`` Well , let the goblins enjoy themselves ; I wo n't disturb them if they let me alone . Some of the ladies thought me brave to dare to sleep here , and it will never do to own I was scared by a foolish story and an odd sound . '' So down I lay , and said the multiplication table industriously for several minutes , trying to turn a deaf ear to the outer world , and curb my unruly thoughts . But it was a failure , and , when I found myself saying over and over `` Four times twelve is twenty-four , '' I gave up affecting courage , and went in for a good honest scare . As a cheerful subject for midnight meditation I kept thinking of B. Tucker , in spite of every effort to abstain . In vain I recalled the fact that the departed gentleman was `` allers civil to the ladies . '' I still was in mortal fear lest he might think it necessary to come and apologize in person for `` bothering '' me . Presently a clock struck three , and I involuntarily gave a groan that beat the ghost 's all hollow , so full of anguish was I at the thought of several hours of weary waiting in such awesome suspense . I was not sure at what time the daylight would appear , and bitterly regretted not gathering useful information about sunrise , tides , and such things , instead of listening to the foolish gossip of Uncle Peter on the hill-top . Minute after minute dragged slowly on , and I was just thinking that I should be obliged to shout `` Fire ! '' as the only means of relief in my power , when a stealthy step under the window gave me a new sensation . This was a start , not a scare , for the new visitor was a human foe , and I had little fear of such , being possessed of good lungs , strong arms , and a Roman dagger nearly as big as a carving-knife . That step broke the spell , and , creeping noiselessly to the window , I peeped out to see a dark figure coming up the stem of the tall tree close by , hand over hand , like a sailor or a monkey . `` Two can play at that game , my friend ; you scare me , and I 'll scare you ; '' and with an actual sense of relief in breaking the oppressive silence , I suddenly flung up the curtain , and , leaning out , brandished my dagger with what I intended to be an awe-inspiring screech , but , owing to the flutter of my breath , the effort ended in a curious mixture of howl and bray . A most effective sound nevertheless ; for the rascal dropped as if shot , and , with one upward glance at the white figure dimly seen in the starlight , fled as if a legion of goblins were at his heels . `` What next ? '' thought I , wondering whether tragedy or comedy would close this eventful night . I sat and waited , chilly , but valiant , while the weird sounds went on within , and silence reigned without , till the cheerful crow of the punctual `` cockadoo , '' as Margie called him , announced the dawn and laid the ghosts . A red glow in the east banished my last fear , and , wrapping the drapery of my couch about me , I soon lay down to quiet slumber , quite worn out . The sun shining in my face waked me ; a bell ringing spasmodically warned me to hurry , and a childish voice calling out , `` Bet-fast is most weady , Miss Wee , '' assured me that sweet little spirits haunted the cottage as well as ghostly ones .
As I left my room to join XXXXX , who was waiting in the porch , and looking like a rosy morning-glory half-way up the woodbine trellis , I saw two things which caused me to feel that the horrors of the night were not all imaginary .
Bet-fast Margie Wee allers dagger goblins midnight minute minutes night