But the spirit of devotion and reverence had fled . Both ministers realized it and realized that the only thing to do was to close the meeting quietly and let the excited people go . Mr. Meredith addressed a few earnest words to the boys in khaki -- which probably saved Mr. Pryor 's windows from a second onslaught -- and Mr. Arnold pronounced an incongruous benediction , at least he felt it was incongruous , for he could not at once banish from his memory the sight of gigantic Norman Douglas shaking the fat , pompous little Whiskers-on-the-moon as a huge mastiff might shake an overgrown puppy . And he knew that the same picture was in everybody 's mind . Altogether the union prayer-meeting could hardly be called an unqualified success . But it was remembered in Glen St. Mary when scores of orthodox and undisturbed assemblies were totally forgotten . `` You will never , no , never , Mrs. Dr. dear , hear me call Norman Douglas a pagan again , '' said Susan when she reached home . `` If Ellen Douglas is not a proud woman this night she should be . '' `` Norman Douglas did a wholly indefensible thing , '' said the doctor . `` Pryor should have been let severely alone until the meeting was over . Then later on , his own minister and session should deal with him . That would have been the proper procedure . Norman 's performance was utterly improper and scandalous and outrageous ; but , by George , '' -- the doctor threw back his head and chuckled , `` by George , Anne-girl , it was satisfying . '' CHAPTER XXI `` LOVE AFFAIRS ARE HORRIBLE '' Ingleside 20th June 1916 `` We have been so busy , and day after day has brought such exciting news , good and bad , that I have n't had time and composure to write in my diary for weeks . I like to keep it up regularly , for father says a diary of the years of the war should be a very interesting thing to hand down to one 's children . The trouble is , I like to write a few personal things in this blessed old book that might not be exactly what I 'd want my children to read . I feel that I shall be a far greater stickler for propriety in regard to them than I am for myself ! `` The first week in June was another dreadful one . The Austrians seemed just on the point of overrunning Italy : and then came the first awful news of the Battle of Jutland , which the Germans claimed as a great victory . Susan was the only one who carried on .
` You need never tell me XXXXX the Kaiser has defeated the British Navy , ' she said , with a contemptuous sniff .
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