“What is she talking about now?” queried that lady, with no very amiable glances toward Pet.
“She’s telling a ghost story; that’s what she’s talking about!” said Pet, instantly beginning to be provoking.
“Ghosts!” said Miss Sharpe, turning up her nose though nature had already saved her the trouble. “Such stuff! You must not terrify the children by telling them such things, little girl.”
“It’s not stuff!” said Pet; “It’s as true as preaching. I’ve seen lots of ghosts myself. There, now!”
“Miss Lawless, do you know where little girls that tell fibs go to?” said Miss Sharpe, sternly.
“Yes, the same place you’ll go to, I expect,” said Pet, pertly; “but I ain’t telling fibs—I never do. And I have seen plenty of ghosts, too. There’s a whole settlement of them out where we live. I only wish I had brought some of them to school with me, and then you would see. That’s all!”
“You naughty little girl!” said Miss Sharpe, angrily. “How dare you tell me such a story? You have seen ghosts, indeed! Why, everybody knows there is no such thing.”
“What do you bet there’s not?” said Pet.
“Miss Lawless, you forget to whom you are speaking!” said Miss Sharpe, with dignity.
“No, I don’t; I know very well to whom I am speaking,” said Pet, imitating her tone; “and I know just as well there are ghosts. They’re great, tall, thin people, in white, with hollow eyes, that come at midnight and scare people. I’ve seen them, and I guess I ought to know.”