“Yes, Sir,” she answered, in a muffled voice. She did not seem like the Hannah of the day before. Something had suddenly gentled her, and cast a soft shadow over her plain face. “But we ain’t made it up. Mother, she’s firm, and so is Joe, that they won’t see me again. I take it rather unkind on their parts, Sir, for I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. But Mrs. Battleby says as ’ow, when the Doctor ’ave put me to sleep up ’ere, ghosties and sperrits walk about the room, dressed in white gownds, and speak with you. Is that true, Sir? ’Ave sperrits come as she say?” Ricardo looked very uneasy. He would have given a great deal to be able to answer “No!” But he could not! “Mrs. Battleby has told you the truth, Hannah,” he replied, “though, Heaven is my witness, I never imagined I should bring you into such trouble with your family by permitting it. You have different powers from most people, my child! The shadows and figures, that you have seen, you say, all your life, and the voices which you have heard, should have taught you that. Doctor Steinberg and I are much interested in such visions, and we thought by letting your powers have free vent whilst with us, that you would not be so troubled with them when alone. And if Mrs. Battleby had not been so dishonourable as to listen at the keyhole, no one would ever have been the wiser. As it is, it has turned out very unfortunately for all of us. But I will see that you get another situation, Hannah, so don’t be anxious about that. You shall not want, whilst I can support you.” “Yes, Sir, thank you kindly! It’s very good of you I’m sure, to think to make it up to me like that, but it won’t give me back my mother, nor Joe!” “No! not directly, but surely they will come round after a while?” “I don’t think so,” said Hannah, shaking her head, “country folk is very hard to turn. I don’t believe as I shall ever see any of ’em again. But I thought I’d just arsk you if it was true, Sir!” Ricardo hid his face in his hands. “What have I done?” he murmured. “Fool that I am, I have ruined this poor child’s life! Don’t you hate me, Hannah, for this?” “’Ate _you_, Sir?” she echoed, “but for why? You didn’t mean to ’arm me, I’m sure of that--nor the Doctor neither! It’s Joe as I oughter hate, I s’pose, or mother, but I can’t find it in my ’eart to do it! They was so good to me afore these sperrits come round me. Arter all, I oughter ’ate _them_ the most, for they’s done the mischief for me. Good-night, Sir, and thank ye for what you’ve said.”