“Didn’t I tell you,” I thundered at Ptolemy, “that you were not to leave that house––”
“It left us,” interrupted Emerald with a grin.
“Went up in smoke,” added Pythagoras blithely, “ghost and all.”
“Four minutes quicker,” said Demetrius, “and it would have took father and mother, too.”
“Oh, is it the haunted house they are talking about?” asked Miss Frayne joyfully. “What a story I’ll have!”
Life to Miss Frayne seemed to be one story after another. Well, it was certainly becoming the same way to us.
“Did the ghost set fire to the house?” asked Beth.
“What are you all talking about,” demanded Silvia, “and how did you know these boys were there? How long have you been here?” she asked, turning to Ptolemy.
“I told you,” I repeated angrily to the subdued boy, “not to leave. Those were plain orders. If the house did burn up, 216 you could have stayed in your tent in the woods.”