"Oh, I don't mind that! I like people to say what they mean. It's only when people make a point of snubbing me, like Miss Pring, that I get annoyed." She looked at Joy with more interest in her glance. "You're a queer little thing!" she told her, but she smiled as she said it, and was evidently not offended.
Lulu's manner was slightly subdued during the remainder of the walk.
They had to pass Home Vale on their way, and waited at the gate to speak to Miss Pring and her niece, who were following with Mrs. Wallis.
"Well, young people, what did you think of the sermon?" asked Miss Pring, as they stood in a group talking for a few minutes. "A sound, plain sermon, I considered it, full of home truths. I expect it conveyed lessons to us all."
"I expect so," Mrs. Wallis agreed; "the text is one that will bear many constructions."
"What was the text?" Lulu whispered to Celia, but not in a sufficiently low tone to be unheard by all the others, for Miss Pring repeated the question sharply.
"What was the text? And do you mean to say you have forgotten it already! Oh, you did not hear it? I should be ashamed to confess it. The text was: 'Little children, keep yourselves from idols.'"
"But we don't worship idols nowadays!" Lulu exclaimed, with pretended innocence.
"Oh, do we not!" Miss Pring cried, "You should have listened to the sermon, child, and perhaps you would be a little wiser for having done so. We don't worship idols nowadays, you say? Remember, there are other idols but those made of wood and stone! People worship money, and position, and fame, and fine dress, and all these things and many more may come between the soul and the living God."
"Oh!" cried Lulu, suddenly abashed. "I see what you mean."