"The mighty US!" said Captain Willoughby, who loved to tease her sometimes.
But Mona stopped him, and drew Jill's hand out of his very gently.
"Never mind, Jill dear. We will own ourselves trespassers if you will explain this. What does 'Bethel' mean? It is a Bible word, is it not?"
Jill was quickly appeased. When Mona spoke to her kindly she was ready to tell her anything.
"It is a secret place, and a religious one," she said.
"Of course it comes out of the Bible, and it's not idolatry, though Sam's father says it is."
"I know!" said Captain Willoughby. "It's an altar, and you offer sacrifices on it."
"No, we don't," said Jill indignantly, "we wouldn't be so wicked!"
"But the good people in the Bible always offered sacrifices," argued the young Captain.