“K-a-t-t,” said Bud (oh, naughty Bud!).
“Mercy!” cried Bell, with horrified hands in the air. “Off you pack to-morrow to the seminary. I wouldn't wonder if you did not know a single word of the Shorter Catechism. Perhaps they have not such a thing in that awful heathen land you came from?”
Bud could honestly say she had never heard of the Shorter Catechism.
“My poor, neglected bairn,” said her aunt, piteously, “you're sitting there in the dark with no conviction of sin, and nothing bothering you, and you might be dead to-morrow! Mind this, that 'Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.' Say that.”
'"Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever,'” repeated Bud, obediently, rolling her r's and looking solemn like her aunt.
“Did you ever hear of Robert Bruce, him that watched the spiders?”
Here, too, the naughty Bud protested ignorance.
“He was the savior of his country,” said Bell. “Mind that!”
“Why, auntie, I thought it was George Washington,” said Bud, surprised. “I guess if you're looking for a little wee stupid, it's me.”
“We're talking about Scotland,” said Miss Bell, severely. “He saved Scotland. It was well worth while! Can you do your sums?”