The Belgian Twins

e, the hens were shut up for the night, and the pig, which had been squealing with hunger, was row grunting with satisfaction over

own her brimming pail and took her turn at the wash-basin

the kitchen, "and supper i

canal this morning," ple

other promptly. "Won't that do? Why do you need to

hungry again,"

ch Marie handed her from the door. She cleaned her wooden shoes on the bundle of straw which lay for the purpose beside the

ed them with a beaming smile and a face which, though cl

clean, look at the towel

pig has some manners if given half a chance, but boys!" She seized the grimy towel and held it up despairingly for Father Van Hove to see. "He's just wet

kitchen door. Sounds of vigorous pumping and splashing without were heard in the kitchen, and w

Amen," prayed Father Van Hove. "Hail, Mary, full of Grace." Then, as the prayer continued, the mother and children with folded hands and bowed heads joined in the petition: "Holy Mary, Mother of God,

d hear them say their prayers, while I wash up these dishes and take care of the milk." She took a candle from the chimney-piece as she spoke, and started down cellar with the skimmer. When she came back into the kitchen once more, the children were safely tucked in bed, and her husband was seated by the kitchen door w

om. At last he said to her, "Leonie, did you hear what our

, "I was hurrying h

of a German army on our fron

h her hands on her hips. "Who broug

st," answered

wouldn't believe anything on his say-so! Besides, the whole world knows that all the Powers have agreed that Belgium shall

d surely no nation can have anything against us! We

y mouths! They say it is different in America; there you work less and get more, and are farther away from meddlesome neighboring countries besides. I sometimes wish we had gone there

have more money and less work, but I've lived here in this spot ever since I was born, and my father be

side and shut the door for the night. Then, taking the candle from the chimney-piece onc