THE TURN OF THE SCREW The story had held , round the fire , sufficiently breathless , but except the obvious remark that it was gruesome , as , on Christmas Eve in , a strange tale should essentially be , remember no comment uttered till happened to say that it was the only case had met in which such a visitation had fallen on .
The case , may mention , was that of an apparition in just such as had gathered for the occasion -- an appearance , of a dreadful kind , to ; waking not to dissipate dread and soothe to sleep again , but to encounter also , , before had succeeded in doing so , the same sight that had shaken .
It was this observation that drew from -- not immediately , but later in the evening -- a reply that had the interesting consequence to which call attention .
told a story not particularly effective , which saw was not following .
This took for a sign that had something to produce and that should only have to wait .
waited in fact till two nights later ; but that same evening , before scattered , brought out what was in mind .
“ quite agree -- in regard to ’s ghost , or whatever it was -- that its appearing first to , at so tender an age , adds a particular touch .
But it ’s not the first occurrence of its charming kind that know to have involved .
If gives the effect another turn of the screw , what do say to -- ? ”
“ say , of course , ” exclaimed , “ that give two turns !
Also that want to hear about . ”
can see there before the fire , to which had got up to present back , looking down at with hands in pockets .
“ but , till now , has ever heard .
It ’s quite too horrible . ”
This , naturally , was declared by to give the thing the utmost price , and , with quiet art , prepared triumph by turning eyes over the rest of and going on : “ It ’s beyond everything .
Nothing at all that know touches it . ”
“ For sheer terror ? ”
remember asking .
seemed to say it was not so simple as that ; to be really at a loss how to qualify it .
passed hand over eyes , made a little wincing grimace .
“ For dreadful -- dreadfulness ! ”
“ Oh , how delicious ! ”
cried .
took no notice of ; looked at , but as if , instead of , saw what spoke of .
“ For general uncanny ugliness and horror and pain . ”
“ Well then , ” said , “ just sit right down and begin . ”
turned round to the fire , gave a kick to a log , watched it an instant .
Then as faced again : “ ca n’t begin .
shall have to send . ”
There was a unanimous groan at this , and much reproach ; after which , in preoccupied way , explained .
“ The story ’s written .
It ’s in a locked drawer -- it has not been out for years .
could write to and enclose the key ; could send down the packet as finds it . ”
It was to in particular that appeared to propound this -- appeared almost to appeal for aid not to hesitate .
had broken a thickness of ice , the formation of many a winter ; had had reasons for a long silence .
The others resented postponement , but it was just scruples that charmed .
adjured to write by the first post and to agree with for an early hearing ; then asked if the experience in question had been own .
To this answer was prompt .
“ Oh , thank , no ! ”
“ And is the record yours ?
took the thing down ? ”
“ Nothing but the impression .
took that HERE ” -- tapped heart .
“ ’ve never lost it . ”
“ Then manuscript -- ? ”
“ Is in old , faded ink , and in the most beautiful hand . ”
hung fire again .
“ ’s .
has been dead these twenty years .
sent the pages in question before died . ”
were all listening now , and of course there was to be arch , or at any rate to draw the inference .
But if put the inference by without a smile it was also without irritation .
“ was , but was ten years older than .
was , ” quietly said .
“ was ; would have been worthy of any whatever .
It was long ago , and this episode was long before .
was at , and found at on coming down the second summer .
was much there that year -- it was a beautiful one ; and had , in off-hours , some strolls and talks in -- talks in which struck as awfully clever and nice .
Oh yes ; do n’t grin : liked extremely and am glad to this day to think liked , too .
If had n’t would n’t have told .
had never told .
It was n’t simply that said so , but that knew had n’t .
was sure ; could see .
’ll easily judge why when hear . ”
“ Because the thing had been such a scare ? ”
continued to fix .
“ ’ll easily judge , ” repeated : “ will . ”
fixed , too .
“ see .
was in love . ”
laughed for the first time .
“ ARE acute .
Yes , was in love .
That is , had been .
That came out -- could n’t tell story without its coming out .
saw it , and saw saw it ; but neither of spoke of it .
remember the time and -- , the shade of the great beeches and the long , hot summer afternoon .
It was n’t a scene for a shudder ; but oh -- ! ”
quitted the fire and dropped back into chair .
“ ’ll receive the packet Thursday morning ? ”
inquired .
“ Probably not till the second post . ”
“ Well then ; after dinner -- ” “ ’ll all meet ? ”
looked round again .
“ Is n’t going ? ”
It was almost the tone of hope .
“ will stay ! ”
“ _ _ will ” -- and “ _ _ will ! ”
cried .
, however , expressed the need for a little more light .
“ Who was it was in love with ? ”
“ The story will tell , ” took upon to reply .
“ Oh , ca n’t wait for the story ! ”
“ The story WO N’T tell , ” said ; “ not in any literal , vulgar way . ”
“ More ’s the pity , then .
That ’s the only way ever understand . ”
“ Wo n’t tell , ? ”
inquired .
sprang to feet again .
“ Yes -- tomorrow .
Now must go to bed .
Good night . ”
And quickly catching up a candlestick , left slightly bewildered .
From end of heard step on the stair ; whereupon spoke .
“ Well , if do n’t know who was in love with , know who was . ”
“ was ten years older , ” said .
“ Raison de plus -- at that age !
But it ’s rather nice , long reticence . ”
“ Forty years ! ”
put in .
“ With this outbreak at last . ”
“ The outbreak , ” returned , “ will make a tremendous occasion of Thursday night ; ” and so agreed with that , in the light of it , lost all attention for everything else .
The last story , however incomplete and like the mere opening of a serial , had been told ; handshook and “ candlestuck , ” as said , and went to bed .
knew the next day that a letter containing the key had , by the first post , gone off to ; but in spite of -- or perhaps just on account of -- the eventual diffusion of this knowledge quite let alone till after dinner , till such an hour of the evening , in fact , as might best accord with the kind of emotion on which hopes were fixed .
Then became as communicative as could desire and indeed gave best reason for being so .
had it from again before the fire in , as had had mild wonders of the previous night .
It appeared that the narrative had promised to read really required for a proper intelligence a few words of prologue .
Let say here distinctly , to have done with it , that this narrative , from an exact transcript of own made much later , is what shall presently give .
Poor , before death -- when it was in sight -- committed to the manuscript that reached on the third of these days and that , on , with immense effect , began to read to hushed little circle on the night of the fourth .
did n’t , of course , thank , stay : departed , in consequence of arrangements made , in a rage of curiosity , as professed , produced by the touches with which had already worked up .
But that only made little final auditory more compact and select , kept it , round the hearth , subject to a common thrill .