CHAPTER XXXII

l,ordarkandterribleinthestorm.Sometimesthepineboughstappedagainstthepaneswithfriendlysignals.Sometimessheheardthelittlehissingwhisperofsnowagainstthemrightatherside.SomenightsthewholeouterworldseemedgivenovertotheemperyofsilencethencamenightswhentherewouldbeamajesticsweepofwindinthepinesnightsofdearstarlightwhenitwhistledfreakishlyandjoyouslyaroundtheBlueCastlebroodingnightsbeforestormwhenitcreptalongthefloorofthelakewithalow,wailingcryofbodingandmystery.Valancywastedmanyperfectlygoodsleepinghoursinthesedelightfulcommunings.Butshecouldsleepaslonginthemorningasshewantedto.Nobodycared.BarneycookedhisownbreakfastofbaconandeggsandthenshuthimselfupinBluebeard’sChambertillsuppertime.Thentheyhadaneveningofreadingandtalk.Theytalkedabouteverythinginthisworldandagoodmanythingsinotherworlds.TheylaughedovertheirownjokesuntiltheBlueCastlesre-echoed. “Youdolaughbeautifully,”Barneytoldheronce.“Itmakesmewanttolaughjusttohearyoulaugh.There’satrickaboutyourlaugh—asifthereweresomuchmorefunbackofitthatyouwouldn’tletout.DidyoulaughlikethatbeforeyoucametoMistawis,Moonlight?” “Ineverlaughedatall—really.IusedtogigglefoolishlywhenIfeltIwasexpectedto.Butnow—thelaughjustcomes.” ItstruckValancymorethanoncethatBarneyhimselflaughedagreatdealoftenerthanheusedtoandthathislaughhadchanged.Ithadbecomewholesome.Sherarelyheardthelittlecyni