“That poor misguided creature has the spirit of a martyr,” said Captain Ranger, after a painful silence.
“It is a good deal easier for some folks to preach than to practise,” exclaimed Sally O’Dowd.
“There are kernels of truth in all ’ologies,” said Scotty.
“As a man thinketh, so is he,” exclaimed Mary.
“She is striving to save her immortal soul. All religions have their origin in human selfishness,” remarked the Captain, dryly.
“Better say they originate in human needs,” replied Jean; “but selfishness is universal, all the same.”
“Yes. Selfishness is a necessary attribute of human existence,” said the Little Doctor, punching the dying fire into a blaze. “Don’t you think so, Mr. Burns?”
“I quite agree with you, madam. Selfishness belongs to human environment, and is as much a part of us as hunger, thirst, love, or ambition. Nothing is made in vain.”
“Not even sin?” asked Mary.
“Not even sin!” echoed Jean. “This would have been a very useless world if there had been no wrongs to set right in it, and no suffering to relieve. Nobody could appreciate heat if it were not for cold, or light if there were no darkness. Hunger compels us to search for food; thirst seeks satisfaction in drink, and ambition in the search for personal advancement. It often unconsciously assists the weak by its efforts, when it intends to help nothing but the personal selfishness that inspires it. Everything, both good and evil, is a part of the eternal programme.”