He says no one but myself can help me out of it, that I must use my
will and self-control and not let any silly fancies run away with me.
There s one comfort, the baby is well and happy, and does not have to
occupy this nursery with the horrid wallpaper.
If we had not used it that blessed child would have! What a fortunate
escape! Why, I wouldn t have a child of mine, an impressionable little
thing, live in such a room for worlds.
I never thought of it before, but it is lucky that John kept me here
after all. I can stand it so much easier than a baby, you see.
Of course I never mention it to them any more, I am too wise, but I
keep watch of it all the same.
There are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will.
Behind that outside pattern the dim shapes get clearer every day.
It is always the same shape, only very numerous.
And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that
pattern. I don t like it a bit. I wonder I begin to think I wish John
would take me away from here!
It is so hard to talk with John about my case, because he is so wise,
and because he loves me so.
But I tried it last night.
It was moonlight. The moon shines in all around, just as the sun does.
I hate to see it sometimes, it creeps so slowly, and always comes in by
one window or another.
John was asleep and I hated to waken him, so I kept still and watched
the moonlight on that undulating wallpaper till I felt creepy.
The faint figure behind seemed to shake the pattern, just as if she
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