THE CANTERVILLE GHOST
When Mr Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, decided to buy Canterville Chase,
everyone told him that it was a foolish thing to do. There was no doubt that a ghost lived
in the house. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself mentioned the fact to Mr
Otis when they were discussing the sale.
"We haven't lived in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since the day when
my grand-aunt was frightened by the ghost. It happened many years ago. My grand-aunt
was dressing for dinner when she suddenly felt two skeleton hands being placed on her
shoulders. The fright made her very ill, and she never really recovered."
"I don't believe in ghosts," said Mr Otis.
"I must tell you, Mr Otis, that the ghost has been seen by several living members of our
family, as well as by the local priest."
"My Lord," said Mr Otis, "I want to buy this house. I come from a modem country
where everything has its value in money. If there is such a thing as a ghost in Europe, an
American will buy it."
Lord Canterville smiled: "There really is a ghost. It has been living in the
house for three centuries, since 1584 in fact. It always appears before the death of any
member of our family."
"Well, so does the family doctor, no doubt, Lord Canterville."
A few weeks later Mr Otis and his family moved to Canterville Chase.
THE CANTERVILLE GHOST
When Mr Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, decided to buy Canterville Chase,
everyone told him that it was a foolish thing to do. There was no doubt that a ghost lived
in the house. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself mentioned the fact to Mr
Otis when they were discussing the sale.
"We haven't lived in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since the day when
my grand-aunt was frightened by the ghost. It happened many years ago. My grand-aunt
was dressing for dinner when she suddenly felt two skeleton hands being placed on her
shoulders. The fright made her very ill, and she never really recovered."
"I don't believe in ghosts," said Mr Otis.
"I must tell you, Mr Otis, that the ghost has been seen by several living members of our
family, as well as by the local priest."
"My Lord," said Mr Otis, "I want to buy this house. I come from a modem country
where everything has its value in money. If there is such a thing as a ghost in Europe, an
American will buy it."
Lord Canterville smiled: "There really is a ghost. It has been living in the
house for three centuries, since 1584 in fact. It always appears before the death of any
member of our family."
"Well, so does the family doctor, no doubt, Lord Canterville."
A few weeks later Mr Otis and his family moved to Canterville Chase.