GHOSTS. AQ

why it roared? That is by no means so certain.
Would you like to know why it roars, however,
now? I suspect you would; so stoop down, and.
I will whisper you a secret. There are ghosts
an vt!

Nay, do not be frightened—only, as there are
ghosts in the fire, and very powerful ones too, you
need not be surprised that it cannot be trifled
with, nor that it is always struggling to have its
own way, and makes a good deal of noise in the
world. Moreover, our particular fire was less
manageable than usual on that particular night ;
because it had grown so huge, the ghosts were
quite uproarious,—and then the draught from the
window was so irritating !

For, to whisper another secret—there are ghee
in the air, too, and the rascals enjoy nothing more
than to lash up a small fire till it becomes a big
one, and has consumed all before it; after which
the ghosts go off together.

Now, across the front of the splendid grate hung
a brass crinoline guard. That was to prevent the
fire-ghosts from: laying hold of the young ladies’

E