Chapter 21 Summary

This chapter exhibits part of Mummy Possest by Randolph Henry Ash. In the poem, a medium is trying to train a young girl to become an apprentice and assistant in her séances. She starts by telling the girl she has a mysterious gift and wins her trust by practicing with her to build her talents. She develops camaraderie with the girl and makes her believe they are legitimately contacting the dead.

Little by little, the medium reveals to the girl various tricks they need to perform during séances to make people believe they are contacting loved ones. She speaks of their calling as a kind of art. It makes people feel better, so there is no harm. They will also make a tidy profit. She dismisses the girl's unwillingness to lie by telling her that they are just helping the truth...