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TheonlyinhabitantofCreeperCottagewhosleptthatnightwasAnnalise.Priscillaspentitwalkingupanddownherbedroom,andFritzingontheothersideofthewallspentitwalkingupanddownhis.Theycouldheareachotherdoingititwasamelancholysound.OncePriscillawasseizedwithlaughter—anotverygenialmirth,butstilllaughter—andhadtoflingherselfonherbedandburyherfaceinthepillowslestFritzingshouldhearsoblood-curdlinganoise.Itwaswhentheirstepshadfallensteadilytogetherforseveralturnsandthechurchclock,justasshewasnoticingthis,hadstruckthree.Notforthis,totrampupanddowntheirroomsallnight,notforthishadtheyleftKunitz.ThethoughtofalltheyhaddreamedlifeinCreeperCottagewasgoingtobe,ofalltheyhadneverdoubteditwasgoingtobe,ofpeacefulnightspassedinwholesomeslumber,ofdaysladenwithfruitfulworks,ofeveningswiththepoets,cameintoherheadandmadethistormentedmarchingsuddenlyseemintenselydroll.Shelaughedintoherpillowtillthetearsrolleddownherface,andthepainsshehadtotaketokeepallsoundsfromreachingFritzingonlymadeherlaughmore. Itwasawindynight,andthewindsighedroundthecottageandrattledthecasementsandroseeverynowandthentoahowlverydrearytohear.WhilePriscillawaslaughingagreatgustshookthehouse,andinvoluntarilysheraisedherheadtolisten.Itdiedaway,andherheaddroppedbackontoherarmsagain,butthelaughterwasgone.Shelaysolemnenough,listeningtoFritzing'screakings,andthoughtofthepastdayandofthedaystocometillhersoulgrewcold.Surelyshewasasortofpoisonousweed,fataltoeveryoneabouther?Fritzing,Tussie,thepoorgirlEmma—oh,itcouldnotbetrueaboutEmma.Shehadlostthemoney,andwastryingtogathercouragetocomeandsaysoorshehadsimplynotbeenabletochangeityet.Fritzinghadjumpedtotheconclusion,becausenothinghadbeenheardofheralldayathome,thatshehadrunawaywithit.Priscillatwistedherselfaboutuneasily.Itwasnotthelossofthefivepoundsthatmadehertwist,badthoughthatlosswasintheirutterpovertyitwasthethoughtthatifEmmahadreallyrunawayshe,byhercarelessfolly,haddriventhegirltoruin.AndthenTussie.Howdreadfulthatwas.Atthreeinthemorning,withthewailingwindrisingandfallingandtheroomblackwiththeinkyblacknessofamoonlessOctobernight,theTussiecomplicationseemedtobegigantic,ofaquiteappallingsize,threateningtochokeher,tocrushallthespringandyouthoutofher.IfTussiegotwellshewasgoingtobreakhisheartifTussiedieditwouldbeherfault.Noonebutherselfwasresponsibleforhisillness,herownselfish,hatefulself.Yes,shewasapoisonousweedabaleful,fatalthing,notfitforgreatundertakings,notfitforanoblelife,toofoolishtodepartsuccessfullyfromthelineslaiddownforherbyotherpeoplewickedlycarelessshamefullyshortsightedspoiling,ruining,everythingshetouched.Priscillawrithed.Nobodylikesbeingforcedtorecognizethattheyarepoisonousweeds.Eventobeaplainweedisgrievoustoone'svanity,buttobeaweedandpoisonousaswellisaverydesperatethingtobe.Shepassedadreadfulnight.Itwastheworstshecouldremember. Andtheeveningtoo—howbadithadbeenthoughcontrarytoherexpectationsFritzingshowednodesiretofightTussie.Hewasnotsounreasonableasshehadsupposedandbesides,hewastoocompletelybeatendownbytheever-increasingweightandnumberofhisresponsibilitiestodoanythinginregardtothatunfortunateyouthbutbesorryforhim.MorethanoncethateveninghelookedatPriscillains