“Here! Hold on!” cried Bess. “What are ‘stable viands’? Oats and corn. One would think we were horses.”
Just then Nan made the announcement: “Ladies, supper is served.” And at that very moment, as the girls crowded to the table and Amelia began to pour the steaming drink, there came a resounding knock upon the door.
“The ghost!” gasped a number of the girls in awed chorus.
“If it is,” said Nan Sherwood, vigorously, as the summons was repeated, “he is in full possession of his health and strength.”
“It’s something worse than a ghost,” agreed Laura Polk, grabbing several sandwiches and enveloping them in the folds of her sweater. “But I vow I shall not be cheated out of all my supper.”
CHAPTER XXI
“THE BLACK DOG”
Nobody started for the door for fully a minute, and within that time the knocking was repeated three times. It was not only an imperious rapping; it was plainly inspired by some excitement.
“My goodness!” Amelia Boggs murmured. “That ghost’s in an awful hurry.”
“He’s hungry, maybe,” giggled one girl.