It was like Deephaven, only on a smaller scale.  The village—­though it is a question whether that is not an exaggerated term to apply—­had evidently seen better days.  It was on the bank of a river, and perhaps half a mile from the sea.  There were a few old buildings there, some with mossy roofs and a great deal of yellow lichen on the sides of the walls next the sea; a few newer houses, belonging to fishermen; some dilapidated fish-houses; and a row of fish-flakes.  Every house seemed to have a lane of its own, and all faced different ways except two fish-houses, which stood amiably side by side.  There was a church, which we had been told was the oldest in the region.  Through the windows we saw the high pulpit and sounding-board, and finally found the keys at a house near by; so we went in and looked around at our leisure.  A rusty foot-stove stood in one of the old square pews, and in the gallery there was a majestic bass-viol with all its strings snapped but the largest, which gave out a doleful sound when we touched it.

After we left the church we walked along the road a little way, and came in sight of a fine old house which had apparently fallen into ruin years before.  The front entrance was a fine specimen of old-fashioned workmanship, with its columns and carvings, and the fence had been a grand affair in its day, though now it could scarcely stand alone.  The long range of out-buildings were falling piece by piece; one shed had been blown down entirely by a late high wind.  The large windows had many panes of glass, and the great chimneys were built of the bright red bricks which used to be brought from over-seas in the days of the colonies.  We noticed the gnarled lilacs in the yard, the wrinkled cinnamon-roses, and a flourishing company of French pinks, or “bouncing Bets,” as Kate called them.

“Suppose we go in,” said I; “the door is open a little way.  There surely must be some stories about its being haunted.  We will ask Miss Honora.”  And we climbed over the boards which were put up like pasture-bars across the wide front gateway.

“We shall certainly meet a ghost,” said Kate.

Just as we stood on the steps the door was pulled wide open; we started back, and, well-grown young women as we are, we have confessed since that our first impulse was to run away.  On the threshold there stood a stately old woman who looked surprised at first sight of us, then quickly recovered herself and stood waiting for us to speak.  She was dressed in a rusty black satin gown, with scant, short skirt and huge sleeves; on her head was a great black bonnet with a high crown and a close brim, which came far out over her face.  “What is your pleasure?” said she; and we felt like two awkward children.  Kate partially recovered her wits, and asked which was the nearer way to Deephaven.

“There is but one road, past the church and over the hill.  It cannot be missed.”  And she bowed gravely, when we thanked her and begged her pardon, we hardly knew why, and came away.