6 Peace at last

Chapter 6 Peace at last Ten minutes later the bell rang for tea. As Virginia did not appear, Mrs. Otis sent a footman to find her. I can't find her anywhere, ma'am.

At first Mrs. Otis thought she must be in the stables. When Virginia still hadn't returned two hours later, she began to panic. "Boys," she called to her sons, "go and see if you can find her." She's vanished! Oh! Where can she be? Mrs. Otis even asked Mr. Otis to drain the fish pond. But there was no sign of Virginia anywhere.

At last the family sat down to supper. It was a sad meal and hardly anyone spoke. Even the twins were quiet. As the family left the dining room, the clock in the tower began to strike midnight. Everyone to bed now. I'll never be able to sleep. On the last stroke there was a crash and a sudden, shrill cry. A panel at the top of the staircase flew back and Virginia staggered out.

Everyone rushed up to her. Mrs. Otis hugged her, Mr. Otis patted her head and the twins danced around them all. "Where have you been?" said Mrs. Otis, rather angrily. I've been so worried. You must not play tricks Virginia. Except on the ghost!

"I've been with the ghost," said Virginia quietly. "He's gone. He's been very wicked, but he was sorry for everything he'd done. And look! He gave me this box of jewels just before he left."

Four days later, they held a funeral for Sir Simon. The procession left Canterville Castle at eleven o'clock at night. The carriages were drawn by four black horses, each with a great tuft of ostrich-feathers on its head. Don't you think 500 years is rather long to wait for a funeral?