The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty Page B

seem to happen. And, my dear, there are lunatic asylums all over the world filled with people why dabbled in the occult."
     
    "Are you kidding?"
     
    There was momentary silence. Then again the soft voice began droning out of darkness. "There was a family in Bavaria, Chris, in nineteen twenty-one. I don't remember the name, but they were a family of eleven. You could check it in the newspapers, I suppose. Just a short time following an attempt at a séance, they went out of their minds. All of them. All eleven. They went on a burning spree in their house, and when they'd finished with the furniture, they started on the three-month-old baby of one of the younger daughters. And that is when the neighbors broke in and stopped them.
     
    "The entire family," she ended, "was put in an asylum."
     
    "Oh, boy!" breathed Chris as she thought of Captain Howdy. He had now assumed a menacing coloration. Mental illness. Was that it? Something. "I knew I should take her to see a psychiatrist!"
     
    "Oh, for heaven sakes," said Mrs. Perrin, stepping into the light, "you never mind about me; you just listen to your doctor." There was attempted reassurance in her voice that was not convincing. "I'm great at the future"--- Mrs. Perrin smiled--- "but in the present I'm absolutely helpless." She was fumbling in her purse. "Now then, where are my glasses? There, you see? I've mislaid them. Oh, here they are right here." She had found them in a pocket of her coat. "Lovely home," she remarked as she put on the glasses and glanced up at the upper facade of the house. "Gives a feeling of warmth."
     
    "God almighty, I'm relieved! For a second, there, I thought you were going to tell me it's haunted!"
     
    Mrs. Perrin glanced down to her. "Why would I tell you a thing like that?"
     
    Chris was thinking of a friend, a noted actress in Beverly Hills who had sold her home because of her insistence that it was inhabited by a poltergeist. "I don't' know." She grinned wanly. "On account of who you are, I guess. I was kidding."
     
    "It's a very fine house," Mrs. Perrin reassured her in an even tone. "I've been here before, you know; many times."
     
    "Have yogi really?"
     
    "Yes, an admiral had it; a friend of mine. I get a letter from him now and then. They've shipped him to sea again, poor dear. I don't know if it's really him that I miss or this house." She smiled. "But then maybe you'll invite me back."
     
    "Mary Jo, I'd love to have you back. I mean it. You're a fascinating person."
     
    "Well, at least I'm the nerviest person you know."
     
    "Oh, come on. Listen, call me. Please. Will you call me next week?"
     
    "Yes, I would like to hear how your daughter's coming on."
     
    "Got the number?"
     
    "Yes, at home in my book."
     
    What was off? wondered Chris. There was something in her tone that was slightly off-center.
     
    "Well, good night," said Mrs. Perrin, "and thanks again for a marvelous evening." And before Chris could answer her, she was walking rapidly down the street.
     
    For a moment, Chris watched her; and then closed the front door. A heavy lassitude overcame her. Quite a night, she thought; some night... some night...
     
    She went to the living room and stood over Willie, who was kneeling by the urine stain. She was brushing up the nap of the rug.
     
    "White vinegar I put on," muttered Willie. "Twice."
     
    "Comin' out?"
     
    "Maybe now," answered Willie. "I do not know. We will see."
     
    "No, you can't really tell until the damned thing dries."
     
    Yeah, that's brilliant there, punchy. That's really a brilliant observation. Judas priest, kid, go to bed!
     
    "C'mon, leave it alone for now, Willie. Get to sleep."
     
    "No, I finish."
     
    "Okay, then. And thanks. Good night."
     
    "Good night, madam."
     
    Chris started up the stairs with weary steps. "Great curry, there, Willie. Everybody loved it."
     
    "Yes, thank you, madam."
     
    **********
     
    Chris looked in on Regan and found her still asleep. Then she remembered the