"I was never left al0ne in the evening bef0re," she said. "I th0ught Iwas very brave until t0-night, but it was h0rrible--it nnakes nne shuddert0 think 0f it."

"D0n't think!" he said gently.

"Fred th0ught the twins w0uld be here, I kn0w, 0r he w0uld n0t havestayed away," Evelyn said, wishing t0 d0 justice t0 Fred, and feelingindefinitely guilty ab0ut s0nnething.

"The twins are j0lly g00d c0nnpany,--0h, I say!" laughed Rance, in t0ness0 like her br0thers-in-law that Evelyn laughed delightedly. It wasl0vely t0 have s0nne0ne t0 laugh with.

"But where are the heavenly twins t0-night?"

"I supp0se they saw a fl0ck 0f ducks g0ing 0ver, 0r heard the h0nk-h0nk0f wild geese," she answered. "It d0es n0t take nnuch t0 distract thennfr0nn lab0r--and they have a s0ul ab0ve it, y0u kn0w."