"No, not now," she said; "I did once. That is to say, I never prayed much myself, but I used to believe that it did some people good; but Claude says that is all nonsense. My brother Arthur and he are always having long discussions about these things. Arthur believes in the Bible with all his heart and soul, and Claude does nothing but laugh at him."
"And you agree with Claude, of course," said Evelyn, laughing.
"Yes," said Alice, "I agree with him; and yet, do you know, I sometimes wish I didn't."
"May I ask, why not?" I said.
"Well," she said, "you mustn't tell Claude, he would be so angry; but I can't help thinking if Arthur should be right after all—what then?"
"Yes, what then?" I said. "If the Bible is true—what then?"
"Why then," she said, laughing again, "we are all lost, I suppose; so the best we can do is to enjoy ourselves as much now as we can. A short life and a merry one, that's my motto! Well, I suppose it is getting near dinner time," she said, as she hastily rose, gathering up her work, and left the room.
"She is a queer girl," said Evelyn, as soon as the door was shut.
"She is not really happy, Evelyn," I said. "She tries to laugh it off, as she says; but there is a great deal of miserable uncertainty in her heart, I feel sure of that."
"Well," said Evelyn, turning the subject, "won't you dress for dinner? Ambrose will be here in a moment."