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YourHub.com \\ Vero Beach \\ Stories \\ Creative Writing \\ Short Stories

Good Morning Sir, Goodnight Lucy

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Contributed by: Elisabeth Bennett on 10/10/2008

In England, my native country, the supernatural is commonplace, in some instances an everyday occurrence. Many a cold wintery night, my brothers, sisters and I would sit by the fireplace listening in wonder as Mother told us thrilling stories of her own childhood. One of our favourites was of the ghosts who dwelt in the home of her grandmother, our great grandmother, (whom we saw very rarely) one ghost seen and one unseen.
A well-dressed gentleman of 19th century appearance, complete with a silk top hat, had made the downstairs entrance hallway his abode, a very charming and gracious gentleman whom everyone addressed as "sir." This ghostly gentleman liked everyone to be as polite as he, so upon entering the house, all residents and visitors would say "Good morning, Sir" or "Good evening, Sir" depending on the time ofday, to which the courteous apparition would doff his hat in well-bred acknowledgement to those addressing him.
Once I asked Mother what would havehappened had someone passed by ignoring "Sir?" Mother looked horrified. Quickly she assured me that no oneever did or would. Children were too well behavedin those days.
However well behaved or not, my Mother and her siblings would tell of the patience of "Lucy," another ghostly presence in their grandmother's home. Lucy had decided that children did not need a light to sleep by. In the days of Mother's childhood, children carried a candle to light their way to bed, which they would then place on the bedside table.
After prayers and goodnights had been said, their grandmother would turn to leave. This delightful though strict lady was aQuaker. "Put out thy light, child, or Lucy will do so," was her parting instruction as she softly closed the door.
If the child thus addressed was tardy to obey, the door would be opened. A light swish as of long skirts trailing the floor would be heard and the light would go out. Poof! Just as if a finger and thumb had reached out to extinguish the flame. Then justenough time would pass for someone to cross the room, the door would slowly and softly close, as Lucy left, her nightly ritual completed.

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