Chapter 13—Cosey Corner

utsidersquickentheirsteps,and,stealingup,theypeepedinatoneofthebrokenwindows. CaptainDovewasupintheoldwoodenpulpit,gazingsolemnlydownuponhiscompany,who,havingstackedtheirarmsintheporch,nowsatinthebarepewssingingaSunday-schoolhymnwithgreatvigourandrelish. “Letuspray,”saidCaptainDove,withasmuchreverenceasanarmychaplainand,foldinghishands,herepeatedaprayerwhichhethoughtallwouldknowanexcellentlittleprayer,butnotexactlyappropriatetothemorning,foritwas, “NowIlaymedowntosleep.” Everyonejoinedinsayingit,anditwasaprettysighttoseethelittlecreaturesbowingtheircurlyheadsandlispingoutthewordstheyknewsowell.TearscameintoRose'seyesasshelookedMactookhishatoffinvoluntarily,andthenclappeditonagainasifashamedofshowinganyfeeling. “NowIshallpreachyouashortsermon,andmytextis,'Littlechildren,loveoneanother.'Iaskedmammatogivemeone,andshethoughtthatwouldbegoodsoyouallsitstillandI'llpreachit.Youmustn'twhisper,Marion,buthearme.Itmeansthatweshouldbegoodtoeachother,andplayfair,andnotquarrelaswedidthisverydayaboutthewagon.Jackcan'talwaysdrive,andneedn'tbemadbecauseIliketogowithFrank.AnnetteoughttobehorsesometimesandnotalwaysdriverandWilliemayaswellmakeuphismindtoletMarionbuildherhousebyhis,forshewilldoit,andheneedn'tfussaboutit.Jamieseemstobeagoodboy,butIshallpreachtohimifheisn't.No,Pokey,peopledon'tkissinchurchorputtheirhatson.NowyoumustallrememberwhatItellyou,becauseIamthecaptain,andyoushouldmindme.” HereLieutenantJackspokerightoutinmeetingwiththerebelliousremark, “Don'tcareifyouareyou'dbettermindyourself,andtellhowyoutookawaymystrap,andkeptthebiggestdoughnut,anddidn'tdrawfairwhenwehadthetruck.” “Yes,andyouslappedFrankIsawyou!”bawledWillieSnow,bobbingupinhispew. “Andyoutookmybookawayandhidit'causeIwouldn'tgoandswingwhenyouwantedmeto,”addedAnnette,theoldestoftheSnowtrio. “Ishan'tbuildmyhousebyWillie'sifhedon'twantmeto,sonow!”putinlittleMarion,joiningthemutiny. “IwilltissDimm