Ruhannah sat thinking in the red stove light, cross-legged, her slim ankles clasped in either hand.
“But our souls are immortal,” she said at last.
“Yes.”
“Our Lord Jesus has said it.”
“Yes.”
“Then why should anybody not believe it?”
“Try to believe it always. Particularly after your mother and I are no longer here, try to believe it.... You are unusually intelligent; and if some day your intelligence discovers that it requires evidence for belief seek for that evidence. It is obtainable. Try to recognise it when you encounter it.... Only, in any event, remember this: never alter your early faith, never destroy your childhood’s belief until evidence to prove the contrary convinces you.”
“No.... There is no such evidence, is there, father?”
“I know of none.”
“Then,” said the girl calmly, “I shall take Christ’s 35 evidence that I shall live again if I do no evil.... Father?”