midnight
What can we do , mothah ? '' `` Let 's tell ghost stories , '' said Mrs. Sherman , who knew what was going to happen in a short time , and wanted to keep the girls occupied until then . `` I know a fine one , '' she began , sinking her voice to a creepy undertone that made the girls cast uneasy glances behind them . `` It 's all about a haunted house that has clanking chains in the cellar , and muffled footsteps , and icy fingers that c-lutch you by the throat on the stairs as the clock tolls the midnight hour . '' `` Ugh ! How good and spooky ! '' said Joyce , with a little shiver .