The Canterville Ghost

After Mr Otis had ridden a couple of miles he heard the sound of a horse galloping after him. He looked around and saw the little duke coming up on his pony. His face was very red and he had no hat. `I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Otis,' the boy told him, `but I can't eat any dinner as long as Virginia is lost. Please, don't be angry with me. If you had let us get engaged last year, there would never have been all this trouble. You won't send me back, will you? I can't go! I won't go!'

The Minister could not help smiling at the handsome young man, because he realized that the young duke really did love Virginia very much. He leaned down from his horse, and patted the duke kindly on the shoulders. He said, `Well, Cecil, if you won't go back I suppose you must come with me, but I must get you a hat at Ascot.'

`Oh, bother my hat! I want Virginia!' said the little duke, laughing, and they galloped together to the railway station. At the station Mr. Otis asked the station-master if any one who looked like Virginia had been seen on the platform, but no-one had seen her. The station-master, however, sent messages up and down the line, and promised Mr Otis that everyone would be looking for her. Then, Mr Otis bought a hat for the little duke from a haberdasher who was just putting up his shutters for the evening. Next, Mr. Otis rode off to Bexley, a village about four miles away. He had been told that there were often gypsies staying there on a large common next to the village.

Vocabulary:

Gallop: A horse running fast.
Pony: A small horse.
As long as: While.
Engaged: Promised to marry.
Pat: Hit softly with an open hand.
Bother: Here it means 'I do not care about'..
Haberdasher: In British English a man who sells hats.
Shutters: Wooden or metal covers for windows.
Haunt: A place where people often stay.
Common: Fields used by everyone.