“Catch it?”
“You bet—good and plenty! Father made me cut three switches and he didn’t waste any. But I could stand Father’s lickings if Mother wouldn’t pray over me.”
Carol looked shocked at Ernest’s irreverence but Sherm grinned sympathetically.
“Mother makes me read a chapter in the Bible—but she most always gives me a doughnut or something when I’ve finished.”
There was no opportunity for further conversation. Miss Rice, their Sunday School teacher fluttered in at this moment and tactfully seated herself between Sherm and Ernest. After the teacher stood up to begin the lesson, Ernest nudged Sherm.
“Say, want to tell you something when we get out. S-h-h, teacher’s looking now!”
On the way home Ernest unburdened himself.
“You know Chicken Little’s crazy to go hazel-nutting. S’pose we take the kids Saturday—to kind of—oh, you know—make up!”
What Ernest said was not exactly clear but the boys understood.
“They couldn’t walk to Duck Creek,” objected Sherm.