The Canterville Ghost

`Yes, Death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth with the grass above my head, and to hear only silence. To know nothing of yesterday, or about to-morrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open the doors of the house of Death for me; because Love is always with you, and Love is stronger than Death.'

For a few moments everything was quiet. Virginia felt sad, and scared by the things the ghost was saying. It was as if she was in a terrible dream.

Then the Ghost spoke again, and his voice was as soft as the wind. `Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?'

`Oh, I have read it often,' said the little girl, looking up; `It is painted in strange black letters, and it is difficult to read. There are only six lines:'

When a golden girl brings the day That a bad man learns to pray, When there are flowers on the almond tree And a little child cries for me, Then the house will all be still And peace will come to Canterville.