“No; go on,—if she does not come back we’ll hunt her up pretty soon.”
The stories went on, the girls drawing closer together, but in a few minutes a gentle knock sounded at the door. The ghost nearest reached up and opened it, while Eloise said, “O, you’re back all right. I was afraid I had scared you.”
“‘Back?’—no,” replied the amazed ghost. “I’m Betty and just came. I s’pose I’ve just about missed it all!”
“No, but I’m so sorry you’ve not been here! How funny! Who could it have been? Well, come join the magic circle anyway and tell a ghost story.”
“I—can’t. I’m all out of breath and—” “All right; you next, Di.”
“Girls, do you hear it striking twelve?” said. Hilary, after some time.
Eloise rose and turned on the light. “All respectable ghosts disappear at the stroke of twelve! Masks off! We’re going to put on the sheets again after the eats and have a procession through the halls.”
“Better not,” said Betty, meaningly. It was done, however, though the shadows did not look particularly inviting after those ghost stories! Even Cathalina and Hilary joined in the ridiculous procession that filed up to the third floor, down the back stairs, out to the porch through a parlor window, down the front steps, out upon the campus and circling the fountain, and then as the voice of the night watchman was heard, scampering into the Hall with tightly gathered robes, back to safety!
“I wish I didn’t have such an awful conscience!” said Cathalina. “It spoils half the fun to be perfectly sure that Miss Randolph wouldn’t want us to go outdoors!”
“My little conscience troubles me too,” admitted Hilary.