`` I do n't know , '' said Mollie , dropping her voice . `` Mother is dreadfully worried over him . And everybody is talking , Eb . It just makes me squirm . Flora Jane Fletcher asked me last night why father never testified , and him one of the elders . She said the minister was perplexed about it . I felt my face getting red . '' `` Why did n't you tell her it was no business of hers ? '' said Eben angrily . `` Old Flora Jane had better mind her own business . '' `` But all the folks are talking about it , Eb . And mother is fretting her heart out over it . Father has never acted like himself since these meetings began . He just goes there night after night , and sits like a mummy , with his head down . And almost everybody else in Avonlea has testified . '' `` Oh , no , there 's lots have n't , '' said Eben . `` Matthew Cuthbert never has , nor Uncle Elisha , nor any of the Whites . '' `` But everybody knows they do n't believe in getting up and testifying , so nobody wonders when they do n't . Besides , '' Mollie laughed -- `` Matthew could never get a word out in public , if he did believe in it . He 'd be too shy .
But , '' she added XXXXX a sigh , `` it is n't that way with father .
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