“Then they will get through all the sooner, for which I shall be very glad,” said Gloria.
“Oh, they will get through cleaning to-night! And then we shall have peace for some time; for they can’t begin any repairs until the spring, you know.”
“I don’t want any repairs. The house is wind and water proof, and that is all that is necessary besides cleanliness. Fresh paint and new wall paper would utterly spoil it.”
“I think this inroad of mops and brooms and scrubbing-brushes has spoiled it already. Oh, the poor ghosts! I am so sorry for the ghosts. Yes, and for myself, too. I was so in hopes of seeing a ghost,” sighed Philippa, with a look of downright disappointment.
“Why should you wish to see a ghost, if such a being ever exists?” inquired Gloria.
“Why, oh, why? Because the apparition of a real ghost would be proof positive of the life after death,” said Philippa, quite seriously.
“But your Christian faith should assure you of that, if you have faith.”
“Oh, yes, I have faith, of course I have faith. Why, I have been confirmed, child, so of course I have faith; but what I want is certainty. I want to see a ghost who can tell me all about it. There is nothing in this hum-drum world I should like so well as a good, comfortable, sitting down, leisurely gossip with a real ghost! Or a midnight visit from a departed spirit, who would take a chair at my bedside and answer all my questions,” said Philippa; and she looked as if she meant it.
“You would be frightened out of your wits!” exclaimed Gloria.
“Not I! What would I have to fear? Who ever heard of a ghost hurting anybody? Of all the absurd cowardice, I think the fear of ghosts must be the weakest! Why, if the very wickedest old Gryphyn that ever killed and ate his grandmother, was to appear to me and try to bulldoze me, all I would say would be—‘Ah ha, old rooster! Your comb is cut now! Flesh and blood have no longer anything to fear from you! Clear out, or I will throw my prayer-book at your head’—for of course you know I wouldn’t care about hearing what he could tell me of the other world! But, oh dear! there is not the slightest probability of interviewing a spirit, good or evil, now. These commonplace, unimaginative sweepers, and dusters, and moppers, and scrubbers have exorcised them all—unless—— Come with me, Madame Gloria. I will show you a place that they haven’t invaded yet, and if that place is not consecrated or cursed to the use of ghosts, I’ll give them up,” said Philippa, suddenly rising.