Lark was still sobbing, but more gently now, and she still clung to her
sister.

"To-morrow, Prudence? Honestly, may I go up to-morrow? You're not
just fooling me, are you? You wouldn't do that!"

"Of course I wouldn't. Yes, you really may, if you'll be good and make
yourself look better. It would be very bad for Carrie to see you so
white and wan. She would worry. Have you been eating? You must eat
lots, and then take a good run out-of-doors toward bedtime, so you will
sleep well. It will be a good tonic for Carol to see you bright and
fresh and rosy."

"Oh, I can't bear to be fresh and rosy when Carrie is sick!"

"It hurts,--but you are willing to be hurt for Carol's sake! You will
do it on her account. It will do her so much good. Now sit down and
eat your soup, and I'll stay here a while and tell you all about her.
I gave her the pansies you bought her,--it was so sweet of you, too,
Larkie. It must have taken every cent of your money, didn't it? I
suppose you ordered them over the telephone, since you wouldn't leave
the house. When I told Carol you got them for her, she took them in
her hand and held them under the covers. Of course, they wilted right
away, but I knew you would like Carrie to have them close to her.'--Oh,
you must eat it all, Lark. It looks very good. I must take a little
of it up to Carol,--maybe she can eat some.--And you will do your very
best to be strong and bright and rosy--for Carol--won't you?"

"Yes, I will,--I'll go and run across the field a few times before I go