"Come into the lime-light," she said softly, "I want you." He passed little Fairy over to the outstretched arms of the nearest auntie, and allowed himself to be led into the center of the room. "Gene," said Fairy, and he came to her quickly, holding out a slender roll of paper. "It's our license," said Fairy. "We think we'd like to be married now, father, if you will." He looked at her questioningly, but understandingly. The girls clustered about them with eager outcries, half protest, half encouragement. "It's my day, you know," cried Fairy, "and this is my way." She held out her hand, and Gene took it very tenderly in his. Mr. Starr looked at them gravely for a moment, and then in the gentle voice that the parsonage girls insisted was his most valuable ministerial asset, he gave his second girl in marriage. It surely was Fairy's way, plain and sweet, without formality. And the dinner that followed was just a happy family dinner. Fairy's face was so glowing with content, and Gene's attitude was so tender, and so ludicrously proud, that the twins at last were convinced that this was right, and all was well. But that evening, when Gene's parents had gone away, and after Fairy and Gene themselves had taken the carriage to the station for their little vacation together, and Jerry and Prudence were putting little Fairy to bed, the three girls left in the home sat drearily in their bedroom and talked it over. "We're thinning out," said Connie. "Who next?" "We'll stick around as long as we like, Miss Connie, you needn't try to shuffle us off," said Lark indignantly. "Prudence, and Fairy,--it was pretty cute of Fairy, wasn't it?" "Let's go to bed," said Carol, rising. "I suppose we'll feel better in the morning. A good sleep is almost as filling as a big meal after a blow like this. Well, that's the end of Fairy. We have to make the best of us. Come on, Larkie. You've still got us to boss you, Con, so you needn't feel too forlorn. My, but the house is still! In some ways I think this family is positively sickening. Good night, Connie. And, after this, when you want to eat candy in bed, please use your own. I got chocolate all over my foot last night. Good night, Connie. Well, it's the end of Fairy. The family is going to pieces, sure enough." CHAPTER XII SOWING SEEDS "Have you seen Mrs. Harbert lately, Carol?" "Yes, she's better, father. I was there a few minutes yesterday." "Yesterday? You were there Tuesday, weren't you?" Carol looked uncomfortable. "Why, yes, I was, just for a second." "She tells me you've been running in nearly every day since she took sick." Carol bent sharply inquiring eyes upon her father. "What else did she tell you?" "She said you were an angel." "Y-yes,--she seems somehow to think I do it for kindness." "And don't you?" "Why, no, father, of course I don't. It's only two blocks out of my way and it's such fun to pop in on sick folks and show them how disgustingly strong and well I am."