lie very quietly until he comes. That was no lie, child. You are so
upset you do not know what you are saying to-day. Be quiet now,
Prudence,--it's nearly time for him to come."

"You are a dear good father," she cried, kissing his hands passionately,
"but it was a lie. I did know what I was saying. I did it on purpose."

And Mr. Starr's heart was heavy, for he knew that his fears were realized.




CHAPTER XII

ROUSED FROM HER SLUMBER

At twenty minutes to four, the parsonage family clustered excitedly in
the sitting-room, which the sunshine flooded cheerily. They were waiting
for the hero of Prudence's romance.

"Oh, Larkie, will you run up-stairs and bring my lace handkerchief? It's
on our dresser, in the burnt-wood box." And after Lark had departed, she
went on, "The flowers are not quite in the center of the table, Fairy,--a
little to the right.--If you would move the curtains the least little
bit, those torn places would not show." Then she sighed. "How nice you
all look. Oh, Connie, won't you turn the clock a little this way, so I
can see it? That's better, thank you, precious. Thank you, Lark,--isn't
it a pretty handkerchief? I've only carried it three times, and I have
never really used it. Would you keep these pearls on, Fairy, or would
you take them off?"