The servants fell back, conscious they had no business there, and evidently somewhat doubtful of my reception of their news. But Margaret gave a sigh of relief at my appearance, and Janie flew to my arms as to an ark of safety. ‘These men have been frightening Janie out of her wits,’ said Margaret in a tone of annoyance; ‘and all I could say was insufficient to stop them.’ ‘What is it, my dear?’ said I, addressing my wife. ‘What have they told you?’ ‘Oh Robert, do take me away!’ she answered with a convulsive shudder. ‘I never shall be able to sleep in this house again. They say they have seen it: a dreadful thing all in white, walking about the graves, and moaning to itself, and wringing its hands. Oh, Robert dear, do let us go! It will come into the house next; I am sure it will. I shall die of fright if you don’t take me away at once.’ She clung to me like a terrified child, and as I marked her burning face and felt the feverish clasp of her hands, I could not tell what injury these idiots might not have done her by their folly. ‘What do you mean by this?’ I inquired sternly, as I turned to the group of natives. Then they began to cringe and salaam before me, as they attempted to repeat the story which had so alarmed my wife. But I would not permit them to do so, but ordered them all out of the room, and turned my attention towards soothing Janie’s fears. ‘You must not be a child, my dear Janie,’ I said, as I replaced her on the sofa, and arranged her pillows for her. ‘These natives are always full of their stupid ghost-stories; but you know better surely than to believe such folly. There are no such things as ghosts, therefore how could they have seen one?’ ‘Oh, but indeed—indeed, Robert, it is true!’ she said with painful earnestness. ‘They saw it themselves only last night, and they say it is like a woman with long hair down her back; and when they tried to touch it, it vanished away.’ At this I could not help laughing. ‘A pack of heroes!’ I exclaimed. ‘Why, Janie, there is not one amongst them man enough to inquire into such a mystery, even if they saw it, which I don’t believe. I’ve a good mind to give them a hiding all round to make their eyesight a little clearer.’ ‘But what should be their object in repeating it?’ inquired Janie fearfully. ‘If you will condescend to listen, my dear, you will always find them ready to talk. They are full to the brim with such idle tales. You should refuse to hear them, and send them about their business.’ ‘Oh but, Robert, can’t we go away from this house? I never could bear those graves, and now I shall be more frightened of them than ever.’ ‘Janie, I thought you were more of a woman,’ I said reproachfully. ‘Where could we go to? You know that all the houses in Mushin-Bunda are occupied;’ to which fact poor Janie assented with a deep sigh.