'I think I see,' said Lackland, staring before him; 'and I was wrong there, for certain: I never committed that sin. But, all the same, I don't feel quite clear yet.'
'Why is that?' said the minister.
'Have you never thought, sir,' said Lackland, 'that the only return we can make to God for his love to us, is to love him more than we love ourselves?'
'But certainly,' said Mr. Curnock.
'Well,' said Lackland, 'do you see it might be that a good Christian would think most of saving his own soul.'
'That is his duty,' said Mr. Curnock.
'But are they both true?' said Lackland.
'Both things you have said are perfectly true,' said Mr. Curnock; 'only, I see no contradiction between them.'
'Thank you, sir,' said Lackland, getting to his feet; 'I'll go and think it all over; I'm not very ready at thinking, I have to set my mind to things slowly; and you've given me a good lot to think over. Good-night, Mr. Curnock.'
'And now, my dear Lackland,' said the minister, as he opened the door of the house, 'above all, don't worry over a text which none of us are very sure about. Be certain of one thing, that God's mercy is infinite, and that he'll bring you through.'