Thankful was nonplused. "In--in which?" she asked.

"In aberrations, spirits of dead folks comin' alive again?"

For just a moment Mrs. Barnes hesitated. Then she glanced at Emily,
who was trying hard not to smile, and answered, with decision: "No, I
don't."

"Well, I don't either, so far as that goes. I never see one myself, and
I've never seen anybody that has. But when Kenelm came tearin' in to say
he'd seen a light in a house shut up as long as that one has been, and a
house that folks--"

Captain Bangs interrupted. He had been regarding Thankful closely and
now he changed the subject.

"How did it happen you saw that light, Kenelm?" he asked. "What was you
doin' over in that direction a night like this?"

Kenelm hesitated. He seemed to find it difficult to answer.

"Why--why--" he stammered, "I'd been up to the office after the mail.
And--and--it was so late comin' that I give it up. I says to Lemuel
Ryder, 'Lem,' I says--"

His sister broke in.

"Lem Ryder!" she repeated. "Was he at the post-office?"

"Well--well--" Kenelm's confusion was more marked than ever.