I thought it out last night . Maybe Sara wo n't be so very sick if God sees I 'm truly sorry . '' `` He can see it anyhow , without you 're doing anything , '' said Cecily . `` Well , my conscience will feel better . '' `` I do n't believe Presbyterians ever do penance , '' said Felicity dubiously . `` I never heard of one doing it . '' But the rest of us rather looked with favour on the Story Girl 's idea . We felt sure that she would do penance as picturesquely and thoroughly as she did everything else . `` You might put peas in your shoes , you know , '' suggested Peter . `` The very thing ! I never thought of that . I 'll get some after breakfast . I 'm not going to eat a single thing all day , except bread and water -- and not much of that ! '' This , we felt , was a heroic measure indeed . To sit down to one of Aunt Janet 's meals , in ordinary health and appetite , and eat nothing but bread and water -- that would be penance with a vengeance ! We felt WE could never do it . But the Story Girl did it . We admired and pitied her . But now I do not think that she either needed our pity or deserved our admiration . Her ascetic fare was really sweeter to her than honey of Hymettus .
She was , though quite unconsciously , acting a part , and tasting all the subtle joy XXXXX the artist , which is so much more exquisite than any material pleasure .
To after as except if in of that with without