best china and silverware were brought out in
Carol's honor. The supper was one that would have gratified the heart
of a bishop, at the very least!

"Apple pie, with pure cream, Carol," said Lark ecstatically, for apple
pie with pure cream was the favorite dessert of the sweet-toothed
twins. And Lark added earnestly, "And I don't seem to be very hungry
to-night, Carol,--I don't want any pie. You shall have my piece, too!"

"I said I felt it in my bones, you remember," said Prudence, smiling at
Carol, "but my mental compass indicated Connie when it should have
pointed to Carol! And I do hope, Connie dear, that this will be a
lesson to you, and impress upon you that you must always change your
shoes and stockings when your feet are wet!"

And for the first time in many days, clear, happy-hearted laughter rang
out in the parsonage.

CHAPTER IX

PRACTISING ECONOMY

It was a dull dreary day early in December. Prudence and Fairy were
sewing in the bay window of the sitting-room.

"We must be sure to have all the scraps out of the way before Connie
gets home," said Prudence, carefully fitting together pieces of a dark,
warm, furry material. "It has been so long since father wore this
coat, I am sure she will not recognize it."

"But she will ask where we got it, and what shall we say?"

"We must tell her it is goods we have had in the house for a long time.
That is true. And I made this fudge on purpose to distract her
attention. If she begins to ask questions, we must urge her to have
more candy. Poor child!" she added very sympathetically. "Her heart
is just set on a brand-new coat. I know she will be bitterly
disappointed. If the members would just pay up we could get her one.
November and December are such bad months for parsonage people. Coal
to buy, feed for the cow and the horse and the chickens, and Carol's
sickness, and Larkie's teeth! Of course, those last are not regular
winter expenses, but they took a lot of money this year. Every one is
getting ready for Christmas now, and forgets that parsonage people need
Christmas money, too. November and December are always my bitter
months, Fairy,--bitter months!"

Fairy took a pin from her mouth. "The velvet collar and cuffs will
brighten it up a good bit. It's really a pretty material. I have
honestly been ashamed of Connie the last few Sundays. It was so cold,
and she wore only that little thin summer jacket. She must have been
hal