"And we can see better, if-- if anything comes!" exclaimed Amy,
evidently with an effort.

"Anything-- what do you mean?" demanded Mollie, as she combed out her
long hair, preparatory to braiding it.

"Well, I mean-- er-- anything!" and again Amy faltered.

"Oh, girls she means-- the ghost!" exclaimed Betty, with a laugh. "Why
not say it?"

"Don't!" pleaded Grace.

"Now look here," went on practical Betty. "There's no use evading this
matter. There's no such thing as a ghost, of that we are certain, and
yet if we shy at mentioning it all the while it will only make us more
nervous."

"The idea! I'm not nervous a bit," declared Mollie.

"Well, then," resumed Betty, "there's no use in being afraid to use
the word, as Amy seemed to be. So talk ghost all you like-- you can't
scare me. I'm so tired I know I'll sleep soundly, and I hope the rest
of you will. Only, for goodness sakes, don't be talking in weird
whispers. That is far worse than all the ghosts in creation."

"That's what I say!" exclaimed Aunt Kate, who was an old-fashioned,
motherly soul. "If the ghost comes I'm going to talk to it, and ask
how things are-- er-- on the other side. Girls, it's a great privilege