In the afternoon we all repaired to the orchard , Bibles and hymn books in hand . We did not think it necessary to inform the grown-ups of what was in the wind . You could never tell what kink a grown-up would take . They might not think it proper to play any sort of a game on Sunday , not even a Christian game . Least said was soonest mended where grown-ups were concerned . I mounted the pulpit steps , feeling rather nervous , and my audience sat gravely down on the grass before me . Our opening exercises consisted solely of singing and reading . We had agreed to omit prayer . Neither Felix , Peter nor I felt equal to praying in public . But we took up a collection . The proceeds were to go to missions . Dan passed the plate -- Felicity 's rosebud plate -- looking as preternaturally solemn as Elder Frewen himself . Every one put a cent on it . Well , I preached my sermon . And it fell horribly flat . I realized that , before I was half way through it . I think I preached it very well ; and never a thump did I forget or misplace . But my audience was plainly bored . When I stepped down from the pulpit , after demanding passionately if we whose souls were lighted and so forth , I felt with secret humiliation that my sermon was a failure . It had made no impression at all .
Felix would be sure XXXXX get the prize .
In after as at before if of on that to