By the time they reached the school-house, Dotty was almost too angry to speak. They took their seats with Katie between them (when she was not under their feet or in their laps), and looked over in the Testament. The large scholars "up in the back seats," and in fact all but the very small ones, were in the habit of reading aloud two verses each. This morning it was the nineteenth chapter of Matthew, and Dotty paid little heed till her ear was caught by these words, read quite slowly and clearly by Abby Grant:—
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter the kingdom of heaven.
"And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Dolly's heart gave a great bound. That meant Judge Vance just as sure as the world. Wasn't he rich, and didn't Jennie boast of it as if it was a great thing? She touched her friend's arm, and pointed with her small forefinger to the passage; but Jennie did not understand.
"It isn't my turn," whispered she; "what are you nudging me for?"
"Don't you see your papa isn't going to heaven?" said Dotty. "God won't let him in, because he's rich."
"I don't believe it," said Jennie quite unmoved.
"O, but God won't, for the Bible says so. He can't get in any more than a camel can get into a needle; and you know a camel can't."
"But the needle can go into a camel," said Jennie, thoughtfully; "perhaps that's what it means."
"O, no," whispered Dotty. "I know better'n that. I'm very sorry your papa is rich."