"But some people are rich enough," said Mary.
"Those people don't make parties for the poor, though," said Ailie. "Catch them!"
"But then, can it mean that it is wrong to have our friends come and see us?" said Matilda.
"It cannot be wrong. Don't you remember, Martha and Mary used to have Jesus come to their house? and they used to make suppers for Him."
"But He was poor," said Matilda.
"That is different, too, from having a party, and making a great fuss," said Ailie.
"And that is done just to pay one's debts," said Matilda, "for I have heard mother say so. People ask her, and so she must ask people. And that is what it means, girls, I guess. See, 'lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.' That isn't making a feast for people that you love."
"Then it is wicked to ask people just that they may ask you," said Mary Edwards.
"Instead of that, we must ask people who cannot ask us," said Matilda.
"But how queer we should be!" said Ailie Swan. "Just think; we should not be like anybody else. And what should we do if people asked us?"