"
This remark prodded me with a sharp misgiving.
If he was unsubstantial, how was I going to kill him? But I dissembled,
and said persuasively:
"Conscience, it isn't sociable of you to keep at such a distance. Come
down and take another smoke."
This was answered with a look that was full of derision, and with this
observation added:
"Come where you can get at me and kill me? The invitation is declined
with thanks."
"All right," said I to myself; "so it seems a spirit can be killed, after
all; there will be one spirit lacking in this world, presently, or I lose
my guess." Then I said aloud:
"Friend--"
"There; wait a bit. I am not your friend. I am your enemy; I am not
your equal, I am your master, Call me 'my lord,' if you please. You are
too familiar."
"I don't like such titles. I am willing to call you, sir. That is as
far as--"
"We will have no argument about this. Just obey, that is all. Go on
with your chatter."
"Very well, my lord--since nothing but my lord will suit you--I was going
to ask you how long you will be visible to me?"
"Always!"
I broke out with strong indignation: "This is simply an outrage. That is
what I think of it! You have dogged, and dogged, and dogged me, all the
days of my life, invisible. That was misery enough, now to have such a
looking thing as you tagging after me like another shadow all the rest of
my day is an intolerable prospect.
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