coming home until evening. Come up-stairs with me, Connie; I want to
talk to you."

Connie followed her sister soberly, and the twins flashed at each other
startled and questioning looks.

The three girls were at the table when Prudence came into the
dining-room alone. She fixed a tray-supper quietly and carried it off
up-stairs. Then she came back and sat down by the table. But her face
bore marks of tears, and she had no appetite. The twins had felt small
liking for their food before, now each mouthful seemed to choke them.
But they dared not ask a question. They were devoutly thankful when
Fairy finally voiced their interest.

"What is the matter? Has Connie been in mischief?"

"It's worse than that," faltered Prudence, tears rushing to her eyes
again.

"Why, Prudence! What in the world has she done?"

"I may as well tell you, I suppose,--you'll have to know it sooner or
later. She--went out into Avery's orchard and stole some apples this
afternoon. I was back in the alley seeing if Mrs. Moon could do the
washing, and I saw her from the other side. She went from tree to
tree, and when she got through the fence she ran. There's no mistake
about it,--she confessed." The twins looked up in agony, but
Prudence's face reassured them. Constance had told no tales. "I have
told her she must spend all of her time up-stairs alone for a week,
taking her meals there, too. She will go to school, of course, but