I don't want to go to church, but I'd like to go
to Sunday school."
Salome listened in agony. Every word of Lionel Hezekiah's stung
her conscience unbearably. So this was the result of her weak
yielding to Judith; this innocent child looked upon her as a
wicked woman, and, worse still, regarded old, depraved Abel Blair
as a model to be imitated. Oh! was it too late to undo the evil?
When Judith returned, Salome blurted out the whole story.
"Lionel Hezekiah must go to Sunday school," she concluded appealingly.
Judith's face hardened until it was as if cut in stone.
"No, he shall not," she said stubbornly. "No one living in my
household shall ever go to church or Sunday school. I gave in to you
when you wanted to teach him to say his prayers, though I knew it
was only foolish superstition, but I sha'n't yield another inch.
You know exactly how I feel on this subject, Salome; I believe
just as father did. You know he hated churches and churchgoing.
And was there ever a better, kinder, more lovable man?"
"Mother believed in God; mother always went to church," pleaded Salome.
"Mother was weak and superstitious, just as you are,"
retorted Judith inflexibly. "I tell you, Salome, I don't believe
there is a God.
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