"We ought to learn about it in church: that is what we go to church for,
I suppose."
"Yes, and I like to go very well, but I get very sleepy during the
sermon, especially when we go with Miss Robina. I try to listen
sometimes; but of course all that is meant for grown-up people, and I
don't understand it."
"Were you not just telling Mr St. Cyr that you are grown up? But I
think you are very stupid to bother about it. If people say their
prayers and are nice and obliging, and all that, I think that is quite
enough. I am sure mama is good, and so is Selina, and what is the use
talking so much about religion, _as_ though that would make any
difference?"
"Yes, mama is good, and Selina, but I am not, at least very often I am
not. And there must be some way of finding out what is wrong and what
is right."
"Of course there is--your own conscience," said Tessie, triumphantly.
"Hasn't Mrs Glencairn often told you?"
Frederica shook her head.
"But there must be something more than that. I wish I knew."
"Say your prayers and go to church, that is religion, everybody knows.
But to be good and nice is something quite different. I think you are
very silly, with all your wishes and talking, and I beg you won't say
anything to Selina about it. She thinks of things afterwards, and you
are not to vex her. And don't look like that, or I shall wish you had
gone to church with Mr St. Cyr. But you will forget all about it
before to-morrow. That is one comfort."
"Very likely; but that does not prove anything;" said Frederica.
"Everybody ought to have some kind of religion; and sometimes, when I
used to see Miss Baines so happy in the midst of all her pain and
trouble, I thought of poor mama, and wished that she could know all
about it. But I won't say anything to Selina just yet."
"No, nor ever, unless you are a goose. Here we are at home. Won't they
be glad?" And the little girl ran up the broad stone steps, and danced
out her impatience while she was made to wait for the opening of the
door.
"No," said Frederica, as she stood at her side; "I am not going to spoil
our visit with religion, at any rate; and I daresay you are right,
Tessie, and I may forget all about it before the week is over."