1. My name is
Mary Katherine Blackwood.Copy !req
2. I am 18 years old,Copy !req
3. and I live with my sister,
Constance.Copy !req
4. She is the most precious person
in the world.Copy !req
5. The Blackwoods have always
lived in this house.Copy !req
6. We have never done anything
to hurt anyone.Copy !req
7. We put things back
where they belong.Copy !req
8. And we will never leave here.Copy !req
9. No matter what they say...Copy !req
10. or what they do to us.Copy !req
11. Never.Copy !req
12. But a change is coming.Copy !req
13. And nobody knows it but me.Copy !req
14. I do the wrong,
and first begin to brawl.Copy !req
15. The secret mischiefs that
I set abroachCopy !req
16. I lay unto the grievous charge
of others.Copy !req
17. Clarence, whom I indeed
have cast in darkness,Copy !req
18. I do beweep to
many simple gulls,Copy !req
19. namely, to Darby,
Hastings, Buckingham,Copy !req
20. and tell them 'tis the queen
and her alliesCopy !req
21. that stir the king
against the duke, my brother.Copy !req
22. Now they believe it,Copy !req
23. and with all whet me to be
revenged on Rivers, Dorset, Grey.Copy !req
24. But then I sigh,
and, with a piece of scripture,Copy !req
25. tell them that God bids us
do good for evil.Copy !req
26. - Merricat!
- And thus I clothe my naked villainyCopy !req
27. with odd old ends stolen forth of Holy Writ...Copy !req
28. - ... and seem a saint...
- Merricat!Copy !req
29. - when most I play the devil.
- Merricat, come on!Copy !req
30. Please,
wash your hands.Copy !req
31. What are you reading?Copy !req
32. A pretty sight,
a lady with a book.Copy !req
33. I'm reading something called The Best
Practice Guide to Canning, Uncle Julian.Copy !req
34. Admirable.Copy !req
35. I don't seem to have
any informationCopy !req
36. on whether your father
tookCopy !req
37. - his cigar in the garden that morning.
- He did.Copy !req
38. - He always did in the morning.
- I should begin the chapter with that.Copy !req
39. "I won't have it."Copy !req
40. I heard your mother say that.Copy !req
41. Your father said,Copy !req
42. "We have no choice.
I mean it." End quote.Copy !req
43. - Here's the list.
- Mr. Elbert doesn't like big bills.Copy !req
44. - All right now.
- The coins are better.Copy !req
45. You'll go to the town.Copy !req
46. You'll check out
our books and records.Copy !req
47. You'll buy our groceriesCopy !req
48. - and you'll be back in time for lunch.
- Do I have to...?Copy !req
49. Lock the door.Copy !req
50. Tuesday is
the most terrible day.Copy !req
51. Because Tuesday
I must go to townCopy !req
52. and see all of those
who hate us.Copy !req
53. I read in my book of spellsCopy !req
54. that if you bury something evil
or touched by crueltyCopy !req
55. you may take its powerCopy !req
56. and you cannot be harmed
for one whole day.Copy !req
57. Protect me.Copy !req
58. We live at the end
of Blackwood Road,Copy !req
59. which runs in a great circle
around the village.Copy !req
60. Father, like all
the Blackwoods before him,Copy !req
61. was very rich.Copy !req
62. And he built this gate
to keep us safe.Copy !req
63. But it could not protect him.Copy !req
64. People here believeCopy !req
65. that six years ago Constance
killed Father and our familyCopy !req
66. and poisoned Uncle Julian.Copy !req
67. They think she is wicked
and should be sent away.Copy !req
68. But now we live as two queens in a
castle on top of the highest hill.Copy !req
69. You eat rats!Copy !req
70. They wish for our ruin.Copy !req
71. But they don't understand.Copy !req
72. A rack of lamb.Copy !req
73. Eggs.Copy !req
74. Coffee.Copy !req
75. Flour.Copy !req
76. - Walnuts.
- Thomas.Copy !req
77. Peanut brittle.Copy !req
78. Thomas, stop it!Copy !req
79. Anything else?Copy !req
80. Good morning, Merricat.Copy !req
81. How are you today?Copy !req
82. Fine, thank you.Copy !req
83. - Black coffee, please.
- Sure.Copy !req
84. Hey, Stella!Copy !req
85. Gentlemen.Copy !req
86. - As soon as I heard his voice...
- Where's the fire?Copy !req
87. Yeah, it's practice drills
this morning, ladies.Copy !req
88. I knew my spell of
protection had been broken.Copy !req
89. Lady.Copy !req
90. Long ago, Jim Donnell fell in
love with my sister, Constance.Copy !req
91. He wanted to steal her away
from us in his automobile.Copy !req
92. But I told Father.Copy !req
93. So...Copy !req
94. And Father was powerfulCopy !req
95. they tell me
you're moving away.Copy !req
96. so Jim Donnell
lost his jobCopy !req
97. and his love.Copy !req
98. And then his automobile.Copy !req
99. They tell meCopy !req
100. you're moving away.Copy !req
101. No.Copy !req
102. No?Copy !req
103. Must've just been gossip.Copy !req
104. Did you ever hear anything like
the gossip in this town, Stella?Copy !req
105. Leave her alone, Jim.Copy !req
106. I'm not bothering anybody,
Stell.Copy !req
107. I'm just asking Miss Mary
Katherine Blackwood hereCopy !req
108. how it is that
everybody in townCopy !req
109. is telling me
her and her sisterCopy !req
110. are going somewhere
else to live.Copy !req
111. Hmm?Copy !req
112. Yeah.Copy !req
113. It's a pity
when the old families go.Copy !req
114. Though I guess
you could say...Copy !req
115. most of the Blackwoods
are gone already.Copy !req
116. Well, I can always tell people that, you know, I
knew Constance Blackwood. I knew her real well.Copy !req
117. Did they ever do
anything to you, Bobby?Copy !req
118. I could tell people,
I fixed their broken stepCopy !req
119. once and never
got paid for it.Copy !req
120. Well, that must've been
an oversight, Bobby.Copy !req
121. I tell you what,
now that John Blackwood's gone,Copy !req
122. you can march right through
the gate and see her.Copy !req
123. She'll see you get
what's coming to you.Copy !req
124. Didn't fix it.Copy !req
125. Excuse me?Copy !req
126. Father said shoddy work should
be punished, not paid for.Copy !req
127. Is that so?Copy !req
128. Go away.Copy !req
129. Maybe you should
run along home now.Copy !req
130. They'll be no peace
around here till you do.Copy !req
131. You got that right.Copy !req
132. Now, you just say the word,
Ms. Mary Katherine Blackwood,Copy !req
133. and we'll come up there
and we'll help you pack.Copy !req
134. Free of charge!Copy !req
135. Merricat.Copy !req
136. Merricat.Copy !req
137. Where's old Connie,
home cooking dinner?Copy !req
138. "Merricat," said Connie,
"would you like a cup of tea?"Copy !req
139. "Oh no," said
Merricat, "you'll poison me."Copy !req
140. "Merricat," said Connie,
"would you like to go to sleep?Copy !req
141. Down in the boneyard
ten feet deep!"Copy !req
142. - Kids!
- Bye, stupid!Copy !req
143. My mom says you
and Constance eat rats.Copy !req
144. Go home, you witch!Copy !req
145. Merricat.Copy !req
146. Look how far I came today.Copy !req
147. Next thing you know,
I'll be following you into town.Copy !req
148. You wouldn't like it
very much.Copy !req
149. Tonight,Copy !req
150. I believe I will
commence Chapter 44.Copy !req
151. I will begin with
a slight exaggerationCopy !req
152. and from there
go on intoCopy !req
153. an outright... lie.Copy !req
154. Constance, my dear?Copy !req
155. Yes, Uncle Julian?Copy !req
156. I am going to say
that my wifeCopy !req
157. was beautiful.Copy !req
158. I'm always happy when you
come home from the village.Copy !req
159. Yes, you bring me food...Copy !req
160. but also I miss you.Copy !req
161. I'm always happy to get back.Copy !req
162. How was it in town today?Copy !req
163. I'm getting better.Copy !req
164. I went so far
down the lawn today.Copy !req
165. Someday I'll go.Copy !req
166. I'll take you to the moon.Copy !req
167. It's beautiful there.Copy !req
168. We will be picking
lettuces soon.Copy !req
169. The weather
has stayed so warm.Copy !req
170. On the moon, you have lettuce
all year round, yes?Copy !req
171. On the moon
we have everything.Copy !req
172. The locks are solid
and tight.Copy !req
173. It's just you and me.Copy !req
174. And the sun
would shine every day.Copy !req
175. The world is full
of terrible people.Copy !req
176. Constance believes
in the goodness of people.Copy !req
177. Nothing bad will happen,
Merricat.Copy !req
178. I promise.Copy !req
179. A new wickedness
is coming,Copy !req
180. I feel it,Copy !req
181. so I cast a spell
of strong protection.Copy !req
182. I bury another silver coinCopy !req
183. along with a doll Father gave
Constance whose eyes can never shut.Copy !req
184. I nail the book Father gave me
to the pine tree.Copy !req
185. As long as they
remain in place,Copy !req
186. Constance will be safe.Copy !req
187. [birds chirping}Copy !req
188. She's brought
someone else.Copy !req
189. Are you frightened?Copy !req
190. No.Copy !req
191. I'll send them away.Copy !req
192. Answer the door.Copy !req
193. Good afternoon,
Mary Katherine.Copy !req
194. I brought Lucille Wright.
You remember her?Copy !req
195. And Mr. Clarke, of course.Copy !req
196. Goodbye, dear.Copy !req
197. I'll come pick
you girls up in an hour.Copy !req
198. Goodbye, Mary Katherine...Copy !req
199. Oh, Helen,
the staircase.Copy !req
200. Oregonian pine.Copy !req
201. Shame.Copy !req
202. Nobody sees it anymore.Copy !req
203. Tea?Copy !req
204. The garden looks
beautiful, Constance.Copy !req
205. I do so love a garden.
I do.Copy !req
206. This year we raised $600 at the
Friends of Miss Porter's Iris Contest.Copy !req
207. Six hundred dollars!Copy !req
208. An iris contest
this early?Copy !req
209. Adrian Whittle won
with her plum iris.Copy !req
210. You could have beat her to a pulp
with your Night Ruler, Constance.Copy !req
211. You're missing so much.Copy !req
212. So much.Copy !req
213. I care
about you, dear.Copy !req
214. Your mother
and I were such...Copy !req
215. It's spring. You're young.
You're lovely.Copy !req
216. You have a right to be happy.
Come back to the world, dear.Copy !req
217. We've forgotten the milk.Copy !req
218. Thank you, dear.Copy !req
219. I mean, not too much at first.
That would look odd.Copy !req
220. - Or, perhaps dinner.
- Dinner.Copy !req
221. Make Constance stay.
Make Constance stay. Make Constance stay.Copy !req
222. I'll think about it.Copy !req
223. No one will come here.
They're too afraid.Copy !req
224. Good heavens,
Mary Katherine.Copy !req
225. - They hate us.
- Nonsense.Copy !req
226. I don't listen to their gossip,
and neither should you.Copy !req
227. People will gossip.Copy !req
228. Father used to say the
townspeople were lazy animals.Copy !req
229. - Trash.
- Rum cake?Copy !req
230. He said if they only worked a
little harder they could have a castle too,Copy !req
231. and then they could grow things
like stores and roadsCopy !req
232. - and beautiful gardens.
- Do you really suppose people are afraid to visit here?Copy !req
233. Afraid
to visit here?Copy !req
234. My niece was
acquitted of murder.Copy !req
235. There could be no possible
danger in visiting here now.Copy !req
236. Julian Blackwood.Copy !req
237. Hello. Lucille Wright.Copy !req
238. - Hello, Julian.
- Though one could sayCopy !req
239. there's danger everywhere.Copy !req
240. Danger of poison, certainly.Copy !req
241. My niece, Constance,Copy !req
242. could tell you of the most
unlikely of perils,Copy !req
243. garden plants
more deadly than snakes,Copy !req
244. and simple herbs that slash like knives
through the lining of your belly, madam.Copy !req
245. That's all
been forgotten.Copy !req
246. No one ever thinks
about it anymore.Copy !req
247. A most fascinating case, one of the
true genuine mysteries of our time,Copy !req
248. of my... time, particularly.Copy !req
249. And I survived
to tell the story.Copy !req
250. I followed the trial...
Julian,Copy !req
251. there is such a thing
as good taste.Copy !req
252. Taste, madam?Copy !req
253. Have you ever tasted arsenic?Copy !req
254. You mean you remember?Copy !req
255. A family gatheringCopy !req
256. for the evening meal.Copy !req
257. Never supposed to be the last.Copy !req
258. The dining room?
Just a glance?Copy !req
259. Lucille!Copy !req
260. Lucille!Copy !req
261. I used that sugar myselfCopy !req
262. on my blackberries.Copy !req
263. Luckily, fate intervened.Copy !req
264. Some of us, that day,Copy !req
265. she led inexorably
through the gates of death.Copy !req
266. I took
very little sugar.Copy !req
267. I told her not to mention it.
I swear I did.Copy !req
268. Constance, I swear. I wouldn't
have brought her here.Copy !req
269. My brother, John,Copy !req
270. at the table that night.Copy !req
271. And you will notice
my sister-in-law,Copy !req
272. who was, madam,
a delicate woman,Copy !req
273. a woman born for tragedy.Copy !req
274. And the girls.Copy !req
275. Yes. Constance.Copy !req
276. Merricat... was not
at the table that night.Copy !req
277. A great child of 12,
sent to bed without her supper.Copy !req
278. I remember the meal perfectly.Copy !req
279. Spring lambCopy !req
280. roasted with mint jelly...Copy !req
281. But the blackberries
were the important part.Copy !req
282. I can see that
you are about to askCopy !req
283. why she should conceivably
have used arsenicCopy !req
284. when she can put her hand
upon a bewildering arrayCopy !req
285. of deadly substances
without ever leaving home.Copy !req
286. But she bought
the arsenic,Copy !req
287. - she told them.
- To kill rats.Copy !req
288. Why?
Why did she do it?Copy !req
289. Unless, of course, she's some sort of
homicidal maniac or a mass murderer.Copy !req
290. Why?Copy !req
291. She was let off by the jury.Copy !req
292. Too pretty and well-bred
to be locked up forever.Copy !req
293. But she told the police
it was her fault,Copy !req
294. that they deserved to die.Copy !req
295. I deserve to die.Copy !req
296. We all do, don't we?Copy !req
297. - Don't we?
- Lucille.Copy !req
298. We're leaving.Copy !req
299. - I told you not to mention it!
- I'm sorry.Copy !req
300. - I know. I know, but...
- Didn't I tell you?Copy !req
301. I didn't know that he was going to...Copy !req
302. You stupid bitch.Copy !req
303. Constance, how was I?Copy !req
304. Charming, Uncle Julian.Copy !req
305. You didn't need
your notes at all.Copy !req
306. It did happen,
didn't it?Copy !req
307. Yes, it did.Copy !req
308. If I'm spared the time,
I will write the book.Copy !req
309. If not, please see to it that my notes
are entrusted to some worthy cynicCopy !req
310. who will not be too concerned
with the truth.Copy !req
311. Father?Copy !req
312. What are you doing?Copy !req
313. I heard Father
in his room.Copy !req
314. They're gone.Copy !req
315. I feel him coming back.Copy !req
316. Merricat!Copy !req
317. I need you
to go to town.Copy !req
318. It's not my day to go.Copy !req
319. We're out of sugar.Copy !req
320. I want to make
a rhubarb pie.Copy !req
321. I dislike rhubarb.Copy !req
322. But it has the prettiest
colors of all.Copy !req
323. Nothing looks so beautiful
on the shelves as rhubarb jam.Copy !req
324. Make it
for the shelves, then.Copy !req
325. Here are the coins.Copy !req
326. But it's not my day.Copy !req
327. You'll be back
in time for lunch.Copy !req
328. I didn't know
I would be going to town.Copy !req
329. Lock the door behind me.Copy !req
330. Sugar.Copy !req
331. I had no time
to check my safeguards.Copy !req
332. The house
would not be secure.Copy !req
333. Nothing but trouble.Copy !req
334. If I would have known
I needed to go today...Copy !req
335. - Whoa!
- ... a Thursday...Copy !req
336. Hey, Mary Katherine, where are
you going all dressed up?Copy !req
337. I would've checked
my coins.Copy !req
338. And my doll.Copy !req
339. And I would have checked Father's
book was firm on the tree.Copy !req
340. There you are.Copy !req
341. Constance, Father's book
has fallen from the tree.Copy !req
342. It's our cousin,
Charles Blackwood.Copy !req
343. I knew him at once.
He looks just like Father.Copy !req
344. It's a pleasure
to finally meet you, Mary.Copy !req
345. Got a hug for your cousin?Copy !req
346. Merricat,
he's come to see us.Copy !req
347. "I won't have it."
End quote.Copy !req
348. "And I listened at the door...Copy !req
349. of course...Copy !req
350. as they quarreled hatefully."Copy !req
351. You slept in your garden
on the moon, didn't you?Copy !req
352. I didn't come in in time to hear
what they were quarrelling about.Copy !req
353. Silly Merricat.Copy !req
354. Uncle Julian doesn't
like your omelets anymore?Copy !req
355. The fruit is for Charles.Copy !req
356. Morning.Copy !req
357. Oh!Copy !req
358. Uh...Copy !req
359. Oh, it's okay.
I've got it, Charles.Copy !req
360. Good morning,
Cousin Mary.Copy !req
361. Shy?Copy !req
362. We don't see
a lot of strangers.Copy !req
363. Mmm.Copy !req
364. Now that's a handsome cat.Copy !req
365. What's his name?Copy !req
366. Jonas.Copy !req
367. Jonas?Copy !req
368. Jonas? Is he
your special pet?Copy !req
369. Yes.Copy !req
370. Well, we're going to be very good
friends, you, Jonas and I.Copy !req
371. Charles.Copy !req
372. I see Uncle Julian
and Constance light up for him.Copy !req
373. His presence
is a strange new spell.Copy !req
374. - Are those pancakes?
- I am powerless before it.Copy !req
375. It's been a long time since
anyone's made me pancakes.Copy !req
376. - Delicious.
- But he came unbidden,Copy !req
377. and I will drive him away.Copy !req
378. Your, uh... great,
uh, great-grandfather...Copy !req
379. planted those trees
over there.Copy !req
380. Hmm.Copy !req
381. They're really nice.Copy !req
382. A little crooked.Copy !req
383. Should we...?Copy !req
384. Oh, that's all right.Copy !req
385. I... need my exercise.Copy !req
386. Don't tidy Father's room this morning.
Charles is staying there.Copy !req
387. But Venice
is my favorite.Copy !req
388. You lose yourself
in a maze of beauty.Copy !req
389. Canals of singing gondolieriCopy !req
390. and narrow streets where
every corner looks the same.Copy !req
391. But, what is most chillingCopy !req
392. is that when you walk,Copy !req
393. your footsteps echo behind you,Copy !req
394. and you think that
someone's following you.Copy !req
395. Your shoes are loud
on the cobblestones,Copy !req
396. and when you stop,Copy !req
397. it sounds as though
someone else has stopped.Copy !req
398. But, I suppose,Copy !req
399. if you had someone
walking with you,Copy !req
400. if you were not alone,Copy !req
401. then it wouldn't really matterCopy !req
402. if you were being
followed or not.Copy !req
403. I've never been
anywhere.Copy !req
404. Too bad. Why is that?Copy !req
405. Father said everything that
mattered was in America.Copy !req
406. Uncle Julian,
here's a biscuit.Copy !req
407. Eat the soft side.Copy !req
408. Constance,Copy !req
409. do you think I should begin
Chapter 45 with:Copy !req
410. "It was a fine morning,
a bright fine morning,Copy !req
411. but none of them
knew it was their last."Copy !req
412. Uncle Julian,Copy !req
413. do we need to discuss
that right now?Copy !req
414. It was so long ago.Copy !req
415. That chair is
my dead brother's chair.Copy !req
416. That last time I saw him there
he was foaming at the mouth.Copy !req
417. Can it all just be forgotten?Copy !req
418. - Forgotten?
- We don't want to talk about that bad time.Copy !req
419. Okay?Copy !req
420. I believe that you are speaking
slightingly of my life's work.Copy !req
421. Sit down, Constance.Copy !req
422. Why don't weCopy !req
423. tuck in your napkin hereCopy !req
424. or you're gonna
mess yourself, buddy.Copy !req
425. You're missing a button, Charles.
I'll sew it for you.Copy !req
426. Oh.Copy !req
427. I, uh, noticed this morning
there was a broken step out back.Copy !req
428. How about I fix
it for you?Copy !req
429. That would be
very kind of you.Copy !req
430. And I could also go
to the villageCopy !req
431. and pick up
whatever you need...Copy !req
432. I go to the village
on Tuesdays.Copy !req
433. - You do?
- But I worry about you.Copy !req
434. I'll give you a list,
Charles, and some moneyCopy !req
435. and you shall be
the grocery boy.Copy !req
436. You keep
money in the house?Copy !req
437. Father didn't trust the banking system.
It's all in the safe.Copy !req
438. Amanita phalloides
contains three poisons.Copy !req
439. Mushroom Amanitin,
which is slow but potent.Copy !req
440. Phalloidin, which attacks
the liver and kidneys.Copy !req
441. - John...
- And Phallin,Copy !req
442. - which dissolves red corpuscles although it is the least potent.
- John...Copy !req
443. I taught her all the deadly ones
so she won't eat them.Copy !req
444. The first symptoms do not appear
until seven to 12 hours after eating.Copy !req
445. John, I'm telling you, investments aren't
what they were when father made his money.Copy !req
446. - Or even 40 hours.
- But he knew times change.Copy !req
447. - Who's he talking to?
- Cold sweat.Copy !req
448. Oh, he thinks you're
his brother, John.Copy !req
449. - Vomiting.
- Times change.Copy !req
450. - All right. Enough.
- Vomiting. Vomiting.Copy !req
451. Do you think I should begin
Chapter 45 with,Copy !req
452. "It was a fine morning,
a bright fine morning,Copy !req
453. and no one knew
it was their last."Copy !req
454. There you are, dear.Copy !req
455. Constance, he should be
in the hospital.Copy !req
456. I'm going to get you
a sherry.Copy !req
457. Do you know what it's
like to be poisoned and live?Copy !req
458. No.Copy !req
459. Hmm.Copy !req
460. It's... It's terrible...Copy !req
461. to lie here waitingCopy !req
462. to die.Copy !req
463. Please, don't touch my papers.Copy !req
464. May I have my lunch?Copy !req
465. There you are.Copy !req
466. I think I'll wait to have
my lunch with Charles.Copy !req
467. I'm making gingerbread
for him.Copy !req
468. I am beginning to thinkCopy !req
469. my spells no longer work.Copy !req
470. No matter how many things
of Father's I bury,Copy !req
471. I cannot protect ConstanceCopy !req
472. or make Charles go.Copy !req
473. Our land is beginning
to fill with them.Copy !req
474. This web of terrible things.Copy !req
475. I will need stronger magic
to keep us safe.Copy !req
476. Hey. What are you
doing over there?Copy !req
477. Oh...Copy !req
478. You're planting too deep.
Let me show you how you do that.Copy !req
479. Gotta use two fingers,
all right?Copy !req
480. See?Copy !req
481. Constance?Copy !req
482. Constance?Copy !req
483. Yes, Charles?Copy !req
484. What the heck
is she doing?Copy !req
485. She's gardening.Copy !req
486. Connie, th...Copy !req
487. this thing
is made of gold.Copy !req
488. That's my dead brother's
gold watch.Copy !req
489. - I thought he was buried in it.
- It's not important.Copy !req
490. Not important? Well...Copy !req
491. The hell of a way to treat
a valuable thing.Copy !req
492. Nobody wants it.Copy !req
493. You could've...Copy !req
494. You could've sold it.Copy !req
495. I certainly did think
he was buried in it.Copy !req
496. It's worth money.
It's probably worth a great deal of money.Copy !req
497. Sensible people don't go
burying valuable things.Copy !req
498. Charles.Copy !req
499. Yes?Copy !req
500. You look very flushed.Copy !req
501. I...Copy !req
502. It's gold.Copy !req
503. Are you hot?Copy !req
504. Maybe.Copy !req
505. Would you like a bath?Copy !req
506. I was just
leaving a towel.Copy !req
507. Constance...Copy !req
508. has he said anything
about leaving?Copy !req
509. He's our cousin,Copy !req
510. and he's decided
to come visit us,Copy !req
511. and he will go
when he is ready.Copy !req
512. Cousin Charles.Copy !req
513. Cousin Charles.Copy !req
514. Well?Copy !req
515. I've decided
to ask you, nicely,Copy !req
516. to please go away.Copy !req
517. All right.Copy !req
518. You asked me.Copy !req
519. Please, will you go away?Copy !req
520. Cousin Mary doesn't like me.Copy !req
521. Here I've come to...Copy !req
522. see my two dear cousins
and my old uncleCopy !req
523. who I haven't seen
in years, and...Copy !req
524. Cousin Mary won't
even be polite to me.Copy !req
525. Well...Copy !req
526. Constance likes me.Copy !req
527. That's all that matters.Copy !req
528. I try to find
the right words to expel him...Copy !req
529. Constance!Copy !req
530. but his power is strong.Copy !req
531. Constance!Copy !req
532. Constance, will you make Uncle Julian
a little soft cake for his lunch...Copy !req
533. Constance is busy now.
Run along and play.Copy !req
534. - I'm sorry.
- But Uncle Julian's going to...Copy !req
535. She's busy right now.
Your sister works like a slave.Copy !req
536. He wears Father's suit,Copy !req
537. sleeps in Father's bed,Copy !req
538. smokes his pipe,Copy !req
539. and glides his tonic
all over his hair.Copy !req
540. And Constance
does not see it.Copy !req
541. She obliges himCopy !req
542. and pretends he
is not like Father.Copy !req
543. And now she frowns at me...Copy !req
544. I love you, Constance.Copy !req
545. as though I'm the one
who is different.Copy !req
546. I'm so tired.Copy !req
547. Constance?Copy !req
548. - I cannot work in here...
- Constance?Copy !req
549. if Charles is going
to talk all the time.Copy !req
550. - This is too much.
- What now?Copy !req
551. Have you ever seen
anything like this?Copy !req
552. Look at it, Connie.Copy !req
553. Look at it.Copy !req
554. Look at it.Copy !req
555. I suppose it belongs
to Merricat.Copy !req
556. It doesn't belong to Merricat or
anything like it. This is money.Copy !req
557. There are 40 silver coins
in here, Connie.Copy !req
558. This is outrageous.Copy !req
559. She likes to bury things.Copy !req
560. She has no right
to bury things.Copy !req
561. This is terrible.Copy !req
562. - She has no right.
- No harm is done. It's fine.Copy !req
563. How do you know
there isn't more?Copy !req
564. How do you know
that crazy kidCopy !req
565. hasn't buried 40,000 coins
around here we'll never find?Copy !req
566. Goddamn kid.Copy !req
567. How's the step coming?Copy !req
568. I need
more nails.Copy !req
569. Here.
Just take some of these.Copy !req
570. - And if that's not enough...
- Con... Constance.Copy !req
571. you can just charge it
to our account.Copy !req
572. Th... Constance.
Con...Copy !req
573. Hey, I can buy half
the market with this.Copy !req
574. You shouldn't keep
that much money in the house.Copy !req
575. And you should have a phone.Copy !req
576. It became troublesome.Copy !req
577. Thank you for
fixing the step.Copy !req
578. That's a nice machine.Copy !req
579. Four-speed?Copy !req
580. What's under the hood?Copy !req
581. - Six-cylinder.
- Ooh!Copy !req
582. How do you get
a car like that?Copy !req
583. Ace-high straight.Copy !req
584. Not around here
you don't.Copy !req
585. You look familiar.Copy !req
586. Do I?Copy !req
587. Where from?Copy !req
588. I'm from right up
on the hill.Copy !req
589. Ain't that a bite.Copy !req
590. Well, I didn't know there were
any more Blackwoods, eh, Ned?Copy !req
591. Wonder how long before
this one ends up in the boneyard.Copy !req
592. Another Blackwood
to take our money.Copy !req
593. Just like their tyrant daddy
and the rest of them!Copy !req
594. No, they should just throw
those high and mighty girlsCopy !req
595. to the woods for all the trouble
they caused this town.Copy !req
596. Those Blackwood girls...Copy !req
597. they're no different
than their daddy.Copy !req
598. Sitting up in their castle.Copy !req
599. Rolling in their heaps
of silver coins.Copy !req
600. He's gonna die.Copy !req
601. Where have you been?Copy !req
602. Out wandering.Copy !req
603. I think we need
to forbid your wandering.Copy !req
604. It's time you quieted
down a little.Copy !req
605. - "We?"
- Constance.Copy !req
606. Charles is not
a bad man.Copy !req
607. He's making
Uncle Julian sicker...Copy !req
608. He's only trying
to keep Uncle JulianCopy !req
609. from thinking
about sad things.Copy !req
610. - Constance...
- He should be more cheerful.Copy !req
611. Constance, it's time
I had a box.Copy !req
612. I can put all my papers
in the boxCopy !req
613. and put the box
in my room.Copy !req
614. And Charles cannot touch them.Copy !req
615. You're a good child,
Merricat.Copy !req
616. My box.Copy !req
617. I've been hiding here.Copy !req
618. My box.Copy !req
619. I've let Uncle Julian spend all
his time living in the past.Copy !req
620. - I've been unkind.
- Is that Mother's necklace?Copy !req
621. Uncle Julian
should be in a hospital.Copy !req
622. - You should... you should...
- It would certainly not be kindCopy !req
623. to put Uncle Julian
in a hospital.Copy !req
624. You should have
a boyfriend!Copy !req
625. My box.Copy !req
626. Well, well, well.Copy !req
627. - Everybody's here.
- Charles!Copy !req
628. Oh, Connie.Copy !req
629. I was thinking, while I'm here,
I should go through your father's papers.Copy !req
630. Don't touch my papers!Copy !req
631. There might be something
important in there.Copy !req
632. I haven't even
been to the study.Copy !req
633. What is this?Copy !req
634. This is your box,
Uncle Julian.Copy !req
635. What for?Copy !req
636. To put
your papers in.Copy !req
637. I'll take care of him.Copy !req
638. You go, wash up,
and get ready for dinner.Copy !req
639. Thank you, Charles.Copy !req
640. I wonder...Copy !req
641. in about a month from now...Copy !req
642. who will still be here.Copy !req
643. You or me.Copy !req
644. Ahh.Copy !req
645. Is that Father's suit?Copy !req
646. Gingerbread in JulyCopy !req
647. is my favorite thing.Copy !req
648. It looks good
on me, yeah?Copy !req
649. There is nothing like the sunset over
Florence from the top of the Duomo.Copy !req
650. Is it beautiful?Copy !req
651. Four hundred and sixty-three
steps to the most exquisite sight.Copy !req
652. A picture couldn't
capture the magic.Copy !req
653. You have to go.Copy !req
654. How do you say,Copy !req
655. "Take me away"?Copy !req
656. How do you say,Copy !req
657. "I want roast lamb
for dinner"?Copy !req
658. "Cooked by someone
other than myself."Copy !req
659. You're so lovely.Copy !req
660. We have many plans to make.Copy !req
661. Constance?Copy !req
662. Constance?Copy !req
663. Constance?Copy !req
664. Constance?Copy !req
665. What do you have
to say for yourself?Copy !req
666. The Cicuta maculata
is the water hemlock,Copy !req
667. one of the most poisonous of
wild plants if taken internally.Copy !req
668. The Apocynum cannabinum
is not a poisonous...Copy !req
669. Stop it!Copy !req
670. May I have
my lunch, Constance?Copy !req
671. - Of course.
- Constance...Copy !req
672. But first you have to explain
to Cousin Charles.Copy !req
673. Please don't be
angry, Charles.Copy !req
674. I'll clean
your room right away.Copy !req
675. Mary Katherine!Copy !req
676. I'm gonna give you
one last chance to explain.Copy !req
677. Why did you
make a mess in my room?Copy !req
678. I cannot work in here if Charles
is going to talk all the time.Copy !req
679. This is none of your business.
Answer me.Copy !req
680. John,
how often must I tell you,Copy !req
681. I know nothing about it
and it is none of my concern.Copy !req
682. - My name is Charles.
- It is a quarrel between the womenCopy !req
683. - and it is none of my affair.
- May I have my lunch, Constance?Copy !req
684. - Of course.
- I do not involve myself in my wife's petty squabbles...Copy !req
685. - Shut up! Please.
- I'd advise you to do the same.Copy !req
686. Constance, the sooner you're
out of here the better.Copy !req
687. I will not be told to shut up
by my own brother!Copy !req
688. We will leave
your house, John,Copy !req
689. if that is really
your desire.Copy !req
690. I will ask you,
however, to reflect.Copy !req
691. Charles,
when are you leaving?Copy !req
692. I'm not leaving.Copy !req
693. - I'm staying. No!
- This is all my fault. All of this is my fault.Copy !req
694. - This is a crazy house.
- You stay away from my papers!Copy !req
695. - Uncle Julian...
- You keep away from my papers, you bastard!Copy !req
696. My dear, I apologize
to use such a word.Copy !req
697. It is merely a word used among men
to categorize an undesirable fellow!Copy !req
698. I tell you
I've had enough of this.Copy !req
699. You have forgotten yourself,
to take such a tone to me!Copy !req
700. Please be extremely quiet now.Copy !req
701. Not until I am done
with Mary Katherine.Copy !req
702. My niece, Mary Katherine,Copy !req
703. died in an orphanage
of neglect,Copy !req
704. during her sister's trial
for murder.Copy !req
705. But she is of very little
consequence to my book...Copy !req
706. She's sitting right here.Copy !req
707. Enough!Copy !req
708. You must either be quietCopy !req
709. or you must leave this room.Copy !req
710. - This is a mad house.
- You look very tired. You should go rest until lunch.Copy !req
711. I'm not going anywhere until
something is done about this girl.Copy !req
712. Why should anything be done?
I said I would clean your room.Copy !req
713. Constance, why aren't you
going to punish her?Copy !req
714. Punish me?Copy !req
715. Punish me?Copy !req
716. You mean send me to my bed
without my dinner?Copy !req
717. You are a very
selfish man, John.Copy !req
718. Stop it, Julian!Copy !req
719. It is not fitting for men
of dignity to reproach...Copy !req
720. - Please...
- ... threaten when women have had a falling out.Copy !req
721. - Shut up! Stop it!
- You lose stature, John. You lose stature.Copy !req
722. - Stop it!
- You lose stature, John.Copy !req
723. - Not another word, please.
- You lose stature!Copy !req
724. You lose stature, John!Copy !req
725. - You lose stature!
- Do you hear me, Julian!Copy !req
726. You're a ghost and a demon!Copy !req
727. Merricat, enough, okay?
You are making it worse.Copy !req
728. Answer me!Copy !req
729. Stop it! Stop, Merricat, please!Copy !req
730. Answer me.Copy !req
731. Some terrible force has brought
everything I've ever buried to the surface,Copy !req
732. like the opposite of a spell.Copy !req
733. What could be
the opposite of a spell?Copy !req
734. A curse.Copy !req
735. You should have
a new book.Copy !req
736. Should Mary Katherine
have a new book?Copy !req
737. She should have
anything she wants.Copy !req
738. Our most loved daughter
should have anything she likes.Copy !req
739. Mary Katherine...
we love you.Copy !req
740. You must never be punished.Copy !req
741. You are to see to it that our most
beloved daughter is never punished.Copy !req
742. Chapter 36.Copy !req
743. "It was a beautiful meal."Copy !req
744. Here she is.Copy !req
745. Wash your face
and your hands.Copy !req
746. Get ready for dinner.
Cousin Charles is already angry with you.Copy !req
747. Your sister and I have had enough of
your hiding and destroying and temper.Copy !req
748. We're going to have
a long talk tonightCopy !req
749. after I enjoy
the beautiful mealCopy !req
750. that your sister made
for me this afternoon.Copy !req
751. Run along, Merricat.
Your dinner will be cold.Copy !req
752. Let me ask you
a question, Mary.Copy !req
753. Why don't you like me?Copy !req
754. - Oh, Charles.
- No, it's okay. I'm just asking.Copy !req
755. Why don't you like me?Copy !req
756. She likes you.Copy !req
757. No...Copy !req
758. she doesn't.Copy !req
759. I think I know why.Copy !req
760. Lord knows I have
my theories.Copy !req
761. But you never really never did
give me a chance, did you, Mary?Copy !req
762. She likes you.Copy !req
763. I came here to offer
assistance...Copy !req
764. and guidance.Copy !req
765. And from the look of things,Copy !req
766. I think I got here
just in time, but...Copy !req
767. what did I get in return?Copy !req
768. Not even a thank you.Copy !req
769. Perhaps if John knew thatCopy !req
770. it was their last day,Copy !req
771. he would have not begrudgedCopy !req
772. my wife her sausage.Copy !req
773. What took you so long?Copy !req
774. Forget it.
Don't even say a word.Copy !req
775. I just want to enjoy
this meal in peace.Copy !req
776. - Amanita phalloides contains three poisons.
- Don't.Copy !req
777. Mushroom Amanitin,
which is slow but potent.Copy !req
778. - Enough!
- Phalloidin, which attacks the liver and kidneys,Copy !req
779. and Phallin, which
dissolves red corpuscles.Copy !req
780. I mean it.
I won't stand for it.Copy !req
781. The first
symptoms do not appearCopy !req
782. - ... until seven to 12 hours...
- Not another goddamned word!Copy !req
783. Constance?Copy !req
784. John...Copy !req
785. Get out
there, goddamn it!Copy !req
786. No. No.Copy !req
787. No.Copy !req
788. No. No.Copy !req
789. No!Copy !req
790. - No. No...
- Father, stop!Copy !req
791. - No!
- Be quiet! Shut up!Copy !req
792. - What are you doing?
- Be quiet.Copy !req
793. Just shut up!
Shut up! Shut up!Copy !req
794. - Father, stop!
- Shut up!Copy !req
795. Shut up! Shh! Shh!Copy !req
796. Shh! Shh!Copy !req
797. Father, stop! No!Copy !req
798. Be quiet and shut up!Copy !req
799. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up.Copy !req
800. Shh...Copy !req
801. Shut up.Copy !req
802. Shut up.Copy !req
803. What is that?Copy !req
804. What is that?Copy !req
805. Fire!Copy !req
806. Fire! Fire!Copy !req
807. Fire, Constance.
Grab a bag.Copy !req
808. Constance, quick.
Hey, hey, hey.Copy !req
809. Grab the money
out of the safe.Copy !req
810. Okay? Do you hear me?Copy !req
811. Constance, fire!Copy !req
812. I'm gonna get help.Copy !req
813. Fire.Copy !req
814. Fire!Copy !req
815. Fire in the Blackwood House!Copy !req
816. We just cleaned it.Copy !req
817. - Constance...
- It has no right to burn.Copy !req
818. Uncle Julian.Copy !req
819. Uncle Julian!Copy !req
820. Uncle Julian, open the door.Copy !req
821. Uncle Julian, open the door.Copy !req
822. Clear the house.Copy !req
823. Do you hear me?
Clear the house!Copy !req
824. Throw up that bottom line
and get up in the tanks.Copy !req
825. That's a fire,
all right.Copy !req
826. Oh yeah, that's a fire.Copy !req
827. Why not let it burn, Jim?Copy !req
828. Now, Bobby, you know sure wellCopy !req
829. we can't let
this fine manor fall.Copy !req
830. We're firemen.Copy !req
831. We gotta put it out.Copy !req
832. Move it, move it!
Everyone out! Clear the house.Copy !req
833. Clear the room!Copy !req
834. Let's go! Let's go!Copy !req
835. - Come on!
- Let's go! Water!Copy !req
836. The hallway!Copy !req
837. Water!Copy !req
838. We need more water!Copy !req
839. We should have
burned it down years ago!Copy !req
840. Let it burn!Copy !req
841. Let it burn!Copy !req
842. Let it burn!Copy !req
843. Let it burn!
Let it burn!Copy !req
844. Let it burn!
Let it burn!Copy !req
845. "Merricat," said Connie,
"would you like a cup of tea?"Copy !req
846. "Oh no," said Merricat,
"you'll poison me."Copy !req
847. Let it burn!Copy !req
848. Merricat.
Merricat.Copy !req
849. The sound of their hateCopy !req
850. is another kind of fireCopy !req
851. moving through the bones
of our house.Copy !req
852. I know now that
all of my spells are broken.Copy !req
853. What was buried here
in this village,Copy !req
854. their want for our ruin,Copy !req
855. has come to the surface
at last.Copy !req
856. Where are the girls?Copy !req
857. Fire's all out, folks.Copy !req
858. Should have just let
that fire burn, Jim.Copy !req
859. Should've burned
down years ago.Copy !req
860. Now what do we do, Jim?Copy !req
861. Crazy witches.Copy !req
862. Constance, we have to go.Copy !req
863. What are you doing?Copy !req
864. - Take it! Take everything!
- We have to go outside.Copy !req
865. Get the money!Copy !req
866. Let's get some of that gold!Copy !req
867. What the goddamn hell
is going on here?Copy !req
868. Get out of here!Copy !req
869. Get out!Copy !req
870. Don't forget
the candlesticks!Copy !req
871. Go!Copy !req
872. Merricat!Copy !req
873. Merricat!Copy !req
874. Merricat!Copy !req
875. Merricat!Copy !req
876. Stop it!Copy !req
877. You crazy, drunken fools!Copy !req
878. Where are they?Copy !req
879. What do we got here?Copy !req
880. Merricat! Merricat!Copy !req
881. Look who's here,
the little debutante.Copy !req
882. Where're you going?Copy !req
883. Constance!Copy !req
884. Sam!Copy !req
885. Burn! Burn!Copy !req
886. What are you doing?
Leave them!Copy !req
887. Stop it! Stop it!Copy !req
888. No! No!Copy !req
889. That's enough!
Stop it!Copy !req
890. That's enough!
You listen to me!Copy !req
891. - Leave them alone!
- Listen to me!Copy !req
892. Julian Blackwood is dead.Copy !req
893. There's been a death in this house.
You get out of here!Copy !req
894. Go on now!
Get out of here!Copy !req
895. We're on the moon
at last.Copy !req
896. Uncle Julian.Copy !req
897. Poor Uncle Julian.Copy !req
898. Who will write
his book?Copy !req
899. My kitchen.Copy !req
900. I'm going to put death in all
their food and watch them die.Copy !req
901. Like you
did before?Copy !req
902. I'm sorry.Copy !req
903. He was wicked.Copy !req
904. He was a very wicked man,
our father.Copy !req
905. He was very wicked to me.Copy !req
906. I put it in the sugar.Copy !req
907. I know.Copy !req
908. I knew then.Copy !req
909. - You never use sugar.
- No.Copy !req
910. No... no.Copy !req
911. That's why I put it
in the sugar.Copy !req
912. You saved me, my Merricat.Copy !req
913. We'll never talk
about it again.Copy !req
914. Never.Copy !req
915. Never again.Copy !req
916. Constance?Copy !req
917. Constance?Copy !req
918. It's Helen and Sam Clarke.Copy !req
919. Open the door, dear.Copy !req
920. Never again.Copy !req
921. Never.Copy !req
922. Never...Copy !req
923. Constance?Copy !req
924. I just thought
you'd like to know thatCopy !req
925. your Uncle Julian's funeral
is the day after tomorrow.Copy !req
926. There's a lot
of flowers already.Copy !req
927. I think you'd be very impressed if you could
see all the flowers we all sent Julian.Copy !req
928. We're your friends, dear.Copy !req
929. You shouldn't drive away
your friends.Copy !req
930. Constance, everything's fine.
We're going to forget all about it.Copy !req
931. In a few weeks, no one will
even remember what happened.Copy !req
932. Sam, break down the door.Copy !req
933. No.Copy !req
934. Every window's already broken
in the place already, Helen.Copy !req
935. I'm not gonna break anything
else, for Christ's sake.Copy !req
936. Then climb in a window,
for God's sakes.Copy !req
937. No. Look, leave them. They'll
come out when they're ready.Copy !req
938. They're not children.Copy !req
939. We can't go upstairs.Copy !req
940. Hey, Miss Constance?Copy !req
941. Hey, Miss Constance?Copy !req
942. I... I got a chicken here.Copy !req
943. My wife roasted it up nice.Copy !req
944. And there's
some cookies and pie.Copy !req
945. I hope you can hear me.Copy !req
946. I, uh...Copy !req
947. I broke one of your chairs.Copy !req
948. I'm-I'm sorry.Copy !req
949. I'll just
leave it here.Copy !req
950. Sorry again.Copy !req
951. Do you think
it's as good as my pies?Copy !req
952. Leave it, Merricat.Copy !req
953. Let some sun in.Copy !req
954. More food.Copy !req
955. We're the biggest
church supper they ever had.Copy !req
956. Connie?Copy !req
957. I'm back.Copy !req
958. Constance?Copy !req
959. Darling.Copy !req
960. Let's forget all that
ever happened.Copy !req
961. I want to be friends again.Copy !req
962. Will you open the door?Copy !req
963. Connie, I didn't mean
for that to happen.Copy !req
964. I didn't. I'm sorry.Copy !req
965. I can help you, Connie.Copy !req
966. I can.Copy !req
967. We can have a life together,Copy !req
968. away from here.Copy !req
969. Don't you want that, Connie?Copy !req
970. Italy.Copy !req
971. Remember how that felt?
Remember...Copy !req
972. when I held you?Copy !req
973. Connie...Copy !req
974. Please, you have
to open the door.Copy !req
975. You understand?Copy !req
976. I can't help you
if you don't let me.Copy !req
977. Do you hear me, Connie?Copy !req
978. I can't help you
if you don't let me.Copy !req
979. And I'm not going away.Copy !req
980. I'm not going away, Connie.Copy !req
981. There will never be
anyone like me, Connie.Copy !req
982. Who's gonna love you?Copy !req
983. Nobody.Copy !req
984. Nobody's gonna love you.Copy !req
985. Is that what you want, Connie?Copy !req
986. I don't deserve
to be treated like this!Copy !req
987. I could just walk away!Copy !req
988. I could!Copy !req
989. Is that what you want?Copy !req
990. I don't deserve this!
I don't deserve this!Copy !req
991. I don't deserve
to be treated like this!Copy !req
992. I came here to help you!Copy !req
993. - Hey! Connie!
- No! No! No! No! No!Copy !req
994. No! No! No!Copy !req
995. - Hey, Connie!
- No!Copy !req
996. - No! No! No! No!
- Connie!Copy !req
997. May I have my lunch,
Constance?Copy !req
998. You can have
whatever you want.Copy !req
999. My name is
Mary Katherine Blackwood.Copy !req
1000. I am 18 years old,Copy !req
1001. and I live with my sister,
Constance.Copy !req
1002. She is the most precious person
in the world.Copy !req
1003. The Blackwoods have always
lived in this house.Copy !req
1004. Let's just put the bag down
and get the hell out of here.Copy !req
1005. We have never done
anything to hurt anyone.Copy !req
1006. Merricat.Copy !req
1007. They're probably
not even in there.Copy !req
1008. Merricat!Copy !req
1009. - We put things back where they belong.
- Merricat.Copy !req
1010. Merricat!Copy !req
1011. Merricat!Copy !req
1012. - And we will never leave here.
- Merricat!Copy !req
1013. Are you cooking up some stew?Copy !req
1014. What's for dinner?
Babies?Copy !req
1015. I bet you like to eat babies!Copy !req
1016. I heard
you eat rats!Copy !req
1017. You should have burned!Copy !req
1018. - Baby rats!
- Burned with all the rest of your things!Copy !req
1019. Would you like a cup of tea,
you rat witch!Copy !req
1020. Come out and get us!Copy !req
1021. You stupid bitch!Copy !req
1022. He didn't mean it!Copy !req
1023. No matter what they sayCopy !req
1024. or what they do to us.Copy !req
1025. Never.Copy !req
1026. What will we have
for lunch today?Copy !req
1027. Rhubarb pie.Copy !req
1028. I wonder if I could eat a
child if I had the chance.Copy !req
1029. I doubt
that I could cook one.Copy !req
1030. It must be terrible
to be so afraid.Copy !req
1031. I love you, Merricat.Copy !req