“Who from?” demands Peggy.

“From a young chap I know who thinks a lot of her,” says I.  “It’s strictly private too.”

“What’s it about?” says Jane.

Which was when my tactics gave out.  “Say, you two human question marks,” says I, “beat it, won’t you?”

No, they just wouldn’t.  The best they would do for me was to back off to the other side of the room, eyes and ears wide open, and there they stood.

“Go on!” whispers Vee.  “What was it he wanted to say?”

“It was about a couple of notes he wrote,” says I.

“Yes?” says Vee.  “What happened?”

“They came back,” says I, “without being opened.”

“Oh,” says Vee, “those must have been the ones that——­”

“Vee, Vee!” breaks in Peggy from over near the window.  “Here comes your aunty.”

“Good night, nurse!” says I.

“Tell him it’s all right,” says Vee hasty.  “He might send the next ones in care of Marjorie; then I’ll be sure of getting them.  By-by, Peggy.  Don’t squeeze so hard, Jane.  No, please don’t come out, Torchy.  Goodby.”

And in another minute I’m left to the mercy of the near-twins once more.  I camps down in the easy chair again, with one on each side, and the cross examination proceeds.  Say, they’re a great pair too.

“Didn’t Vee want you to go out ’cause her aunty would see you?” asks Peggy.

“There!” says I.  “I wonder?”

“I’m glad she isn’t my aunty,” says Jane.  “She looks too cross.”

“If I was Vee’s aunty,” puts in Peggy, “I wouldn’t be mad if she did have your picture in a silver frame.”

“Honest?” says I.  “How’s that?”

“’Cause I don’t think you’re so awful horrid, even if you aren’t anybody,” says Peggy.  “Do you, Jane?”

“I like him,” says Jane.  “I think his hair’s nice too.”

“Well, well!” says I.  “Guess I got some gallery with me, anyway.  And how does Vee stand with you?”

“Oh, she’s just a dear!” says Peggy, clappin’ her hands.

“M-m-m-m!” echoes Jane.  “She’s going to take us to see Maude Adams next Wednesday too.”

“Huh!” says I, indicatin’ deep thought.  “So you’ll see her again soon?”

“I wish it was tomorrow,” says Jane.

“Mr. Torchy,” says Peggy, grabbin’ me impulsive by one ear and swingin’ my face around, “truly now, aren’t you awfully in love with Vee?”

Say, where do they pick it up, youngsters of that age?  Her big brown eyes are as round and serious as if she knew all about it; and on the other side is Jane, fairly holdin’ her breath.

“Whisper!” says I.  “Could you two keep a secret?”

“Oh, yes!” comes in chorus.

“Well, then,” says I, “I’m going to hand you one.  I think Vee is the best that ever happened.”

“Oh, goody!” exclaims Peggy.  “Then you do love her awfully!  But why don’t you——­”