“That was a very good plan,” he said.
“They are such nice verses, papa,” said Grace. “This is mine:
“‘He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.’”
“And this is mine,” said Lulu:
“‘Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.’ What does that last clause mean, papa?”
“That the love between the disciples of Christ must be great enough to make them willing to lay down their lives—die for each other if necessary.”
“It wouldn’t be many folks I could love so hard as that,” remarked Lulu, emphatically.
“Doesn’t the Bible say we must love every body, papa?” asked Grace.
“Yes; ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ ‘But I say unto you, love your enemies.’”
“There, I’m done!” exclaimed Lulu, breaking off her thread, throwing the mended dress over the back of a chair, and putting away her needle. “Papa,” coming close to his side and leaning up affectionately against him, “it’s just as easy as any thing to love you and Gracie, and Max, and Mamma Vi, and Grandma Elsie—and other people that are good and kind and pleasant, but I just can’t love every body; at least not a bit as I love you,” giving him a hug and kiss.