really make any difference who you modeled
yourself on," said the Terror, desirous rather of being frank than
grammatical.

When presently the princess came to the Grange, the lively curiosity of
her neighbors was gratified by but imperfect visions of her. She did
not, as they had expected, attend any of the three churches, for she
had brought with her her own Lutheran pastor. They only saw her on her
afternoon drives, a stiff little figure, thickly veiled against the
sun, sitting bolt upright in the victoria beside the crimson baroness
(crimson in face; she wore black) in whose charge she had come to
England.

They learned presently that the princess had come to Muttle Deeping for
her health; that she was delicate and her doctors feared lest she
should develop consumption; they hoped that a few weeks in the
excellent Deeping air would strengthen her. The news abated a little
the cold hostility of Erebus; but the Twins paid but little attention
to their young neighbor.

Their mother was finding the summer trying; she was sleeping badly, and
her appetite was poor. Doctor Arbuthnot put her on a light diet; and
in particular he ordered her to eat plenty of fruit. It was not the
best season for fruit: strawberries were over and raspberries were
coming to an end. Mrs. Dangerfield made shift to do with bananas. The
Twins were annoyed that this was the best that could be done to carry
out the doctor's orders; but there seemed no help for it.

It was in the afternoon, a sweltering afternoon, after the doctor's
visit that, as the Twins, bent on an aimless ride, were lazily wheeling
their bicycles out of the cats' home, a sudden gleam came into the eyes
of the Terror; and he said:

"I've got an idea!"

An answering light gleamed in the eyes of Erebus; and she cried
joyfully; "Thank goodness! I was beginning to get afraid that nothing
was ever going to occur to us again. I thought it was the hot weather.
What is it?"

"Those Germans," said the Terror darkly. "Now that they've got the
Grange, why shouldn't we make a raid on the peach-garden. They say the
Grange peaches are better than any hothouse ones; and Watkins told me
they ripen uncommon early. They're probably ripe now."

"That's a splendid idea! It will just teach those Germans!" cried
Erebus; and her piquant face was bright with the sterling spirit of the
patriot. Then after a pause she added reluctantly: "But if the
princess is an invalid, perhaps