THE GHOST! 59

 "I didn't," cried Polly and Jack in the same
 breath. "We did not, indeed," said Florinda, rather
 hurriedly.
 "Nor you, Adolphus ?" asked Mr. Gilbert, as that
 young gentleman did not reply with the others.
 No, sir," said the boy, as he stooped down, pre-
 tending to be busy with his boot.
 Polly and Jack looked at each other, both very
 much shocked at this reply. Florinda, seeing the
 expression of their faces, coloured with mortification
 and shame.
 As the door closed again, Polly came up to Adol-
 phus, Who's a coward nozv? she asked, her little
 form seeming to swell with scorn.
 "Never mind, Poll," said Jack, generous to his
abashed and fallen enemy, and pulling the child
away as he spoke.
 "Don't let us waste the whole evening," said
Florinda sharply, anxious to change the subject
and divert attention from Adolphus; "if we are to
play'ghost,' let us begin. See-there is the moon
rising, just nice dim light enough for a good
game."
 "Yes, do come along," said Adolphus, trying not
to look ashamed of himself, mamma said she'd send
for us at half-past eight."
 "Well, I'll go and coax Sally to play with us, it's