Asforherstep—mother，MarynotunnaturallyflewintoapassionthemomentIspokeofher。Shekeepsaneating—houseatHammersmith，andcouldhavegivenMarygoodemploymentinit；butsheseemsalwaystohavehatedher，andtohavemadeherlifesowretchedwithabuseandillusagethatshehadnorefugeleftbuttogoawayfromhome，anddoherbesttomakealivingforherself。Herhusband（Mary’sfather）appearstohavebehavedbadlytoher，and，afterhisdeath，shetookthewickedcourseofrevengingherselfonherstep—daughter。Ifelt，afterthis，thatitwasimpossibleMarycouldgoback，andthatitwasthehardnecessityofherposition，asitisofmine，thatsheshouldstruggleontomakeadecentlivelihoodwithoutassistancefromanyofherrelations。Iconfessedasmuchasthistoher；butI
addedthatIwouldtrytogetheremploymentwiththepersonsforwhomIwork，whopayhigherwages，andshowalittlemoreindulgencetothoseunderthemthanthepeopletowhomsheisnowobligedtolookforsupport。
IspokemuchmoreconfidentlythanIfeltaboutbeingabletodothis，andlefther，asIthought，inbetterspiritsthanusual。
Shepromisedtobebackto—nighttoteaatnineo’clock，andnowitisnearlyoneinthemorning，andsheisnothomeyet。IfitwasanyothergirlIshouldnotfeeluneasy，forIshouldmakeupmymindthattherewasextraworktobedoneinahurry，andthattheywerekeepingherlate，andIshouldgotobed。ButMaryissounfortunateineverythingthathappenstoher，andherownmelancholytalkaboutherselfkeepshangingonmymindso，thatI
havefearsonheraccountwhichwouldnotdistressmeaboutanyoneelse。Itseemsinexcusablysillytothinksuchathing，muchmoretowriteitdown；butIhaveakindofnervousdreaduponmethatsomeaccident——
Whatdoesthatloudknockingatthestreetdoormean？Andthosevoicesandheavyfootstepsoutside？Somelodgerwhohaslosthiskey，Isuppose。Andyet，myheart——WhatacowardIhavebecomeallofasudden！
Moreknockingandloudervoices。Imustruntothedoorandseewhatitis。Oh，Mary！Mary！IhopeIamnotgoingtohaveanotherfrightaboutyou，butIfeelsadlylikeit。
March8th。
March9th。
March10th。
March11th。Ohme！allthetroublesIhaveeverhadinmylifeareasnothingtothetroubleIaminnow。ForthreedaysIhavenotbeenabletowriteasinglelineinthisjournal，whichI
havekeptsoregularlyeversinceIwasagirl。ForthreedaysI
havenotoncethoughtofRobert——I，whoamalwaysthinkingofhimatothertimes。
Mypoor，dear，unhappyMary！theworstIfearedforyouonthatnightwhenIsatupalonewasfarbelowthedreadfulcalamitythathasreallyhappened。HowcanIwriteaboutit，withmyeyesfulloftearsandmyhandallofatremble？Idon’tevenknowwhyIamsittingdownatmydesknow，unlessitishabitthatkeepsmetomyoldevery—daytask，inspiteofallthegriefandfearwhichseemtounfitmeentirelyforperformingit。
Thepeopleofthehousewereasleepandlazyonthatdreadfulnight，andIwasthefirsttoopenthedoor。Never，nevercouldI
describeinwriting，orevensayinplaintalk，thoughitissomucheasier，whatIfeltwhenIsawtwopolicemencomein，carryingbetweenthemwhatseemedtometobeadeadgirl，andthatgirlMary！Icaughtholdofher，andgaveascreamthatmusthavealarmedthewholehouse；forfrightenedpeoplecamecrowdingdownstairsintheirnight—dresses。Therewasadreadfulconfusionandnoiseofloudtalking，butIheardnothingandsawnothingtillIhadgotherintomyroomandlaidonmybed。Istoopeddown，frantic—like，tokissher，andsawanawfulmarkofablowonthelefttemple，andfelt，atthesametime，afeebleflutterofherbreathonmycheek。Thediscoverythatshewasnotdeadseemedtogivemebackmysensesagain。Itoldoneofthepolicemenwherethenearestdoctorwastobefound，andsatdownbythebedsidewhilehewasgone，andbathedherpoorheadwithcoldwater。Sheneveropenedhereyes，ormoved，orspoke；butshebreathed，andthatwasenoughforme，becauseitwasenoughforlife。
Thepolicemanleftintheroomwasabig，thick—voiced，pompousman，withahorribleunfeelingpleasureinhearinghimselftalkbeforeanassemblyoffrightened，silentpeople。Hetoldushowhehadfoundher，asifhehadbeentellingastoryinatap—room，andbeganwithsaying：\"Idon’tthinktheyoungwomanwasdrunk。\"
Drunk！MyMary，whomighthavebeenabornladyforallthespiritssheevertouched——drunk！Icouldhavestruckthemanforutteringtheword，withherlying——poorsufferingangel——sowhite，andstill，andhelplessbeforehim。Asitwas，Igavehimalook，buthewastoostupidtounderstandit，andwentdroningon，sayingthesamethingoverandoveragaininthesamewords。
Andyetthestoryofhowtheyfoundherwas，likeallthesadstoriesIhaveeverheardtoldinreallife，sovery，veryshort。
Theyhadjustseenherlyingalongonthecurbstoneafewstreetsoff，andhadtakenhertothestation—house。Thereshehadbeensearched，andoneofmycards，thatIgavetoladieswhopromisemeemployment，hadbeenfoundinherpocket，andsotheyhadbroughthertoourhouse。Thiswasallthemanreallyhadtotell。Therewasnobodynearherwhenshewasfound，andnoevidencetoshowhowtheblowonhertemplehadbeeninflicted。
Whatatimeitwasbeforethedoctorcame，andhowdreadfultohearhimsay，afterhehadlookedather，thathewasafraidallthemedicalmenintheworldcouldbeofnousehere！Hecouldnotgethertoswallowanything；andthemorehetriedtobringherbacktohersensesthelesschancethereseemedofhissucceeding。Heexaminedtheblowonhertemple，andsaidhethoughtshemusthavefallendowninafitofsomesort，andstruckherheadagainstthepavement，andsohavegivenherbrainwhathewasafraidwasafatalshake。Iaskedwhatwastobedoneifsheshowedanyreturntosenseinthenight。Hesaid：\"Sendformedirectly\"；andstoppedforalittlewhileafterwardstrokingherheadgentlywithhishand，andwhisperingtohimself：\"Poorgirl，soyoungandsopretty！\"Ihadfelt，someminutesbefore，asifIcouldhavestruckthepoliceman，andI
feltnowasifIcouldhavethrownmyarmsroundthedoctor’sneckandkissedhim。Ididputoutmyhandwhenhetookuphishat，andheshookitinthefriendliestway。\"Don’thope，mydear，\"hesaid，andwentout。
Therestofthelodgersfollowedhim，allsilentandshocked，excepttheinhumanwretchwhoownsthehouseandlivesinidlenessonthehighrentshewringsfrompoorpeoplelikeus。
\"She’sthreeweeksinmydebt，\"sayshe，withafrownandanoath。\"Wherethedevilismymoneytocomefromnow？\"Brute！
brute！
Ihadalongcryalonewithherthatseemedtoeasemyheartalittle。ShewasnottheleastchangedforthebetterwhenIhadwipedawaythetearsandcouldseeherclearlyagain。Itookupherrighthand，whichlaynearesttome。Itwastightclinched。I
triedtounclaspthefingers，andsucceededafteralittletime。
SomethingdarkfelloutofthepalmofherhandasIstraightenedit。
Ipickedthethingup，andsmootheditout，andsawthatitwasanendofaman’scravat。
Averyold，rotten，dingystripofblacksilk，withthinlilaclines，allblurredanddeadenedwithdirt，runningacrossandacrossthestuffinasortoftrellis—workpattern。Thesmallendofthecravatwashemmedintheusualway，buttheotherendwasalljagged，asifthemorseltheninmyhandshadbeentornoffviolentlyfromtherestofthestuff。AchillranallovermeasIlookedatit；forthatpoor，stained，crumpledendofacravatseemedtobesayingtome，asthoughithadbeeninplainwords：
\"Ifshedies，shehascometoherdeathbyfoulmeans，andIamthewitnessofit。\"
Ihadbeenfrightenedenoughbefore，lestsheshoulddiesuddenlyandquietlywithoutmyknowingit，whilewewerealonetogether；
butIgotintoaperfectagonynow，forfearthislastworstafflictionshouldtakemebysurprise。Idon’tsupposefiveminutespassedallthatwofulnightthroughwithoutmygettingupandputtingmycheekclosetohermouth，tofeelifthefaintbreathsstillflutteredoutofit。Theycameandwentjustthesameasatfirst，thoughthefrightIwasinoftenmademefancytheywerestilledforever。
JustasthechurchclockswerestrikingfourIwasstartledbyseeingtheroomdooropen。ItwasonlyDustySal（astheycallherinthehouse），themaid—of—all—work。Shewaswrappedupintheblanketoffherbed；herhairwasalltumbledoverherface，andhereyeswereheavywithsleepasshecameuptothebedsidewhereIwassitting。
\"I’vetwohoursgoodbeforeIbegintowork，\"saysshe，inherhoarse，drowsyvoice，\"andI’vecometositupandtakemyturnatwatchingher。Youlaydownandgetsomesleepontherug。
Here’smyblanketforyou。Idon’tmindthecold——itwillkeepmeawake。\"
\"Youareverykind——very，verykindandthoughtful，Sally，\"saysI，\"butIamtoowretchedinmymindtowantsleep，orrest，ortodoanythingbutwaitwhereIam，andtryandhopeforthebest。\"
\"ThenI’llwait，too，\"saysSally。\"Imustdosomething；ifthere’snothingtodobutwaiting，I’llwait。\"
Andshesatdownoppositemeatthefootofthebed，anddrewtheblanketcloseroundherwithashiver。
\"Afterworkingsohardasyoudo，I’msureyoumustwantallthelittlerestyoucanget，\"saysI。
\"Exceptingonlyyou，\"saysSally，puttingherheavyarmveryclumsily，butverygentlyatthesametime，roundMary’sfeet，andlookinghardatthepale，stillfaceonthepillow。
\"Exceptingyou，she’stheonlysoulinthishouseasneversworeatme，orgivemeahardwordthatIcanremember。WhenyoumadepuddingsonSundays，andgiveherhalf，shealwaysgivemeabit。
Therestof’emcallsmeDustySal。Exceptingonlyyou，again，shealwayscalledmeSally，asifsheknowedmeinafriendlyway。Iain’tnogoodhere，butIain’tnoharm，neither；andI
shalltakemyturnatthesittingup——that’swhatIshalldo！\"
ShenestledherheaddowncloseatMary’sfeetasshespokethosewords，andsaidnomore。Ionceortwicethoughtshehadfallenasleep，butwheneverIlookedatherherheavyeyeswerealwayswideopen。Sheneverchangedherpositionaninchtillthechurchclocksstrucksix；thenshegaveonelittlesqueezetoMary’sfeetwithherarm，andshuffledoutoftheroomwithoutaword。A
minuteortwoafter，Iheardherdownbelow，lightingthekitchenfirejustasusual。
Alittlelaterthedoctorsteppedoverbeforehisbreakfast—timetoseeiftherehadbeenanychangeinthenight。Heonlyshookhisheadwhenhelookedatherasiftherewasnohope。HavingnobodyelsetoconsultthatIcouldputtrustin，Ishowedhimtheendofthecravat，andtoldhimofthedreadfulsuspicionthathadariseninmymindwhenIfounditinherhand。
\"Youmustkeepitcarefully，andproduceitattheinquest，\"hesaid。\"Idon’tknow，though，thatitislikelytoleadtoanything。Thebitofstuffmayhavebeenlyingonthepavementnearher，andherhandmayhaveunconsciouslyclutcheditwhenshefell。Wasshesubjecttofainting—fits？\"
\"Notmoreso，sir，thanotheryounggirlswhoarehard—workedandanxious，andweaklyfrompoorliving，\"Ianswered。
\"Ican’tsaythatshemaynothavegotthatblowfromafall，\"
thedoctorwenton，lockingathertempleagain。\"Ican’tsaythatitpresentsanypositiveappearanceofhavingbeeninflictedbyanotherperson。Itwillbeimportant，however，toascertainwhatstateofhealthshewasinlastnight。Haveyouanyideawhereshewasyesterdayevening？\"
Itoldhimwhereshewasemployedatwork，andsaidIimaginedshemusthavebeenkepttherelaterthanusual。
\"Ishallpasstheplacethismorning\"saidthedoctor，\"ingoingmyroundsamongmypatients，andI’lljuststepinandmakesomeinquiries。\"
Ithankedhim，andweparted。Justashewasclosingthedoorhelookedinagain。
\"Wassheyoursister？\"heasked。
\"No，sir，onlymydearfriend。\"
Hesaidnothingmore，butIheardhimsighasheshutthedoorsoftly。Perhapsheoncehadasisterofhisown，andlosther？
PerhapsshewaslikeMaryintheface？
Thedoctorwashoursgoneaway。Ibegantofeelunspeakablyforlornandhelpless，somuchsoaseventowishselfishlythatRobertmightreallyhavesailedfromAmerica，andmightgettoLondonintimetoassistandconsoleme。
NolivingcreaturecameintotheroombutSally。Thefirsttimeshebroughtmesometea；thesecondandthirdtimessheonlylookedintoseeiftherewasanychange，andglancedhereyetowardthebed。Ihadneverknownhersosilentbefore；itseemedalmostasifthisdreadfulaccidenthadstruckherdumb。Ioughttohavespokentoher，perhaps，buttherewassomethinginherfacethatdauntedme；and，besides，thefeverofanxietyIwasinbegantodryupmylips，asiftheywouldneverbeabletoshapeanywordsagain。Iwasstilltormentedbythatfrightfulapprehensionofthepastnight，thatshewoulddiewithoutmyknowingit——diewithoutsayingonewordtoclearuptheawfulmysteryofthisblow，andsetthesuspicionsatrestforeverwhichIstillfeltwhenevermyeyesfellontheendoftheoldcravat。
Atlastthedoctorcameback。
\"Ithinkyoumaysafelyclearyourmindofanydoubtstowhichthatbitofstuffmayhavegivenrise，\"hesaid。\"Shewas，asyousupposed，detainedlatebyheremployers，andshefaintedinthework—room。Theymostunwiselyandunkindlylethergohomealone，withoutgivingheranystimulant，assoonasshecametohersensesagain。Nothingismoreprobable，underthesecircumstances，thanthatsheshouldfaintasecondtimeonherwayhere。Afallonthepavement，withoutanyfriendlyarmtobreakit，mighthaveproducedevenaworseinjurythantheinjurywesee。Ibelievethattheonlyillusagetowhichthepoorgirlwasexposedwastheneglectshemetwithinthework—room。\"
\"Youspeakveryreasonably，Iown，sir，\"saidI，notyetquiteconvinced。\"Still，perhapsshemay——\"
\"Mypoorgirl，Itoldyounottohope，\"saidthedoctor，interruptingme。HewenttoMary，andlifteduphereyelids，andlookedathereyeswhilehespoke；thenadded，\"Ifyoustilldoubthowshecamebythatblow，donotencouragetheideathatanywordsofherswilleverenlightenyou。Shewillneverspeakagain。\"
\"Notdead！Oh，sir，don’tsayshe’sdead！\"
\"Sheisdeadtopainandsorrow——deadtospeechandrecognition。
Thereismoreanimationinthelifeofthefeeblestinsectthatfliesthaninthelifethatisleftinher。Whenyoulookathernow，trytothinkthatsheisinheaven。ThatisthebestcomfortIcangiveyou，aftertellingthehardtruth。\"
Ididnotbelievehim。Icouldnotbelievehim。Solongasshebreathedatall，solongIwasresolvedtohope。Soonafterthedoctorwasgone，Sallycameinagain，andfoundmelistening（ifImaycallitso）atMary’slips。Shewenttowheremylittlehand—glasshangsagainstthewall，tookitdown，andgaveittome。
\"Seeifthebreathmarksit，\"shesaid。
Yes；herbreathdidmarkit，butveryfaintly。Sallycleanedtheglasswithherapron，andgaveitbacktome。Asshedidso，shehalfstretchedoutherhandtoMary’sface，butdrewitinagainsuddenly，asifshewasafraidofsoilingMary’sdelicateskinwithherhard，hornyfingers。Goingout，shestoppedatthefootofthebed，andscrapedawayalittlepatchofmudthatwasononeofMary’sshoes。
\"Ialwaysusedtoclean’emforher，\"saidSally，\"tosaveherhandsfromgettingblacked。MayItake’emoffnow，andclean’emagain？\"
Inoddedmyhead，formyheartwastooheavytospeak。Sallytooktheshoesoffwithaslow，awkwardtenderness，andwentout。
Anhourormoremusthavepassed，when，puttingtheglassoverherlipsagain，Isawnomarkonit。Ihelditcloserandcloser。
Idulleditaccidentallywithmyownbreath，andcleanedit。I
helditoverheragain。Oh，Mary，Mary，thedoctorwasright！I
oughttohaveonlythoughtofyouinheaven！
Dead，withoutaword，withoutasign——withoutevenalooktotellthetruestoryoftheblowthatkilledher！Icouldnotcalltoanybody，Icouldnotcry，Icouldnotsomuchasputtheglassdownandgiveherakissforthelasttime。Idon’tknowhowlongIhadsattherewithmyeyesburning，andmyhandsdeadlycold，whenSallycameinwiththeshoescleaned，andcarriedcarefullyinherapronforfearofasoiltouchingthem。Atthesightofthat——
Icanwritenomore。MytearsdropsofastonthepaperthatI
canseenothing。
March12th。Shediedontheafternoonoftheeighth。Onthemorningoftheninth，Iwrote，asindutybound，toherstepmotheratHammersmith。Therewasnoanswer。Iwroteagain；myletterwasreturnedtomethismorningunopened。Forallthatwomancares，Marymightbeburiedwithapauper’sfuneral；butthisshallneverbe，ifIpawneverythingaboutme，downtotheverygownthatisonmyback。ThebarethoughtofMarybeingburiedbytheworkhousegavemethespirittodrymyeyes，andgototheundertaker’s，andtellhimhowIwasplaced。Isaidifhewouldgetmeanestimateofallthatwouldhavetobepaid，fromfirsttolast，forthecheapestdecentfuneralthatcouldbehad，Iwouldundertaketoraisethemoney。Hegavemetheestimate，writteninthisway，likeacommonbill：
Awalkingfuneralcomplete……Pounds1138
Vestry……044
Rector……044
Clerk……010
Sexton……010
Beadle……010
Bell……010
Sixfeetofground……020
——————
TotalPounds284
IfIhadthehearttogiveanythoughttoit，IshouldbeinclinedtowishthattheChurchcouldaffordtodowithoutsomanysmallchargesforburyingpoorpeople，towhosefriendsevenshillingsareofconsequence。Butitisuselesstocomplain；themoneymustberaisedatonce。Thecharitabledoctor——apoormanhimself，orhewouldnotbelivinginourneighborhood——hassubscribedtenshillingstowardtheexpenses；andthecoroner，whentheinquestwasover，addedfivemore。Perhapsothersmayassistme。Ifnot，Ihavefortunatelyclothesandfurnitureofmyowntopawn。AndImustsetaboutpartingwiththemwithoutdelay，forthefuneralistobeto—morrow，thethirteenth。
Thefuneral——Mary’sfuneral！ItiswellthatthestraitsanddifficultiesIaminkeepmymindonthestretch。IfIhadleisuretogrieve，whereshouldIfindthecouragetofaceto—morrow？
ThankGodtheydidnotwantmeattheinquest。Theverdictgiven，withthedoctor，thepoliceman，andtwopersonsfromtheplacewheresheworked，forwitnesses，wasAccidentalDeath。Theendofthecravatwasproduced，andthecoronersaidthatitwascertainlyenoughtosuggestsuspicion；butthejury，intheabsenceofanypositiveevidence，heldtothedoctor’snotionthatshehadfaintedandfallendown，andsogottheblowonhertemple。TheyreprovedthepeoplewhereMaryworkedforlettinghergohomealone，withoutsomuchasadropofbrandytosupporther，aftershehadfallenintoaswoonfromexhaustionbeforetheireyes。Thecoroneradded，onhisownaccount，thathethoughtthereproofwasthoroughlydeserved。Afterthat，thecravat—endwasgivenbacktomebymyowndesire，thepolicesayingthattheycouldmakenoinvestigationswithsuchaslightclewtoguidethem。Theymaythinkso，andthecoroner，anddoctor，andjurymaythinkso；but，inspiteofallthathaspassed，IamnowmorefirmlypersuadedthaneverthatthereissomedreadfulmysteryinconnectionwiththatblowonmypoorlostMary’stemplewhichhasyettoberevealed，andwhichmaycometobediscoveredthroughthisveryfragmentofacravatthatIfoundinherhand。IcannotgiveanygoodreasonforwhyIthinkso，butIknowthatifIhadbeenoneofthejuryattheinquest，nothingshouldhaveinducedmetoconsenttosuchaverdictasAccidentalDeath。
AfterIhadpawnedmythings，andhadbeggedasmalladvanceofwagesattheplacewhereIworktomakeupwhatwasstillwantingtopayforMary’sfuneral，IthoughtImighthavehadalittlequiettimetopreparemyselfasIbestcouldforto—morrow。Butthiswasnottobe。WhenIgothomethelandlordmetmeinthepassage。Hewasinliquor，andmorebrutalandpitilessinhiswayoflookingandspeakingthaneverIsawhimbefore。
\"Soyou’regoingtobefoolenoughtopayforherfuneral，areyou？\"werehisfirstwordstome。
Iwastoowearyandheart—sicktoanswer；Ionlytriedtogetbyhimtomyowndoor。
\"Ifyoucanpayforburyingher，\"hewenton，puttinghimselfinfrontofme，\"youcanpayherlawfuldebts。Sheowesmethreeweeks’rent。Supposeyouraisethemoneyforthatnext，andhanditovertome？I’mnotjoking，Icanpromiseyou。Imeantohavemyrent；and，ifsomebodydon’tpayit，I’llhaveherbodyseizedandsenttotheworkhouse！\"
Betweenterroranddisgust，IthoughtIshouldhavedroppedtothefloorathisfeet。ButIdeterminednottolethimseehowhehadhorrifiedme，ifIcouldpossiblycontrolmyself。SoI
musteredresolutionenoughtoanswerthatIdidnotbelievethelawgavehimanysuchwickedpoweroverthedead。
\"I’llteachyouwhatthelawis！\"hebrokein；\"you’llraisemoneytoburyherlikeabornlady，whenshe’sdiedinmydebt，willyou？AndyouthinkI’llletmyrightsbetrampleduponlikethat，doyou？SeeifIdo！I’llgiveyoutillto—nighttothinkaboutit。IfIdon’thavethethreeweekssheowesbeforeto—morrow，deadoralive，sheshallgototheworkhouse！\"
ThistimeImanagedtopushbyhim，andgettomyownroom，andlockthedoorinhisface。AssoonasIwasaloneIfellintoabreathless，suffocatingfitofcryingthatseemedtobeshakingmetopieces。Buttherewasnogoodandnohelpintears；Ididmybesttocalmmyselfafteralittlewhile，andtriedtothinkwhoIshouldruntoforhelpandprotection。
ThedoctorwasthefirstfriendIthoughtof；butIknewhewasalwaysoutseeinghispatientsofanafternoon。Thebeadlewasthenextpersonwhocameintomyhead。Hehadthelookofbeingaverydignified，unapproachablekindofmanwhenhecameabouttheinquest；buthetalkedtomealittlethen，andsaidIwasagoodgirl，andseemed，Ireallythought，topityme。SotohimI
determinedtoapplyinmygreatdangeranddistress。
Mostfortunately，Ifoundhimathome。WhenItoldhimofthelandlord’sinfamousthreats，andofthemiseryIwassufferinginconsequenceofthem，heroseupwithastampofhisfoot，andsentforhisgold—lacedcockedhatthathewearsonSundays，andhislongcanewiththeivorytoptoit。
\"I’llgiveittohim，\"saidthebeadle。\"Comealongwithme，mydear。IthinkItoldyouyouwereagoodgirlattheinquest——ifIdidn’t，Itellyousonow。I’llgiveittohim！Comealongwithme。\"
Andhewentout，stridingonwithhiscockedhatandhisgreatcane，andIfollowedhim。
\"Landlord！\"hecries，themomenthegetsintothepassage，withathumpofhiscaneonthefloor，\"landlord！\"withalookallroundhimasifhewasKingofEnglandcallingtoabeast，\"comeout！\"
Themomentthelandlordcameoutandsawwhoitwas，hiseyefixedonthecockedhat，andheturnedaspaleasashes。
\"Howdareyoufrightenthispoorgirl？\"saysthebeadle。\"Howdareyoubullyheratthissorrowfultimewiththreateningtodowhatyouknowyoucan’tdo？Howdareyoubeacowardly，bullying，braggadocioofanunmanlylandlord？Don’ttalktome：Iwon’thearyou。I’llpullyouup，sir。Ifyousayanotherwordtotheyoungwoman，I’llpullyouupbeforetheauthoritiesofthismetropolitanparish。I’vehadmyeyeonyou，andtheauthoritieshavehadtheireyeonyou，andtherectorhashadhiseyeonyou。
Wedon’tlikethelookofyoursmallshoproundthecorner；wedon’tlikethelookofsomeofthecustomerswhodealatit；wedon’tlikedisorderlycharacters；andwedon’tbyanymannerofmeanslikeyou。Goaway。Leavetheyoungwomanalone。Holdyourtongue，orI’llpullyouup。Ifhesaysanotherword，orinterfereswithyouagain，mydear，comeandtellme；and，assureashe’sabullying，unmanly，braggadocioofalandlord，I’llpullhimup。\"
Withthosewordsthebeadlegavealoudcoughtoclearhisthroat，andanotherthumpofhiscaneonthefloor，andsowentstridingoutagainbeforeIcouldopenmylipstothankhim。Thelandlordslunkbackintohisroomwithoutaword。Iwasleftaloneandunmolestedatlast，tostrengthenmyselfforthehardtrialofmypoorlove’sfuneralto—morrow。
March13th。Itisallover。Aweekagoherheadrestedonmybosom。Itislaidinthechurchyardnow；thefreshearthliesheavyoverhergrave。Iandmydearestfriend，thesisterofmylove，arepartedinthisworldforever。
Ifollowedherfuneralalonethroughthecruel，hustlingstreets。
Sally，Ithought，mighthaveofferedtogowithme，butsheneversomuchascameintomyroom。Ididnotliketothinkbadlyofherforthis，andIamgladIrestrainedmyself；for，whenwegotintothechurchyard，amongthetwoorthreepeoplewhowerestandingbytheopengraveIsawSally，inherraggedgrayshawlandherpatchedblackbonnet。Shedidnotseemtonoticemetillthelastwordsoftheservicehadbeenreadandtheclergymanhadgoneaway；thenshecameupandspoketome。
\"Icouldn’tfollowalongwithyou，\"shesaid，lookingatherraggedshawl，\"forIhaven’tadecentsuitofclothestowalkin。
IwishIcouldgetventincryingforherlikeyou，butIcan’t；
allthecrying’sbeendrudgedandstarvedoutofmelongago。
Don’tyouthinkaboutlightingyourfirewhenyougethome。I’lldothat，andgetyouadropofteatocomfortyou。\"