Mexico Missouri message., 1917-11-15
CHAPTER Z.
The Chaperon.


See. There was open anxiety In Pru-
dence's expression, and Fuckers Of
worry perpendlcularly creased her
white forehead.
"Girls!" she called again. "Glrls,
are you deaff"
A door opened in the hallway above,
and Connie started down the stairs,
fully dressed, except that she llmped
along in one stocking foot, her shoe
in her hand.
TITS so silly Of you to get all dressed
before you put on your shoes, Connie"
Prudence reproved her as she came
down. at wrinkles you up so. But
you do look nice. Wasn't 1t dear of the
ladies' Aid to give you that dress for
your birthday? Do be careful, dear,
and don't get mussed before we come
back. Aunt Grace will be so much
gladder to live with us If we all look
sweet and clean. And you'll be good,
won't you, Connie, and-Twins, will
you conner
"They are sewing up the holes in
each others stockings" Connie vouch-
safed. They're all dressed"
The twins, evidently realizing that
Prudence's patience was near the
Breaking point, started downstairs for
approval, a curious procession. All
dressed as Connie had said, and most
charming, but they walked close to-
gether, Carol stepping gingerly on one
foot and Lark STOPPING low, carrying
needle with great sOlicltude-the
thread reaching from the needle to
small hole on Carols instep.
"What on earth are you doing?"
"Pm sewing up the holes in Carols
stocking" Lark explained.
Prudence frOwned disapprovingly.
sIt's a very bad habit to sew up holes
in your stockings when you are wear
ing them. Mercy, Lark, you have too
much powder onI"
81 know it-Carol did 1t. She said
she wanted me to be of intellectual
pallor." Lark mopped her face with
one hand.
you look nice, twins" Prudence
advanced a step, her eyes on Carols
hair. shifting suspiciously. "Carol, did
you curl your hair?"
Carol bIushed. "Well, Just little"
she confessed. "I thought Aunt Grace
would appreciate me more with
crown Of frizzy ringlets."
''Youn spoil your hair If you don't
leave 1t alone, and IL will serve you
right, too. Oh, Fairy, know Aunt
Grace will love you" she cried &C.
statically. "You look like q dream,
you"
''Yes-a nightmare" said Carol snip
PLY. eff saw Fairy coming at me
on a dark night Pd-"
Papa, We'll miss the train" Then
as he came slowly down the stairs, she
said to her sisters again anxiously:
''Oh, girls, do keep nice and clean,
won't your And be very sweet to
Aunt Gracel It's so awfully good of
her-to come-and take care of US"
Prudence's voice broke a little. The
admission of another to the parson-
age mothering hurt her.
Mr.. Starr stopped on the bottom
step, and with one foot as a pivot,
slowly revolved for his daughters In
,spection.
SLOW do I look?" he demanded. ''Do
you think this suit will convince Grace
that am worth taking care Of? Do
I look twenty-five dollars better than
i did yesterday"
The girls gazed at him with most
sadoring approval.
"Father! You look perfectly grand
Isn't 1t beautiful?-Of course you
looked nicer than anybody else even
in the old suit, but-lt-well, 1t was"
Perfectly disgracefully shabby"
put in Fairy quickly. entirely I'M
worthy a minister of your-er-lovely
,familyI"
II hope none of you have let it out
among the members how long I wore
that old suit. don't believe 1 could
face my congregation on Sundays II
j thought they were mentally calculat-
ing the wearing value of my various
garments.-We'l have to go, Pru-
sdence."
"And don't muss the house up"
begged Prudence, as her father opened
the door and pushed her gently out on
the step.
The four sisters left behind looked
at once another solemnly. 1t was a
serious businessmen serious. Con-
ME gravely put on her shoe, and but
toned II. Lark sewed up the last hole
In Carols stocking-Carol balancing
herself on one foot with nice precision
for the purpose. Then, all ready, they
looked at one another agaIn--even
more sOIemnly.
~WeIl." said Fairy, "let's go inland
wait"
Silently the others followed her in.
and they all sat about, irreproachably,
ON the weIl-dusted chairs, their hands
folded In their smooth and spotless
l1aps.
The silence and the solemnity were
very oppressive.
'We look all right" said Carol bel