The Diary of a Nobody

Gowing said: “Perhaps it means ‘Spook,’ a ghost.” I said: “You know it doesn’t mean anything of the sort.” Gowing said: “Oh! very well— I’m sorry I ‘spook,’” and he rose from the table. No one took any notice of the stupid joke, and Mrs. James suggested he should sit out for a while. Gowing consented and sat in the arm-chair. The table began to move again, and we might have had a wonderful séance but for Gowing’s stupid interruptions. In answer to the alphabet from Carrie the table spelt “NIPUL,” then the “WARN” three times. We could not think what it meant till Cummings pointed out that “NIPUL” was Lupin spelled backwards. This was quite exciting. Carrie was particularly excited, and said she hoped nothing horrible was going to happen. Mrs. James asked if “Lina” was the spirit. The table replied firmly, “No,” and the spirit would not give his or her name. We then had the message, “NIPUL will be very rich.” Carrie said she felt quite relieved, but the word “WARN” was again spelt out. The table then began to oscillate violently, and in reply to Mrs. James, who spoke very softly to the table, the spirit began to spell its name. It first spelled “DRINK.” Gowing here said: “Ah! that’s more in my line.” I asked him to be quiet as the name might not be completed. The table then spelt “WATER.” Gowing here interrupted again, and said: “Ah! that’s not in my line. Outside if you like, but not inside.”