`` Why , it is n't any harm to go to the Methodist prayer meeting , '' protested Jerry in amazement . `` Mrs. Elliott says it is , She says manse children have no business to go anywhere but to Presbyterian things . '' `` Darn it , I wo n't give up going to the Methodist prayer meeting , '' cried Jerry . `` It 's ten times more fun than ours is . '' `` You said a naughty word , '' cried Faith . `` NOW , you 've got to punish yourself . '' `` Not till it 's all down in black and white . We 're only talking the club over . It is n't really formed until we 've written it out and signed it . There 's got to be a constitution and by-laws . And you KNOW there 's nothing wrong in going to a prayer meeting . '' `` But it 's not only the wrong things we 're to punish ourselves for , but anything that might hurt father . '' `` It wo n't hurt anybody . You know Mrs. Elliott is cracked on the subject of Methodists . Nobody else makes any fuss about my going . I always behave myself . You ask Jem or Mrs. Blythe and see what they say . I 'll abide by their opinion . I 'm going for the paper now and I 'll bring out the lantern and we 'll all sign . '' Fifteen minutes later the document was solemnly signed on Hezekiah Pollock 's tombstone , on the centre of which stood the smoky manse lantern , while the children knelt around it .
Mrs. Elder Clow was going past at the moment and next day all the Glen heard that the manse children had been having another praying competition and had wound it up XXXXX chasing each other all over the graves with a lantern .
about around by for over than till to until while