"Nothing, so far as I can see," said Joe. "As long as nobody goes near
him, he's helpless." His eyes lit up. "Maybe this is the beginning of
that thousand years the Bible says he's to be chained!"
"Here, in _our_ basement?" asked Pearl.
"Why not? He's down there right now, isn't he?"
"Yes," she said hesitantly.
"Well, can you think of any reason why he shouldn't stay there?"
"No," she said, but there was doubt in her voice.
* * * * *
As the weeks passed, her doubt began to fade. It began to become
increasingly evident that the Devil couldn't break the chain that held
him, and he had even ceased rattling it. Joe had nailed the basement
door shut so the kids couldn't open it, and had promised them a
spanking if they tried. Strangely enough, they had accepted the warning
without comment, and had, indeed, behaved like little angels. Neither
of them had even approached the door. As a matter of fact, they had
been a source of constant surprise because of their good behavior in
all respects. There hadn't even been a quarrel over toys.
"What's the matter with the kids?" asked Joe one night.
"Why, nothing," said Pearl. "They've been just as happy and contented
as they can be."
"Aren't they a little too happy and contented?"