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I don't re we talked

Possibly it was an hour We discussed tutors, schools, programs of education, what Merrick should do

"Of course there can be no question of asking her to display her psychic powers to us," Aaron said fir to overrule him "But they're considerable I've sensed it all day and yesterday as well "

"Ah, but there's another matter," I said, and I was about to broach the subject of the weird "disturbance" which I had felt in Great Nananne's house while we had sat in the kitchen But so

I realized that I sensed the same presence now, under our Motherhouse roof

"What's the matter, man?" asked Aaron, who knew my every facial expression and who could probably read my mind if he really chose to do it

"Nothing," I said, and then, instinctively, and perhaps selfishly, with some desire to be heroic, I added, "I want you to stay where you are "

I rose and went through the open doors of the library out into the hallway

From above, from the upstairs rear of the house, there cah, there was no d

oubt about it, only I could not attach it to Mary or to the fe in the house Indeed Mary was the only one in the o in the "slave quarters" and cottages which s some distance from the rear doors of the house

Once again, I heard the laugh It seemed an answer to my very query

Aaron appeared at my shoulder "That's Merrick," he said warily

This time, I didn't tell him to remain behind He followed me as I went up the stairs

The door to Merrick's roolow to spill into the long broad center hallway

"Well, come on in," said a womanish voice as I hesitated, and when I did, I was quite alarmed by what I saw