That is what mother calls him . '' '' '' Twas the McCloskeys and the Old Scratch , ' '' said the Story Girl reflectively , as if she were trying to see which version was the more effective . `` It would n't do , '' she decided . `` I do n't think it 's any harm to mention the -- the -- that person , when you 're telling a story , '' said Cecily . `` It 's only in plain talking it does n't do . It sounds too much like swearing then . '' `` I know another story about Mr. Scott , '' said the Story Girl . `` Not long after he was married his wife was n't quite ready for church one morning when it was time to go . So , just to teach her a lesson , he drove off alone , and left her to walk all the way -- it was nearly two miles -- in the heat and dust . She took it very quietly . It 's the best way , I guess , when you 're married to a man like old Mr. Scott . But just a few Sundays after was n't he late himself ! I suppose Mrs. Scott thought that what was sauce for the goose was sauce for the gander , for she slipped out and drove off to church as he had done . Old Mr. Scott finally arrived at the church , pretty hot and dusty , and in none too good a temper . He went into the pulpit , leaned over it and looked at his wife , sitting calmly in her pew at the side . '' ` It was cleverly done , ' he said , right out loud , ` BUT DINNA TRY IT AGAIN ! ' '' In the midst of our laughter Pat came down the Walk , his stately tail waving over the grasses . He proved to be the precursor of Dan , clothed and in his right mind . `` Do you think you should have got up , Dan ? '' said Cecily anxiously .
`` I had XXXXX , '' said Dan .
about after at for in into like over that to