“To go away from here?” gasped the lad.

Lucy nodded.

“Is it that you’re lonely since Miss Ellen died?”

“I guess so.”

Tony was thoughtful; then with sudden inspiration he ventured the remark:

“Mebbe you’re afraid to stay alone by yourself in the house nights.”

“Maybe.”

“You ain’t seen a ghost?” he whispered. 268

“I’m going away because of a ghost, yes,” Lucy murmured half to herself.

“Then I don’t blame you,” exclaimed Tony vehemently. “You wouldn’t ketch me stayin’ in a house that was haunted by spirits. Where you goin’—back out West?”