Maule's Law

• Phoebe goes out into the garden.
• She sees signs that the garden has been well-cared for.
• She can't figure out who's doing the upkeep, but she's sure it's not Hepzibah.
• She finds a corner of the garden with a lovely old mossy fountain.
• There is also a chicken coop.
• Phoebe runs inside to get breadcrumbs for the chickens.
• As she feeds them, one of the baby chickens flies up to land on her shoulder.
• A voice says, "That little fowl pays you a high compliment!" (6.9).
• Phoebe turns around and sees the lodger, Mr. Holgrave.
• Phoebe introduces herself.
• Mr. Holgrave tells her that he is the one who hoes and weeds the garden.
• He asks if Phoebe wants to see a portrait he has taken.
• (Mr. Holgrave is a daguerreotypist, which means that he is an early photographer.)
• He points out that this particular portrait is unusual.
• Generally, photographs show the faces of their subjects as they always appear.
• But this portrait is of a man who shows "a very different expression" (6.17) during his ordinary life.
• Phoebe identifies the face as that of her "Puritan ancestor" (6.18), Colonel Pyncheon.
• It's not Colonel Pyncheon, though, since it's a modern face.
• Usually this stern, hard man looks "exceedingly pleasant, indicative of benevolence, openness of heart, [and] sunny good humor" (6.20). But the photograph makes him look "sly, subtle [...] and cold as ice" (6.20).
• Phoebe points out the contrast between the man in this photograph and her cousin Hepzibah's miniature portrait.
• Mr. Holgrave has never seen the portrait but he has heard of it.
• He asks if Phoebe can imagine that figure being guilty of a crime.
• Phoebe thinks he's talking a lot of nonsense: of course not.
• Mr. Holgrave changes the subject.
• He suggests that Phoebe help out with the garden, since she will need something to do with her energy while she's staying with Hepzibah.
• Phoebe agrees, and they start working silently side by side.
• Phoebe doesn't really like Mr. Holgrave. He seems serious, almost stern, and she doesn't understand him.
• As the sun sets, Mr. Holgrave tells her good night.
• He suggests that Phoebe come and see him sometime.
• He also warns Phoebe not to drink or wash at Maule's Well (the fountain with the mossy stones). He says the fountain is bewitched.
• Then he goes inside.
• Phoebe returns to Hepzibah's part of the house.
• Hepzibah seems in a strange mood, as though she is listening for something.
• The room is very dark.
• Phoebe asks if Hepzibah has just said something.
• Hepzibah says no.
• Phoebe asks if there is someone in the room with them.
• Hepzibah suggests that Phoebe go and rest; she's had a busy day.
• Hepzibah hugs Phoebe before Phoebe goes to bed.
• As Phoebe lies down, she hears what sounds like the murmur of human voices.