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that day grow very sad。 I have seen you cry when Grip and I were
most glad； and look frightened with no reason； and I have touched
your hand； and felt that it was cold—as it is now。 Once； mother （on
a birthday that was； also）； Grip and I thought of this after we went
upstairs to bed； and when it was midnight； striking one o’clock； we
came down to your door to see if you were well。 You were on your
knees。 I forget what it was you said。 Grip； what was it we heard
her say that night？’
‘I’m a devil！’ rejoined the raven promptly。
‘No； no；’ said Barnaby。 ‘But you said something in a prayer； and
when you rose and walked about； you looked （as you have done
ever since； mother； towards night on my birthday） just as you do
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now。 I have found that out； you see； though I am silly。 So I say
you’re wrong； and this must be my birthday—my birthday； Grip！’
The bird received this information with a crow of such duration
as a cock； gifted with intelligence beyond all others of his kind；
might usher in the longest day with。 Then； as if he had well
considered the sentiment； and regarded it as apposite to birthdays；
he cried； ‘Never say die！’ a great many times； and flapped his
wings for emphasis。
The widow tried to make light of Barnaby’s remark； and
endeavoured to divert his attention to some new subject； too easy
a task at all times； as she knew。 His supper done； Barnaby；
regardless of her entreaties； stretched himself on the mat before
the fire； Grip perched upon his leg； and divided his time between
dozing in the grateful warmth； and endeavouring （as it presently
appeared） to recall a new accomplishment he had been studying
all day。
A long and profound silence ensued； broken only by some
change of position on the part of Barnaby； whose eyes were still
wide open and intently fixed upon the fire； or by an effort of
recollection on the part of Grip； who would cry in a low voice from
time to time； ‘Polly put the ket—’ and there stop short； forgetting
the remainder； and go off in a doze again。
After a long interval； Barnaby’s breathing grew more deep and
regular； and his eyes were closed。 But even then the unquiet spirit
of the raven interposed。 ‘Polly put the ket—’ cried Grip； and his
master was broad awake again。
At length Barnaby slept soundly； and the bird with his bill sunk
upon his breast； his breast itself puffed out into a comfortable
alderman…like form； and his bright eye growing smaller and
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smaller； really seemed to be subsiding into a state of repose。 Now
and then he muttered in a sepulchral voice； ‘Polly put the ket—’
but very drowsily； and more like a drunken man than a reflecting
raven。
The widow； scarcely venturing to breathe； rose from her seat。
The man glided from the closet； and extinguished the candle。
‘—tle on；’ cried Grip； suddenly struck with an idea and very
much excited。 ‘—tle on。 Hurrah！ Polly put the ket…tle on； we’ll all
have tea； Polly put the ket…tle on； we’ll all have tea。 Hurrah；
hurrah； hurrah！ I’m a devil； I’m a devil； I’m a ket…tle on； Keep up
your spirits； Never say die； Bow； wow； wow； I’m a devil； I’m a ket…
tle； I’m a—Polly put the ket…tle on； we’ll all have tea。’
They stood rooted to the ground； as though it had been a voice
from the grave。
But even this failed to awaken the sleeper。 He turned over
towards the fire； his arm fell to the ground； and his head drooped
heavily upon it。 The widow and her unwelcome visitor gazed at
him and at each other for a moment； and then she motioned him
towards the door。
‘Stay；’ he whispered。 ‘You teach your son well。’
‘I have taught him nothing that you heard to…night。 Depart
instantly； or I will rouse him。’
‘You are free to do so。 Shall I rouse him？’
‘You dare not do that。’
‘I dare do anything； I have told you。 He knows me well； it
seems。 At least I will know him。’
‘Would you kill him in his sleep？’ cried the widow； throwing
herself between them。
‘Woman；’ he returned between his teeth； as he motioned her
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aside； ‘I would see him nearer； and I will。 If you want one of us to
kill the other； wake him。’
With that he advanced； and bending down over the prostrate
form； softly turned back the head and looked into the face。 The
light of the fire was upon it； and its every lineament was revealed
distinctly。 He contemplated it for a brief space； and hastily uprose。
‘Observe；’ he whispered in the widow’s ear： ‘In him； of whose
existence I was ignorant until to…night； I have you in my power。 Be
careful how you use me。 Be careful how you use me。 I am destitute
and starving； and a wanderer upon the earth。 I may take a sure
and slow revenge。’
‘There is some dreadful meaning in your words。 I do not fathom
it。’
‘There is a meaning in them； and I see you fathom it to its very
depth。 You have anticipated it for years； you have told me as
much。 I leave you to digest it。 Do not forget my warning。’
He pointed； as he left her； to the slumbering form； and stealthily
withdrawing； made his way into the street。 She fell on her knees
beside the sleeper； and remained like one stricken into stone； until
the tears which fear had frozen so long； came tenderly to her
relief。
‘Oh Thou；’ she cried； ‘who hast taught me such deep love for
this one remnant of the promise of a happy life； out of whose
affliction； even； perhaps the comfort springs that he is ever a
relying； loving child to me—never growing old or cold at hea