"They gladly obeyed the call, the maid went down to meet them, and the next minute they stood curtseying within the parlour-door. The maid had seen a boy who had been sent to meet them, and sent him back to tell his mistress that the Misses were with the lady, and that she would keep them till the storm was over. "'What lady am I to say?' asked the boy. "'Our lady,' replied the maid; 'Surgeon Johnson's aunt.' "The boy ran home, and told Mrs. Symonds not to be uneasy, for the little Misses were safe with Madam Johnson, who lodged at the Wood House; so Mrs. Symonds was made easy about her pretty daughters. "'Well, my dears,' said Mrs. Howard, putting her hands out to the little people, 'I am glad to see you in my parlour.' "'Thank you, ma'am,' said one of them; and the other repeated the same words. "As they spoke they came near, and put each a hand into Mrs. Howard's. "'Let me look at you, my children,' said the old lady in her pleasant smiling way; 'you are like two lilies growing out of one root; I cannot tell one from the other; what are your names?' "'I am Mary, ma'am,' said the eldest. "'And I am Amelia,' added the other. "'Amelia,' said Mrs. Howard, 'why, that is my name: but which is the oldest?' "'We came to our mother the same day,' replied Mary; 'but I came first, only a very little while though.' "'Indeed!' said Mrs. Howard. "Mrs. Baynes had come into the parlour after the children, to see and hear what was going forward; and now she thought it time to put in a word. "'Yes, ma'am,' she said, 'they are twins; they are the only ones their mother ever had, and they are two pretty Misses, and very good children. Are not you very good, my precious dears?' "The two little ones turned to her; and answered both together: "'No, ma'am.' "Mrs. Howard rather wondered at this answer, and said: "'Not good, my dears, how is that?' "'We wish to be good, ma'am,' said one of the little girls, 'but we are not.' "'Well to be sure!' remarked Mrs. Baynes; 'but you have a very good mamma, my little dears.' "'Mamma is good to us,' said Mary. "'But God is the only real good person,' added Amelia. "Mrs. Howard was rather surprised, but as the storm was still getting more frightful, she moved her chair, shut the window, and sat in the middle of the room; the two little ones in their fear clinging to her, whilst she put an arm round each of them. "Mrs. Baynes went out to close the windows, and they were left together. "Peal came after peal, and flash after flash; and the old lady and children trembled. "'We ought not to fear,' said Mrs. Howard; 'it is wrong; is not the lightning in the hands of God?' "'We will try not to be afraid,' said the little ones; and they clung closer to Mrs. Howard. "And now there came a fearful hailstorm, patter, patter, against the window; and when the hail ceased the rain came pouring down. "'Now, my loves, let us thank God,' said Mrs. Howard, 'the danger is past.'