Page 4 (1/2)

She cleared her throat and"We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts," sheoff on the floor below She scurried along toward the furnace rooht "We have left undone those things which we ought to have done and we have done those things which we ought not to have done" Okay She was in good voice now

Hastily she scurried to the spot where, perched on the furnace oil tank (soood reverberation there), she could best be heard by her own congregation

No huarde led all the church httime Raid

Father Murphy had, as usual, spilled a little wine in the sacristy Hildegarde didn't touch the stuff herself, but Roderick liked a nip now and then She sus were closed up and the church was e the wine tidily She had just overheard very bad news, and he would be the first to know about it

"There," Roderick said He sat up, balancing himself with his tail, and looked around He hiccuped It didn't take much wine to make Roderick a little tipsy "Any more?" he asked hopefully "Soet it before it soaks in"

They both peered down and examined the carpet froarde said "Nothing worth licking"

"I guess not" Roderick looked a little dejected He always hoped for a major spill But Father Murphy was pretty careful with the wine "Well, I think we're finished up in here, then" He giggled a little "Thank you, Hilly You're a dear"

She glared at hi called by that nickname--but he didn't notice "Time for a nap!" he announced, with another small hiccup

"Wait I have news"

"News?" Roderick hopped down to a low shelf "Don't tell ain Puhleeze!"

"No, no, it's not that" Hildegarde jumped down and sat beside hi froe of a prayer book Satin was tasty, and she was teilant about Millicent's babies," she said, "that I fear we have not been sufficiently attentive to some others"

"Others?" Roderick asked

"Vivian's litter," Hildegarde said

"Theave an exasperated snort

"Indeed And Vivian allowed them to run loose All around the sanctuary They played hide-and-seek a the kneelers She said they'd been cooped up and needed some exercise"

"When?"

"Just before the service I was in the kitchen at the tiarde nodded "The entire Altar Guild"

"Oh, no! Was there shrieking? And eeks?"

"Apparently I didn't hear it Others did I was dealing with the traps, getting the cheese extricated"

"Oh, and thank you for that, dear," Roderick said "It was a lovely Vermont cheddar"

"Yes, I know I had a taste At any rate, the Altar Guild saw several of Vivian's offspring--"

Roderick made a tsk-tsk sound "She should have better control of them"

"Well, of course she should But they're five weeks old, Roderick You knohat thattheive the after confession Explain to theht not to have done' means"

"They won't listen Adolescents never listen"

"I fear the consequences," Hildegarde said ominously "They kno that we are more than one"

"You really think? Consequences?" Roderick had become drowsy because of the wine But now his eyes widened "Oh, no! A Great X?"

"A Great X," Hildegarde repeated "I heard Father Murphy talking to the sexton before they closed up the church They used the X word We ether, thinking Finally, Roderick said, "I have a plan"

"A plan?"

"I know you think I a fool I know you have little respect for arde I know you beco at this"What is your plan, exactly, Roderick?"

He drew hio in to Father Murphy's office," he said, "before it's too late"

"Too late for what?"

"Before he has called in the Great X"

"Well, today is Sunday He's at the rectory having a pot roast dinner Then he'll read the New York Tiht he'll watch Masterpiece Theatre He won't do anything arde said