"Women! Two women!" said the voice again.

Thankful answered. The voice was real and it came from a human throat.
Anything human--and visible--she did not fear.

"Yes," she said, crisply, "we're women. What of it? Who are you?"

The man with the lantern entered the room. He was big and
broad-shouldered and bearded. His companion was short and stout and
smooth-faced; also he appeared very much frightened. Both men wore
oilskin coats and sou'westers.

"Who are you?" repeated Aunt Thankful.

The big man answered. His sunburned, good-humored face was wrinkled and
puckered with amazement.

"Well," he stammered, "I--we--Humph! well, we're neighbors
and--but--but, I don't know as I know you, ma'am, do I?"

"I don't know why you should. I don't know you, fur's that goes. What
are you doin' here? Did that depot-wagon man send you?"

"Depot-wagon man? No, ma'am; nobody sent us. Kenelm--er--Mr. Parker
here, saw a light a spell ago and, bein' as this house is supposed to be
empty, he--"

"Wait a minute!" Miss Howes interrupted. "Whose house is this?"

"Why--why, it ain't anybody's house, ma'am. That is, nobody lives here."