in Peggy from over near the window. "Here comes
your aunty."

"Good night, nurse!" says I.

"Tell him it's all right," says Vee hasty. "He might send the next
ones in care of Marjorie; then I'll be sure of getting them. By-by,
Peggy. Don't squeeze so hard, Jane. No, please don't come out,
Torchy. Goodby."

And in another minute I'm left to the mercy of the near-twins once
more. I camps down in the easy chair again, with one on each side, and
the cross examination proceeds. Say, they're a great pair too.

"Didn't Vee want you to go out 'cause her aunty would see you?" asks
Peggy.

"There!" says I. "I wonder?"

"I'm glad she isn't my aunty," says Jane. "She looks too cross."

"If I was Vee's aunty," puts in Peggy, "I wouldn't be mad if she did
have your picture in a silver frame."

"Honest?" says I. "How's that?"

"'Cause I don't think you're so awful horrid, even if you aren't
anybody," says Peggy. "Do you, Jane?"

"I like him," says Jane. "I think his hair's nice too."

"Well, well!" says I. "Guess I got some gallery with me, anyway. And
how does Vee stand with you?"

"Oh, she's just a dear!" says Peggy, clappin' her hands.

"M-m-m-m!" echoes Jane. "She's going to take us to see Maude Adams
next Wednesday too."

"Huh!" says I, indicatin' deep thought. "So you'll see her again soon?"

"I wish it was tomorrow," says Jane.

"Mr. Torchy," says Peggy, grabbin' me impulsive by one ear and swingin'
my face around, "truly now, aren't you awfully in love with Vee?"

Say, where do they pick it up, youngsters of that age? Her big brown
eyes are as round and serious as if she knew all about it; and on the
other side is Jane, fairly holdin' her breath.

"Whisper!" says I. "Could you two keep a secret?"

"Oh, yes!" comes in chorus.

"Well, then," says I, "I'm going to hand you one. I think Vee is the
best that ever happened."

"Oh, goody!" exclaims Peggy. "Then you do love her awfully! But why
don't you----"

"Wait!" says I. "When I get to be a little older, and some bigger, and
after I've made heaps and heaps of money, and have a big, black
automobile----"

"And a big, black mustache," adds Peggy.

"No," says I. "Cut out the miracles. Call it when I'm in business for
myself. Then, if somebody'll only choke off Aunty long enough, I
may--well, some fine moonlight night I may tell her all about it."

"Oh!" gasps Jane. "Mayn't we be there to hear you do it?"

"Not if I can ba