They might not think it proper to play any sort of a game on Sunday , not even a Christian game . Least said was soonest mended where grown-ups were concerned . I mounted the pulpit steps , feeling rather nervous , and my audience sat gravely down on the grass before me . Our opening exercises consisted solely of singing and reading . We had agreed to omit prayer . Neither Felix , Peter nor I felt equal to praying in public . But we took up a collection . The proceeds were to go to missions . Dan passed the plate -- Felicity 's rosebud plate -- looking as preternaturally solemn as Elder Frewen himself . Every one put a cent on it . Well , I preached my sermon . And it fell horribly flat . I realized that , before I was half way through it . I think I preached it very well ; and never a thump did I forget or misplace . But my audience was plainly bored . When I stepped down from the pulpit , after demanding passionately if we whose souls were lighted and so forth , I felt with secret humiliation that my sermon was a failure . It had made no impression at all . Felix would be sure to get the prize . `` That was a very good sermon for a first attempt , '' said the Story Girl graciously . `` It sounded just like real sermons I have heard . ''
For a moment the charm of her voice made me feel that I had not done so badly XXXXX all ; but the other girls , thinking it their duty to pay me some sort of a compliment also , quickly dispelled that pleasing delusion .
after as at for from like of that through to