The twins stared at each other in blank exasperation for a full minute. They knew that Fairy didn't deserve to hear their news, but at the same time they did not deserve such bitter punishment as having to refrain from talking about it,--so they swallowed again, sadly, and ignored her. "He's in town," said Lark. "Going to stay a week," added Carol. "And he said he wanted to have lots of good times with us, and so--we--why, of course it was very sudden, and we didn't have time to ask--" "But parsonage doors are always open--" "And I don't know how he ever wormed it out of us, but--one of us--" "I can't remember which one!" "Invited him to come for dinner to-night, and he's coming." "Goodness," said Aunt Grace. "We were going to have potato soup and toast." "It'll keep," said Carol. "Of course we're sorry to inconvenience you at this late hour, but Larkie and I will tell Connie what to do, so you won't have much bother. Let's see, now, we must think up a pretty fair meal. Four thousand a year--and prospects!" Aunt Grace turned questioning eyes toward the older sister. "All right," said Fairy, smiling. "It's evidently settled. Think up your menu, twins, and put Connie to work." "Is he nice?" Aunt Grace queried. "Yes, I think he is. He used to go with our college bunch some. I know him pretty well. He brought me home from things a time or two." Carol leaned forward and looked at her handsome sister with sudden intentness. "He asked about you," she said, keen eyes on Fairy's. "He asked particularly about you." "Did he? Thanks. Yes, he's not bad. He's pretty good in a crowd." By the force of her magnetic gaze, Carol drew Lark out of the room, and the door closed behind them. A few minutes later they returned. There was about them an air of subdued excitement, suggestive of intrigue, that Fairy found disturbing. "You needn't plan any nonsense, twins," she cautioned. "He's no beau of mine." "Of course not," they assured her pleasantly. "We're too old for mischief. Seventeen, and sensible for our years! Say, Fairy, you'll be nice to Duckie, won't you? We're too young really to entertain him, and he's so nice we want him to have a good time. Can't you try to make it pleasant for him this week? He'll only be here a few days. Will you do that much for us?" "Why, I would, twins, of course, to oblige you, but you know Gene's in town this week, and I've got to--" "Oh, you leave Babbie--Gene, I mean--to us," said Carol airily. Fairy being a junior in college, and Eugene Babler a student of pharmacy in Chicago, she felt obliged to restore him to his Christian name, shortened to Gene. But the twins refused to accede to this propriety, except when they particularly wished to placate Fairy. "You leave Gene to us," repeated Carol. "We'll amuse him. Is he coming to-night?" "Yes, at seven-thirty."