"He's the only god that answered my prayer. I tried father's God and—it didn't work! Then I fixed up this one, and—it did!"
"What was it you wanted?"
"I wanted to learn things! I wanted to go to school. I prayed to have father's heart softened, but it stayed—rocky. Then I began to worship this"—the right hand waved toward the bleached and grinning skull—"and my wish came true. I told the schoolmaster. Do you know Mr. Anton Farwell?"
"I've heard of him."
"I told him I wanted to learn, and after he got through laughing he said he'd been sent by my god to teach me all I wanted to know; but of course he can't do that!"
"Do what?" Travers was fascinated by the child's naïvety.
"Teach me all I want to know. Why, I'm going to suffer and know many things!"
"Good Lord!" ejaculated Travers; "you won't mind if I laugh?"
"I don't think there's anything to laugh at!" Priscilla held him sternly. "Have you ever suffered?"
The laugh died from Travers's face.