I{  No  use  ter  take  on  like  that,  or  ter  jump  about
friv'lous,  but  prepare  fer  the  day  o'  wrath  when
in  flames  the  — "

"  Crazy  as  a  loon !  "  whispered  Aunt  Zilla,
closing  and  securely  bolting  the  door,  and  then
cautiously  peering  from  the  window  to  learn  if


132         THE  THREE  BIRCHES

the  strange  being  had  departed.  A  jar  holding
tall  stalks  of  phlox  stood  on  the  window  sill,  form-i
ing  a  screen  from  behind  which  she  watched.
Out  on  the  walk  the  man  stood  and  for  a  mo-
ment regarded  the  closed  door  as  if  believing  that
it  might  again  open.  He  seemed  not  to  be  angry,
but  rather  as  if  vaguely  wondering  that  his
prophecy  had  received  no  applause,  had  awakened
no  enthusiasm.  When,  however,  it  dawned  upon
him  that  the  door  was  to  remain  closed,  he  threw
his  arms  above  his  head,  and,  after  holding  the
pose  for  a  moment,  dropped  them  at  his  side,
bowed  his  head,  and  chanted  a  few  notes,  as  if  in
incantation.  Then  uttering  one  long  note,  like  an
outcry,  he  shook  his  head,  and  turning,  walked
down  the  path  to  the  gate.  He  paused  there,
and  thrusting  his  hand  into  his  coat  pocket,  drew
forth  a  handful  of  ashes  with  which  he  bestrewed
his  unkempt  locks.  Again  he  looked  fixedly  at
the  closed  door,  then  strode  off  down  the  dusty
road,  the  gayly  colored  calico  mantle  fluttering
behind  him,  as  if  waving  adieu.
Aunt  Zilla  dropped  on  the  nearest  chair.
"  What  next?  "  she  said.
Sylvia,  appearing  in  the  doorway,  wondered
what  had  startled  her.
"Who    tapped    at    the    door?"    she    asked.
