" declared old Harvey Reel,
the bus driver, "but, by Jings! I tell you they are dandies!"

But as a matter of fact, every one of the family, from Connie up, had a
characteristic parsonage heart. When they were worried, or frightened,
or grieved, they prayed. Fairy passing up the stairs with hot water
for the doctors, whispered to her father as he turned in to his own
room, "Keep on praying, father. I can't stop now, because they need
me. But I'm praying every minute between errands!" And Mr. Starr,
kneeling beside his bed, did pray,--and the stony despair in his eyes
died out, and he came from the little room quiet, and confident, and
calm.

Connie had been unfortunate. In seeking a secluded corner to "pray for
Prudence," she had passed the door of the dungeon, and paused. A
fitting place! So she turned in at once, drawing the door after her,
but leaving it a couple of inches ajar. Then in the farthest and
darkest corner, she knelt on the hard floor, and prayed, and sobbed
herself to sleep. Fairy passing through the hall, observed the door
ajar, and gave it a slight push. The lock snapped into place, but
Connie did not waken.

Lark remained loyally with Carol until consciousness returned to her.
As soon as she was able to walk, the two went silently to the barn, and
climbed into the much-loved haymow. There they lay flat on the hay,
faces downward, each with an arm across the other's shoulder, praying
fervently. After a time they rose and crept into the house, where they
waited patiently until Fairy came down on one of her numerous errands.

"Is she better?" they whispered. And Fairy answered gently, "I think
she is a little better." Then the twins, in no way deceived, went back
to the haymow again.

Fairy prepared a hasty supper, and arranged it on the kitchen table.
She drank a cup of hot coffee, and went in search of her father. "Go
and eat, dadsie," she urged. But he shook his head.

"I am not hungry, but send the girls to the table at once."

On their next trip into the house, Fairy stopped the twins. "Get
Connie, and eat your supper. It's just a cold lunch, and is already on
the kitchen table. You must help yourselves,--I can't come now."

The twins did not speak, and Fairy went hurriedly up the stairs once
more.

"I do not think I can eat," said Carol.

"I know I can't," was Lark's reply.

"Won't Fairy make us? She'll tell papa."

"We'd better take away about half of this food