"If you please, say christened. Why, is it not customary? Do not everybody who are any thing take their children to the church? Indeed, it is a very grand occasion; I suppose little innocent children are not admitted at St. Patrick's?"
"On the contrary, every Catholic child is baptized, even at the most tender age; but, Juliet, the Catholic mother gives not all her mind to the child's costly apparel; that is of little consequence compared to devoting the child to God."
"That is not the question," spoke Juliet, impatiently. "Will you, or will you not go with us to St. Mark's?"
"Juliet, I have something I should tell you. Our child has been baptized. I took him myself to the house of Father Duffy several weeks ago."
"You did? How dared you?" cried Juliet, angrily.
"I had the same right to take him to Father Duffy as have you to take him to Dr. Browne. You were very ill at the time; I did not like to wait."
"It doesn't matter at all," cried Juliet, recovering herself, "I will take him to St. Mark's just the same."
"You should inform Dr. Browne, however, that the child has been already baptized."
"He will not think he has been baptized; but I will tell him, and let him know how unfairly you have dealt with me."
Juliet did not know what her husband was aware of, that Dr. Browne, or any Episcopal clergyman, would consider baptism at the hands of a Catholic priest as true and valid.