  We present newly processed archival Herschel images of molecular cloud MCLD
123.5+24.9 in the Polaris Flare. This cloud contains five starless cores. Using
the spectral synthesis code Cloudy, we explore uncertainties in the derivation
of column densities, hence, masses of molecular cores from Herschel data. We
first consider several detailed grain models that predict far-IR grain
opacities. Opacities predicted by the models differ by more than a factor of
two, leading to uncertainties in derived column densities by the same factor.
Then we consider uncertainties associated with the modified blackbody fitting
process used by observers to estimate column densities. For high column density
clouds (N(H) $\gg$ 10$^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$), this fitting technique can
underestimate column densities by about a factor of three. Finally, we consider
the virial stability of the five starless cores in MCLD 123.5+24.9. All of
these cores appear to have strongly sub-virial masses, assuming, as we argue,
that $^{13}$CO line data provide reliable estimates of velocity dispersions.
Evidently, they are not self-gravitating, so it is no surprise that they are
starless.
