"Maybe he will,--but who will keep the parsonage while I am away?"
"Fairy, to be sure. She must be a good fairy once in a while. We can take the twins with us, Connie, too, if you like, and then Fairy will only have to mother your father. Do you like riding in a car?"
"Oh, I love it. But I have not ridden very much. Willard Morley took me quite often when he was here, but he is in Chicago now."
"Prudence, shall we have tea or coffee?" This was Lark from the doorway. "Fairy wants to know."
"He doesn't drink either except for breakfast."
"I generally drink coffee, but I do not care much for it, so do not bother----"
"I do not know." And then, "He is never coming back as far as I am concerned."
Jerrold relented promptly. "You are why he went away, I suppose."
"Did you ever have a lover, Prudence? A real lover, I mean."
"Prudence, do you use half milk and half water for creamed tomato soup, or all milk?"
"What?--Oh!--All milk, Connie, and tell Fairy not to salt it until it is entirely done, or it may curdle."
"What in the world would they ever do without you, Prudence? You are the soul of the parsonage, aren't you?"
"No, I am just the cook and the chambermaid," she answered, laughing. "But don't you see how hard it will be for me to go away?"
"But it isn't fair! Vacation is coming now, and Fairy ought to take a turn. What will they do when you get married?"
"I have always said I would not get married."
"But don't you want to get married,--some time?"
"Oh, that isn't it. I just can't because I must take care of the parsonage, and raise the girls. I can't."
"But you will," he whispered, and his hand touched hers for just a second. Prudence did not answer. She lifted her eyes to his face, and caught in her breath once more.
A little later he said, "Do you mind if I go upstairs and talk to your father a few minutes? Maybe I'd better."
"But do not stay very long," she urged, and she wondered why the brightness and sunshine vanished from the room when he went out. "First door to the right," she called after him.
Mr. Starr arose to greet him, and welcomed him to his combination study and bedroom with great friendliness. But Jerrold went straight to the point.
"Mr. Starr, it's very kind of you to receive a perfect stranger as you have me. But I understand that with a girl like Prudence, you will want to be careful. I can give you the names of several prominent men in Des Moines, Christians, who know me well, and can tell you all about me."