"'Better not' is wrong to a Christian," he replied.
"It must be dreadful to be a Christian!"
"Because—?" he said, with a quiet and good-humoured glance and tone of inquiry.
"O, because it is slavery. So many things you cannot do, and dresses you cannot wear."
"By what rule?" Mr. Masters asked.
"O, people think you are dreadful if you do those things; the Church, and all that. So I think it is a great deal better to keep out of it, and make no pretensions."
"Better to keep out of what? let me understand," said the minister.
"You are getting my ideas in a very involved state."
"No, I am not! I say, it is better to make no profession."
"Better than what? What is the alternative?"
"O, you know. Now you are catechizing me. It is better to make no profession, than to make it and not live up to it."