Mrs. Lawrence. I think we’d better wait till daylight before listening to a story of that character.
F. No, it’s just the time for it; it is cold and dark outside. We can more easily imagine the events real. So go on, please, Mr. Percival.
Mr. P.—But my story is not a ghost story at all, and there is really very little to tell. But we heard strange noises for which we could not account. For instance, a door, which led from the house into the shed, had swollen so that it was difficult to shut it, and whenever it was opened and shut it creaked most musically, so that it could be heard in all the lower rooms. One evening we were seated at the tea-table, when we heard the door creaking. “Who is that coming in?” asked Mrs. Baldwin. “It is very strange,” answered Charlie; “I am sure I closed and locked that door not ten minutes ago.”—“Suppose we go out and see what it is,” said Mr. Baldwin. “It certainly had a natural sound.” We all went out in a body, and behold! the door was shut and fastened and everything all right.
F. (interested). Did you hear any other noises while you were there?
Mr. P. Oh, yes, we frequently heard footsteps going up and down stairs after we had gone to bed. Sometimes we could hear the chairs moved about in the rooms below. And once, I remember, we heard a terrific noise, as if the side of the house had fallen in. But the next morning everything seemed as usual, and we laughed about the matter.
F. But were you not startled?
Mr. P. Well, I cannot say I should like to live in that house long.
Mrs. L. If you had heard all these things, Flora, don’t you think you would have faith to believe that there are some strange things which one cannot account for?
F. Oh, yes; “seeing is believing,” as the old saying is, and I suppose hearing is believing also. But I must ask you to excuse me now, Mr. Percival, as I have a letter to write, which must go out by the next mail.
Mr. P. Though we are sorry to lose your company, we will grant you leave of absence for a short time. (Rises and opens the door for her, L. Exit Flora.)