Carl had spilled a saucerful of jam on Mrs. Peter Flagg 's silk dress two evenings before , when , at Aunt Martha 's invitation , she had stayed to supper . But Mr. Meredith had not noticed it , and Mrs. Flagg , who was a kindly soul , had made no fuss . Besides , Carl had been punished by having to wear Una 's dress all the rest of the evening . Una suddenly thought that perhaps her father meant to tell them that he was going to marry Miss West . Her heart began to beat violently and her legs trembled . Then she saw that Mr. Meredith looked very stern and sorrowful . No , it could not be that . `` Children , '' said Mr. Meredith , `` I have heard something that has pained me very much . Is it true that you sat out in the graveyard all last Thursday evening and sang ribald songs while a prayer meeting was being held in the Methodist church ? '' `` Great Caesar , Dad , we forgot all about it being their prayer meeting night , '' exclaimed Jerry in dismay . `` Then it is true -- you did do this thing ? '' `` Why , Dad , I do n't know what you mean by ribald songs . We sang hymns -- it was a sacred concert , you know . What harm was that ? I tell you we never thought about it 's being Methodist prayer meeting night . They used to have their meeting Tuesday nights and since they 've changed to Thursdays it 's hard to remember . '' `` Did you sing nothing but hymns ? '' `` Why , '' said Jerry , turning red , `` we DID sing Polly Wolly Doodle at the last . Faith said , ` Let 's have something cheerful to wind up with . ' But we did n't mean any harm , Father -- truly we did n't . ''
`` The concert was my idea , Father , '' said Faith , afraid XXXXX Mr. Meredith might blame Jerry too much .
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