He leaned back in his chair exhausted, and shut his eyes.
The girl stood dazed for a moment, struck dumb by the grotesque horror of what she had heard. Then the light of Heaven-sent faith flashed through her and the courage of human love warmed her. She sprang to her father, sobbing, almost laughing in the joy of triumph. She flung herself across his knees and put her arms around him.
"Father, did you teach us that God is our Father, our real Father?"
The man did not answer, but the girl went bravely on:
"Father, if I asked you to kill Ruth, would you do it?"
The man stirred a little, but he did not open his eyes nor answer, and the girl went bravely on:
"Father, is it fair to God to believe that He would do something that you would be ashamed of? Isn't He better than you are?"
The man opened his eyes. The light of his old faith kindled in them. He answered firmly:
"He is infinite, absolute, and unchangeable. His Word is sure. We dare not question Him. There is the promise—the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."