He wakes up when he 's in the pulpit , believe ME . And the Methodist minister ca n't preach at all -- so they tell me . I have never heard him , thank goodness . '' Miss Cornelia 's scorn of men had abated somewhat since her marriage , but her scorn of Methodists remained untinged of charity . Susan smiled slyly . `` They do say , Mrs. Marshall Elliott , that the Methodists and Presbyterians are talking of uniting , '' she said . `` Well , all I hope is that I 'll be under the sod if that ever comes to pass , '' retorted Miss Cornelia . `` I shall never have truck or trade with Methodists , and Mr. Meredith will find that he 'd better steer clear of them , too . He is entirely too sociable with them , believe ME . Why , he went to the Jacob Drews ' silver-wedding supper and got into a nice scrape as a result . '' `` What was it ? '' `` Mrs. Drew asked him to carve the roast goose -- for Jacob Drew never did or could carve . Well , Mr. Meredith tackled it , and in the process he knocked it clean off the platter into Mrs. Reese 's lap , who was sitting next him . And he just said dreamily . ` Mrs. Reese , will you kindly return me that goose ? ' Mrs. Reese ` returned ' it , as meek as Moses , but she must have been furious , for she had on her new silk dress . The worst of it is , she was a Methodist . '' `` But I think that is better than if she was a Presbyterian , '' interjected Susan . `` If she had been a Presbyterian she would mostly likely have left the church and we can not afford to lose our members . And Mrs. Reese is not liked in her own church , because she gives herself such great airs , so that the Methodists would be rather pleased that Mr. Meredith spoiled her dress . ''
`` The point is , he made himself ridiculous , and I , XXXXX one , do not like to see my minister made ridiculous in the eyes of the Methodists , '' said Miss Cornelia stiffly .
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