The twins thought a good deal about heaven in their own way. Lady Adeline did not like them to be talked to on the subject. They were indefatigable explorers, and it was popularly supposed that only the difficulty of being present at an inquest on their own bodies, which they would have thoroughly enjoyed, had kept them so far from trying to obtain a glimpse of the next world. They discovered the storeroom at Fraylingay half an hour after they had discussed the improving details of Binny's exciting career, and had found it quite easy of access by means of the available lime tree. They both suffered a good deal that night, and they thought of Binny. "But there's nothing in our pockets, that's one comfort," Diavolo exclaimed suddenly, to the astonishment of his mother, who was sitting up with him. Angelica heaved a sigh of satisfaction.
Evadne's patience with the twins was wonderful. She always took charge of them cheerfully on wet days and in other times of trouble, and managed them with infinite tact.
"How do you do it, my dear?" Lady Adeline asked. "Do you talk to them and tell them stories?"
"No," said Evadne, "I don't talk much; I—just don't lose sight of them—or interfere—if I can possibly help it."
The twins had no reverence for anything or anybody. One day they were in Evadne's little sitting room which overlooked the courtyard. It was an antechamber to her bedroom, and peculiarly her own by right of primogeniture. Nobody ever thought of going there without her special permission—except, of course, the twins; but even they assumed hypocritical airs of innocent apology for accidental intrusion when they wanted to make things pleasant for themselves.
On this particular occasion Evadne was sitting beside her little work-table busy with her needle, and the twins were standing together looking out of the window.
"There's papa," said Diavolo.
"He's going for a ride," said Angelica.
"Doesn't he mount queerly?" Diavolo observed. "He'd be safer in a bath chair."
"Not if we were wheeling him," Angelica suggested, with a chuckle.