Now he could begin to recognize the truth that with a black beast of his own creation he had frightened himself; and he laughed with a nervous shudder.

But when the doctor was gone he again became anxious.
"Caroline, didn't he ask if there had ever been any insanity in my family ?" "Why, no; he didn't hint at such a thing." "I must have dreamed it, then.

But what makes me dream such strange things?
I thought you told him that my father had been a little off at times.

Didn't you ?" "Why, of course not.

You never told me that there was ever anything wrong with your father, and even if there was how should I know it ?" "But there wasn't anything wrong with him, Caroline, and why should you say 'if there was.'" "Now, father, I never thought of such a thing as suspecting that there was, and please don't let that worry you." "I won't, but didn't Henry bring a paper and keep it hidden until after I went to sleep ?" "No, he read them all to you." "I thought he brought in a weekly paper and read something about a widow from Washington." "No, he didn't." After a time he dozed and then he began to mutter: "It is easier to pay than to explain." "What is it, dear ?" she asked, not noticing that he dozed.
"Did you speak to me ?" he inquired, rousing himself.
"You said something about it's being easier to pay than to explain," she answered.
"Did I?
Must have been dreaming.