John takes out a letter and reads aloud: "Philo Avery died last night. Funeral at ten o'clock to-morrow morning."
"Just like mine, except the name," says Philo. "So you thought I was a ghost."
"Didn't know what else you could be. You looked queer enough for one," replied John.
"Well, I've lived long enough to see ghosts, but this is the first of that kind of gentry that ever showed themselves to me," cried Philo, in his high, cracked voice, and actually convulsed with laughter. John joined in, and the two ghosts made the whole region alive.
"It must have been somebody that knew about the wills," said John, when they had grown calm.
"Yes," replied Philo; "and what cursed things they have been?"
"Cursed—for both of us," said John.
"Have you got it along with you?"
"Yes, of course,—have you?" answered John, reddening faintly.