Part 68 (2/2)
”Meanwhile I will retire a few paces.”
So saying, she backed into the pa.s.sage, bearing the candle with her for company, and leaving the Prophet in total darkness. The low whistle sounded again, and a husky voice said,--
”Are you there?”
”Yes,” replied the Prophet, summoning all his courage. ”I am.”
”What 'a' you put out the light for?” said the voice, which seemed to come from far away.
”I haven't put it out,” returned the Prophet. ”It's gone away.”
At this juncture Malkiel, impelled by curiosity, ceased from trembling, and, leaning forward upon the loving-cup, glued his ear to the key-hole of the cupboard.
”Why was you so late to-night?” proceeded the voice. ”She's been in a rare taking, I can tell you.”
”Who?”
”Who? You know well enough.”
”Do you mean my grandmother?”
”Your grandmother!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the voice with apparent sarcasm. ”Ah! of course, what do you think?”
”I'm sure I don't know,” said the poor Prophet, whose reason was beginning to totter upon its throne.
”Well,” proceeded the voice, ”she thought you'd give it up.”
”What--my grandmother did?”
”Ah, your grandmother. Get away with you! Ha! ha! ha!”
And the mysterious visitant broke forth into a peal of rather mundane laughter. After indulging in this unseemly mirth for about a minute and a half, the personage resumed,--
”The Crab did for her.”
Upon hearing the mystic word Madame crept stealthily a pace or two nearer to the door, while the Prophet exclaimed,--
”The dressed Crab?”
”Ah, what do _you_ think? Not a wink of sleep and thought every minute'd be 'er next.”
”Good Heavens!”
”She says she'd never go near a crab again, not if it's ever so.”
”You are sure?” said the Prophet, eagerly. ”You are positive she said that?”
”I'd stake my Davy, and I wouldn't do that on everything. There ain't a man living as'll ever get her to go within fifty miles of a crab this side of Judgment.”
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