Listened again, and rather stupid this morning, Jasper. What do you reckon she meant, by temporizing: “Well darling, perhaps not exactly ghosts”? My girl says I explained it to her last year, but I don’t remember doing so, yet she doesn’t remember. That’s how it came up. She said: “What did she mean by that, again?” Again? And how could I have gotten so infernally dumbed down, in just one year? Ghosts of Christmas past?
I'm wondering if there is some kind of hint leading to indisputable explanation of events in this short story that I am overlooking as English is not my mother tongue.
Hi Jan, I think by design it's left ambiguous, but the wife's preferred version of events is the one that we are asked to consider. Spoilers... That Clarence left his Uncle Joy to die in the prospecting pit so he could abscond with his fortune. The visitor at the party (dressed as Santa) is either the uncle's ghost or, as I think the "not exactly ghosts" line leads us to believe, an avenging angel or some kind of spirit emissary.
@@EnCryptedHorrorThank you for your reply. Spoilers ahead Well, my explanation of Mrs Dreyton's sentence: 'Well, darling, perhaps not exactly ghosts.' is that she knows or maybe just suspect that it wasn't work of ghosts but humans.
@@jannespor8178 Except it is the wife who seems more accepting of the supernatural explanation and who draws her husband's attention to the book of ghost stories from his sister, saying that she believes in ghosts and is an intelligent woman in response to the husband's dismissal of the idea. But, yes, the ending is kept ambiguous.
@@EnCryptedHorror Another spoilers Maybe it's only my imagination, but here is my explanation what happened: Mr Dreyton prepared the whole thing (the letter from Australia, the telegram, "strange" Father Christmas) because he knows or at least suspects that there is something between his wife and Mr Love that could easily turn into an affair. I think that Mr Love wasn't murdered but he commited suicide provoked by fear of revelation of his own guilt. After Love's death Mrs Dreyton somehow realized that her husband had suspicion about her and Mr Love and he probably orchestrated his death or at least suicide. Her belief in husband's theory about vengeance of Mr Joy was some kind of "defensive mechanism" and she stayed firm even knowing that Mr Joy was dead. In the end of the story she almost reached the breaking point, but instead of revealing that she knows about her husband plan, her "mood at that moment was for compromise rather than controversy" (quote).
@@jannespor8178 I think you've probably come up with a more sophisticated mystery than the one the author intended 🙂. "Compromise rather than controversy" is, I think, the wife choosing not to argue about the existence of ghosts. I don't think the husband needed to go and pursue his own investigation by going to the department store manager and the police if he masterminded everything. The tone of the story is light-hearted. We're meant to be amused that the husband (who suspected Clarence of being a wrong 'un all along) plays armchair detective and has his theories dismissed by the police, and at Mrs Dreyton's indulgence/humouring of her husband. I might mention that before Clarence is killed both Mr and Mrs Dreyton have decided that he's no fun anymore, so no need for the husband's jealousy.
Another ghost story for Christmas 🎄 🎅🤶🎁☃️🌨. Hope you enjoy 😊. If you do, let me know in the modern way. Ta.
Listened again, and rather stupid this morning, Jasper. What do you reckon she meant, by temporizing: “Well darling, perhaps not exactly ghosts”? My girl says I explained it to her last year, but I don’t remember doing so, yet she doesn’t remember. That’s how it came up. She said: “What did she mean by that, again?” Again? And how could I have gotten so infernally dumbed down, in just one year?
Ghosts of Christmas past?
very good - J.B. Priestlyesque !
Thank you. I like listening to Christmas ghost stories on Christmas night after the kids have gone to their dads 🙂
Happy Christmas, manbearpig! Enjoy some well-earned peace and quiet 😄
I am loving this Christmas series. Thanks for helping me to enjoy a classic December full of chills.
You're welcome! Thanks for listening, Simon 👍
Fantastic story and narration!
This is a great story! I will listen to it again during this Christmas 🎄 season.
Thanks!
How clever! And the language! On to Chance's Motto. Ho ho ho, or should I say boo, boo, boo! Happy Christmas all. Namaste
Christmas 2021. A Christmas to remember by Jasper le Strange. Thanks for another creepy classic.
You're welcome. Thanks for following the show, Jared!
Trouble sleeping..so happy I can relax to your voice and a great story. Thanks
Thanks Andrea! Glad I can help 😄
Your work and narration is superb, thanks So much 🍻
Thank you, Janet 😊
Just luv Dorothy's voice or should I call her Dot? Just luv the voice of Dot 🤔🙃luv that tribute ending👍👍👍👍👍
Early Christmas present!! Thank you! This one went from mild to creepy unexpectedly!
Happy Christmas, Gina 😊
Merry Christmas to you! 🎄⛄🎁
Nice! Happened upon your channel. Thanks
Marvellous! Welcome to the channel, Eliza! 👋
A great story, thank you!
Thanks Nancy! You're very welcome 😊
Now there's a nice carol... 😊
Thank you 🤗
Thanks for listening, Jacky!
Thank you 👏
You're welcome! 🙂
I'm wondering if there is some kind of hint leading to indisputable explanation of events in this short story that I am overlooking as English is not my mother tongue.
Hi Jan, I think by design it's left ambiguous, but the wife's preferred version of events is the one that we are asked to consider.
Spoilers...
That Clarence left his Uncle Joy to die in the prospecting pit so he could abscond with his fortune. The visitor at the party (dressed as Santa) is either the uncle's ghost or, as I think the "not exactly ghosts" line leads us to believe, an avenging angel or some kind of spirit emissary.
@@EnCryptedHorrorThank you for your reply.
Spoilers ahead
Well, my explanation of Mrs Dreyton's sentence: 'Well, darling, perhaps not exactly ghosts.' is that she knows or maybe just suspect that it wasn't work of ghosts but humans.
@@jannespor8178 Except it is the wife who seems more accepting of the supernatural explanation and who draws her husband's attention to the book of ghost stories from his sister, saying that she believes in ghosts and is an intelligent woman in response to the husband's dismissal of the idea. But, yes, the ending is kept ambiguous.
@@EnCryptedHorror Another spoilers
Maybe it's only my imagination, but here is my explanation what happened:
Mr Dreyton prepared the whole thing (the letter from Australia, the telegram, "strange" Father Christmas) because he knows or at least suspects that there is something between his wife and Mr Love that could easily turn into an affair. I think that Mr Love wasn't murdered but he commited suicide provoked by fear of revelation of his own guilt. After Love's death Mrs Dreyton somehow realized that her husband had suspicion about her and Mr Love and he probably orchestrated his death or at least suicide. Her belief in husband's theory about vengeance of Mr Joy was some kind of "defensive mechanism" and she stayed firm even knowing that Mr Joy was dead.
In the end of the story she almost reached the breaking point, but instead of revealing that she knows about her husband plan, her "mood at that moment was for compromise rather than controversy" (quote).
@@jannespor8178 I think you've probably come up with a more sophisticated mystery than the one the author intended 🙂. "Compromise rather than controversy" is, I think, the wife choosing not to argue about the existence of ghosts. I don't think the husband needed to go and pursue his own investigation by going to the department store manager and the police if he masterminded everything. The tone of the story is light-hearted. We're meant to be amused that the husband (who suspected Clarence of being a wrong 'un all along) plays armchair detective and has his theories dismissed by the police, and at Mrs Dreyton's indulgence/humouring of her husband. I might mention that before Clarence is killed both Mr and Mrs Dreyton have decided that he's no fun anymore, so no need for the husband's jealousy.
Nice shout out to MR James. Poor Uncle Bertie…I hope he wasn’t sober when being tortured by the kids.
Haha! I liked the direct reference to Monty too.
Lawd Lawd🧀👻
The cheese has arrived 😋