"But my dear, what has it got to do with Charles?" Mrs. Bosanquet asked. "You really must try and keep calm."
"You don't suppose any spirit was responsible, do you?" Peter said. "That brute Charles kicked me on the shin."
"If you did do anything so inconsiderate, Charles, I must beg you not to repeat it. And please don't talk any more!"
She sounded so hurt that Charles repented, and relapsed once more into silence.
The board continued to move jerkily over the paper. Celia began to yawn. Then, startling them all into rigidity, two sharp raps sounded somewhere in the room.
Celia drew in her breath sharply, and shrank against Charles.
"Quiet, all of you!" whispered Mrs. Bosanquet. "I will speak to it!"
Two more raps sounded: Peter's chair slid softly backwards.
Mrs. Bosanquet uplifted her voice. "Whoever you may be, I charge you, answer me! Rap once for Yes, and twice for No, and then we shall understand you. Do you wish to communicate with us?"
"Oh don't! Please stop!" Celia gasped.