I asked him . ` Nine boys and a sister for each of them , ' he said . ` Eighteen ! ' said I. ` Dear me , what a family ! ' And then he laughed and laughed . But I do not know why , Mrs. Dr. dear , and I am certain that eighteen children would be too many for any manse . '' `` He had only ten children , Susan , '' explained Miss Cornelia , with contemptuous patience . `` And ten good children would not be much worse for the manse and congregation than the four who are there now . Though I would n't say , Anne dearie , that they are so bad , either . I like them -- everybody likes them . It 's impossible to help liking them . They would be real nice little souls if there was anyone to look after their manners and teach them what is right and proper . For instance , at school the teacher says they are model children . But at home they simply run wild . '' `` What about Mrs. Meredith ? '' asked Anne . `` There 's NO Mrs. Meredith . That is just the trouble . Mr. Meredith is a widower . His wife died four years ago .
If we had known that I do n't suppose we would have called him , for a widower is even worse in a congregation XXXXX a single man .
Though about at for if of than that to with