Although Simmons, as a professional purveyor of horror and fantasy, is no dim imaginer, he has his work cut out for him.

Last year's scythes flung down, and left in the half-cut swarths.

“The story of this adoption is, of course, the pivot round which all the circumstances of the mysterious tragedy revolved. Mrs. Yule had an only son, namely, William, to whom she was passionately attached ; but, like many a fond mother, she had the desire of mapping out that son's future entirely according to her own ideas.[…]”

So I would have, but it was pretty dark and so help me Bob, if I didn't get off the road somewhere.