Page:Weird Tales Volume 5 Number 4 (1925-04).djvu/93

 in Meadowlawn. I hesitate to name it, but it is, nevertheless, here in this community. I know how to protect myself against it, but you do not. Therefore you must remain within these walls after nightfall.”

I was somewhat provoked at Portia’s rather high-handed order, as I have walked alone through the loneliest parts of Reading outskirts, unaccompanied.

“If you are so anxious about me, how about Owen?” I inquired, a bit maliciously, I admit.

“Oh!” She expelled her breath sharply. “Owen I am powerless to protect! I cannot give an order to him as I can to you, Auntie. lie would want to know my reasons, and I’m sure he would laugh at them when he knew them, because he couldn’t understand.”

Ingenuous girl, thought I to myself, how little she really knew me, if she thought I would let myself be ordered about in that manner. I made up my mind that she was letting her imagination run away with her. I intended to go to the Sunday evening service at the end of the week, and I certainly did not expect to ask for an escort of policemen to accompany me, because my niece was nervous and (perhaps) notional.

balance of the week passed quietly enough. Portia devoted herself again to her laboratory work nights. I did my marketing daily, occasionally running into Mrs. Differdale or Mrs. Arnold, almost invariably with their hair done up in curl-papers over which they airily wore their soiled satin boudoir caps.

Mrs. Arnold kept me fifteen minutes at Mike’s one morning, telling me that Minna had been very sick with a bilious attack from eating too much candy. She retailed all Minna’s symptoms; her own prompt use of the clinical thermometer; the doctor’s report; Minna’s recovery; ending with the remark that the next time the Princess Irma gave Minna chocolates, she (Aurora) had ordered Minna to bring them home and not try to eat all at one sitting. I received the impression, somehow, that had Minna been of a less fine and delicate constitution, she would not have been affected by the sweets, Aurora remarking that Minna was, like herself, as high-strung as a violin, this simile appearing to afford her much innocent satisfaction, as placing her on a higher plane than the rest of us vulgarly healthy mortals.

Sunday morning I told Portia that I intended to go to the evening service. She looked simply aghast. “But I thought I explained to you,” she began, when I interrupted her.

“My dear Portia, at my age I don’t intend to be dictated to as to what hours I shall appear on the street. Curfew emphatically does not ring for me, my dear girl. If you’re worrying about the Princess Tchernova’s wolves, I may as well tell you that yesterday Owen took me into the grounds to show me the wolf-dens of cement and steel that she has had built, and they’re quite strong enough to keep the animals inside.”

Portia stared at me, her face disturbed by some deep emotion.

“I’ll go with you,” she suddenly decided.

“By no means interrupt your laboratory work,” I retorted. “You know church services always did bore you to extinction. I won’t have you going on my account.”

Portia did not answer me. but I felt that she would do or say something to prevent me, and was agreeably surprized that she did not attempt to dissaude me at 7 o’clock, when I looked into the