Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-01-17
CHAPTER !.
The chaperon.

silk gloves-gloves still good in Pru-
dence's eyes, though Fairy had long
since discarded them as unfit for serv-
ice. There was open anxiety in Pru-
dence's expression, and Fuckers of
worry perpendicularly creased her
white forehead.
"Girlsp she called again. "Girls,
are you deaf?"
A door opened in the hallway above,
and Connie started down the stairs,
fully dressed, except that she limped
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. 'It 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 IL we all look
sweet and clean, And you'll be good,
won't you, Connie, and Twins. will
you conner" ~. 5t
'eThey are sewing up the holes in
each others stockings" Connie youeh-
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 solicitude-the
thread reaching from the needle to
small hole on Carols instep.
what on earth are you doing"
I'm sewing up the holes in Carols
stocking" Lark explained.
Prudence frowned disapprovingly.
tits 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
'sYou look nice, twins" Prudence
advanced STEP her eyes on Carols
hair, shifting suspiciously. "Carol, did
you curl your hairr'
Carol blushed "Well, just little"
she confessed. 81 thought Aunt Grace
would appreciate me more with a
crown of frizzy ringlets."
you'll spoil your hair If you don't
leave 1t alone, and 1t 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
'pily. eff saw Fairy coming at me
on dark night I'd"
Papa, we'll miss the trainl I" Then
as he came slowly down the stairs, she
said to her sisters again anxiously:
;"Oh, girls, do keep nice and clean,
won't you? And be very sweet to
Aunt Gracei It's so awfully good of
her-to come-and take care of US
Prudence's voice broke 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
Epection.
Show dc look" he demanded. do
you think this suit will convince Grace
that I am worth taking care of? Do
I look twenty-five dollars better than
did yesterday"
The girls gazed at him with most
adoring approval.
''Fatherl You look perfectly grand
isn't it beautiful?-Cf course you
looked nicer than anybody else even
sn the old suit, but lt-well, 1t was
Perfectly disgracefully shabby"
put in Fairy quickly. Entirely I'M
worthy minister of your-er-lovely
IL milyi'
II hope none Of you have let it out
among the members how long I wore
that old suit. I don't believe I could
face my congregation on Sundays If
I thought they were mentally calculat-
ing the wearing value of my various
garments-Well have to go, Pru-
dence."
"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 solemnIy. It was a
serious businessmen serious. Con-
rie gravely put on her shoe, and but
toned it. 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 solemnly.
"Well." said Fairy, '1et's go in-and
wait"
Silently the others followed her in,
and they all sat about, irreproachably,
on the well-dusted chairs, their hands
folded In their smooth and spotless
laps.
The silence and the solemnity were
very oppressive.
''We look all right" said Carol bel
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