Free We Hear the Dead by Dianne K. Salerni Page A

response to this pet name was a raised eyebrow. “Is this the spirit of my great-grandfather, Jacob Smith?”
    There came one rap, for no.
    Mother leaned forward to touch Leah’s arm. “Oh no, he never raps himself.”
    â€œWhy not? I never knew him to be short on words in life.”
    â€œYou’re not taking this seriously,” Betsy observed quietly.
    â€œI am serious!” Leah protested, but she was laughing.
    â€œDo you have any questions for the spirits, Leah?” Kate asked sweetly.
    â€œYes, I do.” Leah leaned forward in her chair and addressed the air just below the ceiling, as she had seen our mother do. “Was Adelaide Granger’s daughter Harriet really poisoned by her husband?”
    It was a pickle of a question. We all knew the story, from our days living in Rochester. The daughter of Leah’s friend Mrs. Granger had died of a sudden illness, and poison had been suspected. The husband, who was a doctor, had gone to trial and had been acquitted, but Mr. and Mrs. Granger had never stopped believing that their son-in-law had murdered their daughter.
    Rather to my surprise, the spirit rapped twice, for yes. I wondered if Kate knew what she was doing.
    Leah also registered surprise. “What should Mrs. Granger do about it?”
    David called out the alphabet for us, as he usually did.
    Nothing. Be at peace .
    â€œWhat about justice for the husband?” demanded Leah.
    The answer came: He will receve justice in the next life.
    â€œThat’s an interesting spelling of the word ‘receive,’” noted Leah. “Perhaps our spirit should have spent more time at its studies and less time rapping on the gates of heaven.”
    â€œOh, Leah!” Mother exclaimed at the same moment that David snorted and said, “Doggone it, Leah!”
    Suddenly, Kate spilled out of her chair and onto the floor in a faint, which we had agreed she would do if our sister became difficult. I was the first on the floor beside her, taking her hand as everyone else started out of their seats. “Kate! Kate!” I cried. “Can you hear me?”
    Kate turned her head toward my voice and her eyelids fluttered. “Don’t fear for me, Maggie. I am simply spent. The spirits have gone away now.”
    Lizzie was immediately at my side, helping me lift Kate to her feet, and then Mother was there, clucking and fussing over her. Together, we escorted Kate upstairs and put her into the trundle bed in the children’s room, and then I lay down beside her, pleading exhaustion myself.
    I know the adults spent a long time downstairs talking after that. Kate and I whispered to each other, trying to decide what we should do. We heard footsteps approach and we quieted ourselves instantly. The door opened and someone slipped into the room. I knew without looking that it was Leah. She stood over us silently while we tried to breathe steadily and feign sleep. After a time, she moved away and her footsteps retreated down the stairs.
    ***
    There was one sure way to avoid Leah the next day—we went to school. Our attendance had been sporadic since we moved to Hydesville, and once the rapping began we had been more often truant than not. The teacher looked none too pleased to have us suddenly appear, as our presence provided a distraction to the other pupils, who were more interested in us than their lessons.
    As we were passing through Hydesville on our long walk back to David’s farm at the end of the school day, Mrs. Redfield came bustling out of her house to catch us.
    â€œI have so missed our sittings, girls! Mrs. Jewell and I were just saying that we hoped that we could sit with you this evening. With all due consideration to Betsy Fox’s nervous condition, I wanted to offer my own parlor. I can send my husband with the carriage for you and your mother—and the sister you have visiting from Rochester. Do ask your mother, won’t you, girls? I