1
But the belief in ghosts, though it exists, as we have seen by the above specimens, is by no means generally diffused. ‘No![1] I don’t believe such things,’ is the general reply I have received when inquiring for them. I could not, indeed, help being annoyed with the strongmindedness of an old woman one day, who asserted her contempt for the idea so persistently that she quite ‘shut up’ two others who were inclined to be communicative of their experiences.
‘I’ve often slept in a room where it was said the ghost of a woman who was killed there, walked about with her head under her arm; but I never saw her,’ said I, to set the thing going.
‘Oh! I wouldn’t have done that for the world!’ exclaimed Nos. 2 and 3 together.
‘And why not?’ said No. 1. ‘There was nothing to be seen, of course. There are no such things as ghosts!’[2]
‘Ah! Some see them and some don’t see them, and you’re one of those who don’t see them. That’s where it is,’ said No. 2.
‘Yes,’ added No. 3; ‘I know lots of people who have seen them,’ and she was going on to give examples, but No. 1 put her down.
‘Did you ever see one yourself?’ interposed I, to keep the ball rolling.
‘Well, yes ... so far that ...’ she began, hesitatingly; but No. 1 broke in again with her vehement iteration that there are no ghosts.
‘I know there are, though,’ persisted No. 2; ‘for my mother has told me there is a house....’
‘Here in Rome?’ asked I.
‘Yes, here in Rome, where she used to work, where there was a ghost[3] that used to pull the bedclothes off anyone who slept in that particular room, and leave him uncovered. As fast as you pulled them over you, the spirit pulled them off again;’ and she imitated the movement with her hands.