“And you, Elva?”
“Oh, I feel so very much at home, as if I had come back from somewhere to grandmother’s house. A very strange, pleasant feeling of old familiarity,” said weird little Elva.
“As for me,” said Wynnette, “I see ghosts!”
“Ghosts!” exclaimed all the company in chorus.
“Yes, ghosts! ‘This isle is full of spirits.’ I see ghosts! All sorts of ghosts! Ghosts of savages in skins! These must be spirits of the ancient Britons! Ghosts of men in armor! These must be the medieval knights and men-at-arms! Ghosts of gentlemen in velvet and satin tunic and lace collars and pointed shoes! These must be the courtiers of Queen Elizabeth’s time! And now come the hideous powdered wigs, broad-bottomed coats, and long silk stockings of——Say, papa! give me some of those strawberries, or I shall see his Satanic majesty presently.”
Mr. Force gravely passed along the cut-glass bowl of the luscious fruit.
Immediately after supper the travelers left the hotel for the railway station.
There Abel Force engaged a whole compartment for his family, and took tickets in the second-class carriage for his two servants.
“And how can I carry a valuable dog?” inquired the squire of the guard.
“Take him in your own compartment, if you like, sir,” replied that officer, staring a little.