“Oh, Penny, why did you do it?” wailed Mrs. Weems. “I was so eager to get another message from Cousin David.”
“His Spirit has been frightened away,” announced the medium. “It will be impossible ever to recall him. For that matter, I shall never again conduct a séance with this young person present. She is a disturbing element.”
“Oh, Penny, you’ve ruined everything,” said Mrs. Weems accusingly. “Why do you act so outrageously?”
Penny started to speak and then changed her mind. Mrs. Weems, the seamstress and her husband, all were gazing at her with deep reproach. She realized that there was nothing she could say which would make them understand.
She arose and walked to the easel. The painting of Cousin David remained clearly visible. She touched it and then glanced at her finger which bore a streak of red.
The paint was still wet.
Penny stared at her finger a moment. Lifting her eyes she met the triumphant gaze of Al Gepper.
“Not even a skillful artist could have painted a picture so quickly,” he said with a smirk. “Only a spirit would have the ability. You are dumbfounded, my little one?”
“No, just plain dumb,” answered Penny. “I salute you, Mr. Gepper.”
Without waiting for Mrs. Weems, she turned and went from the house.