nd nervous
prostration, and must be kept quiet.

Peg and Forrester got to be almost friendly during that week. There was
so much to see to, so much to arrange.

Forrester had given notice to the two school teachers who had lodged
with Mrs. Ledley, and had told the landlord that he was giving up the
house. Then he went to Shawyer and asked how a man set about finding a
school for two little girls.

"A boarding school?" Mr. Shawyer asked, and the Beggar Man said "Yes,
and a top-hole one too! I don't mind the expense, but it's got to be a
first-class place, and with a woman at its head who'll be kind to a
couple of poor little motherless kids."

Mr. Shawyer brought his wife along. She had no children of her own, but
she adored children, and had endless understanding and sympathy for
them.

She was only too eager to hunt for a school for the twins. She was like
a delighted child with a new doll, or, rather, two new dolls, when one
afternoon she was introduced to the twins--rather sad-faced little mites
now, in their black and white frocks.

"She's the right one, thank heaven," the Beggar Man thought, as he saw
the way in which she took them both to her heart, and he heaved a deep
sigh of relief, for he had been greatly worried with so much
responsibility all at once.

But Mrs. Shawyer took it from him willingly; she shopped for the twins,
and found them a school in the country within driving distance of her
own home.

"I'll look after them, don't you worry, Mr. Forrester," she told him.
"They'll be as happy as the day is long."

She wanted to carry them off then and there, but Forrester knew he could
not take them without first telling Faith, and that was a duty which he
dreaded.

He consulted Peg about it. What ought he to do? Was Faith well enough to
see him yet? Peg looked away guiltily.

"She's been well enough for some time," she said honestly. "But every
time I mention it to her she seems to shrivel up, so you'd best go in of
your own accord, and I'll know nothing about it."

There was a little smile in her eyes as she watched him turn towards
Faith's room. He was so big and burly and strong-looking, but she was
not one whit deceived, and she knew that he was as nervous as a girl as
he knocked at his wife's door.

Faith said "Come in" in a small, tired voice, and the Beggar Man turned
the handle and walked in.

He had not seen her for a week, and his first emotion was one of
unutterable thankfulnes