Liberian Literary Magazine January Issue 0115
three , which lasted until the old couple rose to retire for the rest of the night .
" I expect you ' ll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your bed ," said Herbert , as he bade them good night , " and something horrible squatting on top of your wardrobe watching you as you pocket your ill-gotten gains ."
He sat alone in the darkness , gazing at the dying fire , and seeing faces in it . The last was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement . It got so vivid that , with a little uneasy laugh , he felt on the table for a glass containing a little water to throw over it . His hand grasped the monkey ' s paw , and with a little shiver he wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed .
In the brightness of the wintry sun next morning as it streamed over the breakfast table he laughed at his fears . There was an air of prosaic wholesomeness about the room which it had lacked on the previous night , and the dirty , shriveled little paw was pitched on the side-board with a carelessness which betokened no great belief in its virtues .
" I suppose all old soldiers are the same ," said Mrs . White . " The idea of our listening to such nonsense ! How could wishes be granted in these days ? And if they could , how could two hundred pounds hurt you , father ?"
" Might drop on his head from the sky ," said the frivolous Herbert .
" Morris said the things happened so naturally ," said his father , " that you might if you so wished attribute it to coincidence ."
" Well don ' t break into the money before I come back ," said Herbert as he rose from the table . " I ' m afraid it ' ll turn you into a mean , avaricious man , and we shall have to disown you ."
His mother laughed , and following him to the door , watched him down the road ; and returning to the breakfast table , was very happy at the expense of her husband ' s credulity . All of which did not prevent her from scurrying to the door at the postman ' s knock , nor prevent her from referring somewhat shortly to retired Sargeant-Majors of bibulous habits when she found that the post brought a tailor ' s bill .
" Herbert will have some more of his funny remarks , I expect , when he comes home ," she said as they sat at dinner .
" I dare say ," said Mr . White , pouring himself out some beer ; " but for all that , the thing moved in my hand ; that I ' ll swear to ."
" You thought it did ," said the old lady soothingly .
" I say it did ," replied the other . " There was no thought about it ; I had just - What ' s the matter ?"
His wife made no reply . She was watching the mysterious movements of a man outside , who , peering in an undecided fashion at the house , appeared to be trying to make up his mind to enter . In mental connexion with the two hundred pounds , she noticed that the stranger was well dressed , and wore a silk hat of glossy newness . Three times he paused at the gate , and then walked on again . The fourth time he stood with his hand upon it , and then with sudden resolution flung it open and walked up the path . Mrs . White at the same moment placed her hands behind her , and hurriedly unfastening the strings of her apron , put that useful article of apparel beneath the cushion of her chair .
She brought the stranger , who seemed ill at ease , into the room . He gazed at her furtively , and listened in a preoccupied fashion as the old lady apologized for the appearance of the room , and her husband ' s coat , a garment which he usually reserved for the garden . She then waited as patiently as her sex would permit for him to broach his business , but he was at first strangely silent .
" I - was asked to call ," he said at last , and stooped and picked a piece of cotton from his trousers . " I come from ' Maw and Meggins .' "
The old lady started . " Is anything the matter ?" she asked breathlessly . " Has anything happened to Herbert ? What is it ? What is it ?”
Her husband interposed . " There there mother ," he said hastily . " Sit down , and don ' t jump to conclusions . You ' ve not brought bad news , I ' m sure sir ," and eyed the other wistfully .
" I ' m sorry - " began the visitor .
" Is he hurt ?" demanded the mother wildly .
The visitor bowed in assent . “ Badly hurt ," he said quietly , " but he is not in any pain ."
" Oh thank God !" said the old woman , clasping her hands . " Thank God for that ! Thank - "
She broke off as the sinister meaning of the assurance dawned on her and she saw the awful confirmation of her fears in the others averted face . She caught her breath , and turning to her slowerwitted husband , laid her trembling hand on his . There was a long silence .
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