"That's a very unchristian frame of mind."
"Never did any one get such a taking down as I did after I came here," continued Marion. "I thought I was going to be so good and so condescending, and help you in your lessons, and mother in her housekeeping."
"Well, you had never seen us, and of course you couldn't tell what we were like," said Bram. "I don't see anything so bad in that. Look at my elephant; isn't he fine?"
"Awe inspiring—no less," replied Marion. "I think he looks a good deal like old James in the face. What is he for?"
"Dot's birthday. You know he is in love with elephants ever since he rode on one in New York, so Frank and I mean to construct a team for him. I wish you and Betsy would put your heads together and make some—What do you call the fellows that ride upon them?"
"Mahouts. We'll see what can be done. The worst of it is that I keep finding myself falling back into the old ways again all the time," continued Marion, reverting to her first subject.
"Everybody does that, I suppose," said Bram.
"Do you really think so?" asked Marion, doubtfully.
"I really do. I remember once talking to old Father Hollenbeck about that very thing, and he said to me,—
"'My son, I should have considerable doubt of the spiritual condition of anybody who never had any battles to fight. I should be afraid that he was either in league with the enemy or asleep on his post.'"