The wind and the rain beat in angrily. Denis closed the door, and turned to speak to Nell. Something drove up and stopped outside. He flung open the door. In the light of the lamp they could discern a small figure standing by a horse’s head. The horse was in a four-wheeled cab, the driver was getting down from his box. The next instant Sheila Pat was met at the gate and marshalled up the steps. Into the hall she came, a small, weary figure, drenched through, her face shining white in the lamplight. They closed round her; Nell’s arms squeezed her desperately; there was a babel of questions, reprimands, relief. "What a rikkledous fuss!" were the first words the Atom spoke, and a strong odor of peppermint began to pervade the hall. "Where have you been?" demanded Miss Kezia for the third time. "Out," laconically. Nell cried: "Oh, Sheila Pat, you’re soaked through! Come and get dry things on!" "Directly her clothes have been changed I wish to hear an account of what she has been doing," said Miss Kezia. Denis picked her up into his arms and held her tight. "You’re eating peppermint, you vulgar little ragamuffin!" "He gave it me—he says it keeps out the cold wonderful. He used to take to drink to keep himself warm, but ever since his little baby was borned, a year ago, he sucks peppermint instead!" The excited little voice vanished up the stairs. "With whom have you been consorting, Sheila?" Miss Kezia’s dire tones followed her. "I haven’t been con—con—doin’ that at all!" was the indignant response. Denis translated into the wet ear nearest to him:— "Who was ’he,’ duckums?" "Mr. Willie Riley," in a dignified voice. "And I shared his tea!" triumphantly. "Hurry up, Denis!" Nell’s face was worried, anxious. "I’ve her dry things all ready. But I think she ought to go to bed—" "I won’t! Sure, Nell O’Brien, I’m not a baby to go to bed at seven o’clock!" Nell, rubbing her down, found she was shivering and trembling all through her slim little body. She huddled her into warm, dry clothes, rubbed her toes, hugged her. "Asthore, asthore, you’ve given us all such a bad time!" "But, Nell, I’m really not a baby! I don’t see why you make such a fuss." "You’re absurd, Atom! We didn’t know what might be happening to you. We don’t know now what was happening. You _must_ tell us—" "I went out, and—and I got lost, Nell." "But where did you go? And why?" "Oh, we were all so frightened!" interposed Molly. "And I felt so awful, because I told Nell you were next door. I never dreamed you’d said you wouldn’t go, and I heard the maid say it to Sarah, and oh, Sarah cried and said motor cars killed all the children, and I do think you’re awfully naughty—" She stopped, out of breath. "So do I." Nell’s arms were round her again; she gave her a little shake. "I’m dreadfully angry with you, sweet, and you shall have some nice hot bread and milk presently." "I don’t want it, Nell! I shared Mr. Riley’s tea."