“Nay, then, turn you to Paul’s Epistle to Timothy,” quoth Father, “where among the doctrines taught by them that shall depart from the faith, he doth enumerate ‘doctrines of devils,’—or, as the Greek hath it, of demons. Now these demons were but dead men, whom the Pagans held to be go-betweens for living men with their gods. So this, see you, is a two-edged sword, forbidding all communication with the dead, whether as saints to be invoked, or as visitants to be questioned.”
“Nobody’s like to question ’em save Mistress Joyce,” saith Farmer Benson, of his husky voice, which alway soundeth as though he should have an ill rheum of his throat.
Aunt Joyce laughed. “Nay, I were but joking,” quoth she: “but I warrant you, if I meet Austin’s white woman without a head, I’ll see if she be ghost or no.”
“But what think you, Sir Aubrey—wherefore was such communication forbid?” saith Master Murthwaite.
“God wot,” saith Father. “I am not of His council-chamber. My Master’s plain word is enough for me.”
“One might think that a warning from beyond the grave should have so solemn an effect on a sinner.”
“Nay, we be told right contrary. ‘If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe though one rise from death again.’ How much rather when One hath risen from the dead, and they have refused to hear Him?”
Then arose Dr Meade, that was discoursing with Mynheer of a corner, and prayers were had. After which a grace-cup, and then all took their leave, Master Park being last to go as to come. And just ere he was through the door, saith Austin to Aunt Joyce, a-laughing—
“You’ll mind to let me know, Mistress Joyce, what the ghost saith to you. I can stand it second-hand, may-be.”
“That’s a jolly hearing, from one of the stronger sex to one of the weaker!” quoth she. “Well said, thou mocking companion: I will give thee to wit—a piece of my mind, if no more.”