THE WITCH IN KENT 187 



was no bearing with it ; thisyer ghost was for to be 

 laid. So the ministers came from all round, and each 

 brought a candle. In the middle of the big hall was 

 set a basin, and that was filled with Red Sea water. 

 And they each said his prayers for to lay this dead 

 un's ghost. And first one's candle went out and then 

 another's, and then he was bet. At last none of 'em 

 couldn't go on, 'cept Muster Cowley. That's faather 

 oiold Muster Cowley " — alluding to an old clergyman 

 since dead. "He kep on, though his candle was 

 getting lower and lower. At last, just when that 

 was a-going right out, thisyer dead un was druv into 

 the water. He didn't want to't ; he was druv. ' And 

 mussy,' I've heard my faather say, ' didn't that ere 

 steam and fizzle ! ' " 



Superstition dies hard. And, if it should seem 

 strange to some that, though living in the country, 

 they have never heard of these things as a matter of 

 present belief, they must remember that the poor are 

 extremely sensitive and reticent on any points about 

 which they feel they are likely to be laughed at. They ^ 

 will tell you nothing till they know you well, and, if 

 directly challenged, next to nothing then. ^'. 



.S:ot5^ 



