The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-02-09

"We-we-we are making-mud
images, Prudence. lit was awfully
messy, ! know, but-they say-it is
such a good-and useful thing to do.
We've didn't expect-the-the La
dies to see u.s."
Mud imagesi" gasped Prudence,
and even Fairy stared incredulously.
Where in the world did you get hold
of al idea like that?''
"It-it was in that-that Mothers
Home Friend paper you take, Pru-
dence." Prudence blushed guiltily. st
was modelling in clay, but-we haven't
any clay, and-the mud is very nice,
but-oh, / know / look just-horrible.
I-I-Connie pushed me in the-puddle
for fun" Another appealing glance
into her sisters face, and Lark plunged
on, bent on smoothing matters If she
could. Carol isis just fine at it,
really. She-she's making a Venus de
Milo, and it's good. But we can't re-
member whether her arm is off at the
elbow or below the shoulder" An
enormous gulp, and by furious blinking
Lark managed to crowd back the tears
that would slip to the edge Of her
lashes. Tim very sorry, Prudence"
Every well, Lark, you may go. / do
no really object to your modelling in
mud, ! am sure. / am sorry you look
SO disreputable. You must change
your shoes and stockings at once, and
then you can go on with your model
Ing. But there must be no more push
ing and chasing. I'll see Connie about
that tonight. Now 60" And Lark was
swift to avail herself Of the permission.
Followed a quiet hour, and then the
Ladies put aside their sewing and
walked about the room, chatting in
little groups. With a significant glance
to Fairy, Prudence walked calmly to
the double doors between the dining
room and the sitting room. The eyes
of the Ladies followed her with inter.
est, and even enthusiasm. They were
hungry. Prudence slowly opened wide
the doors, and-stood amazedi Thu
Ladies clustered about her, and stoo,
amazed also. The dining room wa
there, and the table! But the appear
ance of the place vas vastly different
The snowy cloth was draped arts
, tically owe a picture on the wall, tn
: lowest edges well above the floor. TIL
plates and trays, na~pkin-covered, wer
safely slowed away on the floor in dis
tant corners. The kitchen scrub buck
\ ct had been brought in and turned VI
\ side down, to afford a fitting Resin
place for the borrowed punch bow
full to overlooking with fragrant len
onade.
And at the table were three dirty
d~isheveled little figures, bending seri
ously over piles of mud. A n~ot-unrec
ognizable Venus de Milo occupied tn,
center of the table. Connie was pains
takingly at work on some animal, &
dog perhaps, Oh possibly an elephant
And
The three young modelers looked up
in explanatory CONSERVATION as the
doors opened.
"Oh, are you ready2" cried Carol.
"How 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 fiat place for u model
ing. It's a shame, that's what it is.
Isn't that a handsome Venus? l did
that If you'll just shut the door ono
minute, Prudence, Wen have every
thing exactly as you left it. And we're
as sorry as we can be. You can have
my Venus for a centerpieee, if you
like"
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 manager
Don't you really think an older woman
is needed?"
81 do not think So" cried Fairy, be-
fore her sister could speak, mo older
woman could be kinder, or sweeter, or
more patient and helpful than Prue.'
Undoubtedly true! But something
more is needed, l am afraid! 1t ap-
pears that girls are a little more dis.
orderly than in my own young days
Perhaps l do not judge advisedly, but
1t seems to me they are a little-un-
manageable"