CHAPTER XXVI

ghtitfromhim—becamebythatonesimpletransactionalandedproprietorowningahouseandanisland.Thereissomethingsosatisfyinginowningawholeisland.Andisn’tanuninhabitedislandacharmingidea?I’dwantedtoownoneeversinceI’dreadRobinsonCrusoe.Itseemedtoogoodtobetrue.Andbeauty!Mostofthescenerybelongstothegovernment,buttheydon’ttaxyouforlookingatit,andthemoonbelongstoeverybody.Youwon’tfindmyshackverytidy.Isupposeyou’llwanttomakeittidy.” “Yes,”saidValancyhonestly.“Ihavetobetidy.Idon’treallywanttobe.Butuntidinesshurtsme.Yes,I’llhavetotidyupyourshack.” “Iwaspreparedforthat,”saidBarney,withahollowgroan. “But,”continuedValancyrelentingly,“Iwon’tinsistonyourwipingyourfeetwhenyoucomein.” “No,you’llonlysweepupaftermewiththeairofamartyr,”saidBarney.“Well,anyway,youcan’ttidythelean-to.Youcan’tevenenterit.ThedoorwillbelockedandIshallkeepthekey.” “Bluebeard’schamber,”saidValancy.“Ishan’teventhinkofit.Idon’tcarehowmanywivesyouhavehangingupinit.Solongasthey’rereallydead.” “Deadasdoor-nails.Youcandoasyoulikeintherestofthehouse.There’snotmuchofit—justonebigliving-roomandonesmallbedroom.Wellbuilt,though.OldTomlovedhisjob.Thebeamsofourhousearecedarandtheraftersfir.Ourliving-roomwindowsfacewestandeast.It’swonderfultohavearoomwhereyoucanseebothsunriseandsunset.Ihavetwocatsthere.BanjoandGoodLuck.Adorableanimals.Banjoisabig,enchanting,greydevil-cat.Striped,ofcourse.Idon’tcareahangforanycatthathasn’tstripes.IneverknewacatwhocouldswearasgenteellyandeffectivelyasBanjo.Hisonlyfaultisthathesnoreshorriblywhenheisasleep.Luckisadaintylittlecat.Alwayslookingwistfullyatyou,asifhewantedtotellyousomething.Maybehewillpullitoffsometime.Onceinathousandyears,youknow,onecatisallowedtospeak.Mycatsarephilosophers—neitherofthemevercriesoverspiltmilk. “Twooldcrowsliveinapine-treeonthepointandarereasona