VALLEY

284 RAINBOW VALLEYfor any recent transgressionbut could not recall any.of sufficient importance,Carl had spilled a saucer fulof jam on Mrs. Peter Flagg's silk dress two eveningsbefore, when, at Aunt Martha's invitation, she hadstayed to supper.But Mr. Meredith had not noticedit, and Mrs. Flagg, who was a kindly soul, had madeno fuss.Besides, Carl had been punished by havingto wear Una's dress all the rest of the evening.Una suddenly thought that perhaps her father meantto 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 andsorrowful. No,it could not be that."Children," said Mr. Meredith, "I have heard somethingthat has pained me very much. Is it true thatyou sat out in the graveyard all last Thursday eveningand sang ribald songs while a prayer meeting wasbeing held in the Methodist church ?""Great Cesaer, dad, we forgot all about itbeing theirprayer 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 ribaldsongs. We sang hymnsit was a sacred concert, youknow. What harm was that? I tellyou we neverthought about it's being Methodist prayer meetingnight. They used to have their meeting Tuesdaynights and since they've changed to Thursdays it'shard to remember."