Judith listened; Roger never talked for the sake of argument; he pondered before he spoke again.
“She deliberately chose the God of Israel to be her God, giving herself to His worship and His people; Naomi had taught her; Naomi was a missionary—love of her mother-in-law was not all that decided her to leave her gods and her native land.”
“I thought it was because she loved Naomi,” said Judith, “and that was so lovely.”
“But Naomi’s son married her first,” argued Marion; “he had no right to do that.”
“Perhaps he was punished for it; perhaps both sons were punished for it; who knows?”
“But you do not think Jean has done wrong,” said Judith, sympathetically; “it will break her heart if she ever reasons herself into believing she has disobeyed.”
“Well, no,” replied Roger, dryly; “especially as David expects to confess his faith at the next communion. He would not do it before for fear that he would do it to please Jean. He did not dare tell her. He has told no one but myself.”
“Then, Roger, why didn’t you tell Uncle Cephas?” asked Judith, in astonishment.
“I thought he might as well learn that, even in Bensalem, there are some people he may misjudge. He knows Bensalem by head, once in a while, better than he knows it by heart.”
“Did you say you would take Judith to Meadow Centre,” Marion asked, bringing herself back from over the sea.