`` Dan , do n't be irreverent , '' rebuked Felicity . `` I know a story about old Mr. and Mrs. Davidson of Markdale , '' said the Story Girl . `` She was always smiling and it used to aggravate her husband , so one day he said very crossly , ` Old lady , what ARE you grinning at ? ' ` Oh , well , Abiram , everything 's so bright and pleasant , I 've just got to smile . ' `` Not long after there came a time when everything went wrong -- the crop failed and their best cow died , and Mrs. Davidson had rheumatism ; and finally Mr. Davidson fell and broke his leg . But still Mrs. Davidson smiled . ` What in the dickens are you grinning about now , old lady ? ' he demanded . ` Oh , well , Abiram , ' she said , ` everything is so dark and unpleasant I 've just got to smile . ' ` Well , ' said the old man crossly , ' I think you might give your face a rest sometimes . ' '' `` I shall not talk gossip , '' wrote Sara Ray with a satisfied air . `` Oh , do n't you think that 's a little TOO strict ? '' asked Cecily anxiously . `` Of course , it 's not right to talk MEAN gossip , but the harmless kind does n't hurt . If I say to you that Emmy MacPhail is going to get a new fur collar this winter , THAT is harmless gossip , but if I say I do n't see how Emmy MacPhail can afford a new fur collar when her father ca n't pay my father for the oats he got from him , that would be MEAN gossip . If I were you , Sara , I 'd put MEAN gossip . '' Sara consented to this amendment . `` I will be polite to everybody , '' was my third resolution , which passed without comment . `` I 'll try not to use slang since Cecily does n't like it , '' wrote Dan . `` I think some slang is real cute , '' said Felicity .
`` The Family Guide says it 's very vulgar , '' grinned XXXXX .
Abiram Cecily Dan Davidson MacPhail Markdale Sara day right third