"No, you won't!" and Landon turned on him. "Why, man, we know nothing of this place. You stay till I dismiss you. I want a whole lot of information, but not till after we get lights and make the ladies comfortable." "Comfortable! At Black Aspens! Not likely." The mocking laugh that accompanied these words struck terror to most of his hearers. "Nobody told me that you folks came up here to be comfortable." "Shut up!" Landon's temper was near the breaking point. "Where's that woman with the lamps? Where's the man I engaged to look after things?" "Hester, she's here. She'll be in in a minute. Thorpe, that's her husband, he's goin' to be a sort of butteler for you, he can't come till to-morrow. But Hester, she's got supper ready, or will be, soon's you can wash up and all." Hester came in then, a gaunt, hard-featured New England woman, who looked utterly devoid of any emotion and most intelligence. Stebbins, on the other hand, was apparently of keen perceptions and average intellect. His small blue eyes roved from one face to another, and though he looked sullen and disagreeable of disposition, he gave the effect of one ready to do his duty. "All right," he said, as if without interest, "I'll set in the kitchen and wait. Hester here, she'll take the ladies to their rooms, and then after you get your supper, I'll tell you all you ask me. But I rented this place to you, I didn't agree to be a signboard and Farmers' Almanac." "All right, old chap," and Landon smiled faintly, "but don't you get away till I see you. Now, girls, want to select your rooms?" "Y-Yes," began Eve, bravely, and then a glance up the dark staircase made her shudder. "What we want is light,--and plenty of it," broke in Braye. "Here you, Hester, I'll relieve you of that lamp you're holding, and you hop it, and get more,--six more,--twelve more--hear me?" "We haven't that many in the house." Dull-eyed the woman looked at him with that sublime stolidity only achieved by born New Englanders. "Oh, you haven't! Well, bring all you have and to-morrow you manage to raise a lot more. How many have you, all told?" "Four, I think." "Four! For a party of nine! Well, have you candles?" "Half a dozen." "And three candlesticks, I suppose! Bring them in, and if you're shy of candlesticks, bring old bottles,--or anything." "Good for you, Braye, didn't know you had so much generalship," and Gifford Bruce clapped his nephew on the shoulder. "I'm glad I don't believe in ghosts, for every last one of you people are shaking in your shoes this minute! What's the matter with you? Nothing has happened." "It was that awful ride through the woods," said Vernie, cuddling into her uncle's arm. "I l-like it,--I like it all,--but, the local colour is so--so dark!" "That's it, Kiddie," said Braye, "the local colour is about the murkiest I ever struck. But here are our lights, hooray!"