CHAPTER IX

ntheweesma’s,shoutingoathsatthetopofhisstentorianvoicewhichcouldbeheardformiles,andlashinghishorseintoafuriousgallopashetorealongprim,properElmStreet. “Yellingandblaspheminglikeafiend,”shudderedCousinSticklesatthebreakfast-table. “IcannotunderstandwhythejudgmentoftheLordhasnotfallenuponthatmanlongerethis,”saidMrs.Frederickpetulantly,asifshethoughtProvidencewasverydilatoryandoughttohaveagentlereminder. “He’llbepickedupdeadsomemorning—he’llfallunderhishorse’shoofsandbetrampledtodeath,”saidCousinSticklesreassuringly. Valancyhadsaidnothing,ofcoursebutshewonderedtoherselfifRoaringAbel’speriodicalspreeswerenothisfutileprotestagainstthepovertyanddrudgeryandmonotonyofhisexistence.ShewentondreamspreesinherBlueCastle.RoaringAbel,havingnoimagination,couldnotdothat.Hisescapesfromrealityhadtobeconcrete.Soshewavedathimtodaywithasuddenfellowfeeling,andRoaringAbel,nottoodrunktobeastonished,nearlyfelloffhisseatinhisamazement. BythistimetheyhadreachedMapleAvenueandUncleHerbert’shouse,alarge,pretentiousstructurepepperedwithmeaninglessbaywindowsandexcrescentporches.Ahousethatalwayslookedlikeastupid,prosperous,self-satisfiedmanwithwartsonhisface. “Ahouselikethat,”saidValancysolemnly,“isablasphemy.” Mrs.Frederickwasshakentohersoul.WhathadValancysaid?Wasitprofane?Oronlyjustqueer?Mrs.FredericktookoffherhatinAuntAlberta’sspare-roomwithtremblinghands.Shemadeonemorefeebleattempttoavertdisaster.SheheldValancybackonthelandingasCousinStickleswentdownstairs. “Won’tyoutrytorememberyou’realady?”shepleaded. “Oh,iftherewereonlyanyhopeofbeingabletoforgetit!”saidValancywearily. Mrs.FrederickfeltthatshehadnotdeservedthisfromProvidence.