`` Do n't you dare to touch me , '' she almost shouted . `` This is some more of your children 's doings , I suppose . This is no fit place for a decent woman . Give me my umbrella and let me go . I 'll never darken the doors of your manse or your church again . '' Mr. Meredith picked up the gorgeous parasol meekly enough and gave it to her . Mrs. Davis seized it and marched out . Jerry and Carl had given up banister sliding and were sitting on the edge of the veranda with Faith . Unfortunately , all three were singing at the tops of their healthy young voices `` There 'll be a hot time in the old town to-night . '' Mrs. Davis believed the song was meant for her and her only . She stopped and shook her parasol at them . `` Your father is a fool , '' she said , `` and you are three young varmints that ought to be whipped within an inch of your lives . '' `` He is n't , '' cried Faith . `` We 're not , '' cried the boys . But Mrs. Davis was gone . `` Goodness , is n't she mad ! '' said Jerry . `` And what is a ` varmint ' anyhow ? '' John Meredith paced up and down the parlour for a few minutes ; then he went back to his study and sat down . But he did not return to his German theology .
He was too grievously disturbed XXXXX that .
Carl Jerry at for in of on to with within