There was a small child who (being a very well behaved child) would say her prayers before going to bed ad night. One particular night, her mother overheard the prayers. God bless mummy, God bless daddy, God bless my brother Billy and may Rufus rest in peace. The mother was confused because the family dog was alive and well but thought little of it. The next day, the family arose to find Rufus stone dead on the kitchen floor.

That evening, the mother listened again. God bless mummy, God bless daddy and may Billy rest in peace. This time the mother was distressed. After several hours consulting with her husband, however, she had been convinced that Billy would be all right – so she went to bed. Sure enough, the next morning, Billy was found, dead as a doorknob.

After a somewhat traumatic day, the child prepared to go to bed. This time both parents listened. God bless mummy and may daddy rest in peace. The parents were frantic. The father spent the entire evening watching carefully that nothing could happen to him – while the mother spent the evening interrogating the child in a vain attempt to glean some more information. Time passed and when the sun rose, nothing had happened.

Feeling much relieved, the father prepared himself for work. He dressed confidently and ate his breakfast safe in the knowledge that he had beaten this thing. Just as he was leaving for work, he opened the door and found the corpse of the milkman lying on his doorstep.