SUBSTITUTION
THE twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence. Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination. They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
"What's up?" Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
Lark sighed and looked at Carol, seeming to seek courage from that Spartan countenance.
Carol squared her shoulders.
"Well, go on," Connie urged. "Don't be silly. You know you're crazy to tell us about it, you only want to be coaxed."
Lark sighed again, and gazed appealingly at her stout-hearted twin. Carol never could resist the appeal of those pleading eyes.
"Larkie promised to speak a piece at the Sunday-school concert two weeks from to-morrow," she vouchsafed, as unconcernedly as possible.
"Mercy!" ejaculated Connie, with an astonishment that was not altogether complimentary.
"Careful, Larkie," cautioned Fairy. "You'll disgrace the parsonage if you don't watch out."