"I hope religious instruction will be a part of their education," she said, when the subject was first discussed.
"They shall read the Bible from beginning to end," Mrs. Caldwell answered shortly.
"That, I should think, would be hardly desirable," Aunt Victoria deprecated gently.
"And I shall teach them their Catechism, and take them to church," Mrs. Caldwell proceeded. "That is the way in which I was taught."
"We were instructed in doctrine, and taught to order our conduct on certain fixed principles, which were explained to us," Aunt Victoria ventured.
"Indeed, yes, I dare say," Mrs. Caldwell observed politely; so there the subject had to drop.
But Aunt Victoria was far from satisfied. She shook her head sadly over her niece's spiritual state, and determined to save the souls of her great-nieces by instructing them herself as occasion should offer.
"What is education, mamma?" Beth asked.
"Why, learning things, of course," Mrs. Caldwell replied, with a smile at the child's simplicity.
"I know that," Beth snapped, irritated by her mother's manner.