第4部分(第7/7 页)

d　helped　himself　to　a　pinch　of　snuff。

As　he　was　returning　the　box　to　his　waistcoat　pocket；　a　loud　bell　rang　for　the　servants’　dinner；　he　knew　what　it　was。　“That’s　for　you；　nurse；”　said　he；　“you　can　go　down；　I’ll　give　Miss　Jane　a　lecture　till　you　e　back。”

Bessie　would　rather　have　stayed；　but　she　was　obliged　to　go；　because　punctuality　at　meals　was　rigidly　enforced　at　Gateshead　Hall。

“The　fall　did　not　make　you　ill；　what　did；　then？”　pursued　Mr。　Lloyd　when　Bessie　was　gone。

“I　was　shut　up　in　a　room　where　there　is　a　ghost　till　after　dark。”

I　saw　Mr。　Lloyd　smile　and　frown　at　the　same　time。

“Ghost！　What；　you　are　a　baby　after　all！　You　are　afraid　of　ghosts？”

“Of　Mr。　Reed’s　ghost　I　am：　he　died　in　that　room；　and　was　laid　out　there。　Neither　Bessie　nor　any　one　else　will　go　into　it　at　night；　if　they　can　help　it；　and　it　was　cr