“And neither my faith nor my prayers have kept me from being false. Oh, it has been such hard work!”
Tessa’s face was drawn as if by physical pain.
“I was thinking in the night last night that I did not believe that Hannah, or Elizabeth, or Huldah, or Persis, or Dorcas ever prayed more fervently or unceasingly than I have; I have builded on my faith, no wonder that the first rough wind has shaken my foundation! Ever since Felix Harrison years ago called me a flirt, I have prayed that I might be true; and to-night I am as false as Sue Greyson.”
“Through an experience once, long ago, I learned to pray that the will of God might be done in me, even although I must be sifted as wheat.”
“I am not brave enough for that. Oh, Miss Jewett, I am afraid that God is angry with me; and I have meant to be so true.”
“Do you remember the time that the disciples forgot to take bread?”
“Yes, but that is not like me.”
“I think it is—just like you.”
“Then tell me.”
“It was one time when Jesus and the disciples were alone on board the ship; He had been deeply grieved with the Pharisees, sighing in His spirit over them, for they had tempted Him with asking of Him a sign from heaven. A sign from heaven! And He had just filled four thousand hungry people with seven loaves and a few small fishes!