Prudence Says So | Page 8

our sakes and father's, the twins
will be generous and deny that they are Scientists. But at heart, they are.
I saw it this afternoon. And you and I, Prudence, must stand together
and back them up. They'll have to leave the Methodist church. It may
break our hearts, and father's, too, but we can't wrong our little sisters
just for our personal pride and pleasure in them. I think we'll have them
go before the official board next Sunday while father is gone--then he

will be spared the pain of it. I'll speak to Mr. Lauren about it to-morrow.
We must make it as easy for them as we can. They'll probably dismiss
them--I don't suppose they'll give them letters. But it must be all over
before papa comes back."
Then she hissed in Prudence's ear, "Now cry."
Prudence obediently began sniffing and gulping, and Fairy rushed to
her and threw her arms about her, sobbing in heart-broken accents,
"There, there, Prue, I know--I felt just the same about it. But we can't
stand between the twins and what they think is right. We daren't have
that on our consciences."
The two wept together, encouraged by the death-like stillness in the
closet on the other side of the wall.
Then Fairy said, more calmly, though still sobbing occasionally, "For
our sakes, they'll try to deny it. But we can't let the little darlings
sacrifice themselves. They've got to have a chance to try their new
belief. We'll just be firm and insist that they stand on their rights. We
won't mention it to them for a day or two--we'll fix it up with the
official board first. And we must surely get it over by Sunday. Poor old
father--and how he loves--" Fairy indulged in a clever and especially
artistic bit of weeping. Then she regained control of her feelings by an
audible effort. "But it has its good points, Prue. Haven't you noticed
how sweet and sunny and dear the twins have been lately? It was
Science and Health working in them. Oh, Prudence dear, don't cry so."
Prudence caught her cue again and began weeping afresh. They soothed
and caressed and comforted each other for a while, and then went
down-stairs to finish getting supper.
In the meantime, the shocked and horrified twins in the closet of their
own room, were clutching each other with passionate intensity. Little
nervous chills set them aquiver, their hands were cold, their faces
throbbing hot. When their sisters had gone down-stairs, they stared at
each other in agony.

"They--they wo-won't p-p-put us out of the ch-ch-church," gasped
Carol.
"They will," stammered Lark. "You know what Prudence is! She'd put
the whole church out if she thought it would do us any good."
"Pa-p-pa'll--papa'll--" began Carol, her teeth chattering.
"They'll do it before he gets back." Then with sudden reproach she
cried, "Oh, Carol, I told you it was wicked to joke about religion."
This unexpected reproach on the part of her twin brought Carol back to
earth. "Christian Science isn't religion," she declared. "It's not even
good sense, as far's I can make out. I didn't read a word of it, did
you?--I--I just thought it would be such a good joke on Prudence--with
father out of town."
The good joke was anything but funny now.
"They can't make us be Scientists if we don't want to," protested Lark.
"They can't. Why, I wouldn't be anything but a Methodist for anything
on earth. I'd die first."
"You can't die if you're a Scientist--anyhow, you oughtn't to. Millie
Mains told me--"
"It's a punishment on us for even looking at the book--good Methodists
like we are. I'll burn it. That's what I'll do."
"You'll have to pay for it at the library if you do," cautioned frugal
Carol.
"Well, we'll just go and tell Prudence it was a joke,--Prudence is always
reasonable. She won't--"
"She'll punish us, and--it'll be such a joke on us, Larkie. Even Connie'll
laugh."
They squirmed together, wretchedly, at that.

"We'll tell them we have decided it is false."
"They said we'd probably do that for their sakes."
"It--it was a good joke while it lasted," said Carol, with a very faint
shadow of a smile. "Don't you remember how Prudence gasped? She
kept her mouth open for five minutes!"
"It's still a joke," added Lark gloomily, "but it's on us."
"They can't put us out of the church!"
"I don't know. You know we Methodists are pretty set! Like as not
they'll say we'd be a bad influence among the members."
"Twins!"
The call outside their door sounded like the trump of doom to the
conscience-smitten twins, and they clutched each other, startled, crying
out. Then, sheepishly, they stepped out of the closet to find Fairy
regarding them quizzically from