"Then you do give Christian Science credit for that much, do you?" asked Carolina.
"Oh, yes. It must have some wonderful power. I simply don't understand it, that's all. And Carolina, it seems so--excuse me, but so disreputable!"
"Does it? I hadn't thought of it in that light."
"And so unsexing! Don't you have women in the pulpit?"
"Yes. Christian Science recognizes woman as the spiritual equal, if not the spiritual superior, of man."
"There!" said Mrs. Winchester, triumphantly, as if having scored a point against the new religion. "Yet woman caused man's fall!"
"No, she didn't, Cousin Lois. Christian Science doesn't take that allegory as history."
"Oh, Carolina! Carolina! You are indeed in a sad way when you forsake the faith of your ancestors! Such disloyalty cannot fail to have a depressing effect upon your character!"
"On the contrary," said Carolina, "it is as exhilarating to kick down all one's old, stale beliefs as a game of football."
At this Mrs. Winchester's asthma returned. There was nothing left for her to do, in her state of mind, but to choke or to swoon.