Mr. Harold shook his head. "No, Connie must have her coat. This will
be a good lesson for her. It will teach her the bitterness of living
under debt! Besides, Prudence, I think in my heart that she is right
this time. This is a case where borrowing is justified. Get her the
coat, and I'll square the account with your father." Then he added,
"And I'll look after this salary business myself after this. I'll
arrange with the trustees that I am to pay your father his full salary
the first of every month, and that the church receipts are to be turned
in to me. And if they do not pay up, my lawyer can do a little
investigating! Little Connie earned that five dollars, for she taught
one trustee a sorry lesson. And he will have to pass it on to the
others in self-defense! Now, run along and get the coat, and if five
dollars isn't enough you can have as much more as you need. Your
father will get his salary after this, my dear, if we have to mortgage
the parsonage!"




CHAPTER X

A BURGLAR'S VISIT

"Prue!"

A small hand gripped Prudence's shoulder, and again came a hoarsely
whispered:

"Prue!"