As other reviewers have stated, most Hitchcock episodes involve suspense and drama, not the paranormal. And this clearly does - I don't buy the reading it as metaphor when each element was building up to the end. To say this episode is stereotypical would be a bit misleading as well - this is depicting the 50's/60's in the Deep South. It's over 40 years later, so you might as well say the clothes are old-fashioned - of course they are! You'd have to resent the way women are portrayed in certain roles as well - or have the sense to realize it's a slice of what was, for better or worse (obviously). To further support that this is clearly supernatural and not metaphorical, consider Suze (Suse?). She is frightened/disturbed when the little girl mentions that when Numa gets tired of playing the doll, she does. Superstitions still permeate down south and different areas have their unique beliefs/cultures/ideologies - i.e., the difference between in Creole LA versus Geechi SC areas. I'm in my late 20's but as a native of South Carolina, I know plenty about the stories and superstitions and why certain things are done. Suze was scared! Did you see how she kept gentle with the girl (and not just 'cause she was nice) but also kept asking if she was mad with her? She didn't want the girl upset with her because she had her suspicions. Notice Jesse's comment in the parlor? Something to the effect of "Good thing it didn't happen when Suze was in here cleaning alone, she'd have climbed the walls." Also, the incident where she asked him to get the ham but he denies it - yes, it leads to her finding the little girl, but it also sets it up as her hearing/sensing a presence and assuming it was her husband, asking a favor. I'd have to read the original in 'Ellory Queen' to get more of a feel for the story's essence, but I'll go ahead and state that Hitchcock presents it quite well as a supernatural success. The scene where the little girl goes to make the bed and you see two figures bouncing under the blanket is a wonderful way to show what writing can only insinuate. Great work, all around.