When he was about to die, he gave orders that his sons' wives should keep watch over him after his death for three nights, one night for each one. He instructed his body should be placed in the outer chamber and that the wives should spin wool to make him a caftan and no cross should be placed upon him and none should be worn by his daughters-in-law.
The same night, the eldest daughter took her turn beside him and began spinning grey wool. At midnight, from his coffin the father-in-law says, "art thou there?' "I am" she answered frightened. "Art thou sitting?" he asked. "I sit" she replied. "Doust thou spin?" "I spin." "Grey wool?" "Grey." "For a caftan?" "For a caftan."
He moved toward her and asked again, "Daughter-in-law, art thou there?" "I am" “Art thou sitting?” “I sit.” “Dost thou spin?” “I spin.” “Grey wool?” “Grey.” “For a caftan?” “For a caftan.” She shrank into a corner as he kept moving closer. He strangled her and then lay back down in his coffin. The sons removed the body and the next night, the second daughter kept watch over him. The same thing happened. However, the third daughter was sharper than the others and said she had taken off her cross when she had not. Just as he was going to strangle her, she laid the cross upon him. He feel down and died.
She looked into the coffin and there was so much money. The father wanted to take it away with him but knew only someone smarter than him should have it.
The Warlock by W. R. S. Ralston.
The Cross. Source: Geograph
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