"Come, come, children, no quarrelling. We won't banish you again, Fritz, and if you feel like going on with us we shall be only too happy to have your company. Your coming now is certainly most opportune. You can do so much to help us; we have shopping--But first let me introduce you to Mr. Taunton, who has been so kind to us, and to Mrs. Andrews, our hostess, and to the others." After the introductions Fritz explained why they had come to Windsor. "Halifax may be slow, but it is reached by telegraph, and the daily papers contain some news, so when I saw the headlines 'Fire at Windsor,' I naturally read the whole thing, for, according to the schedule which Lucian had from his sister, you were due here yesterday, or the day before, and we had even thought of running up to meet you." "Though we decided it would be better sport to take you by surprise at Halifax," interposed Lucian. "Yes, and when we read that some American ladies had barely escaped with their clothes--" "Not all of their clothes," murmured Martine. "We thought," continued Fritz, "that we'd risk it by rushing up here." "So we bolted our breakfast," interposed Taps, "and made the 'Yankee' and--" "We poked among the ruins," added Fritz," and when we didn't find any remains, we asked a few questions of some others who were poking there." "And here we are," concluded Taps, "and from this on I'm going to keep my eye on Martine. You didn't set the fire, did you, sister?" "There, Lucian, if you tease like that you'll be banished." "No more banishment for either of us," cried Fritz, boldly. "You've all had accidents enough to show you the need of adequate protection." "Perhaps you could have prevented the fire," said Amy, with some sarcasm. "I could have prevented your staying at any house but the most fire-proof hotel in the town, and that I believe is still standing." "What did you save?" asked Lucian, in an effort to turn the conversation. "Oh, my mother's picture," said Martine, softly. And then, as if afraid of seeming sentimental, "But I lost an emerald ring and all my silver brushes, and a pair of slippers, and one of my gloves, and a dozen postage stamps." "Stop, stop, Martine." "Well, I saved my best stock, and Mrs. Redmond saved her umbrella, and we--" "Are all clothed and in our right minds, excepting you, Martine, who seem in danger of losing yours," interrupted Amy. "I believe that carriage at the door is the one that Mr. Taunton telephoned for; so, if we are going to Halifax to-day, it is surely time to start on our shopping expedition." Acting on this suggestion, Priscilla and Martine helped Amy gather together their few remaining possessions, while Mrs. Redmond discussed her plans with Fritz. When at last the moment came for the few words of farewell, Mrs. Redmond and the girls felt that in bidding good-bye to Mrs. Andrews and the Tauntons they were parting with friends whom they had known for weeks instead of hours.