The three young modelers looked up in exclamatory consternation as the doors opened.

“Oh, are you ready?” cried Carol.  “How the time has flown!  We had no idea you’d be ready so soon.  Oh, we are sorry, Prudence.  We intended to have everything fixed properly for you again.  We needed a flat place for our modeling.  It’s a shame, that’s what it is.  Isn’t that a handsome Venus?  I did that!—­If you’ll just shut the door one minute, Prudence, we’ll have everything exactly as you left it.  And we’re as sorry as we can be.  You can have my Venus for a centerpiece, if you like.”

[Illustration:  “If you’ll just shut the door one minute, Prudence, we’ll have everything exactly as you left it.”]

Prudence silently closed the doors, and the Ladies, laughing significantly, drew away.

“Don’t you think, my dear,” began Mrs. Prentiss too sweetly, “that they are a little more than you can manage?  Don’t you really think an older woman is needed?”

“I do not think so,” cried Fairy, before her sister could speak, “no older woman could be kinder, or sweeter, or more patient and helpful than Prue.”

“Undoubtedly true!  But something more is needed, I am afraid!  It appears that girls are a little more disorderly than in my own young days!  Perhaps I do not judge advisedly, but it seems to me they are a little—­unmanageable.”

“Indeed they are not,” cried Prudence loyally.  “They are young, lively, mischievous, I know,—­and I am glad of it.  But I have lived with them ever since they were born, and I ought to know them.  They are unselfish, they are sympathetic, they are always generous.  They do foolish and irritating things,—­but never things that are hateful and mean.  They are all right at heart, and that is all that counts.  They are not bad girls!  What have they done to-day?  They were exasperating, and humiliating, too, but what did they do that was really mean?  They embarrassed and mortified me, but not intentionally!  I can’t punish them for the effect on me, you know!  Would that be just or fair?  At heart, they meant no harm.”

It must be confessed that there were many serious faces among the Ladies.  Some cheeks were flushed, some eyes were downcast, some lips were compressed and some were trembling.  Every mother there was asking in her heart, “Did I punish my children just for the effect on me?  Did I judge my children by what was in their hearts, or just by the trouble they made me?”

And the silence lasted so long that it became awkward.  Finally Mrs. Prentiss crossed the room and stood by Prudence’s side.  She laid a hand tenderly on the young girl’s arm, and said in a voice that was slightly tremulous: 

“I believe you are right, my dear.  It is what girls are at heart that really counts.  I believe your sisters are all you say they are.  And one thing I am very sure of,—­they are happy girls to have a sister so patient, and loving, and just.  Not all real mothers have as much to their credit!”