Prudence. I'm glad he is coming so we can thank him for his kindness.
It was mighty lucky he happened along, wasn't it? A Harvard graduate!
Yes, they are pretty strong on athletics at Harvard. You'd better
straighten this room a little and have things looking nice when he gets
here," said Father Starr, with great diplomacy. And he was rewarded, and
startled, by observing that Prudence brightened wonderfully at his words.

"Yes, do," she urged eagerly. "Get some of the roses from the corner
bush, and put them on the table there. And when you go up-stairs, Fairy,
you'd better bring down that little lace spread in the bottom drawer of
our dresser. It'll look very nice on this bed.--Work hard, girls, and
get everything looking fine. He'll be here at four, he said. You twins
may wear your white dresses, and Connie must put on her blue and wear her
blue bows.--Fairy, do you think it would be all right for you to wear
your silk dress? Of course, the silk is rather grand for home, but you
do look so beautiful in it. Father, will you put on your black suit, or
are you too busy? And don't forget to wear the pearl cuff buttons Aunt
Grace sent you."

He went up-stairs to obey, with despair in his heart. But to the girls,
there was nothing strange in this exactness on the part of Prudence.
Jerrold Harmer was the hero of the romance, and they must unite to do him
honor. He was probably a prince in disguise. Jerrold Harmer was a
perfectly thrilling name. It was really a shame that America allows no
titles,--Lord Jerrold did sound so noble, and Lady Prudence was very
effective, too. He and Prudence were married, and had a family of four
children, named for the various Starrs, before one hour had passed.

"I'll begin my book right away," Lark was saying. She and Carol were in
the dining-room madly polishing their Sunday shoes,--what time they were