I used to fancy she had some crime to
confess,--did she say anything wicked when she was dying?"
Ulrika avoided a direct reply to this question. What was the good of
horrifying the girl by telling her that her deceased relative was to all
intents and purposes a murderess? She resolved to let the secret of old
Lovisa's life remain buried with her. Therefore she simply answered--
"Her mind wandered greatly,--it was difficult to hear her last words.
But it should satisfy you, Britta, to know that she passed away in the
fear of the Lord."
Britta gave a little half-dubious, half-scornful smile. She had not the
slightest belief in the sincerity of her late grandmother's religious
principles.
"I don't understand people who are so much _afraid_ of the Lord," she
said. "They must have done something wrong. If you always do your best,
and try to be good, you needn't fear anything. At least, that's my
opinion."
"There is the everlasting burning," began Ulrika solemnly.
"Oh, nonsense!" exclaimed Britta quite impatiently.
Pages:
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041