"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:
"Mrs. Howard rather wondered at this answer, and said:
"'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.'
"'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.'
"The little ones, with that quick obedience which we see in children only who are well brought up, joined their hands and said, 'Thank God!' but they expressed some fear lest their mother should be frightened about them.
"'We will see about that,' said Mrs. Howard; and she rang the hand-bell which always stood on the table, for bells were not then fixed on cranks and wires in every room as they are now.
"Up came Mrs. Baynes again, and told the little ones that their mother knew where they were, for she had sent her a message by the boy.
"'Then we can stay, ma'am,' said the children, quite pleased: and Mrs. Howard asked to have the dinner sent up, requesting Mrs. Baynes to make up a little more from her own pantry, if she could.