"I think you're very foolish to go at all," added Lark.

"I wouldn't go for a dollar," declared Carol. "It'd be very
interesting to see how a heretic feels, but I don't care to know how
ordinary Christians feel when they fall into their hands. I'm not
aching to see Miss Allen to-night."

So Prudence set forth, conscientiously, in the darkness. A brave and
heroic thing for Prudence to do, for she was a cowardly creature at
heart.

Miss Allen heard her voice in the lower hall, and came running
down-stairs to meet her. "Come up," she cried eagerly, "come on up."

And before Prudence was fairly inside the door, she demanded, "What is
it? Did you find out? Is it my fault?"

Then Prudence blushed and stammered, "Why--it sounds--silly but--they
think you are a--heretic."

Miss Allen gasped. Then she laughed. Then she walked to her
dressing-table and picked up a long hatpin. "Will you kindly jab this
into me?" she said. "I'm having a nightmare."

Prudence explained in detail. At first Miss Allen laughed, it must be
confessed. Then she grew very sober. "It is really my fault," she
said, "for I should have remembered that young people read a ton of
meaning into a pound of words. Of course, I am not guilty, Miss Starr.
Professor Duke and Miss Adams can swear to that. They call me