Prudence nodded.  “I think you were very sweet about it,” she said.

“I wanted to win her confidence in the hope that some time, a little later, I myself may show her what Christ is to us, and why we love the Bible.  But I did fight shy of the real point, for fear I might anger her and put a barrier between us.  I just tried to win her confidence and her love, to pave the way for what I may be able to do later on.  Do you see?  I have had several talks with her, but she is not ready.  She is just a child, stubbornly determined to stand with her folks, right or wrong.  I am trying now to cultivate the ground, I say nothing to make her dislike or distrust me.  I did not think of her telling it to others,—­and telling it wrong!  Surely no one but the twins could have read so much into it!”

“Well,” and Prudence smiled, “you know we are parsonage people!  We have to stick up for the Bible, as Carol says.”

“Oh, and about the Bible reading,” said Miss Allen suddenly, “I have nothing to do with that.  As you know, there are Jews and Catholics and Christian Scientists and every branch of Protestant represented in our little school.  The Jews and Christian Scientists are in a minority.  The Jews, have always objected to Bible reading, but they were too few to be influential.  With a Catholic teacher, the Catholics were quite willing to have it.  With a Protestant teacher, the Protestants were strong for it.  But there was always friction—­one side objecting—­so the school board ruled it out entirely.  I did not explain this to the scholars.  I did not want our young people to know of the petty bickering and scrapping going on among the elders in the town.  So I simply said that hereafter we would dispense with the Bible reading.  But it was the direct order of the board.  I argued against it, so did Professor Duke, so did Miss Adams.  But as it happens, we are all three Presbyterians!  It did no good.”

Then as Prudence rose to go home, she asked eagerly, “Do you think the twins will like me now?”

“I don’t see how in the world they can help it,” declared Prudence, smiling; “indeed, they admitted they were only too anxious to love you, but couldn’t honestly do so because they had to stick up for the Bible!  I am so glad and relieved!  This is the first time I have gone heresy-hunting, and I was quite bowed down with the weight of it.  And if ever I can help with poor little Hattie, will you let me know?  I must have the twins invite her to spend some Saturday with us.  That’s the way I make the girls like people,—­by being with them a great, great deal.”

Just before she said good night, Prudence murmured hopefully, “I am sorry it happened, but it will be a good lesson for the twins.  I am sure that after this, they will be less ready to listen to gossip, and more ready to give one the benefit of a doubt.  It’s a great responsibility, this raising a family, Miss Allen—­and especially twins!”