Ralph Rinkleman is sitting quietly in his bed, and Mrs. Rinkleman is sitting calmly by the fireside in the room with him, knitting a stocking. The Shadows peek in at the window, but seeing Mrs. Rinkleman there, they bide their time and try various tactics to try to frighten her away. Mrs. Rinklman, however, takes no notice of their antics on the walls or across the floor, because she has a good conscience and nothing to fear.
Suddenly a loud wail is heard coming from the nursery, and Mrs. Rinkleman hurries out to see what is the matter with the children. The Shadows emerge and hurry over to Ralph, congratulating one another on their success at creating the diversion in the nursery.
Seeing that it was no use trying to frighten Mrs. Rinkleman, a young, heedless Shadow had taken himself upstairs and given a fright to one of the children! 'What!' expostulates Mr. Rinkleman 'Never fear, your majesty,' reply the Shadows, 'It will do the child good by making him afraid to do evil.' 'Will you come with us now, your Majesty?' 'Very well,' says Ralph, 'Let's be going.'
