nd some of 'em coming creepy, cree-py up the stairs. You dug
your head deep down in the pillows, and the next thing you knew you
were asleep,--no, awake, and the noises were beautiful day-ones that
you liked. You heard roosters crowing, and Mr. Vandervoort's cows
calling for breakfast, and, likely as not, some mother-birds singing
duets with their husbands. Oh yes, it was a good deal the best way to
do, to go right straight to sleep when Metta put the light out.

But to-night it was different, for the Lie was there. You couldn't go
to sleep with a Lie in the room. It was worse than creepy, creaky
noises,--mercy, yes! You'd swap it for those quick enough and not ask
a single bit of "boot." You almost _wanted_ to hear the noises.

[Illustration: It was worse than creepy, creaky noises]

It came across the room. There was no sound, but Russy knew it was
coming well enough. He knew when it got up close to the side of the
bed. Then it stopped and began to speak. It wasn't "out loud" and it
wasn't a whisper, but Russy heard it.

"Move over; I'm coming into bed with you," the Lie said. "I hope you
don't think I'm going to sit up all night. Besides, I'm always scared
in the dark,--it runs in my family. The Lies are always afraid.
They're not good sleepers, either, so let's talk. You begin--or shall
I?"

"You," moaned Russy.

"Well, I say, this is great, isn't it! I like this house. I stayed at
Barney Toole's last night and it doesn't begin with this. Barney's
folks are poor, and there aren't any curtains or carpets or
anything,--nor pillows on the bed. I never slept a wink at Barney's.
I'm hoping I shall drop off here, after a while. It's a new place,
and I'm more likely to in new places. You never slept with one o' my
family before, did you?"

"No," Russy groaned. "Oh no, I never before!"

"That's what I thought. I should have been likely to hear of it if
you had. I was a little surprised,--I say, what made you have
anything to do with me. I was never more surprised in my life! They'd
always said: 'Well, you'll never get acquainted with that Russy Rand.
He's another kind.' Then you went and shook hands with me!"

"I had to." Russy sat up in bed and stiffened himself for
self-defence. "I had to! When Jeffy Vandervoort said that about
_Her_,--well, I guess you'd have had to if they said things about
your _mother_--"

"I never had one. The Lies have a Father, that's all. Go ahead."

"There isn't anything else,--I ju