He LIKES saying grace . And cut it short , too , Walt . I 'm starving . '' But Walter said no grace , short or long , just then . An interruption occurred . `` Who 's coming down from the manse hill ? '' said Di . CHAPTER IV . THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be , and was , a very poor housekeeper ; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be , and was , a very absent-minded , indulgent man . But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness . Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it , and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it . Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances -- the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray , clap-boarded walls , the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance , and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows . But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith 's predecessor , when the manse had been the primmest , neatest , and dreariest house in the Glen . So much of the credit must be given to the personality of its new inmates . There was an atmosphere of laughter and comradeship about it ; the doors were always open ; and inner and outer worlds joined hands . Love was the only law in Glen St. Mary manse . The people of his congregation said that Mr. Meredith spoiled his children . Very likely he did . It is certain that he could not bear to scold them . `` They have no mother , '' he used to say to himself , with a sigh , when some unusually glaring peccadillo forced itself upon his notice .
But he did not know the half XXXXX their goings-on .
Meredith about from in of over primmest that to with