at a quarter to eight were surprised by their father's
entrance into the library, where they happened to be sitting for the
moment.

Their surprise was no greater than his, nor was it so effectively
expressed. He saw at once, and said so, that they were up to some
mischief, and he would not have it, did they understand that?

"We were only sitting talking, father," said Joan. "There was nowhere
else to go."

"I won't have this room used as a common sitting-room," said the Squire.
"Now go, and don't let me catch you in here again."

The twins went out into the big hall. "Why couldn't you cry a little at
being spoke to like that?" said Nancy. "He would have told us
everything."

"That's worn out," replied Joan. "The last time I did it he only said,
'For God's sake don't begin to snivel.' Besides I was rather
frightened."

Just then the Squire opened his door suddenly. The twins both jumped.
But he only said, "Oh, you're there. Come in here, and shut the door."

They went in. "Now look here," said the Squire, "you are old enough now
to look at things in a sensible light. I suppose you have heard that
your sister has taken it upon herself to take herself off without a with
your leave or by your leave and has turned the whole house
topsy-turvy--eh?"

"Yes, father," said the twins dutifully.

"Who told you--eh?"

"Miss Bird, father."

"I wish Miss Bird would mind her own business," said the Squire. "What
did she tell you for?"

"Because she wanted us to be good girls, and not worry you with
questions," replied Nancy.

"Oh! Well, that's all right," said the Squire, mollified.

"Now what I want to know is--did Cicely say anything to either of you
about going away like this?"

"Oh no, father," replied the twins, with one voice.

"Well, I'm determined to get to the bottom of it. No daughter of mine
shall behave in that way in this house. Here's everything a girl can
want to make her happy--it's the ingratitude of it that I can't put up
with, and so Miss Cicely shall find when she condescends to come home,
as she shall do if I have to go to fetch her myself."

Neither of the twins saw her way to interpose a remark. They stood in
front of their father as they stood in front of Miss Bird in the
schoolroom when they "did repetition."

"Do either of you know if Cicely wasn't contented or anything of that
sort?" inquired the Squire.

"She has been rather off her oats since Muriel was married," said Joan.

"