And
old Dalton, don't you remember old Dalton, Miss Lily?'
'I think I do, the old man who limped, and wore the old black wig?'
'Yes, indeed, acushla, so he did. See how well she remembers! That was
by a kick of one of the earl's horses--he was groom there,' resumed
Sally. 'He used to be troubled with hearing the very sounds his master
used to make to bring him and old Oliver to the door, when he came back
late. It was only on very dark nights when there was no moon. They used
to hear all on a sudden, the whimpering and scraping of dogs at the hall
door, and the sound of the whistle, and the light stroke across the
window with the lash of the whip, just like as if the earl himself--may
his poor soul find rest--was there. First the wind 'id stop, like you'd
be holding your breath, then came these sounds they knew so well, and
when they made no sign of stirring or opening the door, the wind 'id
begin again with such a hoo-hoo-o-o-high, you'd think it was laughing,
and crying, and hooting all at once.'
Here old Sally's tale and her knitting ceased for a moment, as if she
were listening to the wind outside the haunted precincts of the Tiled
house; and she took up her parable again.
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