hie ye to yonder orchard,--Avery's, I mean,--and bring hither some of
the golden apples basking in the sun."

"What!" ejaculated Connie, startled out of her respect.

Carol frowned.

Connie hastened to modify her tone. "Did they say you might have
them?" she inquired politely.

"That concerns thee not, 'tis for thee only to render obedience to the
orders of the Society. Go out through our field and sneak under the
fence where the wires are loose, and hurry back. We're awfully hungry.
The trees are near the fence. There isn't any danger."

"But it's stealing," objected Connie. "What will Prudence----"

"Damsel!" And Connie turned to obey with despair in her heart.

"Bring twelve," Carol called after her, "that'll be four apiece. And
hurry, Connie. And see they don't catch you while you're about it."

After she had gone, the twins lay back thoughtfully on the hay and
stared at the cobwebby roof above them.

"It's a good thing Prudence and Fairy are downtown," said Lark sagely.

"Yes, or we'd catch it," assented Carol. "But I don't see why! The
Averys have too many apples, and they are going to waste. I'm sure
Mrs. Avery would rather let us have them than the chickens."