At that instant, the telephone rang.
"There's professor!" cried Fairy. "You tell him you are just delighted to go, and that you are so interested in bugs!"
With a flushed face, Prudence took down the receiver. "Hello," she said, "this is the parsonage."
And then, a second later, she said, "Yes, this is Prudence."
After that she stood silent for some little time, with Fairy crouched beside her, trying to hear.
Then spoke Prudence. "Yes, Fairy has been telling me. And it's very kind of you, indeed, and I know I would enjoy it. But as I was telling Fairy, I don't know a thing about bugs, and I don't like them anyhow, so I'm afraid you would find me rather stupid."
Fairy was striving to get a hand over her sister's lips to stem the words, but Prudence eluded her. They were both somewhat astounded at the great peal of laughter which came over the telephone.
"Good! That's just what I was hoping for! You couldn't have said anything that would give me greater pleasure. Then shall I come around with Babler, for you and your sister, about one o'clock?—Oh, that is very kind of you, Miss Starr. Good-by! Don't cultivate an interest in bugs between now and to-morrow, for my sake!"
The girls looked at each other doubtfully when the receiver was once more on its hook.
"I'm afraid he's laughing at me," said Prudence questioningly.