that is all. I want her to see the awfulness of it. I told her I
didn't think we wanted to eat with--a thief--just yet! I said we must
get used to the idea of it first. She is heartbroken, but--I must make
her see it!"

That was the end of supper. No one attempted to eat another bite.
After the older girls had gone into the sitting-room, Carol and Lark
went about their work with stricken faces.

"She's a little brick not to tell," whispered Lark.

"I'm going to give her that pearl pin of mine she always liked," said
Carol in a hushed voice.

"I'll give her my blue ribbon, too,--she loves blue so. And to-morrow
I'll take that quarter I've saved and buy her a whole quarter's worth
of candy."

But that night when the twins went up to bed, they were doomed to
disappointment. They had no chance of making it up with Constance.
For Prudence had moved her small bed out of the twins' room, and had
placed it in the front room occupied by herself and Fairy. They asked
if they might speak to Constance, but Prudence went in with them to say
good night to her. The twins broke down and cried as they saw the
pitiful little figure with the wan and tear-stained face. They threw
their arms around her passionately and kissed her many times. But they
went to bed without saying anything.

Hours later, Lark whispered, "Carol! are you asleep?"