n the twins went up to bed, they were doomed to
disappointment. They had no chance of making it up with Constance.
For Prudence had moved her small bed out of the twins' room, and had
placed it in the front room occupied by herself and Fairy. They asked
if they might speak to Constance, but Prudence went in with them to say
good night to her. The twins broke down and cried as they saw the
pitiful little figure with the wan and tear-stained face. They threw
their arms around her passionately and kissed her many times. But they
went to bed without saying anything.

Hours later, Lark whispered, "Carol! are you asleep?"

"No. I can't go to sleep somehow."

"Neither can I. Do you think we'd better tell Prudence all about it?"

Carol squirmed in the bed. "I--suppose we had," she said reluctantly.

"But--it'll be lots worse for us than for Connie," Lark added. "We're
so much older, and we made her do it."

"Yes, and we ate all the apples," mourned Carol.

"Maybe we'd better just let it go," suggested Lark.

"And we'll make it up to Connie afterwards," said Carol.

"Now, you be careful and not give it away, Carol."

"You see that you don't."

But it was a sorry night for the twins. The next morning they set off
to school, with no chance for anything but a brief good morning with
Connie,--given in the presence of Prudence. Half-way down the
parsonage walk, Carol said:

"Oh, wait a minute, Lark. I left my note-book on the table." And Lark
walked slowly while Carol went rushing back. She found Prudence in the
kitchen, and whispered:

"Here--here's a note, Prudence. Don't read it until after I've gone to
school,--at ten o'clock you may read it. Will you promise?"

Prudence laughed a little, but she promised, and laid the note
carefully away to wait the appointed hour for its perusal. As the
clock struck ten she went to the mantle, and took it down. This is
what Carol had written:

"Oh, Prudence, do please forgive me, and don't punish Connie any more.
You can punish me any way you like, and I'll be glad of it. It was all
my fault. I made her go and get the apples for me, and I ate them.
Connie didn't eat one of them. She said stolen apples would not taste
very good. It was all my fault, and I'm so sorry. I was such a coward
I didn't dare tell you last night. Will you forgive me? But you must
punish me as hard as ever you can. But please, Prudence, won't you
punish me some way without letti