The twins could scarcely believe their eyes. It was as though a fairy had come to the farmhouse, a dear, capable fairy, who could dry dishes and cut bread, and magically change tired, care-worn Sarah into the gay, cheerful Sarah of old. It was almost nine o'clock when Ellen Louisa turned from the window, against which she had been flattening her nose. "It's snowing again," she announced. Miss Miflin looked up in dismay. She had forgotten how fast the time was passing. Sarah never knew that, summoned by her stories and her love, it seemed to Miss Miflin that William was there with them. "I shall have to go at once," she cried. "I had no idea it was so late." Sarah clasped her hands together. "You are welcome to stay here," she said. "If it is you good enough, you are welcome to stay here!" Miss Miflin crossed the room to look out of the window. "I guess I'll have to. Then I can take the twins with me to school in the morning and they won't need the gun. And why do they want to run away, where some one might pick them up? And who wants to pick them up?" It was a second before Sarah answered. Suppose she should tell Miss Miflin about Uncle Daniel, and about Jacob Kalb, and all her anxieties and fears? But, no, it would never do. It made her ashamed to think of Uncle Daniel. She did not believe William would like her to tell. She frowned again at Louisa Ellen. "Ach, they are a little wild," she explained. "They like their school, but they are a little wild." By this time Miss Miflin had a delighted and sleepy twin on each side of her on the settle. "But they are not going to be wild any more," she said. Sarah was asleep that night almost before her head touched the pillow. It seemed to her that peace had descended upon her heart, and hopes for a better day. It was midnight when she suddenly awoke. Miss Miflin was standing beside the bed. "Sarah! Sarah, dear, wake up. Your uncle is here and wants you." Sarah tried to open her drowsy eyes. "He can't have them," she said, bewildered. "Tell him he must go away." "But listen, Sarah. He says Albert is sick and they want you." Sarah sat up at once. "He is waiting for you at the door. Come, I'll help you with your clothes. Don't come back to-night. I'll get breakfast for the twins. No, Sarah, the other shoe. No, you must put on all your warm clothes. There! Now, I'll come downstairs with you." Sarah was too dazed with fright and sleep to speak. Miss Miflin was shocked at the anguish in her face. She put out her arms, and for one blessed moment Sarah felt the close pressure of sympathy and love. "There, Sarah, dear! I'll look after the twins and the house, and to-morrow you must tell me everything, Sarah." Miss Miflin opened the door, and told Uncle Daniel who she was, and Sarah went out. With confidence which touched even Uncle Daniel himself, she put her hand in his. "Come, let us hurry," she whispered. CHAPTER V