Margaret appeared to be deaf, and Mabel repeated the question.
Margaret's deafness increased.
"I'm thirsty," said Mabel.
No answer.
"Doesn't Christ keep any water in His house?"
Here Margaret was tempted to smile, and so open the way for a discussion. But she was true to Mrs. Heath's direction, and presently the child, finding it useless to try to gain attention, gave up the attempt. Now, in most cases, it is the mother herself who is to blame when her little one claims and absorbs her chief attention at church. If she replies to its question, she sets it an example of talking during public worship, an act not to be tolerated, unless a case of illness makes it necessary. And as long as she will listen and reply, the child will vent its restlessness and weariness by incessant whispering. Rather than receive no notice at all, it will call forth such expressions as these:
"Julia, if you don't keep still, you sha'n't come to church. Julia, you must not get down from your seat. Julia, if you keep up this whispering I can't hear the sermon. You're thirsty? Well, I can't help it. Tired? I told you you would be tired, but you would come. Put down that fan. Don't open my parasol. What a naughty little girl you are!"
On their return from service, Mrs. Heath asked how Mabel had behaved, and Margaret reported things just as they were.