"Then why should you give God's book just half a minute, or not so long, and Wayland and Legendre and every body else just as much time as the length of your lesson claims? Could you make anything of your astronomy now?"
"No, I knew I could not, and that is why I am leaving it till morning."
"Suppose you do not study it at all and tell Mr. McCosh that you were too tired to-night."
"He would not accept such an excuse. He would ask why I deferred it so long. He would think I was making fun of him to give him such an excuse. I wouldn't dare."
"But you go to God and offer him your evening sacrifice with eyes so blind that they cannot see his words, and brain so tired that it can find no meaning in them. Will he accept an excuse that you are ashamed to give your teacher?"
"No," said Marjorie, looking startled. "I will read, and perhaps I can think now."
But Miss Prudence was bending towards her and taking the Bible from her lap.
"Let me find something for you in Malachi."
"And help me understand," said Marjorie.
After a moment Miss Prudence read aloud: