Doyouknowwhatfearis?Notordinaryfearofinsult,injuryordeath,butabject,quiveringdreadofsomethingthatyoucannotsee——fearthatdriestheinsideofthemouthandhalfofthethroat——
fearthatmakesyousweatonthepalmsofthehands,andgulpinordertokeeptheuvulaatwork?ThisisafineFear——agreatcowardice,andmustbefelttobeappreciatedTheveryimprobabilityofbilliardsinadak-bungalowprovedtherealityofthethingNoman——drunkorsober——couldimagineagameatbilliards,orinventthespittingcrackofa“screw-cannon。”
Aseverecourseofdak-bungalowshasthisdisadvantage——itbreedsinfinitecredulityIfamansaidtoaconfirmeddak-bungalow-
haunter:——“Thereisacorpseinthenextroom,andthere’samadgirlinthenextbutone,andthewomanandmanonthatcamelhavejustelopedfromaplacesixtymilesaway。”thehearerwouldnotdisbelievebecausehewouldknowthatnothingistoowild,grotesque,orhorribletohappeninadak-bungalow。
Thiscredulity,unfortunately,extendstoghostsArationalpersonfreshfromhisownhousewouldhaveturnedonhissideandslept。