"What's the matter?" asked Ezra, sleepily.
"Some one is ringing the door-bell."
"Who is it?" he yawned.
"How should I know? Get up and see."
Ezra crawled out of bed, lighted a lamp, put on his dressing-gown, and started down-stairs. When he had gone Mrs. Tweedie got up, put on her glasses, lighted a match, peered at the clock, and then muttered, "Disgraceful!"
Ezra asked, "Who is it?" before opening the door, and when he recognized the voice that replied nearly dropped the lamp so great was his astonishment.
"Miss Wallace!" he gasped, as he opened the door.
"I am sorry that I had to disturb you, Mr. Tweedie," was all that Barbara said as she hurried past him. Ezra closed and locked the door, went up-stairs, looked at the clock and then at his wife.
"Where has she been?" he asked, as he blew out the light, and got into bed.
"What does it matter where she has been?" replied Mrs. Tweedie. "Is it not enough that she has been out until four o'clock in the morning?" Ezra certainly thought it strange, but did not venture to offer any excuses. "And to think," continued Mrs. Tweedie, "after all that we have done for her (and Barbara had paid for), that she should bring disgrace to our home in this manner!"