But we did n't mean any harm , Father -- truly we did n't . '' `` The concert was my idea , Father , '' said Faith , afraid that Mr. Meredith might blame Jerry too much . `` You know the Methodists themselves had a sacred concert in their church three Sunday nights ago . I thought it would be good fun to get one up in imitation of it . Only they had prayers at theirs , and we left that part out , because we heard that people thought it awful for us to pray in a graveyard . YOU were sitting in here all the time , '' she added , `` and never said a word to us . '' `` I did not notice what you were doing . That is no excuse for me , of course . I am more to blame than you -- I realize that . But why did you sing that foolish song at the end ? '' `` We did n't think , '' muttered Jerry , feeling that it was a very lame excuse , seeing that he had lectured Faith so strongly in the Good-Conduct Club sessions for her lack of thought . `` We 're sorry , Father -- truly , we are . Pitch into us hard -- we deserve a regular combing down . '' But Mr. Meredith did no combing down or pitching into . He sat down and gathered his small culprits close to him and talked a little to them , tenderly and wisely . They were overcome with remorse and shame , and felt that they could never be so silly and thoughtless again . `` We 've just got to punish ourselves good and hard for this , '' whispered Jerry as they crept upstairs . `` We 'll have a session of the Club first thing tomorrow and decide how we 'll do it . I never saw father so cut up . But I wish to goodness the Methodists would stick to one night for their prayer meeting and not wander all over the week . ''
`` Anyhow , I 'm glad it was n't what I was afraid it was , '' murmured Una XXXXX herself .
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