Trove was all a-shiver in the time it took him to undress, and his breath came out of him in spreading shafts of steam. Sheets of flannel and not less than half a dozen quilts and comfortables made a cover, under which the heat of his own blood warmed his body. He became uncomfortably aware of the presence of his head and face, however. He could hear stealthy movements beyond the door, and knew they were barricading it with furniture. Long before daylight a hurried removal of the barricade awoke him. Then he heard a rap at the door, and the excited voice of Tunk. "Say, mister! come here quick," it called. Sidney Trove leaped out of bed and into his trousers. He hurried through the dark parlour, feeling his way around a clump of chairs and stumbling over a sofa. The two old maids were at the kitchen door, both dressed, one holding a lighted candle. Tunk Hosely stood by the door, buttoning suspenders with one hand and holding a musket in the other. They were shivering and pale. The room was now cold. "Hear that!" Tunk whispered, turning to the teacher. They all listened, hearing a low, weird cry outside the door. "Soun's t' me like a raccoon," Miss S'mantha whispered thoughtfully. "Or a lamb," said Miss Letitia. "Er a painter," Tunk ventured, his ear turning to catch the sound. "Let's open the door," said Sidney Trove, advancing. "Not me," said Tunk, firmly, raising his gun. Trove had not time to act before they heard a cry for help on the doorstep. It was the voice of a young girl. He opened the door, and there stood Mary Leblanc--a scholar of Linley School and the daughter of a poor Frenchman. She came in lugging a baby wrapped in a big shawl, and both crying. "Oh, Miss Tower," said she; "pa has come out o' the woods drunk an' has threatened to kill the baby. Ma wants to know if you'll keep it here to-night." The two old maids wrung their hands with astonishment and only said "y!" "Of course we'll keep it," said Trove, as he took the baby, "I must hurry back," said the girl, now turning with a look of relief. Tunk shied off and began to build a fire; Miss S'mantha sat down weeping, the girl ran away in the darkness, and Trove put the baby in Miss Letitia's arms. "I'll run over to Leblanc's cabin," said he, getting his cap and coat. "They're having trouble over there." He left them and hurried off on his way to the little cabin. Loud cries of the baby rang in that abode of silence. It began to kick and squirm with determined energy. Poor Miss Letitia had the very look of panic in her face. She clung to the fierce little creature, not knowing what to do. Miss S'mantha lay back in a fit of hysterics. Tunk advanced bravely, with brows knit, and stood looking down at the baby. "Lord! this is awful!" said he. Then a thought struck him. "I'll git some milk," he shouted, running into the buttery. The baby thrust the cup away, and it fell noisily, the milk streaming over a new rag carpet.