Twenty-Eight:

"Yes," said Mr. Bannister to the three of the strangest-looking people to ever knock on his door. "How can I help you?"

"We are three old mothers," said Eliza. "We are cold and have no bed for the night."

"What do you have in the basket, old lady," said Mr. Bannister.

"Food," said Mimbleshaw. "Plenty of cakes and pastries and custard pies."

"My wife and I have not eaten in days and would gladly trade you a night's lodging for food," said Mr. Bannister. "However, we are dedicated to eating only the food of the coupon fairies. We cannot take your food. We would rather tear out our own tongues first."

"Some wine then?" said Eliza.

"All right." Mr. and Mrs. Bannister drank Eliza's cask dry and soon fell asleep.

"Mr. Bannister?" said Waxy Dave. "Father? We got intruders in the nursery, Father."

"Waxy Dave into the bag," said Spot. Brian replaced the Bannisters' baby in the crib.

"Without the imposter-baby telling these people what to do," said Eliza, "their lives should return to normal."

"Are we finished?" said Brian. "Shouldn't we sweep the nursery for spy equipment? Check the Bannisters' credit? Count the silverware?"

"Waxy Dave," said Mimbleshaw. "Did you buy anything while you were here?"

"Bought some extra newspaper subscriptions," said Waxy Dave. "I figured the Bannisters could use more coupons. Got a phone in the shape of a mermaid for each subscription."

"How many of the mermaid phones?" said Spot.

"Sixteen thousand, seven hundred forty-three," said Waxy Dave. To their misfortune, the Bannisters were allowed to keep the mermaid phones of their canceled subscriptions.