So Christina went on:
"He knew how wicked man had been,
And knew that God must punish sin;
So out of pity Jesus said
He'd bear the punishment instead.
"Now God will pardon those who pray,
And hate their sins, and turn away . . ."
Susy interrupted her quickly.
"I'll take to prayers," she said; "mother used to pray to God, but I've forgotten all about it. What shall I say?"
"I ask God to forgive my sins and make me a good girl and bless father and mother."
"Yes, I'll remember that. Anythink else?"
"Well, you see," said Christina hesitating, "I ask God about all kinds of things just when I think about them. You see, Susy, He knows everything and can do everything, so it is so nice to ask Him things that it's no good asking people about—I mean things that they can't do. I ask God to make me brave, and keep me from being frightened, and when my inside is bumping and my head buzzing, if I pray it seems to make me quiet at once."
"I wonder now," said Susy reflectively, "if God could change father. It would be awful hard; I s'pect it 'ud be too hard for Him!"
"No, I'm sure it wouldn't!"
And Christina's voice was earnestness itself.