plunged into the barn--and stopped abruptly.

In a shadowy corner was a slender figure kneeling beside an overturned
nail keg, her face buried in her hands. Evidently this was Prudence
engaged in prayer,--and in the barn, of all places in the world!

"A--a--a--hem!" stammered Mrs. Adams inquiringly.

"Amen!" This was spoken aloud and hurriedly, and Prudence leaped to
her feet. Her fair hair clung about her face in damp babyish tendrils,
and her face was flushed and dusty, but alight with friendly interest.
She ran forward eagerly, thrusting forth a slim and grimy hand.

"You are Mrs. Adams, aren't you? I am Prudence Starr. It is so kind
of you to come the very first day," she cried. "It makes me love you
right at the start."

"Ye--yes, I am Mrs. Adams." Mrs. Adams was embarrassed. She could not
banish from her mental vision that kneeling figure by the nail keg.
Interrogation was written all over her ample face, and Prudence
promptly read it and hastened to reply.

"I do not generally say my prayers in the barn, Mrs. Adams, I assure
you. I suppose you were greatly surprised. I didn't expect to do it
myself, when I came out here, but--well, when I found this grand, old,
rambling barn, I was so thankful I couldn't resist praying about it.
Of course, I didn't specially designate the barn, but God knew what I
meant, I am sure."

"But a barn!" ejaculated the perplexed "member." "Do you call that a