I only wanted to help them...
But I let them down.
I let them stay when they had nowhere else...
But it didn't work out.
"Come in," Said I "we have plenty of room."
"We?" They asked, sceptically.
"We." Said I "My wife and I."
"Ah," They said "of course!" And through the door they stepped.
They still haven't left...
And they never will.
Into the dining room, they walked, with me close behind.
The house had seemed unsettled, restless even...
But I didn't realise my dear Agatha would mind them staying.
My dear gave a cry from upstairs, startling our guests for a moment.
"What was that?!?" They asked.
"Oh dear..." Said I. "Don't mind my sweet, she isn't used to guests; It's usually just us. Wait here a moment, dinner will be served shortly." Then I left the room and went to check on my dear.
She didn't seem like herself at all.
She kept yelling at me to get rid of them, but I told her I wouldn't do such a thing, as they were our guests, and they were here to stay as they didn't have anywhere else.
I left the room, shutting the door as I went, and headed back to the dining room to serve our guests.
"You must be hungry." Said I. They seemed startled by the sight of me, for their eyes were wide, and they seemed to shake all over. "Whatever is the matter?" Asked I. "You look terrible! Like you've seen a ghost!"
They looked at each other for a moment, and then the young man asked "What is that?" and pointed at my white shirt. Glancing down, I realised it wasn't so white any longer; It was now tinted pink by the red stain - a red hand print.
I laughed "Do not worry yourselves over such silly things. Sit! Sit! You must be hungry! Dinner is ready."
When they next looked at table, two plates of hot food were in front of them.
I had noticed they were doubtful, but where else could they go at this hour?
They had to stay.
By the time they had finished their dinner, a storm had started. The thunder rumbled and crashed as we made our way up the stairs to the first floor. I assume the young lady was frightened by the storm, as she seemed to grip the young man's arm rather tightly as we headed towards the landing.
"This is your room." Said I, gesturing to the door behind me. "It's all set up, so you don't need to worry about anything. My wife's room is at the end of the hall..." They both glanced at her door. "So please be quiet." I pointed at the door three places away from Agatha's room. "The bathroom is through that door." They hurried into their room and shut the door.
Curiosity killed the cat, some do say. I say it didn't. It was allowing that curiosity to turn to temptation, and then to action. That is what really killed the cat!
I just wish my guests had been good and stayed in their room...
We could have been friends.
It was dark when I heard the scream of the young lady and the yell of her male friend. I sat bolt upright and darted into my dear's room, only to find our guests staring at her.
"What did I tell you about disturbing my sweet?!" My voice must have taken them by surprise, as they nearly jumped out of their skin.
"B-but..." Stuttered the rather shaken young man.
"But nothing!" I grabbed the collars of their tops and dragged them back to their room. Then I pushed them in and locked the door behind them. "Go to sleep and stop disturbing my wife!"
Through the door came the young man's voice. "But she's dead!"
"Silence!" I shouted at the door, before slipping the key into my pocket and heading back to my dear's room.
I peered through the gap in the door, but she was as peaceful as can be; she's never slept so soundly, in her once white - but now slightly pink - night gown.
They shouldn't have come here, but they did.
They were hoping for a safe place to rest their heads, but instead, they found here.
I went back to my room and laid down once more. As I shut my eyes and drifted into sleep, I pondered what I would do with my guests.
Our house is always open to guests, so long as they keep their noses in their own room.
Every fifty years or so, new guests arrive, looking for a safe place, and one more room is taken.
But even with all these guests, I still feel alone...
Maybe someday, my dear will accept our guests...
Until then, I will keep allowing guests and filling our empty home.
