Part 17 (1/2)

”Oh, we can stand it for once,” said Fairy easily. ”This is the first time, and we must do something extra. Babbie is all the rage at school, and the girls are frantic with jealousy because I have cut everybody else out. To be honest about it, I can't understand it myself. Babbie's such a giddy scatter-brained youngster, you'd think he'd prefer----”

”Do you like him, Fairy? Don't you think he's tiresome? He talks so much, it seems to me.”

”To be sure I like him. He's great fun. He's always joking and never has a sensible thought, and hates study. He's an amusing soul, I must say. He's going to attend here a couple of years, and then study pharmacy. His father is a druggist in Ottumwa, and quite well off.

The only reason Babbie came here instead of going to a big college in the East is because his father is a trustee. Trustees are in honor bound to send their offspring to the college they trustee,--just as ministers are obliged to trade with the members when possible.”

”Even if they short-weight and long-charge you,” put in Carol.

”Carol!” exclaimed Prudence reprovingly. ”Well, we'll serve oyster stew then. Will you eat in the dining-room?”

”No, we'll eat on the little table in the front room,--informally, you know. You must get it ready, and arrange it nicely on the big tray.

Then you must come to the door and say, 'Wouldn't you like a little oyster stew?' Say it carelessly, as if we always have something to eat before going to bed. And I'll say, 'Oh, yes, Prudence, bring it right in.' Then you bring it in, and we'll all eat together.--That's the way to do it! Babbie's had dates with the very swellest girls in school, and he knows about such things. We must do it up brown!”

”Swell!” mocked Lark. ”Do it up brown! Oh, you'll be a record-breaker of a college professor all right. I'm sure this young Babler is just the type of man to interest the modern college professor! Swell! Do it up brown!”

”Ouch!” grinned Carol.

”Now, will you twins run down-town for the oysters?” asked Prudence briskly.

”Who? Us?” demanded Lark, indignantly and ungrammatically. ”Do you think we can carry home oysters for the--the--personal consumption of this Babbling young prince? Not so! Let Fairy go after the oysters!

She can carry them home tenderly and appreciatively. Carol and I can't! We don't grasp the beauty of that man's nature.”

”Oh, yes, twinnies, I think you'll go, all right. Hurry now, for you must be back in time to help me get supper. Fairy'll have to straighten the front room, and we won't have time. Run along, and be quick.”

For a few seconds the twins gazed at each other studiously. Neither spoke. Without a word, they went up-stairs to prepare for their errand.

They whispered softly going through the upper hall.

”We'd better make a list,” said Carol softly.

So with heads close together they wrote out several items on a piece of paper.

”It'll cost quite a lot,” objected Carol. ”Thirty cents, anyhow. And Prudence'll make us pay for the oysters, sure. Remember that.”

”We'd better let Connie in, too,” suggested Lark.

Connie was hastily summoned, and the twins whispered explanations in her willing ears. ”Good!” she said approvingly. ”It'll serve 'em right.”

”But it'll cost money,” said Carol. ”How much have you got?”

Then Connie understood why she had been consulted. The twins always invited her to join their enterprises when money was required.

”A quarter,” she faltered.

”Well, we'll go shares,” said Lark generously. ”We'll pay a dime apiece. It may not take that much. But if Prudence makes us pay for the oysters, you'll have to pay a third. Will you do that?”

”Yes, indeed.” Connie was relieved. She did not always get off so easily!

”Twins! You must hurry!” This was Prudence at the bottom of the stairs. And the twins set off quite hurriedly. Their first tall was at the meat market.