t really dizzy! Such a way to introduce Etiquette
into the parsonage life. She was glad to make her escape from the room
when Fairy returned, a graceful figure in the fine blue silk! She went
back to the dining-room, and painstakingly arranged the big tray for
the designated moment of its entrance,--according to etiquette. Fairy
and Babbie in the next room talked incessantly, laughing often and
long, and Prudence, hearing, smiled in sympathy. She herself thought
it would be altogether stupid to be shut up in a room alone with "just
a man" for a whole evening,--but etiquette required it. Fairy knew
about such things, of course.

A little after nine, she called out dismally, "Fairy!" And Fairy,
fearing fresh disaster, came running out.

"What now? What----"

"I forget what you told me to say," whispered Prudence wretchedly,
"what was it? The soup is ready, and piping hot,--but what is it you
want me to say?"

Fairy screamed with laughter. "You goose!" she cried. "Say anything
you like. I was just giving you a tip, that was all. It doesn't make
any difference what you say."

"Oh, I am determined to do my part just right," vowed Prudence
fervently, "according to etiquette and all. What was it you said?"

Fairy stifled her laughter with difficulty, and said in a low voice,
"Wouldn't you like a little nice, hot, oyster stew?" Prudence repeated
it after her breathlessly.

So Fairy returned once more, and soon after Prudence tapped on the
door. Then she opened it, and thrust her curly head inside. "Wouldn't
you like a little nice, hot, oyster stew?" she chirped methodically.
And Fairy said, "Oh, yes indeed, Prudence,--this is so nice of you."

The stew was steaming hot, and the three gathered sociably
about the table. Prudence was talking. Fairy was passing the
"crackers,"--Prudence kicked her foot gently beneath the table, to
remind her that etiquette calls them "wafers." So it happened that
Babbie was first to taste the steaming stew. He gasped, and gulped,
and swallowed some water with more haste than grace. Then he toyed
idly with spoon and wafer until Prudence tasted also. Prudence did not
gasp. She did not cry out. She looked up at her sister with wide hurt
eyes,--a world of pathos in the glance. But Fairy did not notice.

"Now, please do not ask me to talk until I have finished my soup," she
was saying brightly, "I simply can not think and appreciate oyster stew
at the same time."