At one side of the house there was a rain-barrel. It was strictly
forbidden territory, so Phil knew at once where to look for the twins.
Hanging over the edge of the barrel were two fat little girls with tight
black curls. They were bent double and were fishing for queer, bobbing
things that floated on the surface of the rainwater. A firm hand caught
Daisy by one leg. Dot, terrified by her big sister's sudden appearance,
tumbled into the barrel with a gasp and a splash.

Phil felt half-vexed; still, she was obliged to laugh at the little
ones, they looked so utterly roguish.

"Frog in the middle, can't get out," she teased the small girl in the
center of the barrel. Then she fished Dot out and started with both
little maids for the house to make them presentable before dinner.
Phyllis knew that they must both be washed and dressed before she would
have another chance to peep at her precious letter. Still, it comforted
her to think how amused her Madge would be by her funny little
four-year-old twin sisters and their mischievous ways.

It was just before dinner time when Phyllis firmly locked her bedroom
door and took her precious letter from her blouse. She would read it
now, or die in the effort. It began:

"DEAR OLD PHIL:

"I am not writing you from 'Forest House,' but from no other
place than the famous old city of Boston, Massachusetts. I came
here the other day because I believed I would find news of my
father, but I was disappointed and am going back home in a few
days.

"But I don't want to write about myself; I want to write about
you, dear old Phil! I am so glad your mother is better. When she
is quite well, can't you come to visit Nellie and me at 'Forest
House'? We have missed you so. The Commencement exercises at
Miss Tolliver's were no fun at all this year. When Miss Matilda
got up and announced that Miss Phyllis Alden had been called
home before the final spring examination because of the illness
of her mother, and would, therefore, be passed on to the senior
class of her preparatory school on account of her high standing
in her classes, I cheered for all I was worth, and so did every
one else.

"Ah, Phil, dear, it has been ages since last I saw you! I would
give all my curls, and my hair really makes a long braid
nowadays, if I could only see you. How I wish we could spend the
rest of this summer on our beautiful