Part 5 (1/2)

As we rose, Janet said, Lets go out before we do the dishes. And to humor her I agreed. We lighted the lantern and stepped out on the back porch. It was quite dark, and as we looked off toward the fireplace we saw gleams of red.

How funny! I murmured. I didnt think there was so much fire left.

We felt our way over, through the yielding mud of the orchard, and as I raised the lantern we stared in dazed astonishment. The pan was a blackened ma.s.s, lit up by winking red eyes of fire. I held the lantern more closely. I seized a stick and pokedthe crisp black stuff broke and crumbled into an empty and blackening pan. A curious odor arose.

It couldnt have! gasped Janet.

It couldntbut it has! I said.

It was a matter for tears, or rage, or laughter. And laughter won. When we recovered a little we took up the black sh.e.l.l of carbon that had once been syrup-froth; we laid it gently beside the oven, for a keepsake. Then we poured water in the pan, and steam rose hissing to the stars.

Does it leak? faltered Janet.

Leak! I said. I was on my knees now, watching the water stream through the parted seam of the pan bottom, down into the ashes below.

The question is, I went on as I got up, did it boil away because it leaked, or did it leak because it boiled away?

I dont see that it matters much, said Janet. She was showing symptoms of depression at this point.

It matters a great deal, I said. Because, you see, weve got to tell Jonathan, and it makes all the difference how we put it.

I see, said Janet; then she added, experimentally, Why tell Jonathan?

Why, Janet, you know better! I wouldnt miss telling Jonathan for anything. What is Jonathan _for!_

Wellof course, she conceded. Lets do dishes.

We sat before the fire that evening and I read while Janet knitted.

Between my eyes and the printed page there kept rising a visiona vision of black crust, with winking red embers smoldering along its broken edges.

I found it distracting in the extreme.

At some time unknown, out of the blind depths of the night, I was awakened by a voice:

Its beginning to rain. I think Ill just go out and empty whats near the house.

Janet! I murmured, dont be absurd.

But it will dilute all that sap.

There isnt any sap to dilute. It wont be running at night. After a while the voice, full of propitiatory intonations, resumed:

My dear, you dont mind if I slip out. It will only take a minute.

I do mind. Go to sleep!

Silence. Then:

Its raining harder. I hate to think of all that sap