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VI. The Figure against the Sky

           

           Anoldmancameintotheremoterlightofthefirefromthedirectionofthehomestead.Hewasthesamewhohadovertakenthereddlemanontheroadthatafternoon.Helookedwistfullytothetopofthebankatthewomanwhostoodthere,andhisteeth,whichwerequiteunimpaired,showedlikeparianfromhispartedlips.

           “Whenareyoucomingindoors,Eustacia?”heasked.“’Tisalmostbedtime.I’vebeenhomethesetwohours,andamtiredout.Surely’tissomewhatchildishofyoutostayoutplayingatbonfiressolong,andwastingsuchfuel.Mypreciousthornroots,therarestofallfiring,thatIlaidbyonpurposeforChristmas—youhaveburnt’emnearlyall!”

           “IpromisedJohnnyabonfire,anditpleaseshimnottoletitgooutjustyet,”saidEustacia,inawaywhichtoldatoncethatshewasabsolutequeenhere.“Grandfather,yougointobed.Ishallfollowyousoon.Youlikethefire,don’tyou,Johnny?”

           Theboylookedupdoubtfullyatherandmurmured,“Idon’tthinkIwantitanylonger.”

           Hergrandfatherhadturnedbackagain,anddidnotheartheboy’sreply.Assoonasthewhite-hairedmanhadvanishedshesaidinatoneofpiquetothechild,“Ungratefullittleboy,howcanyoucontradictme?Nevershallyouhaveabonfireagainunlessyoukeepitupnow.Come,tellmeyouliketodothingsforme,anddon’tdenyit.”

           Therepressedchildsaid,“Yes,Ido,miss,”andcontinuedtostirthefireperfunctorily.

           “StayalittlelongerandIwillgiveyouacrookedsix-pence,”saidEustacia,moregently.

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