"Yes, Dr. Hansom. Are they really such awful people?" she asked seriously.
"Awful is no word for it, my girl. They are the most insidious menace in the religious world today! They lie, they lead immoral lives, and all under the cloak of religion! Your aunt told me of your indiscretion last night." Here he smiled indulgently. "Of course, we know our girl didn't realize what she was doing, but it ought to be a lesson to you. Never be led away with any sensational religion. You are liable to get trapped into anything if you do. I'm glad you are safe. But where was your father?"
Venna colored. "Father was not to blame. I did it before he realized what I was doing."
"Very true. You certainly took me by surprise, Venna," her father's voice laughingly exclaimed, and they all turned to see John Hastings enter the door, his keen eyes twinkling with amusement and cynicism.
"Ah, Hastings! I'm glad you joined us," exclaimed Dr. Hansom, jumping up and extending his hand. "We were telling Venna what the Mormons really are!"
"Umph! And what really are they?" he asked, as he seated himself with the group.
Dr. Hansom was always slightly less confident when talking to Hastings. He had a vague idea that here was one man in his Church whose ideas he did not exactly reflect. However, they were excellent friends.
"Why, Hastings, you don't have to ask that, do you? Didn't our lecture satisfy you concerning them?"
"No man's lecture satisfies me concerning any sect," returned Hastings quietly.
"But it is not one man's opinion, Hastings. All Christendom is against them," urged Dr. Hansom.