Unless you believe God's Word you are lost;
lost here and hereafter; lost HERE even, for until you believe it you
wander in a fog of ever deepening confusion. All is dark and
inexplicable."
Being very much excited, he used largely the words of St. Paul, and
not his own. How clear it all seemed to him, how indisputable!
Childish association and years of unquestioning repetition gave an
absolute certainty to what was almost unmeaning to other people.
Mrs. Zachariah, although she had expressed a strong desire for the
Major's conversion, and was the only other representative of the
chapel present, was very fidgety and uncomfortable during this
speech. She had an exquisite art, which she sometimes practised, of
dropping her husband, or rather bringing him down. So, when there
was a pause, everybody being moved at least by his earnestness, she
said:
"My dear, will you take any more tea?"
He was looking on the table-cloth, with his head on his hands, and
did not answer.
"Major Maitland, may I give you some more tea?"
"No, thank you." The Major too was impressed--more impressed than
the lady who sat next to him, and she felt rebuffed and annoyed.
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