But he noticed nothing and his sermon was something longer than usual . Then , just before be gave out the final hymn , Una Meredith tumbled off the seat of the manse pew and lay in a dead faint on the floor . Mrs. Elder Clow was the first to reach her . She caught the thin little body from the arms of white-faced , terrified Faith and carried it into the vestry . Mr. Meredith forgot the hymn and everything else and rushed madly after her . The congregation dismissed itself as best it could . `` Oh , Mrs. Clow , '' gasped Faith , `` is Una dead ? Have we killed her ? '' `` What is the matter with my child ? '' demanded the pale father . `` She has just fainted , I think , '' said Mrs. Clow . `` Oh , here 's the doctor , thank goodness . '' Gilbert did not find it a very easy thing to bring Una back to consciousness . He worked over her for a long time before her eyes opened . Then he carried her over to the manse , followed by Faith , sobbing hysterically in her relief . `` She is just hungry , you know -- she did n't eat a thing to-day -- none of us did -- we were all fasting . '' `` Fasting ! '' said Mr. Meredith , and `` Fasting ? '' said the doctor . `` Yes -- to punish ourselves for singing Polly Wolly in the graveyard , '' said Faith .
`` My child , I do n't want you to XXXXX yourselves for that , '' said Mr. Meredith in distress .
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