Go to bed , boy , go to bed , and get your sleep early , '' said Hester a week afterward , with a motherly air , as Paul passed her one morning . `` And how do you know I do n't go to bed ? '' he asked , wheeling about . `` My lady has been restless lately , and I sit up with her till she sleeps . As I go to my room , I see your lamp burning , and last night I got as far as your door , meaning to speak to you , but did n't , thinking you 'd take it amiss . But really you are the worse for late hours , child . '' `` I shall soon finish restoring the book , and then I 'll sleep . I hope I do n't disturb you . I have to grind my colors , and often make more noise than I mean to . '' Paul fixed his eyes sharply on the woman as he spoke , but she seemed unconscious of it , and turned to go on , saying indifferently , `` Oh , that 's the odd sound , is it ? No , it does n't trouble me , so grind away , and make an end of it as soon as may be . '' An anxious fold in the boy 's forehead smoothed itself away as he left her , saying to himself with a sigh of relief , `` A narrow escape ; it 's well I keep the door locked . '' The boy 's light burned no more after that , and Hester was content till a new worry came to trouble her . On her way to her room late one night , she saw a tall shadow flit down one of the side corridors that branched from the main one . For a moment she was startled , but , being a woman of courage , she followed noiselessly , till the shadow seemed to vanish in the gloom of the great hall . `` If the house ever owned a ghost I 'd say that 's it , but it never did , so I suspect some deviltry . I 'll step to Paul . He 's not asleep , I dare say . He 's a brave and a sensible lad , and with him I 'll quietly search the house . '' Away she went , more nervous than she would own , and tapped at the boy 's door .
No one answered , and , seeing that it was ajar , XXXXX whisked in so hurriedly that her candle went out .
Hester Paul deviltry escape flit hours left morning night week