I -- I DID N'T pray last night nor the night before . '' `` Why not , Davy ? '' asked Anne gently . `` You -- you wo n't be mad if I tell you ? '' implored Davy . Anne lifted the little gray-flannelled body on her knee and cuddled his head on her arm . `` Do I ever get ` mad ' when you tell me things , Davy ? '' `` No-o-o , you never do . But you get sorry , and that 's worse . You 'll be awful sorry when I tell you this , Anne -- and you 'll be ` shamed of me , I s ` pose . '' `` Have you done something naughty , Davy , and is that why you ca n't say your prayers ? '' `` No , I have n't done anything naughty -- yet . But I want to do it . '' `` What is it , Davy ? '' `` I -- I want to say a bad word , Anne , '' blurted out Davy , with a desperate effort . `` I heard Mr. Harrison 's hired boy say it one day last week , and ever since I 've been wanting to say it ALL the time -- even when I 'm saying my prayers . '' `` Say it then , Davy . '' Davy lifted his flushed face in amazement . `` But , Anne , it 's an AWFUL bad word . '' `` SAY IT ! ''
Davy gave her another incredulous look , then XXXXX a low voice he said the dreadful word .
Harrison if in night of on since that to with