Кентервільський привид

           Itwasaboutaquarter-pasttwoo’clockinthemorning,and,asfarashecouldascertain,noonewasstirring. Ashewasstrollingtowardsthelibrary,however,toseeiftherewereanytracesleftoftheblood-stain,suddenlythereleapedoutonhimfromadarkcornertwofigures, whowavedtheirarmswildlyabovetheirheads,andshriekedout"BOO!"inhisear. 

           Seizedwithapanic,which,underthecircumstances,wasonlynatural,herushedforthestaircase,butfoundWashingtonOtiswaitingforhimtherewiththebiggardensyringe, andbeingthushemmedinbyhisenemiesoneveryside,anddrivenalmosttobay,hevanishedintothegreatironstove,which,fortunatelyforhim,wasnotlit,andhadtomakehiswayhomethroughthefluesandchimneys,arrivingathisownroominaterriblestateofdirt,disorder,anddespair. 

           Afterthishewasnotseenagainonanynocturnalexpedition. Thetwinslayinwaitforhimonseveraloccasions,andstrewedthepassageswithnutshellseverynighttothegreatannoyanceoftheirparentsandtheservants,butitwasofnoavail. Itwasquiteevidentthathisfeelingsweresowoundedthathewouldnotappear. Mr.OtisconsequentlyresumedhisgreatworkonthehistoryoftheDemocraticParty,onwhichhehadbeenengagedforsomeyears; Mrs.Otisorganizedawonderfulclam-bake,whichamazedthewholecounty; theboystooktolacrosseeuchre,poker,andotherAmericannationalgames, andVirginiarodeaboutthelanesonherpony,accompaniedbytheyoungDukeofCheshire,whohadcometospendthelastweekofhisholidaysatCantervilleChase. Itwasgenerallyassumedthattheghosthadgoneaway,and,infact,Mr.OtiswrotealettertothateffecttoLordCanterville,who,inreply,expressedhisgreatpleasureatthenews,andsenthisbestcongratulationstotheMinister’sworthywife.