The epistle to the Corinthians lay open before Lois, and she read the words following those which had just been called for.
"'And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.'"
If anybody had been there to see, the two women made the loveliest picture at this moment. The one of them old, weather-worn, plain-featured, sitting with the quiet calm of the end of a work day and listening; the other young, blooming, fresh, lovely, with a wealth of youthful charms about her, bending a little over the big book on her lap; on both faces a reverent sweet gravity which was most gracious. Lois read and stopped, without looking up.
"I think small of all the world, alongside o' that promise, Lois."
"And so do I, grandmother."
"But, you see, the Lord's sons and daughters has got to be separate from other folks."
"In some ways."
"Of course they've got to live among folks, but they've got to be separate for all; and keep their garments."
"I do not believe it is easy in a place like New York," said Lois.
"Seems to me I was getting all mixed up."
"'Tain't easy nowheres, child. Only, where the way is very smooth, folks slides quicker."