The three young modelers looked up in exclamatory consternation as the
doors opened.

"Oh, are you ready?" cried Carol. "How the time has flown! We had no
idea you'd be ready so soon. Oh, we are sorry, Prudence. We intended
to have everything fixed properly for you again. We needed a flat
place for our modeling. It's a shame, that's what it is. Isn't that a
handsome Venus? I did that!--If you'll just shut the door one minute,
Prudence, we'll have everything exactly as you left it. And we're as
sorry as we can be. You can have my Venus for a centerpiece, if you
like."

[Illustration: "If you'll just shut the door one minute, Prudence,
we'll have everything exactly as you left it."]

Prudence silently closed the doors, and the Ladies, laughing
significantly, drew away.

"Don't you think, my dear," began Mrs. Prentiss too sweetly, "that they
are a little more than you can manage? Don't you really think an older
woman is needed?"

"I do not think so," cried Fairy, before her sister could speak, "no
older woman could be kinder, or sweeter, or more patient and helpful
than Prue."

"Undoubtedly true! But something more is needed, I am afraid! It
appears that girls are a little more disorderly than in my own young
days! Perhaps I do not judge advisedly, but it seems to me they are a