They lay in silence for a while. Something was hurting them, but
whether it was their fear of the wrath of Prudence, or the twinges of
tender consciences,--who can say?

"She's an unearthly long time about it," exclaimed Lark, at last. "Do
you suppose they caught her?"

This was an awful thought, and the girls were temporarily suffocated.
But they heard the barn door swinging beneath them, and sighed with
relief. It was Connie! She climbed the ladder skilfully, and poured
her golden treasure before the arch thieves, Skull and Crossbones.

There were eight big tempting apples.

"Hum! Eight," said Carol sternly. "I said twelve."

"Yes, but I was afraid some one was coming. I heard such a noise
through the grapevines, so I got what I could and ran for it. There's
three apiece for you, and two for me," said Connie, sitting down
sociably beside them on the hay.

But Carol rose. "Damsel, begone," she ordered. "When Skull and
Crossbones feast, thou canst not yet share the festive board. Rise
thee, and speed."

Connie rose, and walked soberly toward the ladder. But before she
disappeared she fired this parting shot, "I don't want any of them.
Stolen apples don't taste very good, I reckon."