Shortly after eight o’clock, Flora took a chair in front of the cabinet. Vixley rose, fastened black shutters in front of the windows, closed the door, put out the gas and turned down the lamp in the box, shading it with a cloth curtain. The room was now so dark that one could scarcely distinguish anything, until, when eyes became somewhat accustomed to it, figures indistinct and shadowy could be vaguely recognized. Flora Flint spoke: "I must ask you all to keep perfect silence, please. The spirits won’t manifest themselves unless the conditions are favorable and the circle is in a receptive state. We can’t do anything unless there’s harmony, and if there’s any antagonistic vibrations present there’s no use attempting anything in the way of demonstration." After this prologue, she began, accompanied by the faithful, the dreariest tune in the world: "We are _waiting_, we are _waiting_, we are _waiting_, just now, Just now we are _waiting_, we are _waiting_ just now; To _receive_ you, to _receive_ you, to _receive_ you just now, Just now to _receive_ you, to _receive_ you just now. Show your _faces_, show your _faces_, show your _faces_, just now, Just now show your _faces_, show your _faces_ just now! Come and _bless_ us, come and _bless_ us, come——" The fourth stanza was here interrupted by three sharp knocks. "Is that you, Starlight?" the medium asked. Two raps signified assent. "Are you happy, to-night?" Two more knocks. "Starlight’s always happy!" Vixley remarked aloud. "Yes, she _is_ a bright little thing," the medium assented. "She passed out when she was only twelve; they say she’s very pretty. Are there any spirits with you, Starlight?" Two more raps. "Who’s there—Wampum?" Two raps were given with terrific force. Everybody laughed. "Wampum’s feeling pretty good, to-night," said Vixley. "Anybody else?" Flora asked. Yes, some one else. "Who? Is it Mr. Torkins?" Yes. The voice of a little old dried-up lady on the front row was heard, saying, "Oh, that’s Willie! I’m _so_ glad he’s come. Are you happy, Willie?" Yes, Willie was happy. Had he seen Nelly? Yes, he had seen Nelly, and Nelly was also happy. And so, for a time, it went on, like an Ollendorf lesson. Starlight was then asked if she could not control the medium, orally. She consented, and soon, in a chirping voice the medium twittered forth: "Hello! Good evenin’, folkses! Oh, I’se so glad to see you all, I is! Hello, Mis’ Brickett, you’s got a new bonnet, isn’t you? It’s awfully nice! Oh, I’se so happy. I got some candy, too. It’s _spirit_ candy; it’s lots better’n yours." Here she laughed shrilly and the company snickered.