d then Fairy will
only have to mother your father. Do you like riding in a car?"

"Oh, I love it. But I have not ridden very much. Willard Morley took me
quite often when he was here, but he is in Chicago now."

"When's he coming back?" suspiciously.

"Prudence, shall we have tea or coffee?" This was Lark from the doorway.
"Fairy wants to know."

"What?--Oh!--Which do you want, Jerry?"

"Which does your father prefer?"

"He doesn't drink either except for breakfast."

"I generally drink coffee, but I do not care much for it, so do not
bother----"

"Coffee, Lark."

"When's that Morley chap coming back?"

"I do not know." And then, "He is never coming back as far as I am
concerned."

Jerrold relented promptly. "You are why he went away, I suppose."

"At any rate, he is gone."

"Did you ever have a lover, Prudence? A real lover, I mean."

"No, I, never did."

"I'm awfully glad of that. I'll----"

"Prudence, do you use half milk and half water for creamed tomato soup,
or all milk?"

"What?--Oh!--All milk, Connie, and tell Fairy not to salt it until it is
entirely done, or it may curdle."

"What in the world would they ever do without you, Prudence? You are the
soul of the parsonage, aren't you?"

"No, I am just the cook and the chambermaid," she answered, laughing.
"But don't you see how hard it will be for me to go away?"

"But it isn't fair! Vacation is coming now, and Fairy ought to take a
turn. What will they do when you get married?"

"I have always said I would not get married."

"But don't you want to get married,--some time?"

"Oh, that isn't it. I just can't because I must take care of the
parsonage, and raise the girls. I can't."

"But you will," he whispered, and his hand touched hers for just a
second. Prudence did not answer. She lifted her eyes to his face, and
caught in her breath once more.

A little later he said, "Do you mind if I go upstairs and talk to your
father a few minutes? Maybe I'd better."

"But do not stay very long," she urged, and she wondered why the
brightness and sunshine vanished from the room when he went out. "First
door to the right," she called after him.

Mr. Starr arose to greet him, and welcomed him to his combination study
and bedroom with great friendliness. But Jerrold went straight to the
point.

"Mr. Starr, it's very kind of you to receive a perfect stranger as you
have me. But I understand that with a girl like Prudence,