"I would like her very much under ordinary circumstances," admitted
Carol.

"What is unusual about the circumstances?" Prudence wanted to know.

"Look here, Prudence, what did Miss Allen tell you? Was she
complaining about us? We've been very nice and orderly, I'm sure."
Lark was aggrieved.

"She wasn't complaining. She likes you both. But she says you do not
like her. I want to know why."

"Well, if you must know, Miss Allen is a heretic," snapped Lark.

Then Prudence leaned back in her chair and gazed at the flushed faces
of the twins for two full minutes.

"A--a--a what?" she ejaculated, when power of speech returned to her.

"Heretic," said Carol with some relish. "A heretic! You know what
heresy is, don't you? We'll tell you all about it if you like, now
you've got things started."

"We didn't tell you before because we thought you and father would feel
badly about sending us to school to a heretic. But don't you
worry,--Miss Allen hasn't influenced us any."

"We haven't given her a chance," said Carol, with her impish smile.

"Go on," begged Prudence. "Tell me. You're both crazy, I see that.