The twins looked up to become aware that their late confederate surveyed them from the doorway.

Her eyes hinted of a recent stormy past, but once more she was decorously apparelled.
"Your little guests are leaving," said the stepmother.

"You must bid them good-bye." Her little guests became statues as the girl approached them.
"So glad you could come," she said, and ceremoniously shook the hand of each.

The twins wielded arms rigid from the shoulder, shaking twice down and twice up.

"It has been so pleasant to have you," said the girl.
"We've had a delightful time," said the Merle twin.
The other tried to echo this, but again his teeth were tightly locked, and he made but a meaningless squeak far back in his throat.