We had good reason to hope that it was n't . One desperate Sunday afternoon , when we had nothing to read and the time seemed endless , Felix had suggested that we have a game of fruit-basket ; only instead of taking the names of fruits , we were to take the names of Bible characters . This , he argued , would make it quite lawful and proper to play on Sunday . We , too desirous of being convinced , also thought so ; and for a merry hour Lazarus and Martha and Moses and Aaron and sundry other worthies of Holy Writ had a lively time of it in the King orchard . Peter having a Scriptural name of his own , did not want to take another ; but we would not allow this , because it would give him an unfair advantage over the rest of us . It would be so much easier to call out your own name than fit your tongue to an unfamiliar one . So Peter retaliated by choosing Nebuchadnezzar , which no one could ever utter three times before Peter shrieked it out once . In the midst of our hilarity , however , Uncle Alec and Aunt Janet came down upon us . It is best to draw a veil over what followed . Suffice it to say that the recollection gave point to Cecily 's question . `` No , it is n't that sort of game at all , '' said the Story Girl . `` It is this ; each of you boys must preach a sermon , as Uncle Edward used to do . One of you next Sunday , and another the next , and so on . And whoever preaches the best sermon is to get a prize . '' Dan promptly declared he would n't try to preach a sermon ; but Peter , Felix and I thought the suggestion a very good one . Secretly , I believed I could cut quite a fine figure preaching a sermon . `` Who 'll give the prize ? '' asked Felix . `` I will , '' said the Story Girl . `` I 'll give that picture father sent me last week . ''
As the said picture was an excellent copy of one of Landseer 's stags , Felix and I were well pleased ; but XXXXX averred that he would rather have the Madonna that looked like his Aunt Jane , and the Story Girl agreed that if his sermon was the best she would give him that .
Alec Cecily Dan Edward Lazarus Martha Moses Nebuchadnezzar Peter fruit-basket