"A joke! What sort of a joke?" cautiously.
"Why, I might dress up as a guy and give her a bit of a fright; or, better still, do you remember Dora told us that Stella used to be afraid of ghosts?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Well, I'll put a sheet over my head, stand in the dark corner on the landing, and when the girls come out of Stella's room begin to groan. Won't that be a lark?"
"Oh, George, I don't think you must do that! I'm sure father would not like it if he knew; he hates practical jokes, he says they're so cowardly."
"Nonsense! There's no harm in it, because I shall drop the sheet immediately they began to scream, and they'll feel such little sillies when they see who it really is!"
"I'm sure father would not like it," David repeated, "or mother either."
"Rubbish! Mother won't know anything about it—she'll only think we're having a game; and father's out. Don't be stupid, David. What harm can there possibly be in a joke?"
"Stella will be frightened! Don't do it, George!"
"I shall, and you won't stop me!"