"I don't know, excepting that your prophecy has not come to pass yet; but, Phœbe, I don't like the religion, and the more I see of it, the more stupid it seems. That ridiculous bambino, and the box of old bones, to be worshipped and bowed down to! Do they think we are idiots to be moved by such trumpery?"
Phœbe raised her eyes to her mistress's face in sheer astonishment.
"You may be surprised, Phœbe, and I don't know what possesses me to talk so, but I feel cross and disagreeable, and I have been thinking of these things, for how can I bring up my child to believe in such folly?"
"Ah," thought Phœbe to herself, "heart-break beginning now. Poor dear missy!"
"I wonder they don't invent something more sensible than these everlasting shows and processions," continued the Countess.
"Ah, they got de sensible ting behind de back ob dem. Don't missy see? Keep de eyes and ears amuse with shows, dat not feel de grip on dere souls and conscience. De priest know what deys about well 'nough. Got fast hold ob secret thoughts, got all, make go any ways dey choose."
"You don't suppose I am such a slave as that, Phœbe, and I'm sure the Count is not."
"Maybe chain not show yet, missy. Hope she cast it off fore it cut in poor weak flesh. Massa him allays not b'lieve too much in dis 'ligion."
"I suppose you mean that he is not a good Catholic, but I don't care whether he is or not, so long as he is good and kind to me. I expect we can both get to heaven without the help of the priests."
"Bless de Lord, hear missy say dat; but dat not 'nough. Must hab de Great High Priest de Lord Jesus Christ; Him make de way all alone. Him take poor sinner's hand and say 'I will nebber leave thee nor forsake thee.'"