`` We did n't do anything wrong . We could n't help being frightened . And it wo n't do father any harm . It was just an accident . '' `` You were cowards , '' said Jerry with judicial scorn , `` and you gave way to your cowardice . That is why you should be punished . Everybody will laugh at you about this , and that is a disgrace to the family . '' `` If you knew how awful the whole thing was , '' said Faith with a shiver , `` you would think we had been punished enough already . I would n't go through it again for anything in the whole world . '' `` I believe you 'd have run yourself if you 'd been there , '' muttered Carl . `` From an old woman in a cotton sheet , '' mocked Jerry . `` Ho , ho , ho ! '' `` It did n't look a bit like an old woman , '' cried Faith . `` It was just a great , big , white thing crawling about in the grass just as Mary Vance said Henry Warren did . It 's all very fine for you to laugh , Jerry Meredith , but you 'd have laughed on the other side of your mouth if you 'd been there . And how are we to be punished ? I do n't think it 's fair , but let 's know what we have to do , Judge Meredith ! '' `` The way I look at it , '' said Jerry , frowning , `` is that Carl was the most to blame . He bolted first , as I understand it . Besides , he was a boy , so he should have stood his ground to protect you girls , whatever the danger was .
You XXXXX that , Carl , do n't you ? ''
bolted cried gave go know mocked said shiver stood understand