5 The secret chamber

Chapter 5 The secret chamber Some weeks later, Virginia was out walking in the fields, when she tore her dress climbing through a hedge. Oh no! Mama will be furious.

"I'll have to change," she thought, and decided to go up the back staircase, so she wouldn't be seen. On the way, she noticed that the door to the Tapestry Room was open. "How odd!" she thought. "No one ever uses the Tapestry Room." Virginia peered around the door. To her surprise, she saw the Canterville Ghost.

Sir Simon was sitting by the window, his head in his hands. He looked so upset Virginia thought she should try and comfort him. We thought you'd gone!

"Cheer up," she said. "The boys are going to school tomorrow, so the tricks will stop. Besides, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you." You don't understand! Sir Simon jumped up. "How can I behave myself?" he shouted. "I have to rattle my chains and groan through keyholes and walk around at night. I'm a ghost."

"You don't have to do anything," said Virginia. "What's more, you've been very wicked. Mrs. Umney told us that you murdered your wife. It's wrong to kill people," she pointed out. Very wrong indeed. "Yes, it was wrong," sighed Sir Simon, "but that was no reason for her brothers to starve me to death."

"Oh, poor ghost!" said Virginia. "I didn't know about that. Are you hungry now?" Perhaps you'd like some sandwiches? "No thank you," he answered. "I never eat now. But it's kind of you to offer. You know," he added, "you're much nicer than the rest of your horrible family."