`` I 've taken a room there , so I 'm rather interested in knowing what company I 'm to have . '' `` Took a room , hev you ? Wal , I dare say you wo n't be troubled . Some folks have a knack of seeing sperrits , and then agin some has n't . My wife is uncommon powerful that way , but I aint ; my sight 's dreadful poor for that sort of critter . '' There was such a sly twinkle in the starboard eye of the old fellow as he spoke , that I laughed outright , and asked , sociably , -- `` Has she ever seen the ghosts of the cottage ? I think I have rather a knack that way , and I 'd like to know what to expect . '' `` No , her sort is the rappin ' kind . Down yonder the only ghost I take much stock in is old Bezee Tucker 's . He killed himself in the back bedroom , and some folks say they 've heard him groanin ' there nights , and a drippin ' sound ; he bled to death , you know . It was kep ' quiet at the time , and is forgotten now by all but a few old chaps like me . Bezee was allers civil to the ladies , so I guess he wo n't bother you , ma'am ; '' and the old fellow laughed . `` If he does , I 'll let you know ; '' and with that I departed , for my friend called to me that the beach party was clamoring for our company . In the delights of that festive hour , I forgot the croaking of the ancient mariner , for I was about to taste a clam for the first time in my life , and it was a most absorbing moment . Perched about on the rocks like hungry penguins , we watched the jovial cooks with breathless interest , as they struggled with refractory frying-pans , fish that stubbornly refused to brown , steaming seaweed and hot stones . A certain captivating little Margie waited upon me so prettily that I should have been tempted to try a sea porcupine unskinned if she had offered it , so irresistible was her chirping way of saying , `` Oh , here 's a perfectly lovely one ! Do take him by his little black head and eat him quick . '' So beguiled , I indulged recklessly in clams , served hot between two shells , little dreaming what a price I was to pay for that marine banquet . We kept up till late , and then I was left at my own door by my friend , who informed me that York was a very primitive , safe place , where people slept with unlocked doors , and nothing ever went amiss o'nights . I said nothing of the ghosts , being ashamed to own that I quaked a little at the idea of the `` back bedroom , '' as I shut out the friendly faces and bolted myself in .
A lamp and matches stood in the hall , and lighting the lamp , I whisked up stairs with suspicious rapidity , locked my door and retired to bed , firmly refusing to own even to myself that I had ever heard the name of Bezee XXXXX .
Margie Tucker Wal allers first frying-pans groanin left nights o'nights