"Ellen, I'll try again to make my position plain. You want to be a doctor; Father gave you that idea. I don't know how it was when he was a young man, but I know how it is now. I've been away to school and I know what is the attitude of the students to God and the Christian religion. They are scoffers and blasphemers; immersion and Foot-washing and all our beliefs and customs are subjects for amusement to them." His cheeks burned; he had believed for a while that he was an apostle sent to a wicked and perverse university. "I'd as soon cut off my right hand as help you to such an education. I know, too, what most churches are like. The preachers are so educated that they can't preach the pure gospel. When people are educated they think they have found ways of getting round God!"
Ellen listened curiously. It seemed to her that he was speaking as though to convince himself.
"Why do you blame those things on education? Think how different Father was from Brother Reith and Brother Miller!"
"But Father was unbelieving!"
Ellen lifted heavy eyes and looked at Matthew.
"I'm unbelieving, too, then. I think it's selfish to think so much about saving your soul as though that were all!"
Matthew might have answered, "or about educating your mind," but he was not quick like Ellen. He had determined to be patient and he answered gently, "It is all."
"I brought your satchel," he went on, "but I hoped I could take it back."
Ellen shook her head. She thought again of Mr. Goldstein and with difficulty restrained her tears.