"Yes, in some things," Zillah said: "I don't feel sure about this. We'll ask father and mother."
They did so immediately on entering the house.
"Your mother and I have just been discussing that question," Mr. Keith said, "and we think that as good, nourishing food is necessary to your health and growth, it is not a duty for you to deny yourselves such common comforts as butter and sugar. There are other and better ways in which to practise self-denial."
"How, father?" asked Ada.
"It might be by denying our love of ease—working and earning for the good of others, when we would rather be at play; the Bible speaks of laboring, working with our hands that we may have to give to him that needeth."
"And who more needy than the poor, benighted heathen!" sighed Mrs. Keith.
"It won't hurt us to deny ourselves in the matter of finery," remarked Mildred.
"Or eating more than enough to satisfy our appetites, just because it tastes good," added Rupert.
"No, that is sinful in itself, because injurious to health," said his father.
"But haven't we a right to eat what we please, and just as much as we choose, if we would rather be sick than do without the good things, father?" asked Cyril.