Classic ghost stories by Dickens Charles 1812-1870

Author:Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ghost stories, English, Ghost stories, American
Publisher: New York : Dover Publications
Published: 1975-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

174 AMELIA B. EDWARDS

"I have but the homeliest farmhouse fare to offer you, sir," said my entertainer. "Your appetite, I trust, will make up for the deficiences of our larder."

I had already fallen upon the viands, and now protested, with the enthusiasm of a starving sportsman, that I had never eaten anything so delicious.

He bowed stiffly, and sat down to his own supper, which consisted, primitively, of a jug of milk and a basin of porridge. We ate in silence, and, when we had done, Jacob removed the tray. I then drew my chair back to the fireside. My host, somewhat to my surprise, did the same, and turning abruptly towards me, said :

"Sir, I have Uved here in strict retirement for three-and-twenty years. During that time, I have not seen as many strange faces, and I have not read a single newspaper. You are the first stranger who has crossed my threshold for more than four years. Will you favour me with a few words of information respecting that outer world from which I have parted company so long ?"

"Pray interrogate me," I replied. "I am heartily at your service."

He bent his head in acknowledgment; leaned forward, with his elbows resting on his knees and his chin supported in the palms of his hands ; stared fixedly into the fire ; and proceeded to question me.

His inquiries related chiefly to scientific matters, with the later progress of which, as apphed to the practical purposes of life, he was almost whoUy unacquainted. No student of science myself, I replied as well as my slight information permitted ; but the task was far from easy, and I was much reUeved when, passing from interrogation to discussion, he began pouring forth his own conclusions upon the facts which I had been attempting to place before him. He talked, and I listened spellbound. He talked till I beheve he almost forgot my presence, and only thought aloud. I had never heard anything like it then; I have never heard anything Uke it since. Familiar with all systems of all philosophies, subtle in analysis, bold in generalization, he poured forth his thoughts in an uninterrupted stream, and, still leaning forward in the same moody attitude with his eyes fixed upon the fire, wandered from topic to topic, from speculation to speculation like an inspired dreamer. From practical science to mental philcv-

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