t have been made of cotton wool for all the harm they could
do.

(_GEORGE hands candle, gets to door and holds it open._)

BELDON. That's all very fine, a ghost story is a ghost story, but when a
gentleman tells a tale of a ghost that haunts the house in which one is
going to sleep, I call it most ungentlemanly.

(_BELDON places his chair to L. of table R. PENFOLD goes up to C. LEEK
sits in arm chair. BELDON goes to fireplace._)

PENFOLD. Pooh! Nonsense. (_At table up C._).

(_During his speech George lights one of the candles._)

Ghosts can't hurt you. For my own part, I should rather like to see one.

OMNES. Oh, come now---- etc.

PENFOLD. Well, I'll bid you good-night, gentlemen.

(_He goes towards door L. GEORGE opens it for him; he passes out as they
all say._)

OMNES. Good-night.

(_HIRST rises, crosses to L. C._)

BELDON (_up R., calling after him_). And I hope Jerry'll pay you a
visit.

MALCOLM (_rises, goes to fire_). Well, I'm going to have another whisky
if you gentlemen will join me. I think it'll do us all good after that
tale. George, take the orders.

(_GEORGE comes down with salver to table R., gathers up glasses._)

SOMERS. Not quite so much hot water in mine.

MALCOLM. I'll have the same again, George.

BELDON. A leetle bit of lemon in mine, George.

LEEK. Whisky and soda for me, please.

HIRST. Whisky!

(_GEORGE goes to table R., collects glasses, crosses to door L.
speaks._)

GEORGE (_to MALCOLM_). Shall I light the gas, Mr. Malcolm? (_At door._)

MALCOLM. No, the fire's very comfortable, unless any of you gentlemen
prefer the gas.

OMNES. No, not at all--etc.

MALCOLM. Never mind, George. (_This to GEORGE as no one wants the gas._)
The firelight is pleasanter.

(_Exit GEORGE for orders L._)

(_BELDON gets C._)

MALCOLM (_at fire_). Does any gentleman know another----?

SOMERS (_seated R._). Well, I remember hearing----

BELDON (_up C._). Oh, I say--that'll do.

(_OMNES laugh._)

LEEK. Yes, I think you all look as if you'd heard enough ghost stories
to do you the rest of your lives. And you're not all as anxious to see
the real article as the old gentleman who's just gone.

HIRST (_looking to L._). Old humbug! I should like to put him to the
test. (_C._) (_Bus._) I say, suppose I dress up as Jerry Bundler and go
and give him a chance of displaying his courage? I bet I'd make the old
party sit up.

MALCOLM. Capital!

BELDON. A good idea.

LEEK. I should