“Louisa,” I called, “come here; what are you doing there?”
“Looking at inspection.”
“But why are not your breakfast tilings washed, and your kitchen swept? Did I not tell you I wished you to come up and learn your lessons?”
“Yes, ma’am; but I had to see inspection first. Everybody looks at ‘inspection’ on Sunday.”
I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an afternoon’s lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself.
I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, and a sermon from one of our different selections.
I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect:
“Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed?”
“Oh, yes,” replied the one whom I addressed, “there is S——; when he is half-tipsy, he takes his Bible and ‘Newton’s Works,’ and goes to bed and cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious.”
S—— was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil habits, they would not aid much in improving others; therefore, it seemed useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better observance of the Lord’s Day.