` Sidney , ' said Miriam simply . '' ` Nonsense ! ' '' ` You think it is nonsense because you do n't understand it , ' was her calm response . `` I recall another event was when some caller dropped in and we had drifted into a discussion about ghosts and the like -- and I 've no doubt we all talked some delicious nonsense . Miriam said nothing at the time , but when we were alone I asked her what she thought of it . '' ' I thought you were all merely talking against time , ' she retorted evasively . '' ` But , Miriam , do you really think it is possible for ghosts -- ' '' ' I detest that word ! ' '' ` Well , spirits then -- to return after death , or to appear to anyone apart from the flesh ? ' '' ' I will tell you what I know . If anything were to happen to Sidney -- if he were to die or be killed -- he would come to me himself and tell me . ' `` One day Miriam came down to lunch looking pale and worried . After Dick went out , I asked her if anything were wrong . '' ` Something has happened to Sidney , ' she replied , ` some painful accident -- I do n't know what . ' '' ` How do you know ? ' I cried . Then , as she looked at me strangely , I added hastily , ` You have n't been receiving any more unearthly messages , have you ? Surely , Miriam , you are not so foolish as to really believe in that ! ' '' ' I know , ' she answered quickly . ` Belief or disbelief has nothing to do with it . Yes , I have had a message .
I know that some accident has happened XXXXX Sidney -- painful and inconvenient but not particularly dangerous .
If about against as in into of that to with