Do you really
think it is necessary?"
"As to that, Gracie, I don't believe I thought anything about it. I
wanted to pray for those boys, and so I prayed."
"And didn't you really shrink from it at all? How very queer! Flossy, I
do believe nobody was ever so much changed by religion as you have been.
I don't see what makes the difference. I'm sure I think I'm a Christian,
but I could never do such a thing as that."
"Not if you believed it to be your duty?"
"But I don't believe it," said the fair logician, her face flushing; "I
think it is out of place. I beg your pardon, Flossy, I don't mean I
think it sounded badly in you; but only that for me it would be horrid,
and I couldn't do it."
"Then what are you talking about, my dear? If you should never consider
it your duty, you would certainly never be called upon to do it."
CHAPTER XX.
"OH, WHAT A NICE THOUGHT!"
This very calm view of the question gave Gracie time to recover from her
excitement, and to laugh at her folly. Then Mrs. Roberts said, still
speaking very gently:--
"I don't want to argue with you, dear, and I couldn't if I wished; you
know I am a dunce about all such things; but I just want to ask you a
little question; you need not answer me unless you choose; not now, that
is--perhaps some time we may want to talk about it.
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