Venna asked him many questions about the hereafter, to which he gave many vague answers.
"It is not for us to know anything definitely. Faith leaves it all to God," he assured her in conclusion.
"But surely the Bible gives us some certainties, Dr. Hansom," she pleaded, hungry for spiritual truths.
"So much depends on how you interpret the Bible, my dear. I declare very few certainties to my people, because there are very brainy men who all differ. Of course there's a hereafter, and your father was a good member of the Church, so we know he is happy. I'm very glad he joined the Church before it was too late."
"Do you mean my dear father would not have been saved if he had not joined the Church?" Venna asked credulously.
Dr. Hansom had to clear his throat before answering.
"Really, my dear, I don't like to hurt you. I loved your dear father always, but if he had not joined himself to the House of the Lord, I would be forced to believe he was lost."
"Then God loved my father less than you or I did—we wouldn't see him lost, would we? Oh, Dr. Hansom, religion teaches many a paradox today. I don't wonder there is so little spirituality in the Churches."
Dr. Hansom turned the subject with a fatherly pat of her curls and the admonition,
"Don't judge, little girl, don't judge. There may be a hidden life in the Church which you cannot see!"