Elsie Brown makes a beautiful use of pun in John's statement . through the clever or homorous use of word 'above -board ' the author explains John's stand. when confronted by lavinia about his flirtation over the Ouija board , John insisted that the affair was quite 'above-board ' . it means that he didn't hide or conceal anything and he played above the board. the second meaning is that he was not flirting with Helen on the Ouija board and actions and motives were honest and legal

**The Pun in John's Statement**

The pun in John's statement lies in the phrase "above board." In this context, John uses the phrase to convey that his flirtations during the Ouija board session were innocent and transparent. However, the pun arises because "above board" is a play on words that combines a literal meaning with a figurative one.

**Literal Meaning of "Above Board"**

The literal meaning of "above board" refers to something being visible and in plain sight. It originates from card games where it was customary to play with the cards above a board or table, ensuring that no cheating or hidden tricks occurred. By saying that his affair was "above board," John implies that he was not engaging in any deceitful behavior during the Ouija board session.

**Figurative Meaning of "Above Board"**

The figurative meaning of "above board" relates to honesty, openness, and legality. When an activity is described as "above board," it means it is conducted in a straightforward and transparent manner, without any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. In this context, John uses the phrase to assure Lavinia that his flirtations were innocent and not intended to deceive or harm their relationship.

**The Pun Explained**

The pun in John's statement arises from the wordplay between the literal and figurative meanings of "above board." While John intends to reassure Lavinia by emphasizing the transparency of his actions, the phrase also creates a humorous effect when applied to the Ouija board context.

The Ouija board is a tool associated with contacting spirits or entities from the other world. It consists of a board with letters, numbers, and other symbols, and participants place their hands on a pointer (planchette) that moves to spell out messages supposedly from the spirits. By stating that his flirtations were "above board," John is making a clever wordplay by linking the transparency of his actions during the Ouija board session to the physical act of placing hands above the board itself.

In essence, John's pun suggests that his flirtations were both literally and figuratively "above board" as they took place over the Ouija board. The humor lies in the unexpected connection between the physical positioning of hands on the board and the figurative meaning of honesty and transparency.