3 At that moment a few things happened together. Someone, either Becky or Joe, let out a wild cackling laugh. I stumbled and stepped on a branch which made a loud 'crack', and the music in the dining room stopped playing.
At least ten heads turned to look at where we were hiding. Then we saw Lady Crutchfield leave the room. Moments later the front door opened. Waving a candelabra and stepping out onto the porch the old woman called out in an ancient sounding voice:
'Who dares come to disturb the dead in their revery?'
Improvising wildly I stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice.
'Hello Lady Crutchfield, we were invited for supper...'