"We have always had the wolves inside the fold, dear. And of old, you know, they had their false prophets teaching error."
Rosalie drooped her head against his arm, and did not speak. The gentle, so dearly loved voice, seemed to comfort her.
"I had hoped—I have tried—to keep my life so clean before you girls that if ever a time should come, like this, when your faith was put to the test, you could look at me and say, 'But there is father.' I have always felt it was a part of fatherhood, to be a living proof before the children of the home. I must have failed you some time."
Rosalie clung to him, shaking her head in violent denial.
"He ought to be put out of the church," she whispered.
"We are human, Rosalie, as well as ministers. And human flesh is not invincible. God is very, very reasonable with us. David betrayed his trust, but God forgave him. Peter denied his Lord, but was restored to favor. I think that God forgives us when we fail Him even yet—even we ministers—if we go to Him for purging."
"But, father, if the ministry can't keep a man good—what can?"
"Nothing but the spirit of the Lord, working in us, nothing else, Rosalie. And have you lost all confidence in the ministry?"
Rosalie squirmed. "Not in you, dearest. Just in the rest of it."