Prudence Says So

E-text prepared by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
Come on. Let's beat it
AUTHOR OF PRUDENCE OF THE PARSONAGE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY ARTHUR WILLIAM BROWN
NEW YORK GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS
Copyright 1916 The Bobbs-Merrill Company
To MY LITTLE DAUGHTER ELIZABETH MY COMRADE AND MY INSPIRATION

G IRLS,—come down! Quick!—I want to see how you look!
Prudence stood at the foot of the stairs, deftly drawing on her black silk gloves,—gloves still good in Prudence's eyes, though Fairy had long since discarded them as unfit for service. There was open anxiety in Prudence's expression, and puckers of worry perpendicularly creased her white forehead.
Girls! she called again. Come down! Father, you'd better hurry,—it's nearly train time. Girls, are you deaf!
Her insistence finally brought response. A door opened in the hallway above, and Connie started down the stairs, fully dressed, except that she limped along in one stocking-foot, her shoe in her hand.
It's so silly of you to get all dressed before you put on your shoes, Connie, Prudence reproved her as she came down. It wrinkles you up so. But you do look nice. Wasn't it dear of the Ladies' Aid to give you that dress for your birthday? It's so dainty and sweet,—and goodness knows you needed one. They probably noticed that. Let me fix your bow a little. Do be careful, dear, and don't get mussed before we come back. Aunt Grace will be so much gladder to live with us if we all look sweet and clean. And you'll be good, won't you, Connie, and—Twins, will you come!