"Oh no," laughingly replied the young fellow. "One of the most amusing 'stunts' I ever saw was that of a man in Washington, who made a banjo play behind a curtain while holding both your hands." "Why _do_ the spirits do such foolish things? I should think they'd be ashamed to act so 'frivolous like.'" "They always talk like Indians, don't they? It's a pity. Why aren't they dignified and sincere?" The young story-teller went on. "That's just it. The mediums are so nonchalant while causing these marvels that they fail to convince. Why, when I was holding a slate in order that they might write upon it, I minded the scratching no more than a clock a-ticking, they had made me that careless of their hocus-pocus. A voice in my ear can't make me start, and nothing, absolutely nothing, can now 'rouse my fell of hair.' You put a potato in the ashes of the hearth and it will ultimately pop into something to eat. You put a medium in a dark place and she will set your soul's nerves a-tingle." Under all this banter Serviss perceived the pulse of an interest which laid hold on the most secret hopes and fears of the youngest and shook the eldest with an elemental dread and longing. It was as if the flood-gates of a sea of doubt and wonder had been turned in upon a dozen minds hitherto as well kept as lawns. Questions popped like corks and answers were as vivacious as the gurgle of wine, but the topic remained indeterminate--the argument inconclusive. On their way home, Serviss said to his sister: "Did you notice how profound the silence became when Ralph started that discussion of the occult?" "It is always so." "Is it, really? I hadn't noticed it particularly." "That's because people are afraid to talk such things before you scientists. Why, every woman there has been to a palmist or mind-reader or something." "You astonish me. Have you?" "Of course! I go every little while just for fun. We all pretend that we don't believe in it, but we do. I'm scared blue every time I go to a new one--they're all such creepy creatures. The last one I went to was positively weird." Serviss was severe. "Kate, I am ashamed of you. To think that you, a woman of penetration, associating with people of rare intelligence like myself--" "But why don't you people of rare intelligence look into these things? Why do you leave us poor untrained emotional creatures to suffer befoolment when you could so easily instruct us and shield us?" "Because, while we could easily prove you befooled, you would still follow after your saw-dust idols. We prefer to save you from your _bodily_ infirmities and contagions, and so react on your minds."