Not a word was spoken on the way, for the girls found they were well disguised, and they determined to keep up the mystery. But there was much giggling and many expressive exclamations in deep guttural tones.
Reaching their destination, a wonderful scene awaited them. Uncle Jim had begged Mrs. Rawlins to do anything she could to make the house attractive and appropriate for the occasion. So, with the help of the willing servants, she had transformed the great hall and the big, old parlour into a veritable Hallowe’en Revel. Branches of bright Autumn leaves decked the walls. Red and yellow cheesecloth made gay draperies, and streamers of red and yellow crêpe paper fluttered here and there. Hollowed-out pumpkins held masses of little late chrysanthemums, and sheaves of grain stood in corners.
There were jack-o’-lanterns, too, made of yellow or of green pumpkins, and also of crook-neck squashes, whose candles within lit up their strange grotesque faces.
The boys had already arrived, and round the room stood seven silent figures. They were dressed as Robin Hood, Peter Pan, or merely as spooks and goblins. Apparently the boys had been quite willing to “dress up,” and their costumes were as picturesque as the girls’.
Uncle Jim greeted the incoming crowd.
“Wal, wal, what a visitation! My, but ye’re a lot of perty spooks! Look at this white ghost now!” as Dolly swept him a long, low bow. “Ain’t she the beauty? I ain’t afeard of ghostes like that, now, you bet I ain’t! And see the Fairy! My stars! Ye’re all so fine, I dunno which way to look first!”
Then the boys advanced and greeted the girls with bows, peering closely for some identifying sign, and getting laughed at for their pains.
“Now, here’s yer welcome,” said Uncle Jim. “This is a writ welcome, fer the reason that I ain’t much on expressin’ my thoughts. But I’m right down glad to see ye all!”
Then each received a pretty printed card, decorated with designs of black cats and owls and witches on broomsticks. It read:
Spooks and Spirits we invite