"He's going to help," said Madge. "It's nothing but kindness. He supposes it is something good to do, and he says he'd like to be useful."
"He hain't no idea how," said Mrs. Armadale, "Poor creatur'! You can tell him, it ain't the Lord's work he's doin'."
"But we cannot tell him that, mother," said Lois.
"If the people want to have this celebration,—and they will,—hadn't we better make it a good one? Is it really a bad thing?"
"The devil's ways never help no one to heaven, child, not if they go singin' hymns all the way."
"But, mother!" cried Madge. "Mr. Dillwyn ain't a Christian, maybe, but he ain't as bad as that."
"I didn't mean Mr. Dillwyn, dear, nor no one else. I meant theatre work."
"Santa Claus, mother?"
"It's actin', ain't it?"
The girls looked at each other.