"I suppose one should come out flat-footed and hold him up as a model to other people who won't keep to the straight and narrow," said Doris thoughtfully.
"Perhaps. But a kind Providence has made it unnecessary for us to judge, you must remember."
"We can have our opinions, like other people, but we must not air them in the pulpit," said Rosalie.
"But whatever will you say, father? He was everything a good Presbyterian is not, and—"
"Doctor Burgess used to say that death blots out all evil," said Rosalie helpfully. "Can't you play that up?"
Mr. Artman smiled at their eagerness to be of help. "I shall just speak of the rest and sweetness of death after a life of turmoil and confusion, and shall emphasize very strongly how blessed it is that the soul goes direct to the presence of God, who knows all the secret motives hidden from human eyes."
"That is downright genius," approved Doris.
"Pretty slick, I call it," smiled Rosalie.
"Will you be busy the whole afternoon, father?" asked Zee, returning to the original subject.
"Did you want something?" He turned and looked at her, and from her sober face he caught the underlying need. "I always have time for my girls, you know. What can I do for you?"