ly prefer to stay at home, Prudence?" queried her father.
"The whole summer?"

Prudence blushed most gloriously. "Oh, well," she began slowly. Then
she took the plunge recklessly. "Why, you see, father, Jerry lives
with his aunt in Des Moines,--he told you that, didn't he? And they
have quite a big house, and--he wants to take me and the twinnies to
Des Moines in the car for a week or ten days. And Fairy will take care
of you and Connie. And--if I can do that--I do not want any more
vacation. I couldn't bear to stay at auntie's a whole month, away from
you and the parsonage." She felt very guilty, for she did not add, as
she was thinking, "Besides, Jerry is coming every two weeks, and if I
were away, we would miss a visit!"

Fairy laughed in an irritating, suggestive way, but Mr. Starr only
nodded.

"I am sure you will not mind that, will you father? His aunt must be a
perfectly good and nice woman, and--such a long drive in the auto,
and--to see all over Des Moines." But Prudence paused guiltily, for
she did not add, "With Jerry!" although the words were singing in her
heart.

"That will be very nice indeed, and of course I do not object. It will
be a forty years' delight and wonder to the twins! Yes, I will be glad
to have you go. But you can still have your month at Grace's if you
wish."

"But I do not wish," protested Prudence promptly. "Honestly, father,
I'll write her the sweetest kind of a letter, but--oh, please do not
make me go!"

"Of course, we won't make you go, you goose," said Fairy, "but I think
you are very foolish."

"And you can go, Fairy," cried Prudence hospitably. "Aunt Grace loves
you so, and you've worked so hard all year, and,--oh, yes, it will be
just the thing for you." Prudence wished she might add, "And that will
let me out," but she hardly dare say it.

"Well, when does your Des Moines tour come off? I must know, so I can
tell Babbie about the house party."

"Let Babbie choose his own date. Jerry says we shall go whenever I
say--I mean whenever you say, father,--and we can decide later on.
Give Babbie first choice, by all means."

That was the beginning of Prudence's golden summer. She was not given
to self-analysis. She did what seemed good to her always,--she did not
delve down below the surface for reasons why and wherefore. She hadn't
the time. She took things as they came. She could not bear the
thought of sharing with the parsonage family even the l