than Prudence. Like as not he'd give me a good thrashing into the
bargain. No,--I'm strong for Prudence when it comes to punishment,--in
preference to father, I mean. I can't seem to be fond of any kind of
punishment from anybody."

For a while Carol was much depressed, but by nature she was a buoyant
soul and her spirits were presently soaring again.

In the meantime, the Ladies of the Aid Society continued to arrive.
Prudence and Fairy, freshly gowned and smiling-faced, received them
with cordiality and many merry words. It was not difficult for them,
they had been reared in the hospitable atmosphere of Methodist
parsonages, where, if you have but two dishes of oatmeal, the outsider
is welcome to one. That is Carol's description of parsonage life.

But Prudence was concerned to observe that a big easy chair placed well
back in a secluded corner, seemed to be giving dissatisfaction. It was
Mrs. Adams who sat there first. She squirmed quite a little, and
seemed to be gripping the arms of the chair with unnecessary fervor.
Presently she stammered an excuse, and rising, went into the other
room. After that, Mrs. Miller tried the corner chair, and soon moved
away. Then Mrs. Jack, Mrs. Norey, and Mrs. Beed, in turn, sat
there,--and did not stay. Prudence was quite agonized. Had the awful
twins filled it with needles for the reception of the poor Ladies? At
first opportunity, she hurried into the secluded corner, intent upon
trying the chair for herself. She sat down anxiously. Then she
gasped, and clutched frantically at the arms of the chair. For she
discovered at once to her dismay that the chair was bottomless, and
that only by hanging on for her life could she keep from dropping
through. She thought hard for a moment,--but thinking did not