This, however, Lark stoutly refused to do, and in a little while Carol felt much better.  But she talked it over with Prudence very seriously.

“I hope you understand, Prudence, that I shall never have anything more to do with Blinkie!  She can die of starvation for all I care.  I’ll never take her to and from the pasture again.  I couldn’t do it!  Such rank ingratitude as that cow displayed was never equaled, I am certain.”

“I suppose you’ll quit using milk and cream, too,” suggested Prudence.

“Oh, well,” said Carol more tolerantly, “I don’t want to be too hard on Blinkie, for after all it was partly my own fault.  So I won’t go that far.  But I must draw the line somewhere!  Hereafter, Blinkie and I meet as strangers!”

CHAPTER III

THE LADIES’ AID

“It’s perfectly disgusting, I admit, father,” said Prudence sweetly, “but you know yourself that it very seldom happens.  And I am sure the kitchen is perfectly clean, and the soup is very nice indeed,—­if it is canned soup!  Twins, this is four slices of bread apiece for you!  You see, father, I really feel that this is a crisis in the life of the parsonage——­”

“How long does a parsonage usually live?” demanded Carol.

“It wouldn’t live long if the ministers had many twins,” said Fairy quickly.

“Ouch!” grinned Connie, plagiarizing, for that expressive word belonged exclusively to the twins, and it was double impertinence to apply it to one of its very possessors.

“And you understand, don’t you, father, that if everything does not go just exactly right, I shall feel I am disgraced for life?  I know the Ladies disapprove of me, and look on me with suspicion.  I know they think it wicked and ridiculous to leave the raising of four bright spirits in the unworthy hands of a girl like me.  I know they will all sniff and smile and—­Of course, twins, they have a perfect right to feel, and act, so.  I am not complaining.  But I want to show them for once in their lives that the parsonage runs smoothly and sweetly.  If you would just stay at home with us, father, it would be a big help.  You are such a tower of strength.”

“But unfortunately I can not.  People do not get married every day in the week, and when they are all ready for it they do not allow even Ladies’ Aids to stand in their way.  It is a long drive, ten miles at least, and I must start at once.  And it will likely be very late when I get back.  But if you are all good, and help Prudence, and uphold the reputation of the parsonage, I will divide the wedding fee with you,—­share and share alike.”  This was met with such enthusiasm that he added hastily, “But wait!  It may be only a dollar!”

Then kissing the various members of the parsonage family, he went out the back door, barnward.

“Now,” said Prudence briskly, “I want to make a bargain with you, girls.  If you’ll stay clear away from the Ladies, and be very good and orderly, I’ll give you all the lemonade and cake you can drink afterward.”