“It is a good thing the rats are not so troublesome now,” continued Hester.
“Very good,” said Jacob.
The maid favoured him with a glance of some irritation.
“You must be a ninny,” she said, after a pause.
“I don’t understand you, Miss Winsome,” replied the new footman.
“Well, now, just tell me plain out and honest,” returned the girl, “if you believe that story about the rats?”
“I have no reason to disbelieve it,” he answered. “Have you?”
“Yes, that I have.”
“I know what you think,” said Jacob, after a pause; “you are superstitious—some girls are made that way—and you believe in ghosts.”
“Very substantial ones,” she retorted. “I could tell tales to them that are curious. You are not curious, are you, Mr. Short?”