Tony Walker

She touched a hanging frock and then another, her hands moving along.

And then her right hand met something and she drew in her breath with a quickness.

The next second she was twisting and writhing, and from her lips came a choked scream.

As she was ruthlessly drawn in among the reeking stuffs, swinging wildly on their hooks, she struck out blindly with her clenched fists again and again.

At last she leaned forward, buckling at the knees.

Her arms fell quivering to her sides.

There was a long, vile rattle from her throat.

And she was still.

"'It's quarter-past nine,' said Clara.

"'Time you're off.

You'd better have a drink before you go.

It'll help you be firm.

And you've got to be very firm.'

She poured out a stiff whisky, which the rector gulped down.

Then he picked up his hat and coat and set out.

It had stopped raining, but it was still blowing a full gale, and he had to fight his way against it.

So soon as he entered the drive through the battered gates, screeching on their hinges, he felt his nerves a-tingle.'

as one who on a lonely road doth walk in fear and dread.

The old lines leaped to his memory.

He glanced fearfully up at the overhanging boughs.