An interesting lesson thought Prue but she was stopping where she was.
“Those girls are just attention seeking, come inside, they’ll soon come down” the women urged the reluctant children.

The congregation moved inside and the service began. Loud and vigorous Hymn singing could be herd all over the village. The boys now knew that it was safe the return to the hall. They had a plan.
Five sunburned boys running barefoot around the village could only be trouble.

Over the past three days the boys had been collecting all the dog bones around the village and stashed them under the steps at the kitchen door at the back of the hall. Inside the kitchen the copper was simmering, the boiling water to be used for making tea at the end of proceedings. All the bones were tossed into the copper and the lid placed carefully back. The boys disappeared down toward the creek again.

When the service was over the women quickly descends upon the kitchen and began bustling around preparing afternoon tea. The huge teapot was shoved under the copper and the tap turned on. No time for standing around, no attention was paid to the boiling water going into the teapots.
The teapots were hoisted onto a trestle table and some of the stronger ladies poured out the tea.
Nobody took much notice of the water until they began to sip. When a large number of the congregation stared at the content of their teacups it was apparent that something was wrong.
The church elders dashed into the kitchen to inspect the copper.

A very angry group of Elders and church matrons marched up to the Loquat tree and demanded answers.

This problem called for angelic truth, it also called for the “ultimate excuse,” only used in the most extreme of emergencies and on this occasion nothing else would save them.
Little Stephen was only six, had beautiful golden curls, enormous eyes and air of absolute innocence.
“It was Catholic boys who came into the kitchen,” said Stephen.

Picture Old Bonalbo Hall, children in a tree eating fruit. Lots of children.