"You had best not stay here," said Arthur to Carry, whose struggles for composure he could not bear to see.
"Suffer me to pass, Dr. Dana;" and a venerable minister stooped towards the weeping girl. "My daughter, why do you remain here, so far from those who can do you good? You are distressed on account of sin; are you ashamed to have it known? Do you not desire the prayer of Christians? I will not affirm that you cannot be saved anywhere; 'the arm of the Lord is not shortened,' but I do warn you, that if you hang back in pride or stubbornness, you will be lost; and these only can detain you after what you have heard. Arise, and join that company of weeping mourners, it may not be too late."
Carry shook her head.
"Then kneel where you are, and I will pray for you."
She dried her tears. "Why should I kneel, Mr. Manly? I do not experience any sorrow for sin."
"My child!"
"My tears are not those of penitence; I do not weep for my sinfulness; I can neither think nor feel in this confusion."
The good man was fairly stumbled by this avowal.
"Have you no interest in this subject?"