s was spoken aloud and hurriedly, and Prudence leaped to
her feet. Her fair hair clung about her face in damp babyish tendrils,
and her face was flushed and dusty, but alight with friendly interest.
She ran forward eagerly, thrusting forth a slim and grimy hand.

"You are Mrs. Adams, aren't you? I am Prudence Starr. It is so kind
of you to come the very first day," she cried. "It makes me love you
right at the start."

"Ye--yes, I am Mrs. Adams." Mrs. Adams was embarrassed. She could not
banish from her mental vision that kneeling figure by the nail keg.
Interrogation was written all over her ample face, and Prudence
promptly read it and hastened to reply.

"I do not generally say my prayers in the barn, Mrs. Adams, I assure
you. I suppose you were greatly surprised. I didn't expect to do it
myself, when I came out here, but--well, when I found this grand, old,
rambling barn, I was so thankful I couldn't resist praying about it.
Of course, I didn't specially designate the barn, but God knew what I
meant, I am sure."

"But a barn!" ejaculated the perplexed "member." "Do you call that a
blessing?"

"Yes, indeed I do," declared Prudence. Then she explained patiently:
"Oh, it is on the children's account, you know. They have always
longed for a big romantic barn to play in. We've never had anything
but a shed, and when father went to Conference this year, the twins
told him particularly to look out for a good big barn. They said we'd
be willing to put up with any kind of a parsonage, if only we might
draw a barn for once. You can't imagine how happy this dear old place
will make them, and I was happy on their account. That's why I
couldn't resist saying my prayers,--I was so happy I couldn't hold in."

As they walked slowly toward the house, Mrs. Adams looked at this
parsonage girl in frank curiosity and some dismay, which she strongly
endeavored to conceal from the bright-eyed Prudence. The Ladies had
said it would be so nice to have a grown girl in the parsonage!
Prudence was nineteen from all account, but she looked like a child
and--well, it was not exactly grown-up to give thanks for a barn, to
say the very least! Yet this girl had full charge of four younger
children, and was further burdened with the entire care of a
minister-father! Well, well! Mrs. Adams sighed a little.

"You are tired," said Prudence sympathetically. "It's so hot walking,
isn't it? Let's sit on the porch until you are