No Living Voice

'How do you account for it?'

'I don't account for it at all. I don't pretend to understand it.'

'You think, then, that it was really supernatural?'

'We know so little what Nature comprehends--what are its powers and
limits--that we can scarcely speak of anything that happens as beyond
it or above it.'

'And you are certain that this did happen?'

'Quite certain; of that I have no doubt whatever.'

These sentences passed between two gentlemen in the drawing-room of a
country house, where a small family party was assembled after dinner;
and in consequence of a lull in the conversation occurring at the
moment they were distinctly heard by nearly everybody present.
Curiosity was excited, and enquiries were eagerly pressed as to the
nature or supernature of the event under discussion. 'A ghost story!'
cried one; 'oh! delightful! we must and will hear it.' 'Oh! please,
no, said another; 'I should not sleep all night--and yet I am dying
with curiosity.'