"He commanded us also to carry the gospel to every creature."
"That's for ministers, and missionaries," said Christina.
"The order was given to all the disciples, and He commanded us to be lights in the world."
"Of course—to set good examples."
"That is not quite the whole," said Mr. Shubrick; "though people do take it so, I believe."
"I have always taken it so," said Dolly. "What more can it be?"
"Remember the words—'Whatsoever doth make manifest is light.' There is the key. There are good examples—so called—which disturb nobody. There are others,"—he spoke very gravely,—"before which sin knows itself, and conscience shrinks away; before which no lie can stand. Those are the Lord's light-bearers."
"Sandie, what has got you into this vein of moralising? Is this talk for Christmas Eve, when we ought to be merry? Don't you lead a dreadful dull life on board ship?"
"No," said he. "Never. Neither there nor anywhere else."
"Are you always picking at the wick of that light of yours, to make it shine more?"