“That would depend on who did it. Now, I want you to let me do a little of the catechizing. I've liked you and Laban ever since you came to Leatherwood, and you know how your Joey has all but brought my boy back to me. Well, do you believe in God?”
“No!”
“Why don't you?”
“A God that would let Joseph Dylks claim to be Him, and let them poor fools kneel down to him and worship him? Would an all-wise and all-powerful God do that?”
“What makes you say all-powerful? Haven't you seen time and time again when good didn't prevail against evil, and don't you suppose He'd have helped it if He could? And why do you call Him all-wise? Is it because men are no-wise? That wouldn't prove it, would it? And about the miracles, what does a miracle prove? Does it prove that the person who does it is of God, or just that faith is stronger than reason in those who think it's happened?”
“But sin: do you think there's such a thing?” Nancy pursued.
“There you are, catechizing me again! Yes, I think there's sin, because I've known it in myself, if I haven't in others.”
“And what is it—sin?”
“Well, Nancy, it seems to vary according to the time and place. But I should say it was going against what you knew was right at the time being.”
“And do you always know?”