Chapter 4
The Right to Regulate My Private Affairs As I Wish
"Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble."—I Corinthians 8:13
"Please, teacher," said a voice at my elbow, "wouldn't you like to wash your face?"
We were having a week in the country. For the fifth time that day, our first full day out, there stood the pastor's wife, holding out to me a basin of steaming water. She had just the right combination of humility and pride in her manner. I quickly stifled the desire to say, "I don't want to wash! What in the world do I want to wash my face five times a day for?" Then I mumbled thanks, and reached wearily for my washcloth. But a little later I tackled her about it.
"Do you always wash your face as often as this?"
"Why, of course!" was the quick reply. "All clean people do! And I was brought up in a very clean family."
I let the matter drop, and washed my face (and my feet) as often as she thought best for the rest of the trip.
Grandmother Bay's little granddaughter had just come back from Shanghai. Grandmother Bay proudly appeared at church accompanied by a prettily dressed, well-behaved child of about nine. After the service several of us sat chatting. One old lady looked at the child's pretty frock, and then gave a quick glance at her grandmother.