Suddenly, however, the table began spelling hurriedly, as though it had something at its heels. The taps were counted and spelt:
“Lé ... onie Ou ... dijck....”
“What about Mrs. van Oudijck?”
A coarse word followed.
The ladies started, excepting Ida, who sat as though in a trance.
“The table has spoken.... What did it say?... What is Mrs. van Oudijck?” cried the voices, all speaking at once.
“It’s incredible!” murmured Eva. “Are we all playing fair?”
They all protested their honesty.
“Let us really be honest, else there’s no fun in it.... I wish I could be certain.”
They all wished that: Mrs. Rantzow, Ida, Van Helderen, Eva. The others looked on eagerly, believing; but the doctor did not believe and sat sniggering.