They called a meeting extraordinary in the classroom and , discarding all forms and ceremonies in their wrath , talked their indignation out . Out of doors the world basked in June sunshine and preened itself in blossom . The birds sang and chirped in the lichened maples that cupped the little church in , and peace was over all the Putney valley . Inside the classroom disgusted women buzzed like angry bees . `` What on earth are we to do ? '' sighed the secretary plaintively . 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 XXXXX , '' said Mrs. Abner Keech , fanning herself vigorously .
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