he subject closed.

"I don't want to sleep," said Miss Landbury unhappily. "I am not
sleepy. I just want a place to sit, where I--I won't keep seeing
things."

"Turn on the light, Carol," said David. "You ought to be ashamed of
yourselves, both of you."

"That's all right," defended Carol. "You are a preacher, and ghosts
don't bother--"

"Don't say ghosts," chattered Miss Landbury.

"Well, what is the plan of procedure?" inquired David patiently. "Are
you going to turn my cot into a boarding-house? You girls stay here,
and I will go in to Carol's bed. Give me my bath robe, honey, and--"

"Oh, please," gasped Miss Landbury.

"And leave us on this porch with nothing but screen around us?"
exclaimed Carol. "I am surprised at you, David."

David turned his face to the wall. "Well, make yourselves comfortable.
Good night, girls."

The girls stared at each other in the darkness, helplessly, resignedly.
Wasn't that just like a man?

"I tell you what," said Carol hopefully, "let's bring the mattress and
the blankets from my bed and put them on the floor here beside David,
and we can all sleep nicely right together."

"Oh, that's lovely," cried Miss Landbury. "You are the dearest thing,
Mrs. Duke."

Hurriedly, and with bated breath, they raided Carol's bed, tugging the
heavy mattress between them, quietly ignoring the shaking of David's
cot which spoke so loudly of amusement.

"I'll crawl right in then," said Miss Landbury comfortably.

"I sleep next to David, if you please," said Carol with quiet dignity.

Miss Landbury obediently rolled over, and Carol scrambled in beside her.

"Turn off the light," suggested David.

"Oh, yes, Miss Landbury, turn it off, will you?" said Carol pleasantly.

"Who, me?" came the startled voice. "Indeed I won't."

"David, dearest," pleaded Carol weakly.

"Go on parade in my pajamas, dear?" he questioned promptly.

"Let's both go then," compromised Carol, and she and Miss Landbury,
hand in hand, marched like Trojans to the switch in the other room,
Carol clicked the button, and then came a wild and inglorious rush back
to the mattress on the floor.

"Good night, girls."

"Good night, David."

"Good night, Mr. Duke."

"Good night, Miss Landbury."

"Good night, Mrs. Duke."

Then sweet and blessed silence, which lasted for at least five minutes
before there sounded a distinct, persistent rapping on their door.

Carol and Miss Landbury rushed to the protec