her nerves; for she was certainly suffering from some nervous trouble.
As to the sounds and movements of objects, he could not account for
them, but thought if she became strong again they would cease.

In the morning the doctor called as he had promised, and was much
surprised to see Esther up and dressed, helping Olive to wash the
dishes. She told him that she felt all right again, only she was so
nervous that any sudden noise made her jump. Having occasion to go down
into the cellar with a pan of milk, she came running up, out of breath,
exclaiming that there was some one down in the cellar, for a piece of
plank had been thrown at her. The doctor went down to see for himself,
Esther remaining in the dining room; for it must be borne in mind that
the cellar door opens into the dining room. In a moment he came up again
remarking that there was nobody down there to throw a piece of plank,
nor anything else.

"Esther, come down with me," said he. So down they both went, when, to
their great surprise, several potatoes came flying at their heads. That
was enough. They both beat a hasty retreat. The doctor left the house,
and called again in the evening, with several very powerful sedatives,
morphia being one, which he administered to Esther about ten o'clock as
she lay in bed. She still complained of her nervousness, and said she
felt as if electricity was passing all through her body. He had given
her the medicine, and had just remarked that she would have a good
night's rest when the loud sounds commenced, only they were much louder
and in more rapid succession than on the previous nights. Presently the
sounds left the room and were heard on the roof of the house. The doctor
instantly left the house and went out into the street, hearing the
sounds while in the open air. He returned to the house more nonplussed
than ever, and told the family that from the street it seemed as if some