l bedrooms that opened off
it. There was only one object in the empty room which they passed
through, and that was the big family carriage, for which no possible use
could be found during the long winter, and for the storing of which no
outside place was considered good enough. It stood wheelless in a
corner, with a large grey cloth over it, and the girls passing it with
their one flickering candle looked at it a little askance. They had the
feeling that something might be within or behind it which would bounce
out at them.

Once, however, within their small whitewashed bedroom, they felt quite
safe. Their spirits rose a little when they shut the door, for now there
was no exacting third person to expect anything but what they chose to
give. Theirs was that complete happiness of two persons when it has been
long proved that neither ever does anything which the other does not
like, and neither ever wants from the other what is not naturally given.

They were still sleepy when they unbuttoned each other's frocks, but
when they had come to the next stage of shaking out their curly hair
they began to make remarks which tended to dispel their drowsiness.

Said Blue, "Is it very dreadful to be a dentist?"

Said Red, "Yes; horrid. You have to put your fingers in people's mouths,
you know."

"But doctors have to _cut off legs_, and doctors are quite----"

There is another advantage in perfect union of twin souls, and that is,
that it is never necessary to finish a remark the end of which does not
immediately find expression on the tip of the tongue, for the other
always knows what is going to be said.

"Yes, I know doctors are," replied Red; "still, you know, Principal
Trenholme said Mr. Harkness is not a well-bred American."

"His first name is Cyril. I saw it on the card," replied Blue, quitting
the question of social position.

"It's a _lovely_ name," said Red, earnestly.

"And I'll tell you," said Blue, turning round with sudden earnestness
and emphasis, "I think he's the _handsomest_ young man I _ever saw_."

The rather odd plan Mrs. Rexford had hit on for lessening the likeness
between these two, clothing each habitually in a distinctive colour, had
not been carried into her choice of material for their dressing-gowns.
These garments were white; and, as a stern mood of utility had guided
their mother's shears, they were short and almost shapeless. The curly
hair which was being brushed over them had stopped it