arrived home, Fairy was just cutting the candy she had
made. "It's delicious," she said to Prudence. "Here's a nice dishful
for you and the girls.--Pitch in, twins, and help yourselves. It's
very nice."

The twins waved her haughtily away. "No, thank you," they said. "We
couldn't eat that candy with relish. We are unworthy."

"All right," Prudence put in quickly, as Fairy only laughed. "I'll put
it in the cupboard, and Fairy and I will eat it to-morrow. It's
perfectly fine,--simply delicious."

But the twins were not to be tempted. Before they went up-stairs, Lark
inquired sarcastically:

"I suppose, Fairy, you'll don your best blue silk in honor of this
event?"

"Oh, no," was the ready answer, "I'll just wear my little green muslin.
It's old, but very nice and comfortable--just right for an evening at
home."

"Yes," scoffed Carol, "and of course you are remembering that every one
says it is the most becoming dress you have."

"Oh, yes," laughed Fairy, "I'm remembering that, all right."

Then the twins went up-stairs, but not to their own room at once.
Instead they slipped noiselessly into the front bedroom, and a little
later Carol came out into the hall and stood listening at the head of
the stairs, as though on guard.

"Be sure and leave quite a few stitches in, Lark," she whispered once.
"We want it to hang together until Babbie gets here."

That was all. Presently Lark emerged, and their own door closed behind
them.

"It's a good thing father has to go to the trustees' meeting to-night,
isn't it?" asked Carol. And Lark agreed, absently. She was thinking
of the oysters.

As soon as they finished supper, Lark said, "Don't you think we'd
better go right to bed, Prue? We don't want to taint the atmosphere of
the parsonage. Of course, Fairy will want to wash the dishes herself
to make sure they are clean and shining."

"Oh, no," disclaimed Fairy, still good-naturedly. "I can give an extra
rub to the ones we want to use,--that is enough. I do appreciate the
thought, though, thanks very much."

So the twins plunged in, carefully keeping Connie beside them. "She
has such a full-to-overflowing look," said Carol. "If we don't keep
hold of her, she'll let something bubble over." Connie had a dismal
propensity for giving things away,--the twins had often suffered from
it. To-night, they were determined to forestall such a calamity.

Then they all three went to bed. To be sure it was rid