But Prudence was attractive. She had that indescribable charm that
carries a deep appeal to the eyes, and the lips, and the hearts of men.
Happily Prudence herself did not realize this. The first young man of
Mount Mark to yield to the charms of Prudence was a serious-minded
lawyer, nearly ten years her senior. This was just the type of man to
become enraptured with Prudence. He gazed across at her solemnly
during the church service. He waited patiently after the benediction
until she finished her Methodist practise of hand-shaking, and then
walked joyously home with her. He said little, but he gazed in frank
enchantment at the small womanly girl beside him.

"He's not half bad, Fairy," Prudence would confide to her sister when
they were snug in their bed. "He's not half bad at all. But at heart,
he doesn't approve of me. He doesn't know that himself, and I
certainly can't believe it is my duty to tell him. But I am convinced
that it is true. For instance, he thinks every one, especially women,
should have a mission in life, a serious, earnest mission. I told him
I didn't believe anything of the kind,--I think we are just supposed to
live along from day to day and do what we can, and be happy, and not
say mean things about one another. But he said he considered that I
was fulfilling the noblest mission a woman could have. Now what do you
reckon he meant by that, Fairy? I've been puzzling my brain over it
for days and days. Anybody can tell I am not the sort of girl to have
a mission! Maybe he just said it to encourage me,--he's a very
encouraging sort of man. He's very nice,--oh, very nice, indeed! But
isn't it a nuisance to have him tagging along home with me, when I
might be having such a good time with you and the twins, or father?
Can a girl tell a man she prefers to go home with her family, without
hurting his feelings? Is there any way to turn a person down without
letting him know it? He's so nice I wouldn't hurt his feelings for