"We were taken to a room where my mother slept until she died. Do you think we would put up with a haunted room?"
"I did hear the banshee two nights ago," said Norah. "She was crying at one of the windows. It was a sure sign of another death."
"And you expect us to sleep there," said Henrietta. "That's likely. However, the matter is settled, and whoever is the housemaid—I'm sure I don't know how many there are—dozens, I should say—but anyway the housemaids, as soon as they have finished their peach jam and new-laid eggs, are to go upstairs and put our beds into father's room, and father will sleep in the haunted room. He has given orders to that effect, and if you don't believe me, impertinent Irish savages, you'd better go and ask him."
"My word, I will that," said Norah.
"And so will I," said Bridget.
"And so will I," cried Molly. "It will be a nice change for the masther, for his room is mighty poor and what you might call rickety, whilst 'herself' had what was the best room in the house. I'm right glad ye heard the banshee, Norah, for now the poor dear masther will have a dacent room to sleep in; and as like as not, for that matter, the banshee'll cry at the window of the room ye'll be sleeping in, misses. It's ye she's after—the same as your poor mother. Oh, my word, we must bustle to."
"Finish your tay," said Pegeen; "and, young ladies—what calls theirselves such—lave the kitchen!"