"Darling Aunt Lilian!" said Margaret, twinkling. "You really are a marvellous person!"
"On the contrary I fear I am a very ordinary one. And why you should think so merely because I remarked…'
"Oh, I didn't! But after what you went through last night I wonder you can be so calm."
"I lay awake and thought about that for some time after you had left me," said Mrs. Bosanquet. "Do you know, I have come to the conclusion that I behaved very foolishly?"
Celia looked up hopefully. "Do you mean you may have imagined it after all?"
"No, my dear, certainly not. I am not at all imaginative. In fact, your uncle used very often to say I was too mundane. But then he was extremely imaginative himself, and could tell the most entertaining stories, as I daresay you remember."
"Then how did you behave foolishly?" asked Peter, helping himself from one of the dishes on the sideboard.
"In screaming in that uncontrolled manner. I realise now that my proper course would have been to have challenged the apparition, and commanded it to tell me what it wanted. For, on thinking it over, I am convinced it manifested itself for some good purpose. Thank you, Peter, yes, I will have an egg." She began to tap the shell briskly. "It is obviously an unquiet spirit, and when you consider that it no doubt belongs to the remains you discovered in that very nasty, airless little cupboard, one can hardly wonder at it."
"I do wish you wouldn't, Aunt!" begged Celia. "Even in broad daylight you give me the creeps."
"Then you are being very silly, dear child. Good morning, Charles. I hope you slept well to make up for your loss of sleep earlier in the night."