Mary Kilburn was always plaintive . She sat on the steps of the platform , being too wrought up in her mind to sit in her chair at the desk , and her thin , faded little face was twisted with anxiety . `` All the arrangements are made and Mrs. Cotterell is coming on the tenth . How can we tell her that the men wo n't let her speak ? '' `` There was never anything like this in Putney church before , '' groaned Mrs. Elder Knox . `` It was Andrew McKittrick put them up to it . I always said that man would make trouble here yet , ever since he moved to Putney from Danbridge . I 've talked and argued with Thomas until I 'm dumb , but he is as set as a rock . '' `` I do n't see what business the men have to interfere with us anyhow , '' said her daughter Lucy , who was sitting on one of the window-sills . `` We do n't meddle with them , I 'm sure . As if Mrs. Cotterell would contaminate the pulpit ! '' `` One would think we were still in the dark ages , '' said Frances Spenslow sharply . Frances was the Putney schoolteacher . Her father was one of the recalcitrant elders and Frances felt it bitterly -- all the more that she had tried to argue with him and had been sat upon as a `` child who could n't understand . '' `` I 'm more surprised at Mr. Sinclair than at the elders , '' said Mrs. Abner Keech , fanning herself vigorously . `` Elders are subject to queer spells periodically . They think they assert their authority that way . But Mr. Sinclair has always seemed so liberal and broad-minded . '' `` You never can tell what crotchet an old bachelor will take into his head , '' said Alethea Craig bitingly . The others nodded agreement .
Mr. Sinclair 's inveterate celibacy was a standing grievance with the XXXXX women .
Cotterell Craig Danbridge Keech McKittrick Putney Sinclair Spenslow Thomas tenth