downstairs," she chuckled; but in spite of their lack of fear both the
little girls were excited over the unusual noise, and Sylvia was sure
now that Flora had been right in saying the house was haunted. She
wished it was already morning that she might tell Flora all that had
happened.




CHAPTER VIII

A TWILIGHT TEA-PARTY


It was late when Grace and Sylvia awoke the following morning, but they
were down-stairs before the boys appeared. Mrs. Hayes greeted them
smilingly, but she said that Flora was not well and that Mammy would
take her breakfast to her up-stairs.

"After breakfast you must go up and stay with her a little while," said
Mrs. Hayes.

"Why, Flora was never ill in her life," declared Ralph; "what's the
matter?"

"She is not really ill, but she fell over something last night and
bruised her arm and shoulder, so that she feels lame and tired, and I
thought a few hours in bed would be the best thing for her," explained
Mrs. Hayes. "Mammy doesn't seem to know just how it happened," she
concluded.