Both the children sprang to their feet. They saw a woman in a white apron hurry out from the lodge and open the gate; they saw the carriage pass through and the gates close again. Then Bobby spoke very solemnly:
'Did you see who was in the carriage? A lady in a white dress, and she had a right to pass frough.'
'You are a funny boy,' said True with a little laugh. 'She belonged to the house, and she's just going home.'
'Well,' argued Bobby, 'I belong to the golden City, and I shall have a right to go in—the tex' says so; and I shall be going home; because you know, True, God is my other Father, and God lives at home in heaven.'
There was silence, then True said:
'We had better go back to dad. I'll ask mother next Sunday about those gates, and see if you've told me true. She always talks good to me on Sunday afternoon.'
Bobby turned away from the white gates with reluctance.
'Would it be wicked to play at going in at those gates?' he asked. 'We might come another day by ourselves and try to get in.'
'So we will,' said True. 'It couldn't be wicked if we play what's in the Bible, because everything is good there.'
They returned to the spot where Mr. Allonby had arranged to meet them. He was just appearing along the road, and when they were tucked safely in the car again Bobby said: