`` Well , my conscience will feel better . '' `` I do n't believe Presbyterians ever do penance , '' said Felicity dubiously . `` I never heard of one doing it . '' But the rest of us rather looked with favour on the Story Girl 's idea . We felt sure that she would do penance as picturesquely and thoroughly as she did everything else . `` You might put peas in your shoes , you know , '' suggested Peter . `` The very thing ! I never thought of that . I 'll get some after breakfast . I 'm not going to eat a single thing all day , except bread and water -- and not much of that ! '' This , we felt , was a heroic measure indeed . To sit down to one of Aunt Janet 's meals , in ordinary health and appetite , and eat nothing but bread and water -- that would be penance with a vengeance ! We felt WE could never do it . But the Story Girl did it . We admired and pitied her . But now I do not think that she either needed our pity or deserved our admiration . Her ascetic fare was really sweeter to her than honey of Hymettus . She was , though quite unconsciously , acting a part , and tasting all the subtle joy of the artist , which is so much more exquisite than any material pleasure . Aunt Janet , of course , noticed the Story Girl 's abstinence and asked if she was sick . `` No .
I am just doing penance , Aunt XXXXX , for a sin I committed .
Hymettus Janet Peter Presbyterians breakfast day honey measure rest shoes