"Do hush, Eve," pleaded Milly. "I was just beginning to pull myself together, and now you've upset me again!" "But Milly,----" "Let up, Eve! For the love of Mike, let up! You're enough to give anybody the creeps." Landon glared at her. "It's only a question of light," Tracy broke in, in his pleasant way. "Now, we've light enough for the moment, and to-morrow we'll make this the house of a thousand candles and a hundred lamps, and a few lanterns if you like. Incidentally, Friend Hester makes first-rate doughnuts." "Aren't they bully!" chimed in Vernie. "I've eaten six, and here goes for another." "Lucky they're small," said her uncle. "But seven doughnuts are enough to make you see the ghost of old Montgomery himself!" "And all the Green Mountain boys," added Tracy, who was determined to keep conversation away from fearsome subjects. By the time they had finished the meal, every one felt more at ease, Landon had recovered his poise, and Milly her cheerfulness. "Now, then," the Professor asked, as they left the table, "shall we explore the house to-night----" "Lord, no!" cried Braye. "Leave it lay till daylight. Also, don't quiz old Stebbins as to who's who in Black Aspens! Let's turn on the Victrola and dance, or let's play poker or sing glees, or anything that's a proper parlour trick. But nothing, I insist, pertaining to our mission up here. That'll keep." "As you like," and now Landon could smile. "And you mollycoddles may pursue those light-minded pleasures. But I'm going to have it out with Steb, because I want to know some several Laws for Beginners. But, don't let me interfere with your plans. Go ahead, and have play 'Hide and Seek All Over the House,' if you choose. That used to be my favourite indoor game." "Oh!" squealed Vernie, "what an awful suggestion! In this house!" "I move we hear the story of the house to-night.--right now," said Eve. Milly clasped her hands over her ears, instead of, as usual, over her mouth, and cried, "No! I forbid it! Don't let 'em, will you, Wynne?" "Seems to me," remarked Mr. Stebbins, "you folks don't know your own minds! You want a ha'nted house, then when you git it, you're too scared to hear the story of the ha'nt." "I'm not scared," asserted Norma, "but somehow, a ha'nt sounds so much worse than a haunt. Doesn't it, now?" "It sure does," agreed Braye. "A ha'nt is concrete, while a haunt is abstract." "Good!" and Hardwick nodded approval. "Now, I suggest that we look around a bit, get the general lay of the house and then all go to bed early. A good night's sleep will put our nerves and muscles in condition again. I'm delighted with the place, and I foresee a first-class vacation ahead of us." "I wish it was behind us, and we were just starting for home," murmured Milly, but Eve reprimanded her. "Don't be a spoilsport! I like the place too, Professor, and I'm going to investigate a little. What room is this?"