“Yes,” said Christie. She could not say more. “Do you think you will go soon?”
“I don’t know, ma’am.” Poor Christie! Going or staying seemed a small matter to Mrs Lee. It would not bear talking about; so she said:
“What shall I read to you?”
“Oh, anything. It doesn’t matter. Anything to pass the time.”
Christie turned over a book or two that lay on the table, still at a loss what to choose.
“You had a book in your hand when you came in,” said Mrs Lee, presently. “Read that.”
It was the Bible; and opening it at random, Christie read. She read softly and slowly, psalm after psalm; and soothed by her voice, Mrs Lee lay and listened. After a time, Christie thought that she slept, and made a pause.
“Do you believe what you have been reading?” she asked, suddenly.
Christie started.
“It’s the Bible,” said she.