"Well, I don't believe it," protested Carol. "I'm just telling you what I've heard other people say."
"We aren't allowed to repeat gossip," urged Lark.
"No, and I think it's a shame, too, for it's awfully funny. Minnie Drake told me that Miss Varne joined the Methodist church as soon as she heard the new minister was a widower so she——"
"Carol!"
Carol whirled around sharply, and flushed, and swallowed hard. For Prudence was just behind her.
"I—I—I—" but she could get no further.
Upon occasion, Prudence was quite terrible. "So I heard," she said dryly, but her eyes were hard. "Now run down-stairs and out to the field, or to the barn, and play. And, Carol, be sure and remind me of that speech to-night. I might forget it."
The girls ran quickly out, Carol well in the lead.
"No wedding fee for me," she mumbled bitterly. "Do you suppose there can be seven devils in my tongue, Lark, like there are in the Bible?"
"I don't remember there being seven devils in the Bible," said Lark.