`` Oh , dear me , I do wish you would n't all say such sarcastic things to each other , '' said poor Cecily plaintively . `` It sounds so horrid the last night of the old year . Dear knows where we 'll all be this night next year . Peter , it 's your turn . '' `` I will try , '' wrote Peter , `` to say my prayers every night regular , and not twice one night because I do n't expect to have time the next , -- like I did the night before the party , '' he added . `` I s ` pose you never said your prayers until we got you to go to church , '' said Felicity -- who had had no hand in inducing Peter to go to church , but had stoutly opposed it , as recorded in the first volume of our family history . `` I did , too , '' said Peter . `` Aunt Jane taught me to say my prayers . Ma had n't time , being as father had run away ; ma had to wash at night same as in day-time . '' `` I shall learn to cook , '' wrote the Story Girl , frowning . `` You 'd better resolve not to make puddings of -- '' began Felicity , then stopped as suddenly as if she had bitten off the rest of her sentence and swallowed it . Cecily had nudged her , so she had probably remembered the Story Girl 's threat that she would never tell another story if she was ever twitted with the pudding she had made from sawdust . But we all knew what Felicity had started to say and the Story Girl dealt her a most uncousinly glance . `` I will not cry because mother wo n't starch my aprons , '' wrote Sara Ray . `` Better resolve not to cry about anything , '' said Dan kindly . Sara Ray shook her head forlornly . `` That would be too hard to keep . There are times when I HAVE to cry . It 's a relief . '' `` Not to the folks who have to hear you , '' muttered Dan aside to Cecily .
`` Oh , hush , '' whispered XXXXX back .
Cecily Dan Felicity Girl Jane Peter Ray before first night