VII 



THE SPIRIT OF THE SINGING 

 HOUSE 



THE singing house of an Eskimo village is 

 used also for feasting and dancing, and always 

 has a spirit owner who is supposed to remain in 

 it all the time. Once a woman was curious about 

 this spirit and wanted to see it. For a long time 

 she had wanted to know more about this spirit of 

 the singing house, but the villagers warned her 

 that she would meet with a terrible fate if she per- 

 sisted in trying to see it. 



One night she could wait no longer, and went 

 into the house when it was quite dark so the vil- 

 lagers would not see her go. When she had en- 

 tered she said: 



" If you are in the house, come here." 



As she could see and hear nothing, she cried, 

 " No spirit is here; he will not come." 



" Here I am; there I am," said a hoarse whis- 

 per. 



" Where are your feet? " she asked, for she 

 could not see him. 



28 



