I gave her the story of the scene in the passage, with a few judicious emendations. I thought it hardly worth while to mention Doddridge Knapp's appearance, or a few other items that were more precious to me than to anybody else.
When I had done Mrs. Knapp sighed.
“There must be an end of this some day,” she said.
“I hope the day isn't far off,” I confessed, “unless it should happen to be the day the coroner is called on to take a particular interest in my person.”
Mrs. Knapp shuddered.
“Oh no, no—not that way.”
Then after a pause, she continued: “Would you not rather attack your dangers at once, and have them over, than to wait for them to seek you?”
I felt a trifle uneasy at this speech. There seemed to be a suggestion in it that I could end the whole matter by marching on my enemies, and coming to decisive battle. I wished I knew what she was hinting at, and how it was to be done, before I answered.
“I haven't felt any particular disposition to hunt them up,” I confessed, “but if I could cut off all the heads of the hydra at once, it would be worth while. Anything for peace and quiet, you know.”
Mrs. Knapp smiled.