Prudence of the Parsonage | Page 3

that we can count on Fairy's remembering?"
"Yes, very nice," he said, but his eyes were tender as he looked down at
the little figure beside him.
"And so this is Mount Mark! Isn't it a funny name, father? Why do they
call it Mount Mark?"
"I don't know. I hadn't thought to inquire. We turn here, Prudence; we
are going north now. This is Main Street. The city part of the town--the
business part--is to the south."
"It's a pretty street, isn't it?" she cried. "Such nice big maples, and such
shady, porchy houses. I love houses with porches, don't you? Has the
parsonage a porch?"
"Yes, a big one on the south, and a tiny one in front. The house faces
west. That is the college there. It opens in three weeks, and Fairy can
make freshmen all right, they tell me. I wish you could go, too. You
haven't had your share of anything--any good thing, Prudence."
"Well, I have my share of you, father," she said comfortingly. "And I've
always had my share of oatmeal and sorghum molasses,--though one
wouldn't think it to look at me. Fairy gained a whole inch last week at

Aunt Grace's. She was so disgusted with herself. She says she'll not be
able to look back on the visit with any pleasure at all, just because of
that inch. Carol said she ought to look back with more pleasure,
because there's an inch more of her to do it! But Fairy says she did not
gain the inch in her eyes! Aunt Grace laughed every minute we were
there. She says she is all sore up and down, from laughing so much."
"We have the house fixed up pretty well, Prudence, but of course you'll
have to go over it yourself and arrange it as you like. But remember
this: You are not allowed to move the heavy furniture. I forbid it
emphatically. There isn't enough of you for that."
"Yes, I'll remember,--I think I will. I'm almost certain to remember
some things, you know."
"I must go to a trustees' meeting at two o'clock, but we can get a good
deal done before then. Mrs. Adams is coming to help you this afternoon.
She is one of our Ladies, and very kind. There, that is the parsonage!"
Prudence gazed in silence. Many would not have considered it a
beautiful dwelling, but to Prudence it was heavenly. Fortunately the
wide, grassy, shaded lawn greeted one first. Great spreading maples
bordered the street, and clustering rose-bushes lined the walk leading
up to the house. The walk was badly worn and broken to be sure,--but
the roses were lovely! The grass had been carefully cut,--the
father-minister had seen to that. The parsonage, to Prudence's gratified
eyes, looked homey, and big, and inviting. In fact, it was very nearly
gorgeous! It needed painting badly, it is true. The original color had
been a peculiar drab, but most of it had disappeared long before, so it
was no eyesore on account of the color. There were many windows,
and the well-known lace curtains looked down upon Prudence tripping
happily up the little board walk,--or so it seemed to her.
"Two whole stories, and an attic besides! Not to mention the bathroom!
Oh, father, the night after you wrote there was a bathroom, Constance
thanked God for it when she said her prayers. And I couldn't reprove
her, for I felt the same way about it myself. It'll be so splendid to have a
whole tub to bathe in! I spent half the time bathing this last week at

Aunt Grace's. A tub is so bountiful! A pan is awfully insufficient, father,
even for me! I often think what a trouble it must be to Fairy! And a
furnace, too! And electric lights! Don't you think there is something
awe-inspiring in the idea of just turning a little knob on the wall, and
flooding a whole room with light? I do revel in electric lights, I tell you.
Oh, we have waited a long time for it, and we've been very patient
indeed, but, between you and me, father, I am most mightily glad we've
hit the luxury-land at last. I'm sure we'll all feel much more religious in
a parsonage that has a bathroom and electric lights! Oh, father!"
He had thrown open the door, and Prudence stood upon the threshold
of her new home. It was not a fashionable building, by any means. The
hall was narrow and long, and the staircase was just a plain
businesslike staircase, with no room for cushions, and flowers, and
books. The doors leading from the hall were open, and Prudence caught
a glimpse of three rooms furnished, rather scantily, in the old familiar
furniture that had been in that