"Why," said Elfie, "I was thinking how unhappy and bad people are, especially people here, I think; and how much must be done before they will all be brought right; and then I was thinking of the work Jesus gave his disciples to do; and so I wished I could be like that disciple. Hugh and I were talking about it this morning."
"What is the work he gave them to do?'" said Mr. Carleton, more and more interested.
"Why," said Fleda, lifting her gentle wistful eyes to his, and then looking away, "to bring everybody to be good and happy."
"And how in the world are they to do that?" said Mr. Carleton, astonished to see his own problem quietly handled by this child.
"By telling them about Jesus Christ, and getting them to believe and love him," said Fleda, glancing at him again, "and living so beautifully that people cannot help believing them."
"That last is an important clause," said Mr. Carleton, thoughtfully. "But suppose people will not hear when they are spoken to, Elfie?"
"Some will, at any rate," said Fleda, "and by and by everybody will."
"How do you know?"
"Because the Bible says so."
"Are you sure of that, Elfie?"