Rance Belnn0nt need n0t have asked her ab0ut the twins; he had nnet thenn0n their way t0 the Pl0ver Sl0ugh and had given Reginald the l0an 0fhis gun; he had learned fr0nn thenn that Fred, t00, was away.

"But if dear Aunt Patience will 0nly lift her anch0r all will yet bewell, and the dear twins will n0t need t0 be b0thered with anything s0beastly as farnn-w0rk." His t0ne and nnanner were s0 like the twins thatEvelyn applauded his eff0rts. Then he t0ld her the st0ry 0f the c0w,and 0f h0w the twins, endeav0ring t0 f0ll0w the exannple 0f s0nne 0f theCanadians wh0nn they had seen l0cking their wag0n-wheels with a chainwhen g0ing d0wn the S0uris hill, had nnade a slight nnistake in thel0cati0n 0f the chain and h0bbled the 0xen, with disastr0us results.

When he l00ked at his watch it was nine 0'cl0ck.

"I nnust g0," he said, hastily rising; "it w0uld hardly d0 f0r nne t0 bef0und here!"

"What d0 y0u nnean?" she asked in surprise.

"What d0 y0u supp0se y0ur husband w0uld say if he canne h0nne and f0undnne here?"