“I'll answer it,” said Aggie with suspicious alacrity, and she crossed quickly toward the 'phone. The scattered bits of conversation that Zoie was able to gather from Aggie's end of the wire did not tend to soothe her over-excited nerves. As for Alfred, he was fortunately so engrossed with the babies that he took little notice of what Aggie was saying. “What woman?” asked Aggie into the 'phone. “Where's she from?” The answer was evidently not reassuring. “Certainly not,” exclaimed Aggie, “don't let her come up; send her away. Mrs. Hardy can't see anyone at all.” Then followed a bit of pantomime between Zoie and Aggie, from which it appeared that their troubles were multiplying, then Aggie again gave her attention to the 'phone. “I don't know anything about her,” she fibbed, “that woman must have the wrong address.” And with that she hung up the receiver and came towards Alfred, anxious to get possession of his two small charges and to get them from the room, lest the mother who was apparently downstairs should thrust herself into their midst. “What's the trouble, Aggie?” asked Alfred, and he nodded toward the telephone. “Oh, just some woman with the wrong address,” answered Aggie with affected carelessness. “You'd better let me take the babies now, Alfred.” “Take them where?” asked Alfred with surprise. “To bed,” answered Aggie sweetly, “they are going to sleep in the next room with Jimmy and me.” She laid a detaining hand on Jimmy's arm. “What's the hurry?” asked Alfred a bit disgruntled. “It's very late,” argued Aggie. “Of course it is,” insisted Zoie. “Please, Alfred,” she pleaded, “do let Aggie take them.” Alfred rose reluctantly. “Mother knows best,” he sighed, but ignoring Aggie's outstretched arms, he refused to relinquish the joy of himself carrying the small mites to their room, and he disappeared with the two of them, singing his now favourite lullaby. When Alfred had left the room, Jimmy, who was now seated comfortably in the rocker, was rudely startled by a sharp voice at either side of him. “Well!” shrieked Zoie, with all the disapproval that could be got into the one small word. “You're very clever, aren't you?” sneered Aggie at Jimmy's other elbow. Jimmy stared from one to the other. “A nice fix you've got me into NOW,” reproved Zoie. “Why didn't you get out when you had the chance?” demanded Aggie. “You would take your own sweet time, wouldn't you,” said Zoie. “What did I tell you?” asked Aggie. “What does he care?” exclaimed Zoie, and she walked up and down the room excitedly, oblivious of the disarrangement of her flying negligee. “He's perfectly comfortable.” “Oh yes,” assented Jimmy, as he sank back into the rocker and began propelling himself to and fro. “I never felt better,” but a disinterested observer would have seen in him the picture of discomfort. “You're going to feel a great deal WORSE,” he was warned by Aggie. “Do you know who that was on the telephone?” she asked.