VALLEY

THE GOOD-CONDUCT CLUB 243you up. You're disgracing your pa and I feel for him.I've always thought an awful lot of your pa ever sincethat night he talked to me so nice.single swear word since, or told a lie.I've never said aAnd I'd like tosee him happy and comfortable, with his buttons onand his meals decent, and you young ones licked intoshape, and that old cat of a Martha put in her properplace. The way she looked at the eggs I brought herto-night. 'Ihope they're fresh,' says she. I justwished they -was rotten. But you just mind that shegives you all one for breakfast, including your pa.Make a fuss if she doesn't. That was what they wassent up for but I don't trust old Martha. She's quitecapable of feeding 'em to her cat."Mary's tongue being temporarily tired, a briefsilence fell over the graveyard. The manse childrendid not feel like talking.They were digestingthe newand n^t altogether palatable ideas Mary had suggestedto them. Jerry and Carl were somewhat startled. But,after all, what did it matter? And it wasn't likelythere was a word of truth in it.Faith, on the whole,was pleased. Only Una was seriously upset. She feltthat she would like to get away and cry."Will there be any stars in my crown?" sang theMethodist choir, beginning to practice in the Methodistchurch."/ want just three,** said Mary, whose theologicalknowledge had increased notably since her residence