importance, but could not recall any. Carl had spilled a
saucerful of jam on Mrs. Peter Flagg's silk dress two evenings
before, when, at Aunt Martha's invitation, she had stayed to
supper. But Mr. Meredith had not noticed it, and Mrs. Flagg, who
was a kindly soul, had made no fuss. Besides, Carl had been
punished by having to wear Una's dress all the rest of the
evening.

Una suddenly thought that perhaps her father meant to tell them
that he was going to marry Miss West. Her heart began to beat
violently and her legs trembled. Then she saw that Mr. Meredith
looked very stern and sorrowful. No, it could not be that.

"Children," said Mr. Meredith, "I have heard something that has
pained me very much. Is it true that you sat out in the
graveyard all last Thursday evening and sang ribald songs while a
prayer meeting was being held in the Methodist church?"

"Great Caesar, Dad, we forgot all about it being their prayer
meeting night," exclaimed Jerry in dismay.

"Then it is true--you did do this thing?"

"Why, Dad, I don't know what you mean by ribald songs. We sang
hymns--it was a sacred concert, you know. What harm was that? I
tell you we never thought about it's being Methodist prayer
meeting night. They used to have their meeting Tuesday nights
and since they've changed to Thursdays it's hard to remember."

"Did you sing nothing but hymns?"