Aunt Selina felt a bit conscious at being wheeled like a baby, but Ruth was too merry to permit anything but joy to prevail.
Ruth turned the chair into a path that ran along the brook, and chatted merrily until Aunt Selina forgot herself in listening. At the end of the path stood a rustic summer-house from which could be seen the wide expanse of meadow and woodland. Having reached this spot, Ruth placed the chair so her aunt could look about and admire her beautiful lands.
“Flutey, don’t you ever go to church on Sunday mornings?” asked Ruth.
“The only church is so far away that I would have to drive for half an hour to reach it; then, too, it is not a denomination that I approve of,” she replied, coolly.
But a little thing like a cold reply or a curt tone never daunted Ruth when she was after any particular information.
“What is the difference between one denomination and another? I don’t exactly know the meaning of that word, but I know it means something about churches.”
“Well, some churches believe in worshipping God one way and some in another. These different beliefs are called ‘denominations.’ Now, all of our family were brought up to believe the Baptist manner of worship to be the only true one, and this church at Greenfields is Presbyterian. Of course, everyone knows that pre-destination is all wrong,” said Aunt Selina emphatically.
Ruth’s eyes opened wider and wider as she listened, for she had been taught a very simple faith. She had been told that to live and follow the “Golden Rule” was the highest form of obedience, and that it was true worship. So she answered quietly:
“I love Jesus, and I believe he taught everyone the same way, and I believe he just loved everybody the same way.”
“We will not discuss religion, Ruth. Just keep on thinking and doing as Mother has taught you.”