"Mrs. Hadly's friends!" exclaimed Miss Harriet Haskell, dropping her sugar to the floor in a general spill.
"I said it!" returned Bud decidedly. "An' the hull town's bin slammin' her friends. Nasty, mean, eh?"
Mr. Allworth never cared much for Miss Harriet, but this was a trying moment when all Christian hearts should be united. He looked at the old lady beseechingly.
"What can we do about this. Miss Harriet? Their evil influence will even spread to the children!"
"Isn't it awful?" came in almost frightened response. "Suppose—suppose we unite the forces of our churches to stay this evil. It's really a menace!"
"Now I see why Mrs. Hadly loved girls. I always had my suspicions of her. And now! Oh, it's too awful to think of!"
There were various degrees of fear expressed on the faces of the listeners.
Bud's cheeks were puffing out with fiery redness. At last he exploded.
"If anyone's goin' ter slam Missus Hadly, I'll make it hot fer them!"
"Shame o' yer. Bud! I'll tell yer mother o' yer impudence!" spoke up one shrewd-eyed little widow who received scraps from Miss Haskell's larder.