294 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [vr

 

‘I should think so! Just a little!’ laughed the
traveller. ‘Never was so hungry in my life! But I
should like to hear that story all the same. By Jove!
this is a Venison Pasty, and first-rate too!’

‘Glad to hear it, I’m sure, observed his host. ‘ You
shall hear the story after supper, if you really care
to do so. Meanwhile let’s have a glass of madeira
together. Got a corkscrew ?’

‘To be sure I have, returned the traveller.
‘Never travel without such things.’ So saying, he
pulled out a large clasp knife, part of which formed a
strong corkscrew, and with this he carefully extracted
the cork of one of the bottles near him, and with much
caution wiped the mouth of the bottle with a clean
pocket-handkerchief. Then he filled two large wine
glasses which his host had brought upon the tray, for
ghosts do not, any more than mortals, like to drink
out of the bottle if they can help it.

The two looked at each other; bowed ; took a
long sip at the wine, and then by a simultaneous and
knowing wink of the eye, bore testimony to its excel-
lence. So excellent indeed was it, that they very
soon filled their glasses again. Their attacks upon the
pasty, meantime, were frequent, and sustained with so
much vigour that the mighty fabric began to melt
away and disappear before the joint appetites which
it had to satisfy. At last both laid down their knives
and forks, and mutually acknowledged that they could
do no more that night in the way of eating. Then
they drew their chairs one on each side of the fire-
place, replenished the fire once more, uncorked such
of the madeira bottles as had not yet undergone that