“Come and tell mama why you are not afraid.”
“Because ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ No one need fear death, who has the promise of life everlasting.”
“No,” said Selina. “And have you that promise? And is it for us too? for mama, and all of us?”
For answer, the old man repeated the text again, “God so loved the world,” and so on to the end.
“It is the world He loves; and the promise is to whosoever believeth.”
“Do you hear, mama? It says, ‘Whosoever believeth.’ Are you listening, mama?” said Selina eagerly.
“My darling, I know not what to believe, or what to do,” said Mrs Vane sadly. “I have never in all my life thought about these things.”
“No,” said Selina, turning her eager face towards the stranger. “We have never thought about these things. Could we begin now, do you think? and what must we do?”
Frederica and Tessie looked and listened in amazement. It was so unlike Selina to have anything to say to a stranger. Their mother looked as eager as she did, and very anxious; and she said, before the stranger could reply,—
“Yes, the children might begin now. As for me, I can do nothing.”