For instance, there was a fine breech-loading
rifle, dear to the heart of Maxwell, that hung on the wall above a brace of
handsome revolvers. These were the cause of constant terror and alarm to
Mrs. Morris, for she never entered the room without a look of fear in their
direction. She fully expected them to "blaze away at her," notwithstanding
the fact that Maxwell had repeatedly assured her that they were not loaded.
Then there were several stuffed animals that had been deprived of life by
these very weapons, and Maxwell had their forms preserved in as natural an
attitude as possible. While these added to the adornment of the room, they
likewise served to increase Mrs. Morris' terror, and she could not get
over the idea that they might "jump at her, for they always looked just
ready to do it."
These, among other things, gave Mrs. Morris a particular aversion to the
owner of the articles, for it was no trifling thing to keep this room well
dusted and in proper order, with one's body in a quiver of fright all the
time, not knowing from what direction she might be assailed.
But the treasure that took Lancy's eyes directly he entered the room was
the display of fishing-rods that hung on the opposite wall, and he stepped
up at once to examine them.
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