“And now that must do,” said Mr Sherwood, seating himself on the bench that always stood there. “Your horse is very tired, and he must rest before he goes farther. Sit still, Claude. I am not too tired to hold you—only too tired to run any more.”
“He is very warm,” said Christie, laying down her work to come and pin the plaid more closely about him. She did it very gently, and there was no mistaking the loving looks the little boy gave her.
“I found this book as I came out,” said Mr Sherwood. “Was it you or Miss Gertrude who was making it your study?”
“Did I leave it behind me? It was very careless,” said Christie, in some confusion. “We were both reading it; that is, Miss Gertrude read, and I listened.”
“‘Evidences of the Truth of Revealed Religion’,” he read, turning to the title-page. “Which of you is troubled with doubts on that subject?”
“Neither of us, I hope,” said Christie, quietly. She did not quite like the tone in which he spoke.
“But what is the use of reading the book, if you are quite sure already of what it professes to teach?”
“The book was Miss Gertrude’s choice,” said Christie, scarcely knowing what to say.
“Oh, then it is Miss Gertrude whose faith is wavering?”
Christie shook her head.