"SomeofthefellowsaregoingThursday，"hesaid。"Areyougoingtostickitouttothebitterend？"
　　TillthenithadnotoccurredtoVerrianthathewasnotgoingtostaythroughtheweek，butnowhesaid，"Idon’tknowbutImaygoThursday。
　　Shallyou？"
　　"Imightaswellstayon。Idon’tfindmuchdoinginrealestateatChristmas。Doyou？"
　　Thiswasfishing，butitwasbetterthanopenlytakinghimforthatactor，andVerriananswered，unresentfully，"Idon’tknow。I’mnotinthatlineexactly。"
　　"Oh，Ibegyourpardon，"Bushwicksaid。"IthoughtIhadseenyournamewiththatofaWestSideconcern。"
　　"No，Ihaveasortofoutsideconnectionwiththepublishingbusiness。"
　　"Oh，"Bushwickreturned，politely，anditwouldhavebeenreassuringlyifVerrianhadwishednottobeknownasanauthor。Thesecretinwhichhelivedinthatregardwasapparentlysafefromthatyoung，amiable，good-
　　lookingreal-estatebroker。Heinferred，fromtheabsenceofanyallusiontothesuperstitionofthewomenastohisprofession，thatithadnotspreadtoBushwickatleast，andthisinclinedhimthemoretolikehim。TheysatuptalkingpleasantlytogetheraboutimpersonalaffairstillBushwickfinishedhiscigar。Thenhestartedforbed，saying，"Well，good-night。IhopeMrs。Westanglewon’thaveanythingsoactiveonthetapisfortomorrow。"
　　"Tryandsleepitoff。Good-night。"
　　XV。
　　Verrianremainedtofinishhiscigar，butattheendhewasnotyetsleepy，andhethoughthewouldgetabookfromthelibrary，ifthatpartofthehousewerestilllighted，andhelookedouttosee。Apparentlyitwasasbrilliantlyilluminatedaswhenthecompanyhadseparatedthereforthenight，andhepushedacrossthefoyerhallthatseparatedthebilliard-roomfromthedrawing-zoomandlibrary。Heenteredthedrawing-
　　room，andinthedepthsofthelibrary，relievedagainsttherowsofbooksintheirglasscases，hestartledMissShirleyfromaposewhichsheseemedtobetakingtherealone。
　　Attheinstantoftheirmutualrecognitionshegavealittlemutedshriek，andthengaspedout，"Ibegyourpardon，"whilehewassaying，too，"Ibegyourpardon。"
　　Afteratacitexchangeofforgiveness，hesaid，"IamafraidIstartledyou。Iwasjustcomingforabooktoreadmyselfasleepwith。I——"
　　"Notatall，"shereturned。"Iwasjust——"Thenshedidnotsaywhat，andheasked：
　　"Makingsomestudies？"
　　"Yes，"sheowned，withreluctantpromptness。
　　"Imustn’taskwhat，"hesuggested，andhemadeanefforttosmileawaywhatseemedapainfulperturbationinherashewentforwardtolookatthebook-shelves，fromwhich，tillthen，shehadnotslippedaside。
　　"I’minyourway，"shesaid，andheanswered，"Notatall。"Headdedtotheothersentencehehadspoken，"Ifit’sgoingtobeasgoodaswhatyougaveustoday——"
　　"Youareverykind。"Shehesitated，andthenshesaid，abruptly："WhatI
　　didto-dayowedeverythingtoyou，Mr。Verrian，"andwhilehedesistedfromsearchingthebook-shelves，shestoodlookinganxiouslyathim，withthepulseinherneckvisiblythrobbing。Heragitationwasreallypainful，butVerriandidnotattributeittoherfindingherselftherealonewithhimatmidnight;forthoughtheotherguestshadallgonetobed，thehousewasawakeinsomeoftheservants，andanelderlywomancameinpresentlybringingabreadthofsilverygauze，whichsheheldup，askingifitwasthat。
　　"Notexactly，butitwilldonicely，Mrs。Stager。Wouldyoumindgettingmetheverypale-bluepiecethatelectricblue？"
　　"I’mlookingforsomethinggoodanddull，"Verriansaid，whenthewomanwasgone。
　　"Travelsaregood，ornarratives，forsleepingon，"shesaid，withabreathlesseffortforcalm。"Ifound，"shepanted，"inmyowninsomnia，thatmerelythebroken-uplookofapageofdialogueinanovelrackedmynervessothatIcouldn’tsleep。Butnarrativeswerebeautifullysoothing。"
　　"Thankyou，"heresponded;"that’sagoodidea。"Andstooping，withhishandsonhisknees，herangedbackandforthalongtheshelves。"ButMrs。Westangle’slibrarydoesn’tseemtobeveryrichinnarrative。"
　　Hehadnothismindonthesearchperhaps，andperhapssheknewit。Shepresentlysaid，"IwishIdaredaskyouafavor——Imeanyouradvice，Mr。
　　Verrian。"
　　Heliftedhimselffromhisstoopingpostureandlookedather，smiling。
　　"Wouldthattakemuchcourage？"Hissmilewasalittlemocking;hewasthinkingthatagirlwhowouldhurrythatnotetohim，andwouldpersonallyseethatitdidnotfailtoreachhim，wouldhavethecourageformuchmore。
　　Shedidnotreplydirectly。"Ishouldhavetoexplain，butIknowyouwon’ttell。Thisisgoingtobemypiecederesistance，mygrandstunt。
　　I’mgoingtobringitoffthelastnight。"ShestoppedlongenoughforVerriantorevisehisresolutionofgoingawaywiththefellowswhowereleavingthemiddleoftheweek，andtodecideonstayingtotheend。
　　"IamgoingtocallitSeeingGhosts。"
　　"That’sgood，"Verriansaid，provisionally。
　　"Yes，ImightsayIwassurprisedatmythinkingitup。"
　　"Thatwouldbeoneformofmodesty。"
　　"Yes，"shesaid，withawansmileshehad，"andthenagainitmightn’tbeanother。"Shewenton，abruptly，"Asmanyaslikecantakepartintheperformance。It’stobegivenout，anddistinctlyunderstoodbeforehand，thattheghostisn’taveridicalphantom，butjustanhonest，made-up，every-dayspook。Itmaychangeitsposefromtimetotime，oritsdrapery，butthesettingistobealwaysthesame，andthepeoplewhotaketheirturnsinseeingitaretobeexplicitlyreassured，oneafteranother，thatthere’snothinginit，youknow。Thefunwillbeinseeinghoweachonetakesit，aftertheyknowwhatitreallyis。"
　　"Thenyou’regoingtogiveusastudyoftemperaments。"
　　"Yes，"sheassented。Andafteramoment，giventolettingthenotiongetquitehomewithher，sheasked，vividly，"Wouldyouletmeuseit？"
　　"Thephrase？Why，certainly。Butwouldn’titberathertoopsychological？IthinkjustSeeingGhostswouldbebetter。"
　　"BetterthanSeeingGhosts：AStudyofTemperaments？Perhapsitwould。
　　Itwouldbesimpler。"
　　"Andinthishouseyouneedallthesimplicityyoucanget，"hesuggested。
　　Shesmiled，intelligentlybutreticently。"Myideaisthateveryonesomehowreallybelievesinghosts——IknowIdo——andsofullyexpectstoseeonethatanysortofmake-upwillaffectthemforthemomentjustasiftheydidseeone。Ithought——thatperhaps——Idon’tknowhowtosayitwithoutseemingtomakeuseofyou——"
　　"Oh，domakeuseofme，MissShirley！"
　　"Thatyoucouldgivemesomehintsaboutthesetting，withyourknowledgeofthestage——"Shestopped，havingrushedforwardtothatpoint，whilehecontinuedtolooksteadilyatherwithoutansweringher。Shefacedhimcourageously，butnotconvincingly。
　　"DidyouthinkthatIwasanactor？"heasked，finally。
　　"Mrs。Westangleseemedtothinkyouwere。"
　　"Butdidyou？"
　　"I’msureIdidn’tmean——Ibegyourpardon——"
　　"It’sallright。IfIwereanactorIshouldn’tbeashamedofit。ButI
　　wasmerelycurioustoknowwhetheryousharedtheprevalentsuperstition。
　　I’mafraidIcan’thelpyoufromaknowledgeofthestage，butifIcanbeofuse，fromasortofamateurinterestinpsychology，withanaffairlikethisIshallbeonlytooglad。"
　　"Thankyou，"shesaid，somewhatfaintly，withaneffectofdismaydisproportionatetotheoccasion。
　　Shesankintoachairbeforewhichshehadbeenstanding，andshelookedasifsheweregoingtoswoon。
　　Hestartedtowardsherwithanalarmed"MissShirley。
　　Sheputoutahandweaklytostayhim。"Don’t！"sheentreated。
　　"I’malittle——Ishallbeallrightinamoment。"
　　"Can’tIgetyousomething——callsomeone？"
　　"Notfortheworld！"shecommanded，andshepulledherselftogetherandstoodup。"ButIthinkI’llstopforto-night。I’mgladmyideastrikesyoufavorably。It’smerely——Oh，youfoundit，Mrs。Stager！"Shebrokeofftoaddressthewomanwhohadnowcomebackandwasholdingupthetrailingbreadthsoftheelectric-bluegauze。"Isn’titlovely？"
　　Shegaveherselftimetoadorethedrapery，withitschangesofmeteoriclucence，beforesheroseandtookit。Shewentwithittothebackgroundinthelibrary，where，againsttheglassdoorofthecases，sheinvolvedherselfinitandstoodshimmering。AthrillpiercedtoVerrian’sheart;
　　shewasindeedwraithlike，sothathehatedtohavehercall，"Howwillthatdo？"
　　Mrs。Stagermodestlyreferredthequestiontohimbyhersilence。
　　"Iwillanswerforitsdoing，ifitdoesfortheothersasit’sdoneforme。"
　　Shelaughed。"Andyoudoublyknewwhatitwas。Yes，Ithinkitwillgo。"Shetookanotherpose，andthenanother。"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Mrs。Stager？"shecalledtothewomanstandingrespectfullyabeyantatoneside。
　　"It’sawful。Idon’tknowbutI’llbeafraidtogotomyroom。"
　　"Sitdown，andI’llgotoyourroomwithyouwhenI’mthrough。Iwon’tbelong，now。"
　　Shetrieddifferentgauzes，whichshehadlyingononeofthechairs，andcrownedherselfwithtriumphintheapplausesofhertwospectators，rejoicingwithagleethatVerrianfoundchildlikeandwinning。
　　"Ifthey’realllikeyou，itwillbethegreatestsuccess！"
　　"They’llallbelikeme，andmore，"hesaid，"I’mreallyverysevere。"
　　"Areyouasevereperson？"sheasked，comingforwardtohim。"Oughtpeopletobeafraidofyou？"
　　"Yes，peoplewithbadconsciences。I’mrattierafraidofmyselfforthatreason。"
　　"Haveyougotabadconscience？"sheasked，lettinghereyesrestonhis。
　　"Yes。Ican’tmakemyconductsquarewithmyidealofconduct。"
　　"Iknowwhatthatis！"shesighed。"Doyouexpecttobepunishedforit？"
　　"Iexpecttobegotevenwith。"
　　"Yes，oneis。I’venoticedthatmyself。ButIdidn’tsupposethatactors——Oh，Iforgot！Ibegyourpardonagain，Mr。Verrian。Oh——
　　Goodnight！"Shefacedhimevanescentlyingoingout，withthewomanafterher，but，whethershedidsomoreinfearormoreindefiance，shelefthimstandingmotionlessinhisdoubt，andshedidnothingtosolvehisdoubtwhenshecamequicklybackalone，beforehewasawareofhavingmoved，tosay，"Mr。Verrian，Iwantto——Ihaveto——tellyouthat——
　　Ididn’tthinkyouweretheactor。"Thenshewasfinallygone，andVerrianhadnothingforitbuttogouptohisroomwiththebookhefoundhehadinhishandandmusthavehadthereallthetime。
　　Ifhehadreadit，thebookwouldnothaveeasedhimofftosleep，buthedidnoteventry，toreadit。Hehadnowishtosleep。Thewakingdreaminwhichhelosthimselfwasmoreinterestingthananyvisionofslumbercouldhavebeen，andhehadnodesiretoendit。Inthathecouldstillbetalkingwiththegirlwhosemysteryappealedtohimsopleasingly。
　　Itwasnonethelesspleasingbecause，atwhatmightbecalledherfirstblushes，shedidnotstrikehimasaltogetheringenuous，butonlyabletodisciplineherselfintoafinalsincerityfromaconsciousnesswhichhadbeentaughtwisdombyexperience。
　　Shewasstillascarcelyrecoveredinvalid，anditwaspatheticthatsheshouldbecommencingthestruggleoflifewithstrengthsolittleproportionedtothedemanduponit;andthecallingshehadtakenupwasofafantasticalityinsomeaspectswhichwasequallypathetic。Butalltheundertakingsofwomen，hemused，werepiteous，notonlybecausewomenwereunequaltothestruggleatthebest，butbecausetheywerehamperedalwayswiththemselves，withtheirsex，theirfemininity，andthenecessityofgettingitoutofthewaybeforetheycouldreallybegintofight。Whatevertheyattempteditmustbeinrelationtotheman’sworldinwhichlivingsweremade;buttheimmemorialconditionswerealmostwhollyunchanged。Awomanapproachedthisworldasawoman，withtheinborninstinctoftemptingitasawoman，towinittoloveherandmakeherawifeandmother;andalthoughshemightstoicallyovercomethetemptationatlast，itmightrecuratanymomentandovercomeher。Thiswasperpetuallyweakeningandimperillingher，andshemustfeelitattheencounterwitheachmanshemet。Shemustfeelthetacitandevenunconsciousironyofhisattitudetowardsherinherenterprise，andthefinerhermakethecruellerandthemorehumiliatinganddishearteningthismustbe。
　　Ofcourse，thisMissShirleyfeltVerrian’sirony，whichhehadguardedfromanyexpressionwithgenuinecompassionforher。Shemustfeelthattohisknowledgeoflifesheandherexperimenthadanabsurditywhichwouldnotpass，whatevertheirsuccessmightbe。Ifshemeantbusiness，andbusinessonly，theyoughttohavemetastwomenwouldhavemet，butheknewthattheyhadnotdoneso，andshemusthaveknownit。Allthatwasplainsailingenough，butbeyondthislayaseaofconjectureinwhichhefoundhimselfwithouthelmorcompass。Why，shouldshehaveactedafibabouthisbeinganactor，andwhy，aftertheend，shouldshehaveaddedanend，inwhichshereturnedtoownthatshehadbeenfibbing？Forthatwaswhatitcameto;andthoughVerriantastedadeliciouspleasureinthewomanishfeatbywhichsheovercameherwomanishness，hecouldnotpuzzleouthermotive。Hewasnotsurethathewishedtopuzzleitout。Toremainwithillimitableguessesathischoicewasmoreagreeable，forthepresentatleast，andhewasnotawareofhavinglapsedfromthemwhenhewokesolateastobeoneofthebreakfasterswhoseplateswerekeptforthemaftertheothersweregone。
　　XVI。
　　ItwasthefirsttimethatVerrianhadcomedownlate，anditwashisnovelexperiencetofindhimselfinchargeofMrs。Stageratbreakfast，insteadofthebutlerandthebutler’sman，whohadhithertoservedhimattheearlierhour。Therewereothers，somewhatremotefromhim，attable，whowereendingwhenhewasbeginning，andwhentheyhadjokedthemselvesoutoftheroomandawayfromMrs。Stager’sministrationshewasleftalonetoher。Hehadinstantlyappreciatedaqualityofmotherlinessinherattitudetowardshim，andnowhewassensibleofakindlyintimacytowhichheratherhelplesslyaddressedhimself。
　　"Well，Mrs。Stager，didyouseeaghostonyourwaytobed？"
　　"Idon’tknowasIreallyexpectedto，"shesaid。"Won’tyouhaveafewmoreofthebuckwheats？"
　　"DoyouthinkI’dbetter？IbelieveIwon’t。They’reverytempting。
　　MissShirleymakesaverygoodghost，"hesuggested。
　　Mrs。Stagerwouldnotatfirstcommitherselffurtherthantosayinbringinghimthebutter，"She’sjustupfromalongfitofsickness。"
　　Sheimpulsivelyadded，"Sheain’thardlystrongenoughtobedoingwhatsheis，Itellher。"
　　"Iunderstoodshehadbeenill，"Verriansaid。"Wedroveoverfromthestationtogether，theotherday。"
　　"Yes，"Mrs。Stageradmitted。"Kindofanervousbreakdown，Ibelieve。
　　Butshe’sgotanawfulspirit。Mrs。Westangledon’twanthertodoallsheisdoing。"
　　Verrianlookedatherinsurprise。HehadnotexpectedthatoftheIndia-rubbernaturehehadattributedtoMrs。Westangle。InviewofMrs。
　　Stager’sprivitytotheunimaginedkindlinessofhishostess，herelaxedhimselfinafurtherinterestinMissShirley，asifitwouldnowbesafe。"She’sdonesplendidly，sofar，"hesaid，meaningthegirl。
　　"I’mgladMrs。Westangleappreciatesherwork。"
　　"Iguess，"Mrs。Stagersaid，"thatifithadn’tbeenforyouatthesnow-
　　fight——Shegotbackfromgettingreadyforit，thatmorning，almostdownsick，shewasafraidsoitwasgoingtofail。"
　　"Ididn’tdoanything，"Verriansaid，puttingthepraisefromhim。
　　Mrs。Stagerloweredhervoiceinanoctaveofdeeperconfidentiability。
　　"Yougotthenote？Iputitunder，andIdidn’tknow。"
　　"Ohyes，Igotit，"Verriansaid，sensibleofarelief，whichhewouldnotassigntoanydefinitereason，inknowingthatMissShirleyhadnotherselfputitunderhisdoor。ButhenowhadtotakeupanotherburdeninthequestionwhetherMissShirleywereofanoriginsomuchabovethatofherconfidantthatshecouldhaveapatricianfearlessnessinmakinguseofher，orweresonearMrs。Stager’sleveloflifethatshewouldnaturallyturntoherforcounselandhelp。MissShirleyhadtheaccent，themanners，andthefrankcourageofalady;butthosethingscouldbelearned;theyweregotupforthestageeveryday。
　　VerrianwasrousedfromthemusehefoundhehadfallenintobyhearingMrs。Stagerask，"Won’tyouhavesomemorecoffee？"
　　"No，thankyou，"hesaid。Andnowherosefromthetable，onwhichhedreamilydroppedhisnapkin，andgothishatandcoatandwentoutforawalk。Hehadnotstudiedtheartoffictionsolong，inthemanyprivatefailuresthathadprecededhisonepublicsuccess，withoutbeingmadetoobservethatlifesometimesdealtintheaccidentsandcoincidenceswhichhiscriticismcondemnedastoohabituallytheresourceofthenovelist。
　　Hithertohehaddisdainedthemforthisreason;butsincehisserialstorywasoffhishands，andhewasbeginningtolookabouthimforfreshmaterial，hehaddoubtedmorethanoncewhetherhisseveritywasnottheeffectofanunjustifiableprejudice。
　　Itstruckhimnow，inturningthecornerofthewoodlotabovethemeadowwherethesnow-battlehadtakenplace，andsuddenlyfindinghimselffacetofacewithMissShirley，thatnaturewasinoneofheruninventivemoodsandwashelpingherselfoutfromtheoldstock-in-tradeoffiction。
　　Allthesame，hefeltaglowofpleasure，whichwasalsoaglowofpity;
　　forwhileMissShirleylooked，asalways，interesting，shelooktired，too，withasortofdesperateairwhichdidnototherwiseaccountforitself。Shehadgiven，atsightofhim，alittlestart，andalittle"Oh！"droppedfromherlips，asifithadbeenjostledfromthem。Shemadehastetogoon，withsomethinglikethevoluntaryhardinessofthecouragethatplucksitselffromtheprimaryemotionoffear，"Youaregoingdowntotrytheskating？"
　　"DoIlookit，withoutskates？"
　　"Youmaybegoingtotrythesliding，"shereturned。"I’mafraidtherewon’tbemuchofeitherforlong。Thissoftairisgoingtomakehavocofmyplansforto-morrow。"
　　"That’stoobadofit。Whynothopeforahardfreezeto-night？Youmightaswell。Theweatherhasbeenknowntochangeitsmind。Youmightevenchangeyourplans。"
　　"No，Ican’tdothat。Ican’tthinkofanythingelse。It’stobridgeoverthedaythat’sleftbeforeSeeingGhosts。Ifitdoesfreeze，you’llcometoMrs。Westangle’safternoonteaonthepond？"
　　"Icertainlyshall。Howisittobeworked？"
　　"She’stohavehertableonaplatform，withrunners，inabowerofevergreenboughs，andbepushedabout，andthepeoplearetoskateupforthetea。Therearetobeteaandchocolate，andtwogirlstopour，justasinreallife。Itisn’taverydazzlingidea，butIthoughtitmightdo;andMrs。Westangleissogood-natured。Now，ifthethermometerwilldoitspart！"
　　"Iamsureitwill，"Verriansaid，butaglanceatthegrayskydidnotconfirmhiminhispropheticventure。Thesnowwassoddenunderfoot;abreathfromthesouthstirredthepinestoanAeolianresponseandmovedthestiff，dryleavesofthescrub-oaks。Asapsuckerwasmarkinganaccuratecircleofdotsroundthethroatofatallyoungmaple，andenjoyinghisworkinalow，gutturalsoliloquy，seemingly，yet，dismayingly，suggestiveofspring。
　　"It’slovely，anyway，"shesaid，followinghisglancewithanupwardturnofherface。
　　"Yes，it’sbeautiful。Ithinkthissortofwinterdayisaboutthebestthewholeyearcando。ButIwillsacrificethechanceofanotherlikeittoyourskating-tea，MissShirley。"
　　Hedidnotknowwhyheshouldhavemadethisspeechtoher，butapparentlyshedid，andshesaid，"You’realwayscomingtomyhelp，Mr。
　　Verrian。"
　　"Don’tmentionit！"
　　"Iwon’t，then，"shesaid，withasmilethatshowedherthinfaceatitsthinnestandleftherlipcaughtonherteethtillshebroughtitdownvoluntarily。Itwasasmallbutfulllipandpretty，andthistrickofithadafascination。Sheadded，gravely，"Idon’tbelieveyouwilllikemyice-tea。"
　　"Ihaven’tanyactivehostilitytoit。Youcan’talwaysbestrikingtwelve——twelvemidnight——asyouwillbeinSeeingGhosts。Butyourice-
　　teawilldoverywellforstrikingfive。I’mratherelaborate！"
　　"Nottooelaboratetohideyourrealopinion。Iwonderwhatyoudothinkofmyownelaboration——Imeanofmyscheme。"
　　"Yes？"
　　Theyhadmovedon，athisturningtowalkwithher，soasnottokeepherstandinginthesnow，andnowshesaid，lookingoverhershoulderathim，"I’vedecidedthatitwon’tdotolettheghosthavealltheglory。I
　　don’tthinkitwillbefairtoletthepeoplemerelybescared，evenwhenthey’vebeenwarnedthatthey’retoseeaghostandtolditisn’treal。"
　　Sheseemedtoreferthepointtohim，andhesaid，provisionally，"Idon’tknowwhatmoretheycanask。"
　　"Theycanaskquestions。I’mgoingtoleteachpersonspeaktotheghost，ifnotscareddumb，andaskitjustwhattheyplease;andI’mgoingtoanswertheirquestionsifIcan。"
　　"Won’titbesomethingofanintellectualstrain？"
　　"Yes，itwill。Butitwillbefun，too，alittle，anditwillhelpthethingtogooff。Whatdoyouthink？"
　　"Ithinkit’sfine。Areyougoingtogiveitout，sothattheycanbestudyinguptheirquestions？"
　　"No，theirquestionshavegottobeimpromptu。Or，atleast，thefirstonehas。Ofcourse，aftertheschemehasoncebeengivenaway，theghost-seerswillbemoreorlessprepared，andtheghostwillhavetostandit。"
　　"Ithinkit’sgreat。Areyougoingtoletmehaveachancewithaquestion？"
　　"Areyougoingtoseeaghost？"
　　"TobesureIam。MayIreallyaskitwhatIplease？"
　　"Ifyou’rehonest。"
　　"Oh，Ishallbehonest——"
　　Hestoppedbreathlessly，butshedidnotseemcalledupontosupplyanymeaningforhisabruptness。"I’mawfullygladyouliketheidea，"shesaid，"Ihavehadtothinkthewholethingoutformyself，andIhaven’tbeenquitecertainthatthequestion-askingwasn’trathersilly，or，atleast，sillierthantherest。Thankyousomuch，Mr。Verrian。"
　　"I’vethoughtofmyquestion，"hebeganagain，asabruptlyashehadstoppedbefore。"MayIaskitnow？"
　　Criesoflaughtercameupfromthemeadowbelow，andthevoicesseemedcomingnearer。
　　"Oh，Imustn’tbeseen！"MissShirleylamented。"Oh，dear！IfI’mseenthewholethingisgivenaway。WhatshallIdo？"Shewhirledaboutandrandowntheroadtowardsapaththatenteredthewood。
　　Heranafterher。"Myquestionis，MayIcometoseeyouwhenyougetbacktotown？"
　　"Yes，certainly。Butdon’tcomenow！Youmustn’tbeseenwithme！I’mnotsupposedtobeinthehouseatall。"
　　IfVerrian’spresentmoodhadbeenmoreanalytic，itmighthaveoccurredtohimthattheelementofmysterywhichMissShirleyseemedtocherishinregardtoherselfpersonallywassomethingthatshecoulddramaticallyapplywithpeculiaradvantagetothephantasmalpartshewastotakeinherprojectedentertainment。Buthewasreducedfromtheexerciseofhisanalyticpowerstoapassivityinwhichhewaschieflyconsciousofherpatheticfascination。Thisseemedtoemanatefromherfrailprettinessnolessthanfromthesortoffearfuldaringwithwhichshewaspushingherwholeenterprisethrough;itcameasmuchfromherundecidedblondness——fromherdust-coloredhair，forinstance——asfromtheentreatinglookofherpinchedeyes，onlyjustlightingtheirconvalescentfires，andfromtheweaknessthatshowed，withthegrace，inherrunthroughthewintrywoods，wherehewatchedhertilltheunderbrushthickenedbehindherandhidherfromhim。Altogetherhisimpressionwasverycomplex，buthedidnotgetsofarevenastherealizationofthis，inhismentalturmoil，asheturnedwithadeepsighandwalkedmeditativelyhomewardthroughtheincipientthaw。
　　Itdidnotrainatnight，asitseemedsolikelytodo，andbymorningthecloudinessoftheskyhadsofarthinnedthatthesunlookedmildlythroughitwithoutmorethansofteningthefrozensurfaceofthepond，sothatMrs。Westangle’sice-tea（aseverybodycalledit，byacommoninspiration，orbywhatevercircuitousadoptionofVerrian’sphrase）cameoffwithgreatsuccess。Peoplefromotherhouseswerethere，andtheyallsaidthattheywonderedhowshecametohavesuchabrilliantidea，andtheykepthertheretillnearlydark。Thentheretardedrainbegan，inafinedrizzle，andherhouseguestswereforcedhomeward，butnottoosoontogetagood，longrestbeforedressingfordinner。Shewaspraisedforherunderstandingwiththeweather，andforhermeteorologicalforecastasmuchasforherinventioninimaginingsuchadelightfulandoriginalthingasanice-tea，whichnooneelsehadeverthoughtof。SomeofthewomenappealedtoVerriantosayifhehadeverheardofanythinglikeit;andtheyfeltthatMrs。Westanglewascertainlyarriving，andbynobeatentrack。
　　Noneoftheothersputitintheseterms，ofcourse;itwasmerelyaconsensusoffeelingwiththem，andwhatwasmorearticulatewasdroppedamongtheironieswithwhichMissMacroydmoreconfidentiallycelebratedtheevent。Outofhearingoftheothers，inslowlyfollowingthemwithVerrian，sherecurredtotheirtalk。"Yes，it’sonlyaquestionofmoneyenoughforNewport，afterthis。She’schicnow，andafteraseasonthereshewillbesmart。Butoh，dear！Howcameshetobechic？Canyouimagine？"
　　Verriandidnotfeelboundtoacategoricalanswer，andinhisprivatereflectionshedealtwithanotherquestion。ThiswashowfarMissShirleywasculpableinthefraudshewaslettingMrs。Westanglepractiseonherinnocentguests。Itwasadistastefulquestion，andhedidnotfinditmuchmoreagreeablewhenitsubdivideditselfintothequestionofnecessityonherpart，andofanotveryclearlyrealizedsituationonMrs。Westangle’s。Thegirlhadarighttosellherideas，andperhapsthewomanthoughttheywereherownwhenshehadpaidforthem。Therecouldbethatviewofitall。ThefurtivenatureofMissShirley’spresenceinthehousemightverywellbeaconditionofthatgrandeventshewaspreparing。Itwasallverymysterious。
　　XVII。
　　Itrainedthroughouttheevening，withawailingofthewindinthegables，andaweepingandasobbingofthewaterfromtheeavesthatMrs。
　　Westangle’sguests，securelyhousedfromthestorm，madethemostofforweirdness。Therehadbeenalittledancing，whichgavewaytosomuchsitting-outthatthevolunteermusicabruptlyceasedasifindudgeon，andtherewasnothingleftbutweirdnesstobringyoungheartstogether。
　　Weirdnesscandoagooddealwithgirlslounginginlowchairs，andyoungmenonrugsroundaglowinghearthattheirfeet;andeveryonetoldsomestrangethingthathadhappenedatfirsthand，orsecondorthirdhand，eithertohimselforherself，ortotheirfathersorbrothersorgrandmothersoroldservants。Theywerestimulatedinekingouttheseexperiencesnotonlybythewildnessoftherainwithout，butbythemysteryofbeingshutofffromthelibraryintothedrawing-roomandhallwhilethepreparationsforthefollowingnightwerebeginning。Butweirdnessisnotinexhaustible，evenwhensharedonsuchpropitioustermsbetweenagroupofyoungpeoplerapidlyadvancedinintimacybyaweek’sstayunderthesameroof，andatthefirstyawnagaydispersionofthevotariesendeditall。
　　TheyawncamefromBushwick，whoboldlyowned，whenhisguiltwasbroughthometohim，thathewassleepy，andthenasheexpectedtobescaredoutofayear’sgrowththenextnight，andnotbeabletosleepforaweekafterwards，hewasnowgoingtobed。HeshookhandswithMrs。Westangleforgood-night。ThelatesttofollowhimwasVerrian，who，strangelyalert，andasfarfromdrowsinessashehadeverknownhimself，wasyetmorerousedbyrealizingthatMrs。Westanglewasnotlettinghishandgoatonce，but，unlessitwasmereabsent-mindedness，wasconveyingthroughitthewishtokeephim。Sheflutteredalittlemorecloselyuptohim，andtwitteredout，"MissShirleywantsmetoletyouknowthatshehastoldmeaboutyourcomingtogether，andeverything。"
　　"Oh，I’mveryglad，"Verriansaid，notsurethatitwastherightthing。
　　"Idon’tknowwhyshefeelsso，butshehasarighttodoasshepleasesaboutit。She’snotaguest。"
　　"No，"Verrianassented。
　　"Ithappensverywell，though，fortheghost-seeingthatpeopledon’tknowshe’shere。AfterthatIshalltellthem。Infact，shewantsmeto，forshemustbeonthelookoutforotherengagements。IamgoingtodoeverythingIcanforher，andifyouhearofanything——"
　　Verrianbowed，withasenseofsomethingoffensiveinherwordswhichhecouldnotlogicallyfeel，sinceitwasamatterofbusinessandwasputsquarelyonabusinessbasis。"Ishouldbeveryglad，"hesaid，noncommittally。
　　"Shewassurefromthefirst，"Mrs。Westanglewenton，asifthereweresomerelationbetweenthefactandherrequest，"thatyouwerenottheactor。Sheknewyouwereawriter。"
　　"Oh，indeed！"Verriansaid。
　　"Ithoughtthatifyouwerewritingforthenewspapersyoumightknowhowtohelpher-"
　　"I’mnotanewspaperwriter，"Verriananswered，witharesentmentwhichsheseemedtofeel，forshesaid，withasortofapologyinhertone：
　　"Oh！Well，Idon’tsupposeitmatters。Shedoesn’tknowI’mspeakingtoyouaboutthat;itjustcameintomyhead。Iliketohelpinaworthyobject，youknow。Ihopeyou’llhaveagoodnight’srest。"
　　Sheturnedandlookedroundwiththeairofdistractionwhichshehadafterspeakingtoanyone，andwhichVerrianfanciedcameasmuchfromapaucityasfromamultiplicityofsuggestioninherbrain，andsolefthimstanding。Butshecamebacktosay，"Ofcourse，it’sallbetweenourselvestillafterto-morrownight，Mr。Verrian。"
　　"Oh，certainly，"hereplied，andwentvaguelyoffinthedirectionofthebilliard-room。Itwaslightandwarmthere，thoughtheplacewasempty，andhedecideduponacigarasaproximateorimmediatesolution。Hesatsmokingbeforethefiretillthetobacco’ssubstancehadhalfturnedintoawraithofash，andnotreallythinkingofanythingverydefinitely，exceptthequestionwhetherheshouldbeabletosleepafterhewenttobed，whenheheardacreepingsteponthefloor。Heturnedquickly，withacertainexpectanceinhisnerves，andsawnothingmoreghostlythanBushwickstandingatthecornerofthetableandapparentlyhesitatinghowtospeaktohim。
　　Hesaid，"Hello！"andatthisBushwicksaid：
　　"Lookhere！"
　　"Well？"Verrianasked，lookingathim。
　　"Howdoesithappenyou’reupsolate，aftereverybodyelseiswrappedinslumber？"
　　"Imightaskthesameofyou。"
　　"Well，IfoundIwasn’tmakingitacaseofsleep，exactly，andsoIgotup。"
　　"Well，Ihadn’tgonetobedformuchthesamereason。Whycouldn’tyousleep？Areal-estatebrokeroughttohaveacleanconscience。"
　　"Sooughtapublisher，forthatmatter。Whatdoyouthinkofthisghost-
　　dance，anyway？"
　　"Itmightbeamusing——ifitfails。"Verrianwastemptedtoaddtheconditionbytheopportunityforacynicismwhichhedidnotfeel。Itisoneoftheprivilegesofyouthtobecynical，whetherorno。
　　Bushwicksatdownbeforethefireandrubbedhisshinswithhistwohandsunrestfully，drawinginalongbreathbetweenhisteeth。"Thesethingsgetontomynervessometimes。Ishouldn’twanttheghost-dancetofail。"
　　"OnMrs。Westangle’saccount？"
　　"IguessMrs。Westanglecouldstandit。Lookhere！"Itwasratheracustomaryphraseofhis，Verriannoted。AshenowusedithelookedalertlyroundatVerrian，withhishandsstillonhisshins。"What’stheuseofourbeatingroundthebush？"
　　Verriandelayedhisanswerlongenoughtodecideagainsttheaimlesspunofasking，"WhatBushwick？"andmerelyasked，"Whatbush？"
　　"Thebushwherethemilkinthecocoanutgrows。Youdon’tpretendthatyoubelieveMrs。Westanglehasbeengettingupallthesefairystunts？"
　　Verrianreturnedtohiscigar，fromwhichtheashenwraithdroppedintohislap。"Iguessyou’llhavetobealittleclearer。"ButasBushwickcontinuedsilentlylookingathim，thethingcouldnotbeleftatthispoint，andhewasobligedtoaskofhisowninitiative，"Howmuchdoyouknow？"
　　Bushwickleanedbackinhischair，withhiseyesstillonVerrian’sprofile。"AsmuchasMissMacroydcouldtellme。"
　　"Ah，I’mstillinthedark，"Verrianpolitelyregretted，butnotwithatacitwishtowringMissMacroyd’sneck，whichhewouldnothaveknownhowtoaccountfor。
　　"Well，shesaysthatMrs。Westanglehasaprofessionalassistantwho’sdoingthewholejobforher，andthatshecamedownonthesametrainwithherselfandyou。"
　　"Didshesaythatshegrabbedthewholevictoriaforherselfandmaidatthestation？"Verriandemanded，inaburstofrage，"andleftustogetherethebestwaywecould？"
　　Bushwickgrinned。"Shesupposedtherewereothercarriages，andwhenshefoundthereweren’tshehurriedthevictoriabackforyou。"
　　"Youthinkshebelievesallthat？I’mgladshehasthedecencytobeashamedofherbehavior。"
　　"I’mnotdefendingher。MissMacroydknowshowtotakecareofherself。"
　　Thematterratherdroppedforthemoment，inwhichBushwickfilledapipehetookfromhispocketandlightedit。Afterthefirstfewwhiffshetookitfromhismouth，and，withadrolllookacrossatVerrian，said，"Whowasyourfairfriend？"
　　IfVerrianwasgoingtotalkofthisthing，hewasnotgoingtodoitwiththeburdenofanysortofreserveorcontrivanceonhissoul。"Thisafternoon？"Bushwicknodded;andVerrianadded，"Thatwasshe。"Thenhewenton，wrathfully："She’sagirlwhohastomakeherliving，andshe’sdoingitinanewwaythatshe’sinventedforherself。Shehassupposedthatthestupidrich，orthelazyrich，whowanttoentertainpeoplemaybewillingtopayforideas，andsheproposestosupplytheideasforamoneyconsideration。She’snotaguestinthehouse，andshewon’ttakeherselfonasocietybasisatall。Idon’tknowwhatherhistoryis，andIdon’tcare。She’saladybytraining，and，ifshehadtheaccent，I
　　shouldsayshewasfromtheSouth，forshehastheenterpriseoftheSouththatcomesNorthandtriestomakeitsliving。It’sallinexpressiblynoneofmybusiness，butIhappentobeknowingtosomuchofthecase，andifyou’reknowingtoanythingelse，Mr。Bushwick，Iwantyoutogetitstraight。That’swhyI’mtalkingofit，andnotbecauseI
　　thinkyou’veanyrighttoknowanythingaboutit。"
　　"Thankyou，"Bushwickreturned，unruffled。"It’saboutwhatMissMacroydtoldme。That’sthereasonIdon’twanttheghost-dancetofail。"
　　Verriandidnotnoticehim。Hefounditmoreimportanttosay："She’ssoloyaltoMrs。Westanglethatshewouldn’thavewished，inMrs。
　　Westangle’sinterest，tohaveherpresence，orheragencyinwhatisgoingon，known;but，ofcourse，ifMrs。Westanglechoosesto，tellit，that’sheraffair。"
　　"Shewouldhavehadtotellit，soonerorlater，Mrs。Westanglewould;
　　andsheonlytoldittoMissMacroydthisafternoononcompulsion，afterMissMacroydandIhadseenyouinthewood-road，andMrs。Westanglehadtoaccountfortheyounglady’spresencethereinyourcompany。ThenMissMacroydhadtotellme;butIassureyou，mydearfellow，thematterhasn’tgoneanyfurther。"
　　"Oh，it’squiteindifferenttome，"Verrianretorted。"I’mnothingbutadispassionatewitnessofthesituation。"
　　"Ofcourse，"Bushwickassented，andthenheadded，withabonhomiereallysoamiablethatamanwithevenanunreasonablegrudgecouldhardlyresistit，"Ifyoucallitdispassionate。"
　　Verriancouldnothelplaughing。"Well，passionate，then。Idon’tknowwhyitshouldbesoconfoundedlyvexatious。ButsomehowIwouldhavechosenMissMacroyd——Isshyspeciallydeartoyou？"
　　"Nottheleast！"
　　"Iwouldhavechosenherasthelastpersontohavethebusiness，whichissoinexpressiblynoneofmybusiness——"
　　"Ormine，asIthinkyouremarked，"Bushwickinterposed。
　　"Comeoutthrough，"Verrianconcluded，acceptinghisinterpositionwithabow。
　　"Iseewhatyoumean，"Bushwicksaid，afteramoment’sthought。"But，really，Idon’tthinkit’slikelytogofurther。Ifyouwanttoknow，IbelieveMissMacroydfeelsthedistinctionofbeinginthesecretsomuchthatshe’llprefertohintroundtillMrs。Westanglegivesthethingaway。Shehadtotellme，becauseIwastherewithherwhenshesawyouwiththeyounglady，tokeepmefromgoingwithmycuriositytoyou。
　　Come，Idothinkshe’shonestaboutit。"
　　"Don’tyouthinkthey’rerathermoredangerouswhenthey’rehonest？"
　　"Well，onlywhenthey’reobligedtobe。Cheerup！Idon’tbelieveMissMacroydisonetospoilsport。"
　　"Oh，IthinkIshalllivethroughit，"Verriansaid，ratherstiffeningagain。Butherelaxed，inrisingfromhischair，andsaid，"Well，good-
　　night，oldfellow。IbelieveIshallgotobednow。"
　　"Youwon’twaitformetillmypipe’sout？"
　　"No，Ithinknot。Iseemtobejustmakingit，andifIwaitedImightlosemygrip。"HeofferedBushwickafriendlyhand。
　　"Doyousupposeit’sbeenmysoothingconversation？I’mliketheactorthatthedoctoradvisedtogoandseehimselfact。Ican’ttalkmyselfsleepy。"
　　"Youmighttryit，"Verriansaid，goingout。
　　XVIII。
　　ThemenwhohadtalkedofgoingawayonThursdayseemedtohavefounditpracticabletostay。Atanyrate，theywereallthereontheSaturdaynightfortheghost-seeing，and，ofcourse，noneofthewomenhadgone。
　　Whatwasmoreremarkable，inahouseratherfullofgirls，nobodywassick;or，atleast，everybodywaswellenoughtobeatdinner，and，afterdinner，atthedance，whichimpatiently，ifalittleironically，precededthesupernaturalpartoftheevening’samusement。ItwasthedecorumofawomanwhomighthavebeenexpectednottohaveitthatMrs。Westanglehadarrangedthattheevening’samusementshouldnotpasstheboundbetweenSaturdaynightandSundaymorning。Thesupperwastobelater，butthatwaslikeothereatinganddrinkingontheSabbath;anditwastobeacoldsupper。
　　Athalf-pasttenthedancingstoppedinthefoyerandthedrawing-room，andbyeleventheguestswereallseatedfrontingthecloseddoorsofthelibrary。Therewerenotsomanyofthembutthatinthehandsomespacetherewasintervalenoughtolendadesireddistancetotheapparitions;
　　andwhenthedoorswereslidasideitwasapplausivelyfoundthattherewasaveilofgauzefallingfromtherooftothefloor，whichpromiseditsaidinheighteningthecomingmystery。Thiswasagainheightenedbytheuniversalignoranceastohowtheapparitionsweretomaketheiradventsandonwhatterms。
　　ItwaswithanaccessofacertainnervousanxietythatVerrianfoundhimselfnextMissMacroyd，whosefrankgood-fellowshipfirstexpresseditselfinapleasureatthechancewhichhedidnotshare，andthenextendedtoaconfidentialsympathyforthesuccessoftheenterprisewhichhedidnotbelieveshefelt。Shelaughed，but’sottovoce’，inbendingherheadclosetohisandwhispering，"Ihopeshe’llbeequaltoher’miseenscene’。It’sreallyverynice。Sosimple。"Besidesthegauzeveil，therewasnopreparationexceptinthestretchofblackdraperywhichhidthebook-shelvesatthefartherwallofthelibrary。
　　"Mrs。Westangle’snoteisalwayssimplicity，"Verrianreturned。
　　"Ohyes，indeed！AndyouwishtokeepuptheWestangleconvention？"
　　"Idon’tseeanyreasonfordroppingit。"
　　"Oh，noneintheworld，"shemocked。
　　Hedeterminedtopushher，sinceshehadtriedtopushhim，andheasked，"Whatreasoncouldtherebe？"
　　"Now，Mr。Verrian，askingawomanforareason！Ishallbegintothinksomeoneelsewroteyourbook，too！Perhapsshe’lltakeupsupplyingideastoauthorsaswellashostesses。Ofcourse，ImeanMrs。
　　Westangle。"
　　VerrianwishedhehadnottriedtopushMissMacroyd，andhewasstillgrindinghisteethinavainendeavortogetoutsomefitretortbetweenthem，whenhesawBushwickshufflingtohisfeet，inthefrontrowofthespectators，andheardhimbeginningasortofspeech。
　　"Ladiesandgentlemen：Mrs。Westanglehaschosenme，becauseareal-
　　estatebrokerissometimesanauctioneer，andmaybesupposedtohavethegiftoforatory，tomakeknowntheconditionsonwhichyoumayinterviewtheghostswhichyouaregoingtosee。Anybodymaydoitwhowillcomplywiththeconditions。Inthefirstplace，youhavegottobeserious，andtothinkupsomethingthatyouwouldreallyliketoknowaboutyourpast，present，orfuture。Remember，thisisnojokingmatter，andtheonlydifferencebetweentheghostthatyouwillseehereandarealmaterializationunderprofessionalauspicesisthattheghostwon’tchargeyouanything。Ofcourse，ifanyladyorgentleman——especiallylady——wishestocontributetoanycharitableobject，afterasatisfactoryinterviewwiththeghost，ahatwillbefoundatthehall-doorforthepurpose，andMrs。Westanglewillchoosetheobject：Ihaveputinaspecialpleaformyownfirm，ataseasonwhenthereal-estatebusinessisnotatitsbest。"BythistimeBushwickhadhisaudiencelaughing，perhapsthemoreeasilybecausetheywereallmoreorlessinahystericalmood，which，whetherweownitornot，isalwaysinducedbyanapproximationtothesupernatural。Hefrownedandsaid，"NOlaughing！"
　　andthentheylaughedthemore。Whenhehadwaitedforthemtobequiethewentongravely，"Theconditionsaresimplythese：Eachpersonwhochoosesmayinterviewtheghost，keepingarespectfuldistance，butnotsofaroffbutthattheghostcandistinctlyhearastagewhisper。Thequestionputmustbeseriouslymeant，anditmustbethequestionwhichthequestionerwouldprefertohaveansweredaboveeverythingelseatthetimebeing。Certainquestionswillbeabsolutelyruledout，suchas，’DoesMarialoveme？’or，’HasReubeneverbeenengagedbefore？’Thelaughterinterruptedthespeakeragain，andVerrianhunghisheadinrageandshame;thisstupidasswasspoilingthehopeofanythingbeautifulinthespectacleandturningitintoagrossburlesque。Somehowhefeltthatthegirlwhohadinventedithadmeant，inthelastanalysis，somethingserious，anditwasinherbehalfthathewouldhavelikedtochokeBushwick。AllthetimehebelievedthatMissMacroyd，whoselaughsoundedabovetheothers，wassomehowenjoyinghisindignationanddiviningitsreason。
　　"Otherquestions，touchingintemperanceordivorce，thequestionerwillfeelmustnotbeasked;thoughitisn’tnecessarytomorethansuggestthis，Ihope;itwillbeleftentirelytothegoodtasteandgoodfeelingofthe——party。WeallknowwhatthetemptationsofSouthDakotaandtherumfiendare，andthattoerrishuman，andforgivedivine。"Hepaused，havingfailedtogetalaugh，butgotitbyasking，confidentially，"WherewasI？Oh！"——hecaughthimselfup——"Iremember。Thoseofyouwhoareinthehabitofseeingghostsneednotbetoldthataghostneverspeaksfirst;andthosewhohavenevermetanapparitionbefore，butareinthehabitofgoingtothetheatre，willrecallthefactthatinW。
　　Shakespeare’sbeautifulplayof’Hamlet’theplaycouldnothavegoneonafterthefirstsceneifHoratiohadnotspokentotheghostofHamlet’sfatherandtakenthechancesofbeingsnubbed。Heretherearenochancesofthatkind;thechancesarethatyou’llwishtheghosthadnotbeenentreated：Ithinkthatisthephrase。"
　　InthelaughthatfollowedagirlonMissMacroyd’sotherhandaudiblyaskedher，"Oh，isn’thetoofunny？"
　　"Delicious！"MissMacroydagreed。Verrianfeltshesaidittovexhim，。
　　"Now，there’sjustoneotherpoint，"Bushwickresumed，"andthenIhavedone。Onlyonequestioncanbeallowedtoeachperson，butifthequestionerisaladyshecanaskaquestionandahalf，providedsheisnotsatisfiedwiththeanswer。Inthiscase，however，shewillonlygethalfananswer。NowIhavedone，andifmyargumentshaveconvincedanyonewithinthesoundofmyvoicethatourghostreallymeansbusiness，Ishallfeelfullyrepaidforthepainsandexpenseofgettingupthesefewimprompturemarks，towhichIhaveendeavoredtogiveahumorouscharacter，inorderthatyoumayalllaughyourlaughout，andnounseemlymirthmayinterruptthesubsequentproceedings。Wewillnowhavealittlemusic，andthosewhocanrecallmywordswillbeallowedtosingthem。"
　　Inthegigglingandchatterwhichensuedthechordssoftlyplayedpassedintoearsthatmightaswellhavebeendeaf;butatlasttherewasageneralquiescenceofexpectation，inwhicheveryone’seyeswerestrainedtopiercethroughthegauzecurtaintothesombredraperybeyond。Thewaitwassolongthatthetensionrelaxedandawhisperingbegan，andVerrianfeltasicknessofpityforthegirlwhowasprobablygoingtomakeafailureofit。Heaskedhimselfwhatcouldhavehappenedtoher。Hadshelostcourage？Orhadherphysicalstrength，notyetfullyrenewed，givenwayunderthestress？Orhadshe，insheerdisgustfortheturntheaffairhadbeengivenbythatbruteBushwick，thrownupthewholebusiness？HelookedroundforMrs。Westangle;shewasnotthere;heconjectured——hecouldonlyconjecture——thatshewasabsentconferringwithMissShirleyandtryingtosavetheday。
　　Along，deeplysighed"Oh-h-h-h！"shudderingfrommanylipsmadehimturnabruptly，andhesaw，glimmeringagainstthepallatthebottomofthedarkenedlibrary，afigurevaguelywhite，inwhichherecognizedapose，agesturefamiliartohim。FortheothersthefigurewasIt，butforhimitwaspreciouslyShe。Itwasshe，andshewasgoingtocarryitthrough;shewasgoingtotriumph，andnotfail。Alumpcameintohis96
　　throat，andamistblurredhiseyes，which，whenitclearedagain，lefthimstaringatnothing。
　　Agirl’syoungvoiceutteredthecommonfeeling，"Why，isthatall？"
　　"Itis，tillsomeoneaskstheghostaquestion;thenitwillreappear，"
　　Bushwickrosetosay。"WillMissAndrewskindlystepforwardandaskthequestionnearestherheart？"
　　"Ohno！"thegirlanswered，withasinceritythatleftnoonequitefreetolaugh。
　　"Someotherlady，then？"Bushwicksuggested。Noonemoved，andheadded，"Thisisadifficultywhichhadbeenforeseen。Somegentlemanwillstepforwardandputthequestionnexthisheart。"Againnooneofferedtogoforward，andtherewassomemutedlaughter，whichBushwickchecked。
　　"Thisdifficultyhadbeenforeseen，too。IseethatIshallhavetomakethefirstmove，andallthatIshallrequireoftheaudienceisthatI
　　shallnotbesupposedtobeincollusionwiththeillusion。Ihopethataftermyexperience，whateveritis，someyoungwomanofcouragewillfollow。"
　　Hepassedintothefoyer，andfromthatcameintothelibrary，whereheshowedagainstthedarkbackgroundinanattitudeofentreatyslightlyburlesqued。Theghostreappeared。
　　"ShallImarrythewomanIamthinkingof？"heasked。
　　Thephantomseemedtohesitate;itwaveredlikeapalereflectioncastagainstthepall。Then，inthetoneswhichVerrianknew，theanswercame：
　　"Askher。Shewilltellyou。"
　　Thephantomhadscoredahit，andtheapplausewassilencedwithdifficulty;butVerrianfeltthatMissShirleyhadlostground。Itcouldnothavebeenfortheeasyclevernessofsucharetortthatshehadplannedtheaffair。Yet，whynot？Hewastakingittooseriously。Itwasmerelybusinesswithher。
　　"AndIhaven’teventherighttohalfaquestionmore！"Bushwicklamented，inadramatizeddejection，andcrossedslowlybackfromthelibrarytohisplace。
　　"Why，haven’tyougotenough？"oneofthemenasked，amidstthegayclamorofthewomen。
　　Theghostwasgoneagain，anditsevanescencewasdiscussedwithreadywonder。Anotherofthemenwentroundtotempthisfate，andthephantomsuddenlyreappearedsonearhimthathegotalaughbyhisstartofdismay。"IforgotwhatIwasgoingtoask，hefaltered。
　　"Iknowwhatitwas，"theapparitionanswered。"Youhadbettersell。"
　　"Buttheysayitwillgotoahundred！"themanprotested。
　　"Noback——talk，Rogers！"Bushwickinterposed。"Thatwastheunderstanding。
　　"Butwedidn’tunderstand，"oneofthegirlssaid，comingtotherescue，"thattheghostwasgoingtoanswerquestionsthatwerenotasked。Thatwouldgiveusallaway。"
　　"Thentheonlythingisforyoutogoandaskbeforeitgetsachancetoanswer，"Bushwicksaid。
　　"Well，Iwill，"thegirlreturned。Andshesweptroundintothelibrary，wheresheencounteredthephantomwithalittlewhoopasitstartedintosightbeforeher。"I’mnotgoingtobescaredoutofit！"shesaid，defiantly。"It’ssimplythis：DidthepersonIsuspectreallytakethering。"
　　Theanswercame，"Lookonthefloorunderyourdressing-table！"
　　"Well，ifIfinditthere，"thegirladdressedthecompany，"I’maspiritualistfromthistimeforth。"Andshecamebacktoherplace，wheresheremainedforsometimeexplainingtothosenearhowshehadlatelylostherringandsuspectedhermaid，whomshehaddismissed。
　　Uponthewhole，theeffectwasserious。Thewomen，havingoncestarted，needednomoreurging。Oneafteranothertheyconfrontedandquestionedtheoraclewithincreasingsincerity。
　　MissMacroydaskedVerrian，"Hadn’tyoubettertakeyourchanceandstopthisflowoffatuity，Mr。Verrian？"
　　"I’mafraidIshouldbefatuous，too，"hesaid。"Butyou？"
　　"Oh，thankyou，Idon’tbelieveinghosts，thoughthisseemstobeaveryprettyone——verygraceful，Imean。Isupposeagracefulwomanwouldbegracefulevenwhenadisembodiedspirit。Ishouldthinkshewouldbegettingalittletriedwithallthisquestioning;butperhapswe’reonlyreadingthefatigueintoher。Theghostmaybemerelyoverdone。"
　　"Itmighteasilybethat，"Verrianassented。
　　"Oh，mayIaskitsomethingnow？"agirl’svoiceappealedtoBushwick。
　　ItwasthevoiceofthatMissAndrewswhohadspokenfirst，andfirstrefusedtoquestiontheghost。ShewastheyoungestofMrs。Westangle’sguests，andVerrianhadlikedher，withasenseofsomethingpreciousintheprolongationofachild’sunconsciousnessintotheconsciousnessofgirlhoodwhichhefoundinher。Shewasalwayslikelierthannottosaythethingshethoughtandfelt，whetheritwassillyandabsurd，orwhether，asalsohappened，therewasatouchofinspiredsignificanceinit，asthereisapttobeinthetalkofchildren。Shewaslaughedat，butshewasliked，andthefreshnessofhersoulwaspleasanttothegirlswhowereputtingontheworldashardastheycould。Shecouldbetrustedtodoandsaytheunexpected。Butshewasconsideredalittlemorbid，andcertainlyshehadanexaltationofthenervesthatwasattimesalmostbeyondhercontrol。
　　"Oh，dear！"MissMacroydwhispered。"Whatisthatstrangesimpletongoingtodo，Iwonder？"
　　Verriandidnotfeelobligedtoansweraquestionnotaddressedtohim，buthe，too，wonderedanddoubted。
　　Thegirl，havinggothercouragetogether，flutteredwithitfromherplaceroundtotheghost’sinahastethatexpressedafearthatitmightescapeherifshedelayedtoputittothetest。Thephantomwasalreadythere，asifithadwaitedherinthecuriositythatfollowedher。Theyweretakingeachotherseriously，thegirlandtheghost，andiftheghosthadbeenaveridicalphantom，inwhichshecouldhavebelievedwithherwholesoul，thegirlcouldnothaveentreateditmoreearnestly，moresimply。
　　Shebentforward，inherslim，tallfigure，withherhandsoutstretched，andwithhertendervoicebreakingattimesinherentreaty。"Oh，I
　　don’tknowhowtobegin，"shesaid，quiteasifsheandthephantomwerealonetogether，andshehadforgottenitssupernaturalawfulnessinasenseofitshumanquality。"Butyouwillunderstand，won’tyou！You’llthinkitverystrange，anditisveryunliketheothers;butifI’mgoingtobeserious——"
　　Thewhitefigurestoodmotionless;butVerrianinterpreteditsquietasakindlyintelligence，andthegirlmadeafreshstartinanotealittlemorepiteousthanbefore。"It’saboutthe——thetruth。Doyouthinkifsometimeswedon’ttellitexactly，butwewishwehadvery，verymuch，itwillcomeroundsomehowthesameasifwehadtoldit？"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"thephantomanswered。"Sayitagain——ordifferently。"
　　"Canourrepentanceundoit，ormakethefalsehoodoverintothetruth？"
　　"Never！"theghostanswered，withapassionthatthrilledtoVerrian’sheart。
　　"Oh，dear！"thegirlsaid;andthen，asifshehadbeengoingtocontinue，shestopped。
　　"You’vestillgotyourhalf-question，MissAndrews，"Bushwickinterposed。
　　"Evenifwedidn’tmeanittodeceiveharmfully？"thegirlpursued。
　　"Ifitwasjustonimpulse，somethingwecouldn’tseemtohelp，andwedidn’tseeitinitstruelightatthetime——"
　　Theghostmadenoanswer。Itstoodmotionless。
　　"Itisoffended，"Bushwicksaid，withoutknowingtheShakespearianwords。
　　"You’veaskeditthreetimeshalfaquestion，MissAndrews。Now，Mr。
　　Verrian，it’syourturn。Youcanaskitjustone-quarterofaquestion。
　　MissAndrewshasuseduptherestofyourshare。"
　　Verrianroseawkwardlyandstoodalongmomentbeforehischair。Thenhedroppedbackagain，saying，dryly，"Idon’tthinkIwanttoaskitanything。"
　　Thephantomsankstraightdownasifsinkingthroughthefloor，butlaytherelikeawhiteshawltrailedalongthebottomofthedarkcurtain。
　　"Andisthatall？"MissMacroydaskedVerrian。"Iwasjustgettingupmycouragetogoforward。Butnow，Isuppose——"
　　"Oh，dear！"MissAndrewscalledout。"Perhapsit’sfainted。Hadn’twebetter——"
　　Therewereformlesscriesfromthewomen，andthemenmadeacrookedrushforward，inwhichVerriandidnotjoin。Heremainedwherehehadrisen，withMissMacroydbesidehim。
　　"Perhapsit’sonlyacoupdetheatre！"shesaid，withherlaugh。"Betterwait。"
　　Bushwickwasgatheringtheprostratefigureup。"Shehasfainted！"hecalled。"Getsomewater，somebody！"