My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck (Proverbs 3:21-22).

"So they've already had dinner, and they should be pretty much set until bath-time and bed-time," said Mrs. Templeton, as she fixed her earrings in place and then motioned to a paper that had been placed on the corner of the kitchen counter.  "These are written instructions for everything about baths and bed, and here at the bottom," she pointed with her index finger for maximum clarity, "is my cell phone number.  Feel free to call if you need anything."

The babysitter nodded confidently and flashed a smile, studded with braces, to demonstrate her professionalism.  She'd been babysitting since she was 14 years old -- thus, over two years of experience -- and she felt like she was prepared for anything.  Every family had its unique challenges.  The MacArthurs' four girls could shriek to raise the dead.  The Van Dycks' twins would go to astonishing lengths to avoid bed.  And getting Annie Johnson to eat anything other than Honey Nut Cheerios was almost miraculous.  But once these areas of weakness could be identified and navigated, everything else would fall into place.  And as far as the babysitter could tell, the two Templetons -- Sarah-Jane and Danielle -- shouldn't pose any special problems.  "I think we're good to go, Mrs. Templeton."

"Good.  I'm sure you'll do fine.  The girls are usually quite well-behaved for babysitters.  But I do have to emphasize one point very clearly."  Mrs. Templeton leaned in closer and her voice took on a heavier tone, as if she was passing on a secret message from the CIA.  She put a hand on the babysitter's shoulder and looked her in the eye.  "Above all things, with my girls, you must remember this:  "Do not let them out of your sight."

The babysitter started to force another smile before she realized that Mrs. Templeton was not joking.

"You must not let them out of your sight, even for a moment, or they will disappear immediately to God-knows-where."

"You mean they'll go hide in a closet or something?"  The babysitter cocked her head to the side, still uncertain if she was being teased or sworn in for a sacred assignment.  Her mind naturally drifted to the games of hide-and-seek she would play with Annie Johnson -- and she became confused associating Mrs. Templeton's present warnings with this decidedly mild diversion.  "Do they like to hide for fun, or are they, like, scared?"

"I don't know why they do it -- but it's more more serious than playing hide-and-seek in a closet."  Mrs. Templeton would not release the babysitter from her shoulder-grip.  "They will completely disappear, and it can be days before we find them again."

"Days?" repeated the babysitter.  She swallowed hard, suddenly grasping the gravity of Mrs. Templeton's warning.

"Yes," said Mrs. Templeton.  But in an instant, she brightened.  "Really, though, you don't have anything to worry about as long as you never let them out of your sight.  They're really very good girls.  And besides," she moved her hand from the babysitter's shoulder to a light brush against the girl's forearm, "I can tell they're really going to like you."  Suddenly, she was putting on her coat and making for the front door.  "I'll be back around eleven.  And remember, if you need anything you can call me on my cell phone.  I've got to be going now."  Mrs. Templeton's voice grew very loud just before the door closed shut.  "Good-bye, girls!  Have fun with the babysitter!"

Sarah-Jane and Danielle shouted back:  "Bye, Mom!" and immediately footsteps could be heard on the central stairway, as the girls presumably bounded up towards their bedrooms.  Without a moment's hesitation, the babysitter turned on a dime and clawed her way up after them.