struggled valiantly and presently brought forth a crumpled and sickly
smile.

But Prudence smiled at her kindly. "That wasn't very naughty, Carol,"
she said frankly. "It's true that we seldom use that chair. And we
ought to have looked." She glanced reproachfully at Fairy. "It is
strange that in dusting it, Fairy--but never mind. You may go now,
Carol. It is all right."

Then she apologized gently to the Ladies, and the conversation went on,
but Prudence was uncomfortably conscious of keen and quizzical eyes
turned her way. Evidently they thought she was too lenient.

"Well, it wasn't very naughty," she thought wretchedly. "How can I
pretend it was terribly bad, when I feel in my heart that it wasn't!"

Before long, the meeting was called to order, and the secretary
instructed to read the minutes.

"Oh," fluttered Miss Carr excitedly, "I forgot to bring the book. I
haven't been secretary very long, you know."

"Only six months," interrupted Mrs. Adams tartly.

"How do you expect to keep to-day's minutes?" demanded the president.

"Oh, I am sure Miss Prudence will give me a pencil and paper, and I'll
copy them in the book as soon as ever I get home."

"Yes, indeed," said Prudence. "There is a tablet on that table beside