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The Crown Derby Plate (World Cultural Heritage Library)
The Crown Derby Plate - World Cultural Heritage Library Author:Marjorie Bowen an excerpt from the beginning of the story: Martha Pym said that she had never seen a ghost and that she would very much like to do so, "particularly at Christmas, for you can laugh as you like, that is the correct time to see a ghost." "I don't suppose you ever will," replied her cousin Mabel comfortably, while her cousin Clara shudder... more »ed and said that she hoped they would change the subject for she disliked even to think of such things. The three elderly, cheerful women sat round a big fire, cosy and content after a day of pleasant activities; Martha was the guest of the other two, who owned the handsome, convenient country house; she always came to spend her Christmas with the Wyntons and found the leisurely country life delightful after the bustling round of London, for Martha managed an antique shop of the better sort and worked extremely hard. She was, however, still full of zest for work or pleasure, though sixty years old, and looked backwards and forwards to a succession of delightful days. The other two, Mabel and Clara, led quieter but none the less agreeable lives; they had more money and fewer interests, but nevertheless enjoyed themselves very well. "Talking of ghosts," said Mabel, "I wonder how that old woman at 'Hartleys' is getting on, for 'Hartleys,' you know, is supposed to be haunted." "Yes, I know," smiled Miss Pym, "but all the years that we have known of the place we have never heard anything definite, have we?" "No," put in Clara; "but there is that persistent rumour that the House is uncanny, and for myself, nothing would induce me to live there!"« less