Next night, a green band-box began to make a rustling noise, and then rose a foot in the air, several times.

On the following night Esther felt unwell, and "was a swelling wisibly before the werry eyes" of her alarmed family.

Reports like thunder peeled through her chamber, under a serene sky.

Next day Esther could only eat "a small piece of bread and butter, and a large green pickle".

She recovered slightly, in spite of the pickle, but, four nights later, all her and her sister's bed-clothes flew off, and settled down in a remote corner.
At Jennie's screams, the family rushed in, and found Esther "fearfully swollen".