But he was determined to finish his sermon , and finish it he did . He climbed back into the pulpit , with the tears rolling over his cheeks , and preached for ten minutes longer , with sobs in his voice and drops of blood on his forehead . He was a plucky little beggar . No wonder he succeeded in life . '' `` And his sermons and prayers were always just about as outspoken as those Julia objected to , '' said Uncle Alec . `` Well , we 're all getting on in life and Edward is gray ; but when I think of him I always see him a little , rosy , curly-headed chap , laying down the law to us from the Pulpit Stone . It seems like the other day that we were all here together , just as these children are , and now we are scattered everywhere . Julia in California , Edward in Halifax , Alan in South America , Felix and Felicity and Stephen gone to the land that is very far off . '' There was a little space of silence ; and then Uncle Alec began , in a low , impressive voice , to repeat the wonderful verses of the ninetieth Psalm -- verses which were thenceforth bound up for us with the beauty of that night and the memories of our kindred . Very reverently we all listened to the majestic words . `` Lord , thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations . Before the mountains were brought forth , or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world , even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God ... For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past , and as a watch in the night ... For all our days are passed away in thy wrath ; we spend our years as a tale that is told . The days of our years are threescore and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years yet is their strength , labour and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off and we fly away ... So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ... Oh , satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days ... And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us ; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea , the work of our hands establish thou it . '' The dusk crept into the orchard like a dim , bewitching personality . You could see her -- feel her -- hear her . She tiptoed softly from tree to tree , ever drawing nearer . Presently her filmy wings hovered over us and through them gleamed the early stars of the autumn night . The grown-ups rose reluctantly and strolled away ; but we children lingered for a moment to talk over an idea the Story Girl broached -- a good idea , we thought enthusiastically , and one that promised to add considerable spice to life . We were on the lookout for some new amusement . Dream books had begun to pall .
We no longer wrote XXXXX them very regularly , and our dreams were not what they used to be before the mischance of the cucumber .
Before for from in into like that through to with