The Canterville Ghost: The Ghost Nobody Feared

A terrible reception

The ghost rattled his chains outside the new owner’s bedroom. Mr Otis opened the door and offered him oil. “For the squeaking.”

An old profession

For three hundred years, Sir Simon had emptied rooms with a groan. This family wanted him to be quieter.

Housekeeping wins

By morning, his terrible bloodstain was under attack. Washington knelt beside it with stain remover. The family called this progress.

A suspicious colour

Every night, Sir Simon painted it back. Then the stain turned green. He had used up all the reds in Virginia’s paintbox.

Competition in the corridor

The twins built a ghost from a sheet and a broom. Sir Simon saw it in the passage—and fled from his own profession.

A quieter haunting

After that, he crept through the house, carrying his shoes. He even used the oil. Nobody must hear him coming.

Offstage

Virginia found him beside the window. He was no longer rehearsing a scream. He was watching dead leaves cross the garden.

No excuse

“You killed your wife,” she said. He began making excuses. Virginia did not smile. At last, he stopped.

Three hundred years awake

“I haven’t slept for three hundred years,” he told her. “I’m tired.” Virginia came closer. This time, she listened.

The hand she took

The old prophecy offered peace through tears and prayer. “For what you did,” Virginia said. Then she took his hand.

Beyond the wall

The wall opened into darkness. Voices warned her back. Virginia held on, and walked through with him.

What the house concealed

At midnight, Virginia returned alone. “He was sorry,” she said. “He can rest.” She led them to the room where his wife’s brothers had left him.

Something living

He had starved beside a water jug he could not reach. Now his shackle lay still. Outside, the withered almond tree had blossomed.

The last silence

At his burial, Virginia laid almond blossoms on the coffin. That night, the house was silent. Nobody reached for the oil.