there was a bundling of tiny figures in rugs
and wraps, and Wenna stood at the door to kiss each of them and say
good-bye. It was half-past nine when that performance was over.

"Now, my dear Miss Wenna," said the old clergyman, "you must be quite
tired out with your labors. Come into the study; I believe the tray has
been taken in there."

"Do you know, Mr. Trewhella," said Mabyn boldly, "that Wenna hadn't time
to eat a single bit when all those children were gobbling up cake?
Couldn't you let her have a little bit--a little bit of cold meat, now?"

"Dear! dear me!" said the kind old gentleman in the deepest distress,
"that I should not have remembered!"

There was no use in Wenna protesting. In the snug little study she was
made to eat some supper; and if she got off with drinking one glass of
sherry, it was not through the intervention of her sister, who
apparently would have had her drink a tumblerful.

It was not until a quarter past ten that the girls could get away.

"Now I must see you young ladies down to the village, lest some one
should run away with you," the old clergyman said, taking down his
top-coat.

"Oh no, you must not--you must not indeed, Mr. Trewhella!" Mabyn said
anxiously. "Wenna and I always go about by ourselves; and far later than
this, too. It is a beautiful, clear night. Why--"

Her impetuosity made her sister smile. "You talk as if you would rather
like to be run away with, Mabyn," she said. "But indeed, Mr. Trewhella,
you must not think of coming with us. It is quite true what Mabyn
says."

And so they went out into the clear darkness together, and the door was
shut, and they found themselves in the silent world of the night-time,
with the white stars throbbing overhead. Far away in the distance they
could hear the murmur of the sea.

"Are you cold, Mabyn, that you tremble so?" said the elder sister.

"No, only a sort of shiver in coming out into the night-air."

Whatever it was, it was soon over. Mabyn seemed to be unusually
cheerful. "Wenna," she said, "you're afraid of ghosts."

"No, I'm not."

"I know you are."

"I'm not half as much afraid of ghosts as you are, that's quite
certain."

"I'll bet you you won't walk down through the wood."

"Just now?"

"Yes."

"Why, I'll not only go down through the wood, but I'll undertake to be
home before you, though you've a broad road to guide you."

"But I did not mean you to go alone."

"Oh," said Wenna, "you propose t