"A terrible queer gift," said Maynard. "Have you handed it on to Miss Jane here, I wonder?"
"No," declared Jane. "I've never seen a ghost ana never want to."
"You be young yet. Perhaps when you get up to years of discretion you'll see 'em."
"When Jane gets up to years of discretion, I'll give a party," laughed Ben; but Jane did not laugh.
"You always think I'm a fool, father; and you'll always be wrong," she snapped. Then she got up and left the room.
"You didn't ought to poke fun at her," said Faith. "You know she don't like being thought a child—least of all by you."
"If you make jokes, you must take 'em," said Ben. "Jane's got a very sharp tongue for her age and nobody doubts her wits; but if a father can't make a laugh at the expense of his child—no, no—we mustn't truckle under to Jane. Mayhap a good ghostey will teach her sense some day."
"She's that wishful to please you always," murmured Jane's mother.
"Well, well, she can do most things she sets her mind to. I ban't a man very difficult to please."
Lawrence struck in again. He had ignored these passages, and was still considering Mrs. Bamsey's alleged second sight.