The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-03-22

images, Prudence. lit was awfully
messy. l 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 images" gasped Prudence.
and even Fairy stared incredulously.
"Where In the world did you get hold
of an idea like thatT
"It-it was In that-that Mothers
Home Friend paper you take. Pru-
dence." Prudence blushed guiltily. ut
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 II she
could. Carol isis just fine at 1t,
really. She-she's making Venus de
Milo, and IT'S good. But we can't re-
member whether her arm is OF 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. "I-rm very sorry, Prudence"
"very well. Lark, you may go. l do
not really object to your modelling In
mud. am sure. I 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 CO." 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 amazed! The
Ladies clustered about her. and stood
amazed also. The dining room was
there, and the table! But the appear
ance Of the place was vastly different |!
The snowy cloth was draped artis-
tically over a picture on the wall. the
lowest edges well above the floor. The
plates and trays, napkin-covered. were
safely slowed away on the floor in dis
tant corners. The kitchen scrub buck
ct had been brought in and turned up
side down, to afford a fitting resting
place for the borrowed punch bowl.
full to overfiowing with fragrant lem
onade.
And at the table were three dirty,
disheveled little figures. bending seri-
ously over piles of mud. A not-unrec-
center of the table. Connie was pains
takingly at work on some animal, a
dog perhaps, or possibly an elephant.
And
The three young modelers looked up
In explanatory CONSERVATION as the
doors opened.
"Oh. are you ready?" 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 q fiat place for our model
ing. It's a shame, that's what 1t is.
Isn't that a handsome Venus? l did
that!- III you'll just shut the door one
minute, Prudence, We'll have every
thing exactly as you left 1t. And we're
as sorry as we can be. You can have
my Venus for a centerpiece, 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 little more than you can manage
Don't you really think an older woman
Is needed?
II 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, I am afraid! It 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 little-un.
manageable"