'It won't be easy, I know that; and it means never trying to please myself only, never speaking angrily just to make other people angry, never calling Uncle Ross our enemy and trying to hate him, never.... Oh yes, it will be difficult! Only now I seem to understand, as I never did before, that it isn't only people who want to be extra good, but it's every one who ought to serve God thoroughly. Do you know what I mean?'
'Yes, dear. It is very common for persons to say or think, "I needn't devote my whole efforts to serving God. I shall be all right, so long as I do not sin in great matters." But that is a form of ignorance. Directly such a person is asked, "Why were you created?" "Are you fulfilling the Creator's purpose?" there is no answer forthcoming, except an admission of failure. Now we all of us despise failures that are the result of idleness; so how can we expect God, at the last judgment, to reward us for failing through our ill-will and slothfulness?'
'It all seems quite plain, when you talk of religion.'
Catherine's gentle hands were stroking Agatha's hot forehead, passing and repassing over her eyes with a soft touch which was very soothing.
'My mother taught me all these truths, and I have never forgotten them,' she answered. 'So you are going to give God your whole heart?'
'I'll begin this very evening, and I shall write down the promise, in cypher, in my diary, that I mayn't ever be able to forget for long. Cath, if I were to die now ... should I go to hell?'
'If you had a servant who had neglected his duty, but who was honestly sorry, and promised you that he would never wilfully sin against you again, would you wish to condemn him to eternal misery? Oh, childie, when you doubt God's mercy, you do Him a terrible injustice, for He is many million times more generous than the greatest and best of His creatures can ever become.'
'Oh, Catherine, you are beautiful!'
'Why, what sudden nonsense is this, my pet?' was the amused question.
'I was watching you. Does Mr. North love you very, very much? He ought to.'