“Why, of course,” assented the good-natured brother. “But say, Cora,” and he changed the subject tactfully. “Wasn’t it a good thing mother was not at home? She would have been scared to death.”
“Oh, I know we always have to get mother off first,” she replied. “When we are arranging a trip I count on–happenings.”
“This is your brother?” asked the woman, who seemed to have revived under the influence of that cup of tea.
“Yes,” Cora replied. “Have some of the ham. And some bread.”
A particularly sharp flash of lightning blazed through the room. The storm was not over yet. The three girls from the parlor threw the door of the pantry open, and stood there with very white faces. Even Belle, the rosy one, had gone pale again.
“Oh, do come in here,” wailed Belle. “I am so frightened!”
“With all the others near you?” Cora asked, smiling. Then, seeing the actual terror of her friends she did stand up to comply. “I suppose it was the fire,” apologized Eline. “We are especially nervous to-night.”
“Yes, do go,” begged the woman, “and when I have finished, I will show my gratitude by telling you all a very strange story. One forgets fear, sometimes, when a matter of deeper interest is brought up.”
“Very well,” assented Cora. “I will be back in a few minutes, and then we will all be primed for the wonderful story.”
“What is it?” whispered Jack in the passage-way, as the girls entered the library.