More Ghost Stories by M. R. James, Fiction, Short Stories

From "The Tractate Middoth": "You mean something startled you. Was it anything you thought you saw?" "Not much thinking in the case, I'm afraid. Yes, it was something I saw. You remember when you called the first time at the library?" "Yes, of course. Well, now, let me beg you not to try to describe it -- it will not be good for you to recall it, I'm sure." "But indeed it would be a relief to me to tell anyone like yourself: you might be able to explain it away. It was just when I was going into the class where your book is --" "Indeed, Mr. Garrett, I insist; besides, my watch tells me I have but very little time left in which to get my things together and take the train. No -- not another word -- it would be more distressing to you than you imagine, perhaps. Now there is just one thing I want to say. I feel that I am really indirectly responsible for this illness of yours, and I think I ought to defray the expense which it has -- eh?"