Collecting my scattered wits , I tried to compose myself to slumber again ; but alas ! that fatal feast had murdered sleep , and I vainly tried to lull my wakeful senses with the rustle of woodbine leaves about the window , and the breaking waves upon the beach . In one of the pauses between the ebb and flow of the waves , I heard a curious sound in the house , -- a muffled sort of moan , coming at regular intervals . And , as I sat up to make out where it was , another sound caught my attentive ear . Drip , drip , drip , went something out in the hall , and in an instant the tale told me on Sunset Hill came back with unpleasant vividness . `` Nonsense ! it is raining , and the roof leaks , '' I said to myself , while a disagreeable thrill went through me , and fancy , aided by indigestion , began to people the house with uncanny inmates . No rain had fallen for weeks , and peeping through my curtain I saw the big , bright stars shining in a cloudless sky ; so that explanation failed , and still the drip , drip , drip went on . Likewise the moaning , so distinctly now that it was evident the little back bedroom was next the chamber in which I was quaking at that identical moment . `` Some one is sleeping there , '' I said , and then recollected that all the rooms were locked , and all the keys but mine in Mrs. Grant 's pocket up at the house . `` Well , let the goblins enjoy themselves ; I wo n't disturb them if they let me alone . Some of the ladies thought me brave to dare to sleep here , and it will never do to own I was scared by a foolish story and an odd sound . '' So down I lay , and said the multiplication table industriously for several minutes , trying to turn a deaf ear to the outer world , and curb my unruly thoughts . But it was a failure , and , when I found myself saying over and over `` Four times twelve is twenty-four , '' I gave up affecting courage , and went in for a good honest scare . As a cheerful subject for midnight meditation I kept thinking of B. Tucker , in spite of every effort to abstain . In vain I recalled the fact that the departed gentleman was `` allers civil to the ladies . '' I still was in mortal fear lest he might think it necessary to come and apologize in person for `` bothering '' me . Presently a clock struck three , and I involuntarily gave a groan that beat the ghost 's all hollow , so full of anguish was I at the thought of several hours of weary waiting in such awesome suspense . I was not sure at what time the daylight would appear , and bitterly regretted not gathering useful information about sunrise , tides , and such things , instead of listening to the foolish gossip of Uncle Peter on the hill-top . Minute after minute dragged slowly on , and I was just thinking that I should be obliged to shout `` Fire ! ''
as the only means of relief in my power , when a stealthy step under the window XXXXX me a new sensation .
Collecting breaking gave leaves let listening peeping recollected saw went