`` Let 's follow and see what they are after , '' proposed Mac , who found sitting on the wall and being fed with blackberries luxurious but tiresome . So they followed and heard the music grow lively , saw the banners wave in the breeze again when the graveyard was passed , and watched the company file into the dilapidated old church that stood at the corner of three woodland roads . Presently the sound of singing made the outsiders quicken their steps , and , stealing up , they peeped in at one of the broken windows . Captain Dove was up in the old wooden pulpit , gazing solemnly down upon his company , who , having stacked their arms in the porch , now sat in the bare pews singing a Sunday-school hymn with great vigour and relish . `` Let us pray , '' said Captain Dove , with as much reverence as an army chaplain ; and , folding his hands , he repeated a prayer which he thought all would know an excellent little prayer , but not exactly appropriate to the morning , for it was , `` Now I lay me down to sleep . '' Everyone joined in saying it , and it was a pretty sight to see the little creatures bowing their curly heads and lisping out the words they knew so well . Tears came into Rose 's eyes as she looked ; Mac took his hat off involuntarily , and then clapped it on again as if ashamed of showing any feeling . `` Now I shall preach you a short sermon , and my text is , ` Little children , love one another . ' I asked mamma to give me one , and she thought that would be good ; so you all sit still and I 'll preach it . You must n't whisper , Marion , but hear me . It means that we should be good to each other , and play fair , and not quarrel as we did this very day about the wagon . Jack ca n't always drive , and need n't be mad because I like to go with Frank . Annette ought to be horse sometimes and not always driver ; and Willie may as well make up his mind to let Marion build her house by his , for she will do it , and he need n't fuss about it . Jamie seems to be a good boy , but I shall preach to him if he is n't . No , Pokey , people do n't kiss in church or put their hats on . Now you must all remember what I tell you , because I am the captain , and you should mind me . '' Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting with the rebellious remark , `` Do n't care if you are ; you 'd better mind yourself , and tell how you took away my strap , and kept the biggest doughnut , and did n't draw fair when we had the truck . '' `` Yes , and you slapped Frank ; I saw you ! '' bawled Willie Snow , bobbing up in his pew . `` And you took my book away and hid it 'cause I would n't go and swing when you wanted me to , '' added Annette , the oldest of the Snow trio .
`` I sha n't build my house by XXXXX 's if he do n't want me to , so now ! ''
Annette Frank Pokey Rose Snow Willie blackberries pew right vigour