Dawn was breaking on the horizon as everyone boarded the double-decker bus again. "If you could load the luggage, Pennyworth, I just have a quick errand to do before I leave," said Tetch.
"Of course, sir," said Pennyworth, nodding.
Tetch strode off through the grounds in the direction of the small chapel not far from the house. Tendrils of crimson sunlight snaked through the grass, and the early morning birds were already chirping as he paused to pick a small handful of wildflowers, and then continued on his way toward the chapel's cemetery.
A giant, ornate crypt dominated the landscape, with the word "Tetch," carved into it. He paused in front of the final resting place of his parents, and lay a hand on the sealed entrance.
But his eyes fixed on a plain tombstone by the edge of the chapel grounds, small and humble, with two dates and a single name carved into it.
He headed over to this, kneeling down and running his hand over the smooth stone. The little grave was well tended – not a weed or patch of moss in sight. Tetch placed the bouquet of flowers at the foot of the headstone, and then leaned his forehead against it, whispering:
"Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die.
Autumn frosts have slain July.
Still she haunts me, phantomwise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.
Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream-
Lingering in the golden gleam-
Life, what is it but a dream?"
He placed his lips against the stone and kissed the name on it: Alice Pennyworth.
"Goodbye, Alice," he whispered, standing up and walking away. The gentle breeze stirred the petals on the flowers, and the grave shone in the sunshine, as the wind whispered the faded echo back.
…
"Everything all right, sir?" asked Pennyworth as Tetch returned to the bus. "Did you get to say your goodbyes?"
"Yes, Pennyworth, I did," said Tetch. "And thank you for doing such a good job with the upkeep of the grave."
"Well, Mrs. Pennyworth never did hold with dirt and grime, sir," replied Pennyworth, nodding.
"No, she didn't," agreed Tetch. "She was…the most wonderful of all women."
Pennyworth lay a hand on his shoulder. "She loved you very much, sir," he whispered. "Like her own son."
"She very probably saved my life, Pennyworth," whispered Tetch. "I know I would have done something desperate if I had had to suffer through the misery of my childhood without her. And she made me the man I am today. I live…hoping to be worthy of her approval."
"She would be very proud of you, sir," said Pennyworth, sincerely. "Madness and all. I know I am."
"Then perhaps…you'll forgive me the indecorous action of hugging you again," said Tetch.
Pennyworth smiled. "Just this once, sir," he replied.
Tetch embraced him. "Goodbye, Pennyworth," he whispered. "And thank you for everything."
He drew away, smiling. "And please write to me now and then, just so I can know about the sale of the house, and how you're doing, of course. You can reach me care of Arkham Asylum for the criminally insane."
"I will, sir," replied Pennyworth. "And my letters will be addressed to Lord Tetch."
Tetch smiled. "People really will think me mad, you know," he sighed. "But then I suppose all the best people are."
The sudden honking of a horn turned Tetch's attention to the bus. "Hey, Hatty, let's get this show on the road!" shouted Joker. "I got places to go, people to slay!"
"Or perhaps not all the best people," sighed Tetch, as he boarded the bus.
"Bye, Pennyworth!" called Harley, sticking her head out the window of the top deck.
"Goodbye, Miss!" he called, waving back. "Goodbye, sir," he said, smiling at Tetch. "Safe journey home."
Pennyworth waved after them as the double-decker bus drove out the long driveway of Tetch Hall and disappeared into the growing light of the dawn.
"So you think your brother will get the electric chair, Tetchy?" asked Joker from the driver's seat, as Tetch sat down, turning away from the house.
"No, he'll get life in prison," replied Tetch. "Capital punishment is illegal in England."
Joker stared at him. "No guns, no capital punishment…what the hell's wrong with this country?" he sighed, driving the bus once again onto the right hand side of the road.