The  poor  old  lady  was  in  a  whirl  of  amazement
and  confusion,  but  she  managed  to  stammer  out :

"I'm  sure  I'm  glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,
sir — I  mean,  gentlemen.  As  for  the  delay,  it  is
nothing,  don't  mention  it.  This  is  my  daughter
Rowena,  sir — gentlemen.  Please  step  into  the  par-
lor and  sit  down  and  have  a  bite  and  sup;  you  are
dreadful  wet  and  must  be  uncomfortable — both  of
you,  I  mean."

But  to  the  old  lady's  relief  they  courteously  ex-
cused themselves,  saying  it  would  be  wrong  to  keep
the  family  out  of  their  beds  longer;  then  each  head
bowed  in  turn  and  uttered  a  friendly  good  night,  and
the  singular  figure  moved  away  in  the  wake  of
Rowena's  small  brothers,  who  bore  candles,  and  dis-
appeared up  the  stairs.
