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           andchatterings,ofcourse,

           Spoiltheonescenewhich,somehow,didhavecharms;

           Youweptabit,andIgrewsadforyou

           Righthere!WhereMr.Xdefendsdivorce

           AndWhat’s-Her-Namefallsfaintinginhisarms."

           STILLCALM

           "Ghostsaresuchdumbthings,"saidAlec,"they’reslow-witted.Icanalwaysoutguessaghost."

           "How?"askedTom.

           "Well,itdependswhere.Takeabedroom,forexample.Ifyouuseanydiscretionaghostcannevergetyouinabedroom."

           "Goon,s’poseyouthinkthere’smaybeaghostinyourbedroom—whatmeasuresdoyoutakeongettinghomeatnight?"demandedAmory,interested.

           "Takeastick"answeredAlec,withponderousreverence,"oneaboutthelengthofabroom-handle.Now,thefirstthingtodoistogettheroomcleared—todothisyourushwithyoureyesclosedintoyourstudyandturnonthelights—next,approachingthecloset,carefullyrunthestickinthedoorthreeorfourtimes.Then,ifnothinghappens,youcanlookin.Always,alwaysrunthestickinviciouslyfirst—neverlookfirst!"

           "Ofcourse,that’stheancientCelticschool,"saidTomgravely.

           "Yes—buttheyusuallyprayfirst.Anyway,youusethismethodtocleartheclosetsandalsoforbehindalldoors—"

           "Andthebed,"Amorysuggested.

           "Oh,Amory,no!"criedAlecinhorror."Thatisn’ttheway—thebedrequiresdifferenttactics—letthebedalone,asyouvalueyourreason—ifthereisaghostintheroomandthat’sonlyaboutathirdofthetime,itisalmostalwaysunderthebed."

           "Well"Amorybegan.