“Speak, Major!” commanded Arthur.
“A—a ghost!” was the wailing reply.
“A ghost!” echoed the amazed spectators.
“Did you see it?” questioned Uncle John in a trembling voice, as he bent over his brother-in-law.
“See it?” shouted the major, removing his hands to glare angrily at Mr. Merrick. “How could I see anything in the dark? The room was black as pitch.”
“But you said a ghost.”
“Of course I said a ghost,” retorted the major, querulously, as he rubbed his bare ankle with one hand to soothe a bump. “You don’t have to see a ghost to know it’s there, do you? And this ghost—Oh, Patsy, darling, I can’t say it!—it’s too horrible.”
Again a fit of shuddering seized him and he covered his eyes anew and rocked his body back and forth while he maintained his seat upon the floor. His legs were spread wide apart and he wiggled his big toes convulsively.
Beth asked with bated breath:
“Did you hear the ghost, then, Major?”