WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:05.559 You're listening to an airwave media podcast. Monster Talk is 2 00:00:05.559 --> 00:00:08.519 supported by listeners like you. Find out how you can 3 00:00:08.519 --> 00:00:11.439 contribute via Patreon or with reviews at monster talk dot 4 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:15.560 org forde slash support. Your contributions, large or small, make 5 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:24.079 a huge difference. Thanks. Okay, it's actually quite unlike anything 6 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:29.600 we've ever seen before. A giant hairy creature. Part eight 7 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.799 part mat in Luckness, a twenty four mile long bottomless 8 00:00:34.840 --> 00:00:37.640 lake in the Highlands Discovernment. It's a creature known as 9 00:00:37.679 --> 00:01:05.000 the Luckness Monster Monster Tall Merry Christmas, Monster Talkers, It's 10 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:08.000 time again for a Christmas ghost story. If you're a 11 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:11.239 Patreon supporter, thank you so much. I'm putting this in 12 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:14.120 the Patreon feed because our webmaster at Skeptics enjoying some 13 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:16.480 much needed time off, and I'm sure he'll get the 14 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:20.000 episode up soon. But since I can control the Patreon feed, 15 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:22.239 I'm going to upload it right now whenever it's ready 16 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:26.079 to go. Tonight's ghostly tale is a famous one The 17 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:32.400 Monkeys Pau by William Wymark Jacobs, better known as W. W. Jacobs. 18 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:37.480 This frequently anthologized tale first appeared in a collection of 19 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:40.920 stories titled The Lady of the Barge and other stories 20 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:44.560 in nineteen o two. Jacobs is probably most well known 21 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:47.480 for this frightening little supernatural story, but he also wrote 22 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:50.079 numerous nautical stories that are said to be quite amusing. 23 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:57.159 This year's story was selected by a listener named Sophie, 24 00:01:57.879 --> 00:02:02.280 who said, I'd like you to read us the Monkey's Paul. 25 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:04.359 I keep seeing it referenced in shows, but I haven't 26 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:08.520 read it. Can you read it to us? Well? Yes, Sophie, 27 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:11.759 and thank you for listening to our Christmas special. I 28 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:14.439 also wish you'd listen to some other episodes, but you know, 29 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:18.560 I know you have important roadblocks role plays to do, 30 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:20.439 and I certainly don't want to deflect you from your 31 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:23.639 life's work. But before we get to the story, there's 32 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:25.360 a few words in here that I thought I should 33 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:30.639 define since they're not super common on the show. The 34 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:35.120 first one is rubicund. That means red faced or ruddy 35 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:42.319 in complexion. The next one is anti macassar, and that's 36 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:44.159 a cloth that you would place over the top of 37 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:48.000 a fabric covered chair to prevent stains. Macassar oil used 38 00:02:48.039 --> 00:02:50.840 to be a common hair tonic, so if you wanted 39 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:53.960 to prevent your chair fabric from getting macastor oil on it. 40 00:02:54.280 --> 00:03:00.240 An anti macassar was just the thing, and avaricious, which 41 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:04.240 means greedy or overly concerned with monetary gain. And if 42 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:06.240 you encounter any other words in the story that you 43 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:09.039 don't know, you'll have to look them up yourself. So, 44 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:12.599 as Casey Caseum used to say, this long distance dedication, 45 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:18.759 well up too. Floors goes out to Sophie the Monkey's 46 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:26.840 Paw by W. W. Jacobs One without The night was 47 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:31.400 cold and wet, but in the small parlor of Laburnham Villa, 48 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:35.800 the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly. Father 49 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:39.919 and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas 50 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:43.919 about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into 51 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:47.639 such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment 52 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:50.280 from the white haired old lady knitting placidly by the 53 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:55.520 fire hawk at the wind. Said mister white, who, having 54 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:57.719 seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was 55 00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:02.159 amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it. I'm listening, 56 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:05.400 said the latter, grimly, surveying the board as he stretched 57 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:11.280 out his hand check. I should hardly think he'd come tonight, 58 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:16.800 said his father, with his hand poised over the board, mate, 59 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:22.120 replied the son, that's the worst of living so far out, 60 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:25.199 bawled mister White, with sudden and unlooked for violence, of 61 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:28.639 all the basely, slushy, out of the way places to live, 62 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:31.680 And this is the worst pathway's a bog, and the 63 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:35.160 roads a torrent. I don't know what people are thinking about. 64 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:38.480 I suppose because only two houses on the road are let, 65 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:43.040 they think it doesn't matter. Never mind, dear, said his 66 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:47.399 wife soothingly, Perhaps you'll win the next one. Mister White 67 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:50.040 looked up sharply, just in time to intercept a knowing 68 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:53.120 glance between mother and son. The words died away on 69 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.199 his lips, and he hid a guilty grin in his 70 00:04:56.360 --> 00:05:02.199 thin gray beard. There he is, said Herbert White. As 71 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.120 the gate banged too loudly, and heavy footsteps came towards 72 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:09.120 the door. The old man rose with hospitable haste, and 73 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:12.160 opening the door, was heard condoling with the new arrival. 74 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:15.920 The new arrival was also condoled with himself, so that 75 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:20.360 missus White said tut tut, and coughed gently as her 76 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:23.600 husband entered the room, followed by a tall, burly man 77 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:29.839 beauty of eye and rubicund of visage, Sergeant Major Morris, 78 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:33.519 he said, introducing him. The sergeant Major shook hands, and, 79 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:37.120 taking the proffered seat by the fire, watched contentedly while 80 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:40.199 his host got out whiskey and tumblers and stood a 81 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.680 small copper kettle on the fire. At the third glass, 82 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:49.519 his eyes got brighter, and he began to talk the 83 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:53.160 little family circle, regarding with interest this visitor from distant parts, 84 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:55.959 as he squared his broad shoulders in the chair and 85 00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:00.680 spoke of wild scenes and dowdy deeds, of wars and 86 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:05.319 plagues and strange people, twenty one years of it, said 87 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:07.720 mister White, nodding at his wife and son. When he 88 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:09.600 went away, he was a slip of a youth in 89 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:12.959 the warehouse. Now look at him. He don't look to 90 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:17.519 have taken much harm, said missus White politely. I'd like 91 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.959 to go to India myself, said the old man, just 92 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:23.040 to look around a bit. You know better where you are, 93 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:26.120 said the Sergeant Major, shaking his head. He put down 94 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:29.839 the empty glass and, sighing softly, shook it again. I 95 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:33.160 should like to see those old temples and fakers and jugglers, 96 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:35.680 said the old man. What was that you started telling 97 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:39.720 me the other day about a monkey's paw or something. Morris, Nothing, 98 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:46.800 said the soldier hastily. Lace weighs nothing worth hearing monkey's paw, 99 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.360 said Missus White curiously. Well it's just a bit of 100 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:54.439 what you might call magic, perhaps, said the sergeant major 101 00:06:54.519 --> 00:07:00.000 off handedly. His three listeners leaned forward eagerly. The visit 102 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:02.480 ter absent mindedly put his empty glass to his lips, 103 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:05.120 and then set it down again. His host filled it 104 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:09.399 for him to look at, said the Sergeant Major, fumbling 105 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:13.439 in his pocket. It's just an ordinary little paw, dried 106 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:16.519 to a mummy. He took something out of his pocket 107 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.600 and proffered it. Missus White drew back with a grimace. 108 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:24.920 But her son, taking it, examined it curiously. And what 109 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.639 is there special about it? Inquired mister White, as he 110 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.360 took it from his son, and, having examined it, placed 111 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.920 it upon the table. Ah. I had a spell put 112 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:36.879 on it by an old fakir, said the sergeant Major, 113 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:41.720 a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate 114 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:45.399 ruled people's lives, and that those who interfeared with it 115 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.279 did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on 116 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:51.079 it so that three separate men could each have three 117 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:54.720 wishes from it. His manner was so impressive that his 118 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:59.759 hearers were conscious that their light laughter jarred somewhat. Well, 119 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:03.120 why don't you have three, sir, said Herbert White cleverly. 120 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:06.879 The soldier regarded him the way that Middle ages wont 121 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:13.160 to regard presumptuous youth. I have, he said, quietly, and 122 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:18.439 his blotchy face whitened. And did you really have three wishes? Granted, 123 00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:23.759 asked missus White. I did, said the sergeant major, and 124 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:27.879 his glass tapped against his strong teeth. And has anybody 125 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:32.399 else wished? Persisted the old lady. The first man had 126 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:36.480 his three wishes? Yes, was the reply. I don't know 127 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:40.519 what the first two were, but the third was for death, 128 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:44.799 and that's how I got the paw. His tones were 129 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:48.639 so grave that a hush fell upon the group. Well, 130 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:51.399 if you've anual three wishes, it no good to you now, then, Morris, 131 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:53.720 said the old man. At last, what do you keep 132 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:59.320 it for? The soldier shook his head. Fancy I suppose, 133 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:04.519 he said slowly. I did have some idea of selling it, 134 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:10.200 but I don't think I will. It's caused enough mischief already. Besides, 135 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:14.080 people won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale some 136 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:16.559 of them, and those who do think anything of it 137 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:20.960 want to try it first and pay me afterwards. If 138 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:23.440 you could have another three wishes, said the old man, 139 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:28.240 eyeing him keenly, what would you have them? I don't know, 140 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:34.279 said the other. I don't know. He took the paw, and, 141 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:38.000 dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly threw it 142 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:42.000 upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down 143 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:45.399 and snatched it off. Better let it burn, said the 144 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:49.039 soldier solemnly. If you don't want it Morris, said the other, 145 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:52.759 give it to me. I won't, said his friend doggedly. 146 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:55.200 I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, 147 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:57.360 don't blame me for what happened. Pitch it on the 148 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:00.919 fire again, like a sensible man. The other shook his 149 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:04.360 head and examined his new possession closely. How do you 150 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:08.559 do it, he inquired. Hold it up in your right 151 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:11.759 hand and wish aloud, said the sergeant major. But I 152 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:16.519 warn you of the consequences. Who sounds like the Arabian nights, 153 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:19.240 said missus White, as she rose and began to set 154 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:22.159 the supper. Don't you think you might wish for four 155 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:25.039 pairs of hands for me. Her husband drew the talisman 156 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.759 from his pocket, and then all three burst into laughter 157 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:30.320 as the sergeant major, with a look of alarm on 158 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:34.879 his face, caught him by the arm. If you must wish, 159 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:40.799 he said, gruffly, wish for something sensible. Mister White dropped 160 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:43.639 it back in his pocket, and, placing chairs, motioned his 161 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:46.840 friend to the table. In the business of supper, the 162 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:50.559 talisman was partly forgotten, and afterwards the three sat listening 163 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:53.240 in an enthralled fashion to a second installment of the 164 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:57.399 Soldier's Adventures in India. If the tale about the monkey's 165 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:59.960 paw is not more truthful than those he's been telling us, 166 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:02.840 said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guests, just 167 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.480 in time for him to catch the less train. We 168 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:08.279 shan't make much out of it. Did you give him 169 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:12.600 anything for it, father, inquired missus White, regarding her husband closely. 170 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:16.840 Er trifle, he said, coloring slightly. He didn't want it, 171 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:18.559 but I made him take it, and he pressed me 172 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:23.559 again to throw it away, likely, said Herbert, with pretent horror. 173 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:26.759 Why we're going to be rich and famous and happy? 174 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:29.279 Wish to be an emperor? Father to begin with it, 175 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:32.399 and he can't be him packed He darted round the table, 176 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:36.519 pursued by the malign Missus White, armed with an antimacassar. 177 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:40.879 Mister White took the paw from his pocket night it dubiously. 178 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:43.559 I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact, 179 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:47.399 he said slowly. It seems to me I've got all 180 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:51.240 I want. Hey, if you only cleared the house, you'd 181 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:53.279 be quite happy, wouldn't you, said Herbert, with his hand 182 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:55.879 on his shoulder. Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then 183 00:11:55.919 --> 00:12:01.200 that'll just do it. His father, smiling, shamefaced his own credulity, 184 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:03.879 held up the talisman as his son, with a solemn 185 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:06.639 face somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat 186 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.919 down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords. 187 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:15.320 I wish for two hundred pounds, said the old man distinctly. 188 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:18.679 A fine crush from the piano greeted the words, interrupted 189 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:21.279 by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife 190 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:25.080 and son ran towards him. It moved, he cried with 191 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.759 a glance of disgust at the object as it lay 192 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:31.240 on the floor. As I wished it twisted in my 193 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:34.600 hand like a snake. Well, I don't see the money, 194 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.399 said his son, as he picked it up and placed 195 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:38.759 it on the table. And I bet I never shall. 196 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:42.840 It must have been your fancy father, said his wife, 197 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:46.639 regarding him anxiously. He shook his head. Never mind, though 198 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:49.320 there's no harm done, But it gave me a shock 199 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:52.360 all the same. They sat down by the fire again 200 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:55.440 while the two men finished their pipes. Outside, the wind 201 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:58.000 was higher than ever, and the old men started nervously 202 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:01.600 at the sound of a door banging upstairs. A silence, 203 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:05.399 unusual in depressing settled upon all three, which lasted until 204 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:09.679 the old couple rose to retire for the night. I 205 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:12.000 expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big 206 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:14.159 bag in the middle of your bed, said Herbert, as 207 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:18.159 he bade them good night. And something horrible squatting upon 208 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:21.240 top of the wardrobe, watching you as you pocket your 209 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:26.759 ill gotten gains. He sat alone in the darkness, gazing 210 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:29.600 at the dying fire and seeing faces in it. The 211 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:33.120 last face was so horrible and so Simian, that he 212 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:36.080 gazed at it in amazement. He got so vivid that, 213 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:39.879 with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table 214 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:42.360 for a glass containing a little water to throw over it. 215 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:46.679 His hand grasped the monkey's paw, and with a little shiver, 216 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:49.799 he wiped his hand on his coat and went up 217 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:57.080 to bed two. In the brightness of the wintry sun 218 00:13:57.320 --> 00:14:00.679 next morning, as it streamed over the breakfast table, he 219 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:04.039 laughed at his fears. There was an air of prosaic 220 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:06.799 wholesomeness about the room, which it had lacked on the 221 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.960 previous night, and the dirty, shriveled little paw was pitched 222 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:13.360 on the sideboard with a carelessness which betokened no great 223 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:17.480 belief in his virtues. I suppose all old soldiers are 224 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:20.519 the same, said missus White. The idea of our listening 225 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:24.120 to such nonsense? How could wishes be granted in these days? 226 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:27.159 And if they could, how could two hundred pounds hurt you? 227 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:31.320 Father might drop on his head from the sky, said 228 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:36.759 the frivolous Herbert Morris said. Things happened so naturally, said 229 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:40.639 his father, that you might, if you so wished, attribute 230 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:45.600 it to coincidence. I'm afraid it'll turn you into a mean, 231 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:49.519 avaricious man, and we shall have to disown you. His 232 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:52.960 mother laughed, and, following him to the door, watched him 233 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.720 down the road, and, returning to the breakfast table, was 234 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:59.720 very happy at the expense of her husband's credulity all 235 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.799 of us, which did not prevent her from scurrying to 236 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:04.399 the door at the postman's knock, nor prevent her from 237 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:08.799 referring somewhat shortly to retired Sergeant Major's of bibulous habits 238 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:11.240 when she found that the post brought to tailor's bill. 239 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:16.000 Herbert will have some more of his funny remarks, I 240 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:18.000 expect when he comes home, she said. As they said 241 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:22.159 at dinner, I dare say, said mister White, pouring himself 242 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:25.159 out some beer. But for all that the thing moved 243 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:28.399 in my hand that I'll swear to you. Thought it did, 244 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:32.399 said the old lady soothingly. I say it did, replied 245 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:34.679 the other. There was no thought about it, I had, 246 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:39.720 just what's the matter? His wife made no reply. She 247 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:43.080 was watching the mysterious movements of a man outside, who, 248 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:47.080 peering in in an undecided fashion at the house, appeared 249 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:49.159 to be trying to make up his mind to enter 250 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:53.600 in mental connection with the two hundred pounds. She noticed 251 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.919 that the stranger was well dressed and wore a silk 252 00:15:56.960 --> 00:16:01.559 hat of glossy newness. Three times he paused at the 253 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:05.679 gate and then walked on again. The fourth time he 254 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:08.960 stood with his hand upon it, and then, with sudden resolution, 255 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:12.039 flung it open and walked up the path. Missus White, 256 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.320 at the same moment, placed her hands behind her and, 257 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:17.559 hurriedly unfastening the strings of her apron, put that useful 258 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:21.360 article of apparel beneath the cushion of her chair. She 259 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:24.320 brought the stranger, who seemed ill at ease, into the room. 260 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:28.120 He gazed at her furtively and listened in a preoccupied 261 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:30.399 fashion as the old lady apologized for the appearance of 262 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:33.799 the room and her husband's coat, a garment which he 263 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:37.320 usually reserved for the garden. She then waited as patiently 264 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:40.559 as her sex would permit for him to broach his business. 265 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:45.799 But he was at first strangely silent. Uh I was 266 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:49.440 asked to call, he said at last, and stooped and 267 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:53.159 picked a piece of cotton from his trousers. I I 268 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:57.000 come from maw and Maggin's. But the old lady started, 269 00:16:57.559 --> 00:17:00.279 Is anything the matter? She said, breathlessly, Has it anything 270 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:05.559 happened to herbert? O? What is it? What is it? 271 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:11.519 Her husband interposed, There there, mother, he said, hastily, sit down, 272 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:15.559 and don't jump to conclusions. You've not brought bad news. 273 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:20.960 I'm sure, sir, and he eyed the other wistfully. Ah, 274 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:25.240 I'm sorry, began the visitor. Is he hurt, demanded the 275 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:30.640 mother wildly. The visitor bowed in assent. Uh, badly hurt, 276 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:36.039 he said quietly. But he's not in any pain. Oh, 277 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:38.759 thank god, said the old woman, clasping her hands. Thank 278 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:43.720 god for that think. She broke off suddenly as the 279 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:47.160 sinister meaning of the assurance dawned upon her, and she 280 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:50.079 saw the awful confirmation of her fears in the other's 281 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:55.160 averted face. She caught her breath, and, turning to her 282 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:59.279 slow witted husband, laid her trembling old hand upon his. 283 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:05.880 There was a long silence. He was caught in the machinery, 284 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:12.039 said the visitor at length, in a low voice. Caught 285 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:18.119 in the machinery, repeated mister White in a dazed fashion. Yes. 286 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:22.599 He stared blankly out at the window, and taking his 287 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:26.279 wife's hand between his own, pressed it, as he had 288 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.839 been wont to do in their old courting days, nearly 289 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:33.599 forty years before. He was the only one left to us, 290 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:39.799 He said, turning gently to the visitor, it is hard. 291 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:44.039 The other coughed, and rising, walked slowly to the window. 292 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:48.160 The firm wished me to convey their sincere sympathy with 293 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:50.880 you and your great loss, he said, without looking around. 294 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:54.279 I beg that you will understand I am only their 295 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:58.839 servant and merely obeying orders. There was no reply. The 296 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:02.240 old woman's face was white, her eyes staring, and her 297 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:05.440 breath inaudible. On the husband's face was a look such 298 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:07.960 as his friend the sergeant might have carried into his 299 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:13.039 first action. I was to say that Maua and Megan's 300 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:18.960 disclaim all responsibility continued the other. They admit no liability 301 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:23.880 at all, but in consideration of your son's services, they 302 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:27.640 wished to present you with a certain sum as compensation. 303 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:32.559 Mister White dropped his wife's hand, and, rising to his feet, 304 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:36.480 gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His 305 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:44.960 dry lips shaped the words how much two hundred pounds 306 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:49.960 was the answer? Unconscious of his wife's shriek, the old 307 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:53.880 man smiled faintly, put out his hands like a sightless man, 308 00:19:54.920 --> 00:20:03.559 and dropped a senseless heap to the floor. Three in 309 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:07.440 the huge new cemetery, some two miles distant, the old 310 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:10.599 people buried their dead and came back to a house 311 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:14.200 steeped in shadow, in silence. It was all over so 312 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:17.960 quickly that at first they could hardly realize it, and 313 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:21.640 remained in a state of expectation, as though of something 314 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:24.279 else to happen, something else which was to lighten this 315 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:28.200 load too heavy for their old hearts to bear. But 316 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:31.960 the days passed, an expectation gave place to resignation, the 317 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:37.880 hopeless resignation of the old sometimes miscalled apathy. Sometimes they 318 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:40.119 hardly exchanged a word, for now they had nothing to 319 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:43.720 talk about, and their days were long to weariness. It 320 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.880 was about a week after that that the old man, 321 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:48.799 waking suddenly in the night, stretched out his hand and 322 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:52.880 found himself alone. The room was in darkness, and the 323 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:56.119 sound of subdued weeping came from the window. He raised 324 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:59.960 himself in bed and listened. Come back, he said, tender, 325 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:05.480 you'll be cold. It's colder for my son, said the 326 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:10.440 old woman, and wept afresh. The sound of her sobs 327 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:13.000 died away on his ear. The bed was warm, and 328 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:16.559 his eyes were heavy with sleep. He dozed fitfully, and 329 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:19.359 then slept until a sudden wild cry from his wife 330 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:22.839 awoke him with a start. The paw, she cried, wildly, 331 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:27.519 the monkey's paw. He started up in alarm. Where where 332 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:30.720 is it? What's the matter? She came, stumbling across the 333 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:35.200 room towards him. I want it, she said quietly. You've 334 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:39.440 not destroyed it. It's in the parlor on the bracket, 335 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:44.200 he replied, marveling. Why she cried and laughed together, and 336 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:47.720 bending over, kissed his cheek. I only just thought of it, 337 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:50.119 she said, hysterically. Why didn't I think of it before? 338 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:53.759 Why didn't you think of it? Think of what? He questioned? 339 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:57.519 The other two wishes, she replied rapidly. We've only had one. 340 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:04.200 What's that naught in? He demanded fiercely. No, she cried triumphantly. 341 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:07.119 We'll have one more. Go down and get it quickly, 342 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:11.319 and wish our boy alive again. The man sat up 343 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:14.039 in bed and flung the bedclothes from his quaking limbs. 344 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:19.920 Good god, you're mad, he cried, aghast, Get it, she panted, 345 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:23.640 get it quickly, and wish oh, my boy, my boy. 346 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:28.759 Her husband struck a match and lit the kendle. Get 347 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:31.359 back to bed, he said, unsteadily. You don't know what 348 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:34.359 you're saying. We had the first wish granted, said the 349 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:38.640 old woman feverishly. Why not the second? U uh A coincidence, 350 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:42.960 stammered the old man. Go and get it and wish, 351 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:47.920 cried his wife, quivering with excitement. The old man turned 352 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:51.160 and regarded her, and his voice shook. He he's been 353 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:54.559 dead to day's and besides he I would not tell 354 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:58.599 you else, but I can only recognize him by his clothing. 355 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:01.599 If he he' too terrible for you to see, then 356 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:06.839 how now? Bring him back? Cried the old woman, and 357 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:09.720 dragged him towards the door. Do you think I fear 358 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:14.000 the child that I've nursed? He went down in the 359 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:17.640 darkness and felt his way to the parlor, and then 360 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:22.039 to the mantelpiece. The talisman was in its place, and 361 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:25.039 a horrible fear that the unspoken wish might bring his 362 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:28.319 mutilated son before him ere he could escape the room 363 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:31.880 seized upon him, and he caught his breath as he 364 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:34.559 found that he had lost the direction of the door. 365 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:37.839 His brow cold with sweat, he felt his way round 366 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:40.480 the table and groped along the wall until he found 367 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:44.000 himself in the small passage with the unwholesome thing in 368 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:48.039 his hand. Even his wife's face seemed changed as he 369 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:51.000 entered the room. It was white and expectant, and to 370 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:54.079 his fears, seemed to have an unnatural look upon it. 371 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:58.440 He was afraid of her. Wish, she cried in a 372 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:05.519 strong voice. It's foolish and wicked. He faltered. Wish, repeated 373 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:13.359 his wife. He raised his hand, I wish my son 374 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:18.279 alive again. The talisman fell to the floor, and he 375 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:21.559 regarded it fearfully. Then he sank, trembling into a chair, 376 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:23.799 as the old woman, with burning eyes walked to the 377 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:27.880 window and raised the blind. He sat until he was 378 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:31.000 chilled with the cold, glancing occasionally at the figure of 379 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:34.079 the old woman peering through the window. The candle, in 380 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:37.400 which burned below the rim of the china candlestick, was 381 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:40.640 throwing pulsating shadows on to the ceiling and walls, until, 382 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:46.039 with a flicker larger than the rest, it expired. The 383 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:49.279 old man, with an unspeakable sense of relief at the 384 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:52.960 failure of the talisman, crept back to his bed, and 385 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:55.880 a minute or two afterward, the old woman came silently 386 00:24:55.960 --> 00:25:02.119 and apathetically beside him. Neither spoke, but lay silently listening 387 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:05.559 to the ticking of the clock, a stair creaked, and 388 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:09.519 a squeaky mouse scurried noisily through the wall. The darkness 389 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:12.519 was oppressive, and after lying for some time, screwing up 390 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:15.880 his courage, he took the box of matches, and, striking one, 391 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:21.319 went downstairs for a candle. At the foot of the stairs. 392 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:23.880 The match went out, and he paused to strike another, 393 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:29.839 and at that same moment a knock so quiet and 394 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:34.559 stealthy as to be scarcely audible, sounded on the front door. 395 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:38.960 The matches fell from his hand and spilled in the passage. 396 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:42.920 He stood motionless, his breath suspended until the knock was repeated. 397 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:46.440 Then he turned and fled swiftly back to his room 398 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:50.079 and closed the door behind him. A third knock sounded 399 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:55.359 through the house. What's that, cried the old woman, starting 400 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:58.799 up A rat, said the old man, in shaking tones. 401 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:03.960