"
Theypartedwithoutawordoneitherside。Therainhadceased，butthenightwasdark，andthewindbleakerthanever。Littledidthedarkness，orthecold，ortheuncertaintyaboutthewayhomemattertoIsaac。Ifhehadbeenturnedoutintoawildernessinathunder—stormitwouldhavebeenareliefafterwhathehadsufferedinthebedroomoftheinn。
Whatwasthefairwomanwiththeknife？Thecreatureofadream，orthatothercreaturefromtheunknownworldcalledamongmenbythenameofghost？Hecouldmakenothingofthemystery——hadmadenothingofit，evenwhenitwasmiddayonWednesday，andwhenhestood，atlast，aftermanytimesmissinghisroad，oncemoreonthedoorstepofhome。
CHAPTERIII。
Hismothercameouteagerlytoreceivehim。
Hisfacetoldherinamomentthatsomethingwaswrong。
\"I’velosttheplace；butthat’smyluck。Idreamedanilldreamlastnight，mother——ormaybeIsawaghost。Takeiteitherway，itscaredmeoutofmysenses，andI’mnotmyownmanagainyet。\"
\"Isaac，yourfacefrightensme。Comeintothefire——comein，andtellmotherallaboutit。\"
Hewasasanxioustotellasshewastohear；forithadbeenhishope，allthewayhome，thathismother，withherquickercapacityandsuperiorknowledge，mightbeabletothrowsomelightonthemysterywhichhecouldnotclearupforhimself。Hismemoryofthedreamwasstillmechanicallyvivid，thoughhisthoughtswereentirelyconfusedbyit。
Hismother’sfacegrewpalerandpalerashewenton。Sheneverinterruptedhimbysomuchasasingleword；butwhenhehaddone，shemovedherchairclosetohis，putherarmroundhisneck，andsaidtohim：
\"Isaac，youdreamedyourilldreamonthisWednesdaymorning。
Whattimewasitwhenyousawthefairwomanwiththeknifeinherhand？\"Isaacreflectedonwhatthelandlordhadsaidwhentheyhadpassedbytheclockonhisleavingtheinn；allowedasnearlyashecouldforthetimethatmusthaveelapsedbetweentheunlockingofhisbedroomdoorandthepayingofhisbilljustbeforegoingaway，andanswered：
\"Somewhereabouttwoo’clockinthemorning。\"
Hismothersuddenlyquittedherholdofhisneck，andstruckherhandstogetherwithagestureofdespair。
\"ThisWednesdayisyourbirthday，Isaac，andtwoo’clockinthemorningwasthetimewhenyouwereborn。\"
Isaac’scapacitieswerenotquickenoughtocatchtheinfectionofhismother’ssuperstitiousdread。Hewasamazed，andalittlestartled，also，whenshesuddenlyrosefromherchair，openedheroldwriting—desk，tookpen，inkandpaper，andthensaidtohim：
\"Yourmemoryisbutapoorone，Isaac，and，nowI’manoldwoman，mine’snotmuchbetter。Iwantallaboutthisdreamofyourstobeaswellknowntobothofus，yearshence，asitisnow。Tellmeoveragainallyoutoldmeaminuteago，whenyouspokeofwhatthewomanwiththeknifelookedlike。\"
Isaacobeyed，andmarveledmuchashesawhismothercarefullysetdownonpapertheverywordsthathewassaying。
\"Lightgrayeyes，\"shewrote，astheycametothedescriptivepart，\"withadroopinthelefteyelid；flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit；whitearms，withadownuponthem；
littlelady’shand，withareddishlookaboutthefingernails；
clasp—knifewithabuck—hornhandle，thatseemedasgoodasnew。\"
TotheseparticularsMrs。Scatchardaddedtheyear，month，dayoftheweek，andtimeinthemorningwhenthewomanofthedreamappearedtoherson。Shethenlockedupthepapercarefullyinherwriting—desk。
Neitheronthatdaynoronanydayaftercouldhersoninducehertoreturntothematterofthedream。Sheobstinatelykeptherthoughtsaboutittoherself，andevenrefusedtoreferagaintothepaperinherwriting—desk。ErelongIsaacgrewwearyofattemptingtomakeherbreakherresolutesilence；andtime，whichsoonerorlaterwearsoutallthings，graduallyworeouttheimpressionproducedonhimbythedream。Hebeganbythinkingofitcarelessly，andheendedbynotthinkingofitatall。
Theresultwasthemoreeasilybroughtaboutbytheadventofsomeimportantchangesforthebetterinhisprospectswhichcommencednotlongafterhisterriblenight’sexperienceattheinn。Hereapedatlasttherewardofhislongandpatientsufferingunderadversitybygettinganexcellentplace，keepingitforsevenyears，andleavingit，onthedeathofhismaster，notonlywithanexcellentcharacter，butalsowithacomfortableannuitybequeathedtohimasarewardforsavinghismistress’slifeinacarriageaccident。ThusithappenedthatIsaacScatchardreturnedtohisoldmother，sevenyearsafterthetimeofthedreamattheinn，withanannualsumofmoneyathisdisposalsufficienttokeepthembothineaseandindependencefortherestoftheirlives。
Themother，whosehealthhadbeenbadoflateyears，profitedsomuchbythecarebestowedonherandbyfreedomfrommoneyanxieties，thatwhenIsaac’sbirthdaycameroundshewasabletositupcomfortablyattableanddinewithhim。
Onthatday，astheeveningdrewon，Mrs。Scatcharddiscoveredthatabottleoftonicmedicinewhichshewasaccustomedtotake，andinwhichshehadfanciedthatadoseormorewasstillleft，happenedtobeempty。Isaacimmediatelyvolunteeredtogotothechemist’sandgetitfilledagain。Itwasasrainyandbleakanautumnnightasonthememorablepastoccasionwhenhelosthiswayandsleptattheroad—sideinn。
Ongoingintothechemist’sshophewaspassedhurriedlybyapoorly—dressedwomancomingoutofit。Theglimpsehehadofherfacestruckhim，andhelookedbackafterherasshedescendedthedoor—steps。
\"You’renoticingthatwoman？\"saidthechemist’sapprenticebehindthecounter。\"It’smyopinionthere’ssomethingwrongwithher。She’sbeenaskingforlaudanumtoputtoabadtooth。