Then Anne spoke of how dark it had grown; and Giles fetched one of the candle-ends he had seen in the cupboard and lit it with the tinder-box. This added something new to the game and they went at it again keener than ever, till at length, thoroughly tired, they sat down to take a rest.
By now the rain was really terrible, worse than it had ever been. The lightning flashed and flickered and the thunder made the old house rattle and shake from end to end.
‘Wouldn’t it be funny, Giles,’ said Anne, ‘if a real guest were to come along now.’
‘Funny?’ said Giles. ‘What is the matter with you? This is a game, isn’t it? Why would anyone come here?’
And then, as if in answer to his question, there came a Bang! Bang! Bang! on the front door.
Both children sprang to their feet. For a while they stood staring at one another with their mouths open.
‘Who-oo-oo can it be?’ whispered Anne at last.
‘How sh-sh-should I know?’ stuttered Giles. ‘Why don’t you open the door and see?’
‘Why don’t you open it?’ asked his sister. ‘I don’t think I’m strong enough to pull the prop away with the storm blowing so hard.’
‘Well, I opened the cupboard door,’ said Giles. ‘It’s your turn now.’