h my life here was a million years ago, instead of three short
months. I wonder why?"

"Because you're happier in New York, my angel child," Phyllis declared
happily. "And now let's go down again. I love your widow's walk, but
I am frozen to death."

They went down together and found Auntie Mogs sitting before the fire
in the living-room, roasting chestnuts, while Martha stood in the
doorway and offered suggestions and gossip.

It was late before they went to bed, but when Janet finally fell asleep
she was still holding Phyllis's hand in her firm grasp.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE ENCHANTED KINGDOM

"If the ice didn't choke up the inlet I would row you over to your
kingdom, Princess," Peter said the next morning, as Janet took her
place beside him in the carriage. "It would seem ever so much more
like old times, wouldn't it?"

Janet nodded and laughed.

"Indeed it would. I wonder where my old row-boat is. I left it on the
beach."

"And I found it there, very much the worse for wear, and in sad need of
a home," Peter continued for her. "So I towed it over to our landing,
and now it is high and dry on the rafters in the barn, along with my
canoe."

"Oh, Peter, do you remember the day you taught me to paddle?" Janet
asked, laughing.

"I certainly do. I wasn't perfectly sure that we would ever get home
again; that storm came up so suddenly."

"But we did, just in time to be arrested." They both laughed so hard
at the memory of that never-to-be-forgotten day that Phyllis, in the
back seat with Auntie Mogs, called,

"What are you two roaring over?"

"Oh, something funny that happened last summer," Janet replied.

"Haven't you ever told your sister about it?" Peter inquired, and Janet
shook her head.

"Then I'll tell you, Phyllis," Peter promised; "but I'll wait until we
are on the scene of action."

"There are a lot of things I want to ask you,"--Phyllis laughed, "and a
lot of places I want to see. Jan's no good at telling stories, she
leaves out all the most interesting part."

"Well, you shall have a true and minute description from me, never
fear," Peter told her.

"Let me drive," Janet begged a minute later, and Peter changed places
with her, and for the rest of the drive he talked to Phyllis and Auntie
Mogs, for Janet was too taken up with the spirited team to have any
time for conversation.

The Enchanted Kingdom presented a strangely orderly view. The road was
trim and the gravel r