human
If you please, ma'am, if I do not give satisfaction, I would rather leave the situation.
gpt
Leave! I exclaimed.
human
Why, I have not given you the slightest cause. I have not found fault with you for anything as yet, have I, Jane? On the contrary, I have been much pleased with the thoroughness of your work. And you are always tidy and obliging.
gpt
It isn't that, ma'am; but I don't like being watched whatever I do.
human
Watched! I repeated.
gpt
What do you mean? You surely do not suppose that I am running after you when you are engaged on your occupations. I assure you I have other and more important things to do.
human
No, ma'am, I don't suppose you do.
gpt
Then who watches you?
human
I think it must be Miss Bessie.
gpt
Miss Bessie!
human
Yes, ma'am. When I am sweeping out a room, and my back is turned, I hear her at the door; and when I turn myself about, I just catch a glimpse of her running away. I see her skirts----
gpt
Miss Bessie is above doing anything of the sort.
human
If it is not Miss Bessie, who is it, ma'am?
gpt
My good Jane, said I,
human
No, ma'am, I've not, so to speak, seen her face; but I know it ain't cook, and I'm sure it ain't you, ma'am; so who else can it be?
gpt
You say you saw her skirts. Did you recognise the gown? What did she wear?
human
It was a light cotton print--more like a maid's morning dress.
gpt
Well, set your mind at ease; Miss Bessie has not got such a frock as you describe.
human
I don't think she has, said Jane;
gpt
Did she run upstairs or down?
human
I don't know. I did go out on the landing, but there was no one there. I'm sure it wasn't cook, for I heard her clattering the dishes down in the kitchen at the time.
gpt
Well, Jane, there is some mystery in this. I will not accept your notice; we will let matters stand over till we can look into this complaint of yours and discover the rights of it.
human
Thank you, ma'am. I'm very comfortable here, but it is unpleasant to suppose that one is not trusted, and is spied on wherever one goes and whatever one is about.
gpt
Mamma, it is not Jane.
human
What is not Jane?
gpt
It is not Jane who watches me.
human
Who can it be, then?
gpt
I don't know.
human
And how is it that you are confident that you are not being observed by Jane?
gpt
Because I have seen her--that is to say, her head.
human
When? where?
gpt
Whilst dressing for dinner, I was before the glass doing my hair, when I saw in the mirror someone behind me. I had only the two candles lighted on the table, and the room was otherwise dark. I thought I heard someone stirring--just the sort of stealthy step I have come to recognise as having troubled me so often. I did not turn, but looked steadily before me into the glass, and I could see reflected therein someone--a woman with red hair. Then I moved from my place quickly. I heard steps of some person hurrying away, but I saw no one then.
human
The door was open?
gpt
No, it was shut.
human
But where did she go?
gpt
I do not know, mamma. I looked everywhere in the room and could find no one. I have been quite upset. I cannot tell what to think of this. I feel utterly unhinged.
human
I noticed at table that you did not appear well, but I said nothing about it. Your father gets so alarmed, and fidgets and fusses, if he thinks that there is anything the matter with you. But this is a most extraordinary story.
gpt
It is an extraordinary fact,
human
You have searched your room thoroughly?
gpt
I have looked into every corner.
human
And there is no one there?
gpt
No one. Would you mind, mamma, sleeping with me to-night? I am so frightened. Do you think it can be a ghost?
human
Ghost? Fiddlesticks!
gpt
Mamma, I think I must have fancied that I saw something in the glass. I dare say my nerves were over-wrought.