y my fault, too, Prue, for I
mentioned the apples first of all."

Prudence laughed,--it was really ludicrous. But when she thought of
loyal little Connie, sobbing all through the long night, the tears came
to her eyes again. She went quickly to the telephone, and called up
the school building next door to the parsonage.

"May I speak to Constance Starr, Mr. Imes?" she asked. "It is very
important. This is Prudence, her sister." And when Connie came to the
telephone, she cried, "Oh, you blessed little child, why didn't you
tell me? Will you forgive me, Connie? I ought to have made you tell
me all about it, but I was so sorry, I couldn't bear to talk much about
it. The twins have told me. You're a dear, sweet, good little
darling, that's what you are."

"Oh, Prudence!" That was all Connie said, but something in her voice
made Prudence hang up the receiver quickly, and cry bitterly!

That noon Prudence pronounced judgment on the sinners, but her eyes
twinkled, for Carol and Lark had scolded each other roundly for giving
things away!

"Connie should have refused to obey you," she said gently, holding
Connie in her arms. "She knew it was wrong. But she has been punished
more than enough. But you twins! In the first place, I right now
abolish the Skull and Crossbones forever and ever. And you can not
play in the barn again for a month. And you must go over to the Averys
this afternoon, and tell them about it, and pay for the apples. And
you must send all of your spending money for the next month to that
woman who is gathering up things for the bad little children in the
Reform School,--that will help you remember what happens to boys and
girls who get in the habit of taking things on the spur of the moment!"

The twins accepted all of this graciously, except that which referred
to confessing their sin to their neighbors. That did hurt! The twins
were so superior, and admirable! They couldn't bear to ruin their
reputations. But Prudence stood firm, in spite of their weeping and
wailing. And that afternoon two shamefaced sorry girls crept meekly in
at the Averys' door to make their peace.

"But about the Skull and Crossbones, it's mostly punishment for me,
Prue," said Connie regretfully, "for the twins have been in it ever
since we came to Mount Mark, and I never got in at all! And I wanted
them to call me Lady Magdalina Featheringale." And Connie sighed.

CHAPTER V

THE TWINS STICK UP F