After a time the boy saw the tears rolling down her cheeks, and listened to the words from the pulpit in order to learn what had caused such apparent sorrow.
The clergyman was speaking of those who keep the word, but not the spirit of God's laws, and he failed to find in the teaching anything which could distress the little woman.
When the sermon was concluded and the three were walking slowly through the grove, he understood better.
"It seemed as if the minister was talking directly to me, Jack dear," she said with quivering lips.
"I didn't hear him say anything that sounded like it, Aunt Nancy, an' I listened a good deal of the time."
"It was the passage about obeying the word but not the spirit which applied to my case. You see I didn't speak a lie to Mr. Pratt, and might try to comfort myself with the idea I had not disobeyed the commandment; but the meaning of it is, I shouldn't deceive in the slightest manner."
"I wish we hadn't come here if you're goin' to think of that thing again."
"Again, Jack dear? Do you fancy it has ever been out of my mind?"
"I thought you'd kinder got over it."
"But I hadn't, and perhaps I was led to come here that I might realize even more fully what I have done."