"We came in," said the boy, "because we've got a domestic problem and we thought you would help. We saw the sign."
"Of course I will," said Ben. "If I can. Is it very difficult?"
"It is rather," said the little girl. "It's Dad's and Mum's birthday to-morrow and we don't know what to give them."
"But surely," said Ben, "they don't both have their birthday on the same day?"
"Yes, they do," said the boy. "It's extraordinary, but they do."
"I think it's perhaps why they married each other," said the little girl.
"It's the most amazing coincidence I ever heard of," said Ben. "Are you sure they're not pretending?"
"Quite sure," said the boy. "Dad and Mum never pretend. And I don't think anybody would pretend a thing like that, because it doesn't really do them any good. You see it—it puts such a strain on our pocket-money—Eva's and mine—to have their birthdays come both together like this."
"The worst thing of all," said Eva, "is to have a birthday on Christmas day. Every one knows that."
"When is your birthday?" Ben asked.