"Go on, Matilda," said Mrs. Lloyd,—"if you have anything more."
"Yes, grandmamma."
"What is David trying to prove?" asked Mrs. Laval.
"We are only trying to find out what the word of the Lord would make us do, aunt Zara."
The two younger ladies looked annoyed; however silence was restored, and Matilda began again.
"'He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.'"
"Do we despise anybody?" Mrs. Bartholomew asked. No one answered at first.
"I do," said Judy. "Just two or three."
"'He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.'"
"You see," said David, "the Lord reckons it his own affair. These are Messiah's poor people; we are his stewards."