. And Fairy instantly realized that the
twins must be dealt with seriously for something. So she went in
search of Connie, and the two set out for a long walk. Then Prudence
went to the kitchen where the twins were washing the dishes, and as
usual, laughing immoderately over something.

Prudence sat down and leaned her elbows on the table, her chin in her
palms. "I met Miss Allen to-day," she said, closely observing the
faces of the twins. A significant glance flashed between them, and
they stiffened instantly.

"She's very pretty and sweet, isn't she?" continued Prudence.

"Yes, very," agreed Lark without any enthusiasm.

"Such pretty hair," added Carol dispassionately.

"She must be very popular with the scholars," suggested Prudence.

"Yes, most of them are fond of her," assented Lark.

"She has rather winsome manners, I think," said Carol.

"Which of your professors do you like best?" queried Prudence.

"Duck," they answered unanimously, and with brightening faces.

"Why?"

"Because he is a duck," said Carol, and they all laughed. But Prudence
returned to the charge without delay.

"Do you like Miss Allen?" She was going through these questions with
such solemnity that the twins' suspicions had been aroused right at the
start. What had Miss Allen told their sister? Again that significant
flash from twin to twin.

"She certainly has very likeable ways," said Lark shrewdly.

"But do you like her?" insisted Prudence.

"I would like her very much under ordinary circumstances," admitted
Carol.

"What is unusual about the circumstances?" Prudence wanted to know.

"Look here, Prudence, what did Miss Allen tell you? Was she
complaining about us? We've been very nice and orderly, I'm sure."
Lark was aggrieved.

"She wasn't complaining. She likes you both. But she says you do not
like her. I want to know why."

"Well, if you must know, Miss Allen is a heretic," snapped Lark.

Then Prudence leaned back in her chair and gazed at the flushed faces
of the twins for two full minutes.

"A--a--a what?" she ejaculated, when power of speech returned to her.

"Heretic," said Carol with some relish. "A heretic! You know what
heresy is, don't you? We'll tell you all about it if you like, now
you've got things started."

"We didn't tell you before because we thought you and father would feel
badly about sending us to school to a heretic. But don't you
worry,--Miss Allen hasn't influenced us a