Cautiously they peered through the little windows at the sides of the front door.

There was no one in sight, and, listening, they heard nothing.
"I--I guess we was mistaken, Emily," whispered Thankful.

"Let's go back to the fire." "But Auntie, I DID hear something.

Didn't you ?" "Well, I thought I did, but I guess--Oh, DON'T stay here another minute! I--I shall be hearin' 'most anything if we do." They returned to the room they had left.

But they had scarcely entered it when they stopped short and, clinging to each other, listened.
It was the latch of the kitchen door they heard click now.