By Oscar Wilde Retold by Brenda Warren Illustrated by Sara Gianassi
V LE E L
smart
readers
31
Canterville Chase is a very old house in England. It is a very special house because it is haunted by a ghost that makes strange noises at night.
2
An American family, Mr and Mrs Otis and their children Washington, Virginia and the twins, want to live in England. They decide to buy the house.
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At Canterville Chase they meet Mrs Umney, the housekeeper. Mrs Umney takes them to the library. Mrs Otis sees a red stain on the floor. “What’s that?” she asks.
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“It is blood. Sir Simon the ghost left it there many years ago and it is impossible to remove.� says Mrs Umney.
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Sir Simon, the ghost, is watching! He thinks the family will be frightened and leave the house. 6
“No problem! This American detergent will clean the floor!” says Washington. “Oh bother! I must frighten them in another way!” thinks the ghost.
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So one night Sir Simon puts on a wig and some chains. He waits until one o’clock. Then he walks up and down the corridor. The chains make a terrible clanking noise.
CLAN K
CLAN K CLAN K
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Mr and Mrs Otis wake up.
“What a noise!” says Mr Otis. “Clanking chains... they need my special lubricating fluid.” He takes a bottle from his suitcase and opens the door.
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There is the ghost with chains on his hands and feet. “Whoooh!� shouts the ghost.
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“Please Sir, take this lubricating fluid and oil your chains. Goodnight!” He closes the door and goes back to bed.
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The ghost is depressed. “Nobody is afraid of me.” he says. Then he has an idea…
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WHO O O H H O O O WH
C O U GH C O U GH
The next night he starts walking and shouting up and down the corridor... but something goes wrong.
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“Oh NO! Not again!” says Mr Otis. “Oh, poor ghost! He’s got a cold.” says Mrs Otis. She takes a bottle of syrup from her suitcase and opens the door. 14
“Dear ghost, you don’t feel well, do you? Take this special syrup.” “Oh! I don’t believe it.” says the ghost.
“Yes, it really is miraculous!” replies Mrs Otis. “Please, drink it. You’ll feel better immediately. Good night.”
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The next evening he thinks, “I’m going to frighten the twins!” He puts on an old skeleton costume and goes to their bedroom. 16