April 2005: Usher II

           "’Duringthewholeofadull,dark,andsoundlessdayintheautumnoftheyear,whenthecloudshungoppressivelylowintheheavens,Ihadbeenpassingalone,onhorseback.throughasingularlydrearytractofcountry,andatlengthfoundmyself,astheshadesofeveningdrewon,withinviewofthemelancholyHouseofUsher…’"

           Mr.WilliamStendahlpausedinhisquotation.There,uponalowblackhill,stoodtheHouse,itscornerstonebearingtheinscription2005A.D.

           Mr.Bigelow,thearchitect,said,"It’scompleted.Here’sthekey,Mr.Stendahl."

           Thetwomenstoodtogethersilentlyinthequietautumnafternoon.Blueprintsrustledontheravengrassattheirfeet.

           "TheHouseofUsher,"saidMr.Stendahlwithpleasure."Planned,built,bought,paidfor.Wouldn’tMr.Poebedelighted?"

           Mr.Bigelowsquinted."Isiteverythingyouwanted,sir?"

           "Yes!"

           "Isthecolorright?Isitdesolateandterrible?"

           "Verydesolate,veryterrible!"

           "Thewallsare—bleak?"

           "Amazinglyso!"

           "Thetarn,isit«blackandlurid»enough?"

           "Mostincrediblyblackandlurid."

           "Andthesedge—we’vedyedit,youknow—isitthepropergrayandebon?"

           "Hideous!"

           Mr.Bigelowconsultedhisarchitecturalplans.Fromthesehequotedinpart:"Doesthewholestructurecausean’iciness,asickeningoftheheart,adrearinessofthought’?TheHouse,thelake,theland,Mr.Stendahl?"

           "Mr.Bigelow,it’swortheverypenny!MyGod,it’sbeautiful!"

           "Thankyou.Ihadtoworkintotalignorance.