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"No," said I, "nothing but a--"

"Peter!" said the Ancient, nodding sole sharp about, he tottered away upon his stick

"So--that's it!" said I, staring after the old e, somewhat diffidently, "ye see, Peter,

Gaffer be so old!--and all 'is friends be dead, and he've coin' to 'im a'most Loves to

sit an' tell about it, 'e do; it be all 'e've got left to live

for, as ve one and said as

theer bean't no ghost arter all, d'ye see?"

"Ah, yes, I see," I nodded, "I see But you don't still, believe

in this ghost, do you, George?"

"N-o-o-o--not 'xactly," answered George, hesitating upon the

word, "can't say as I believe 'xactly, and yet, Lord! 'ow should

I know?"

"Then you do still believe in the ghost?"

"Why, y' see, Peter, we do know as a'isself theer,

'cause Gaffer found un--likewise I've heerd it scream--but as for

believin' in it, since you say contrarywise--why, 'ow should I

know?"