Mrs. Whack was a dedicated hostess but not among the most tactful of people. It was, therefore, with considerable enthusiasm that she invited the parson for Sunday dinner, while her large family lived in dread as the scheduled Sunday grew near, wondering what could be done to recover from the scandal if something less than discreet were said.
On the appointed day an impressive spread was prepared for the family in the dining room, complete with the best china and silver reserved only for company. The preliminaries had gone well, and the husband and older children started to relax. With everyone seated at the table Mrs. Whack was off to attend to business matters in the kitchen. The preacher thought this would be a good opportunity for innocent conversation and asked the youngest boy what was being served for dinner.
"Goat," the little boy replied with vigor.
"Goat?" replied the startled man of the cloth, "Are you sure about that?"
"Yep," said the youngster. "I heard Ma 'tellin Pa this morning. She said, 'Might as well have the old goat for dinner today as any other day.'"