He wanted her to go to church with little Eileen and me
this morning. She's only a child, you know, and he naturally took it for
granted that she was going. We both did. But just at the last moment she
absolutely refused, told him quite frankly that she was--an atheist."
Saltash's laugh had a sound half-mocking, half-exultant. "What said the
worthy Jake to that? Stop! I know what he said. He said. 'You can call
yourself by any fool name you please, but you've got to go to Church
like a respectable citizen if I say so.' Wasn't that it?"
"Something like it," Maud admitted. "How did you know?"
"Oh, I know Jake," said Saltash dryly. "And what happened then? She
refused?"
"Yes, she refused. She was frightened, but she refused. She looked as if
she were going to run away, but in the end Jake went off with her to the
stables saying they would go to-night. They were quite friends when I saw
them again, but she had been crying, poor little thing. I wish I could
help her, but somehow I can't get near enough. Jake seems to understand
her best."
"Wonder if she will give in?" said Saltash.
They were passing through a shrubbery that led to the training-field, and
there came the quick thud of hoofs galloping on short turf as they
approached.
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