She need not have confessed . If she had but held her tongue the mystery of the sawdust 's disappearance might have forever remained a mystery . She WOULD have held her tongue , as she afterwards confided to me , if it had not been for a horrible fear which flashed into her mind that possibly sawdust puddings were not healthy for people to eat -- especially if there might be needles in them -- and that if any mischief had been done in that direction it was her duty to undo it if possible at any cost of ridicule to herself . `` Oh , Felicity , '' she said , her voice expressing a very anguish of humiliation , `` I -- I -- thought that stuff in the box was cornmeal and used it to make the pudding . '' Felicity and Cecily stared blankly at the Story Girl . We boys began to laugh , but were checked midway by Uncle Roger . He was rocking himself back and forth , with his hand pressed against his stomach . `` Oh , '' he groaned , `` I 've been wondering what these sharp pains I 've been feeling ever since dinner meant . I know now . I must have swallowed a needle -- several needles , perhaps . I 'm done for ! '' The poor Story Girl went very white . `` Oh , Uncle Roger , could it be possible ? You COULD N'T have swallowed a needle without knowing it . It would have stuck in your tongue or teeth . '' `` I did n't chew the pudding , '' groaned Uncle Roger . `` It was too tough -- I just swallowed the chunks whole . '' He groaned and twisted and doubled himself up . But he overdid it . He was not as good an actor as the Story Girl .
Felicity looked scornfully XXXXX him .
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