`` I understand that their father was in his study all the time , with his windows open , but never noticed them at all . Of course , he was lost in a book as usual . But I spoke to him about it yesterday , when he called . '' `` How could you dare , Mrs. Marshall Elliott ? '' asked Susan rebukingly . `` Dare ! It 's time somebody dared something . Why , they say he knows nothing about that letter of Faith 's to the JOURNAL because nobody liked to mention it to him . He never looks at a JOURNAL of course . But I thought he ought to know of this to prevent any such performances in future . He said he would ` discuss it with them . ' But of course he 'd never think of it again after he got out of our gate . That man has no sense of humour , Anne , believe ME . He preached last Sunday on ` How to Bring up Children . ' A beautiful sermon it was , too -- and everybody in church thinking ` what a pity you ca n't practise what you preach . ' '' Miss Cornelia did Mr. Meredith an injustice in thinking he would soon forget what she had told him . He went home much disturbed and when the children came from Rainbow Valley that night , at a much later hour than they should have been prowling in it , he called them into his study . They went in , somewhat awed . It was such an unusual thing for their father to do . What could he be going to say to them ?
They racked their memories for any recent transgression XXXXX sufficient importance , but could not recall any .
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