But last week someone had suggested Psychical Revelation, and they had had quite a lively meeting. Miss Sluker had a cousin whose wife thought she had heard a ghost. Miss Sluker, who was conscientious, added that the cousin’s wife had never been quite sure and had admitted that it might have been a mouse. Mrs. Moote had an aunt who had dreamed of her sister and the next day her sister had found a pair of spectacles which she had lost for weeks. But no one else had any psychic experience to record.
“We must have another meeting and all collect data,” said the President brightly.
“What’s ‘data’?” said little Miss Simky to her neighbour in a mystified whisper.
“It’s the French for ghost story,” said the neighbour.
“Oh!” said little Miss Simky, satisfied.
The next meeting was at Miss Hatherly’s house.
The “data” were not very extensive. Miss Euphemia Barney had discovered that her uncle had died on the same day of the month on which he had been born, but after much discussion it was decided that this, though interesting, was not a psychic experience. Miss Whatte spoke next. She said that her uncle’s photograph had fallen from its hook exactly five weeks to the day after his death. They were moving the furniture, she added, and someone had just dropped the piano, but still ... it was certainly data.
“I’m afraid I’ve no personal experience to record,” said little Miss Simky, “but I’ve read some very exciting datas in magazines and such like, but I’m afraid they won’t count.”
Then Miss Hatherly, trembling with eagerness, spoke.
“I have a very important revelation to make,” she said. “I have discovered that Colonel Henks’ old house is haunted.”