And Margaret, pale as death from that long kiss, withdrew herself very slowly from his arms. And her dark eyes looked strange in the moonlight as he had never seen them, and more beautiful, with a beauty beyond beauty; and deep joy too was in them, and an infinite wisdom, and a strength of courage, that seemed more than courage, wisdom and joy, for they had come from the very fountain of all these things. And very slowly, with that unfading look, she took off her black gown and put on the white bridal-smock she had made; and as soon as she had put it on she fell dead at his feet. ("I think," said Martin Pippin, "that you have now had plenty of time, Mistress Jessica, to ponder my riddle." "Your riddle?" exclaimed Jessica. "But--good heavens! bother your riddle! get on with the story." "How can I get on with it?" said Martin. "It's got there." Joscelyn: No, no, no! oh, it's impossible! oh, I can't bear it! oh, how angry I am with you! Martin: Dear Mistress Joscelyn, why are you so agitated? Joscelyn: I? I am not at all agitated. I am quite collected. I only wish you were as collected, for I think you must be out of your wits. How DARE you leave this story where it is? How dare you! Martin: Dear, dear Mistress Joscelyn, what more is there to be told? Joscelyn: I do not care what more is to be told. Only some of it must be re-told. You must bring that girl instantly to life! Joyce: Of course you must! And explain why she died, though she mustn't die. Jennifer: No, indeed! and if it had to do with her black hair, you must pluck it out by the roots. Jessica: Yes, indeed! and you must do something about the horrible pool in the Red Copse, for perhaps that is what killed her. Jane: Oh, it is too dreadful not to have a story with a wedding in it! And little Joan leaned out of her branch and took Martin's hand in hers, and looked at him pleadingly, and said nothing. "Will women NEVER let a man make a thing in his own way?" said Martin. "Will they ALWAYS be adding and changing this detail and that? For what a detail is death once lovers have kissed. However--!")