I travelled on attended by the moon.As usual she was full--I had never seen her other--and to-night as she sank I thought I perceived something like a smile on her countenance.
When her under edge was a little below the horizon,there appeared in the middle of her disc,as if it had been painted upon it,a cottage,through the open door and window of which she shone;and with the sight came the conviction that I was expected there.Almost immediately the moon was gone,and the cottage had vanished;the night was rapidly growing dark,and my way being across a close succession of small ravines,I resolved to remain where I was and expect the morning.I stretched myself,therefore,in a sandy hollow,made my supper off the fruits the children had given me at parting,and was soon asleep.
I woke suddenly,saw above me constellations unknown to my former world,and had lain for a while gazing at them,when I became aware of a figure seated on the ground a little way from and above me.Iwas startled,as one is on discovering all at once that he is not alone.The figure was between me and the sky,so that I saw its outline well.From where I lay low in the hollow,it seemed larger than human.
It moved its head,and then first I saw that its back was toward me.
"Will you not come with me?"said a sweet,mellow voice,unmistakably a woman's.
Wishing to learn more of my hostess,"I thank you,"I replied,"but I am not uncomfortable here.Where would you have me go?I like sleeping in the open air.""There is no hurt in the air,"she returned;"but the creatures that roam the night in these parts are not such as a man would willingly have about him while he sleeps.""I have not been disturbed,"I said.
"No;I have been sitting by you ever since you lay down.""That is very kind of you!How came you to know I was here?Why do you show me such favour?""I saw you,"she answered,still with her back to me,"in the light of the moon,just as she went down.I see badly in the day,but at night perfectly.The shadow of my house would have hidden you,but both its doors were open.I was out on the waste,and saw you go into this hollow.You were asleep,however,before I could reach you,and I was not willing to disturb you.People are frightened if I come on them suddenly.They call me the Cat-woman.It is not my name."I remembered what the children had told me--that she was very ugly,and scratched.But her voice was gentle,and its tone a little apologetic:she could not be a bad giantess!
"You shall not hear it from me,"I answered,"Please tell me what I MAY call you!""When you know me,call me by the name that seems to you to fit me,"she replied:"that will tell me what sort you are.People do not often give me the right one.It is well when they do.""I suppose,madam,you live in the cottage I saw in the heart of the moon?""I do.I live there alone,except when I have visitors.It is a poor place,but I do what I can for my guests,and sometimes their sleep is sweet to them."Her voice entered into me,and made me feel strangely still.
"I will go with you,madam,"I said,rising.
She rose at once,and without a glance behind her led the way.Icould see her just well enough to follow.She was taller than myself,but not so tall as I had thought her.That she never turned her face to me made me curious--nowise apprehensive,her voice rang so true.But how was I to fit her with a name who could not see her?
I strove to get alongside of her,but failed:when I quickened my pace she quickened hers,and kept easily ahead of me.At length Idid begin to grow a little afraid.Why was she so careful not to be seen?Extraordinary ugliness would account for it:she might fear terrifying me!Horror of an inconceivable monstrosity began to assail me:was I following through the dark an unheard of hideousness?
Almost I repented of having accepted her hospitality.
Neither spoke,and the silence grew unbearable.I MUST break it!
"I want to find my way,"I said,"to a place I have heard of,but whose name I have not yet learned.Perhaps you can tell it me!""Describe it,then,and I will direct you.The stupid Bags know nothing,and the careless little Lovers forget almost everything.""Where do those live?"
"You are just come from them!"
"I never heard those names before!"
"You would not hear them.Neither people knows its own name!""Strange!"
"Perhaps so!but hardly any one anywhere knows his own name!It would make many a fine gentleman stare to hear himself addressed by what is really his name!"I held my peace,beginning to wonder what my name might be.
"What now do you fancy yours?"she went on,as if aware of my thought.
"But,pardon me,it is a matter of no consequence."I had actually opened my mouth to answer her,when I discovered that my name was gone from me.I could not even recall the first letter of it!This was the second time I had been asked my name and could not tell it!
"Never mind,"she said;"it is not wanted.Your real name,indeed,is written on your forehead,but at present it whirls about so irregularly that nobody can read it.I will do my part to steady it.Soon it will go slower,and,I hope,settle at last."This startled me,and I was silent.
We had left the channels and walked a long time,but no sign of the cottage yet appeared.
"The Little Ones told me,"I said at length,"of a smooth green country,pleasant to the feet!""Yes?"she returned.