, and hide it. Then she
will think we have already eaten."

This novel plan was acted upon with promptitude.

"Where's Connie? She ought to eat something. We must make her do it."

"She probably cried herself to sleep somewhere. We'd better let her
alone. She'll feel much better asleep and hungry, than awake and sorry
for Prue."

So the twins went back to the haymow. When it grew dark, they slipped
into the kitchen, and huddled together on, the woodbox beside the
stove. And down to them presently came Fairy, smiling, her eyes
tear-brightened.

"She is better!" cried Carol, springing to her feet.

"Yes," said Fairy, dropping on her knees and burying her face in Lark's
lap, as she still sat on the woodbox. "She's better. She is better."
Lark patted the heaving shoulders in a motherly way, and when Fairy
lifted her face again it was all serene, though her lashes were wet.

"She is conscious," said Fairy, still on her knees, but with her head
thrown back, and smiling. "She regained consciousness a little while
ago. There is nothing really serious the matter. It was a hard knock,
but it missed the temple. When she became conscious, she looked up at
father and smiled. Father looked perfectly awful, twins, so pale, and
his lips were trembling. And Prudence said, 'Now, father, on your word
of honor, did you knock me down with that ball on purpose?' She spoke
very low, and weak, but--just like Prudence! Father couldn't say a
word, he just nodded, and gulped. She has a little fever, and the
doctors say we may need to work with her part of the night. Father
said to ask if you would go to bed now, so you can get up early in the
morning and help us. I am to stay with Prudence to-night, but you may
have to take turns in the morning. And you'll have to get breakfast,
too. So father thinks you would better go to bed. Will you do that,
twinnies?"

"Will we!" And Carol added, "Will you kiss Prudence good night for us,
and tell her we kept praying all the time? Prudence is such a great
hand for praying, you know."

Fairy promised, and the twins crept up-stairs. It was dark in their
room.

"We'll undress in the dark so as not to awake poor little Connie,"
whispered Lark. "It's nice she can sleep like that, isn't it?"

And the twins went to bed, and fell asleep after a while, never
doubting that Connie, in her corner of the room, was already safe and
happy in the oblivion of slumber.

But poor Conn