"I do not know," I said. "I had not thought it was either. Perhaps I am learning."
"Mr. Dinwiddie," I said, "maybe you can help me."
"But it is very difficult for me to put you in possession of the circumstances - or in the atmosphere of the circumstances. I do not know that I can. You know that papa and mamma do not think with me on the subject of religion?"
"There are other things in which I think differently from them - other things in which we feel apart; and they do not know it. Ought I to let them know it?"
"Your question is as enigmatical as an ancient oracle. I must have a little more light. Do these differences of feeling or opinion touch action? - either yours or theirs?"
"Then, unless your minds are known to each other, will there not be danger of mistaken action, on the one part or on the other?"
"Telling them would not prevent that danger," I said.
"They would disregard your views, or you would disregard theirs, - which?"
"I must not disregard theirs," I said low.
Mr. Dinwiddie was silent awhile. I had a sort of cry in my heart for the old dividing of the waters.
"Miss Daisy," he said, "there is one sure rule. Do right; and let consequences break us to pieces, if needs be."
"But," said I doubtfully, "I had questioned what was right; at least I had not been certain that I ought to do anything just now."
"Of course I am speaking in the dark," he answered. "But you can judge whether this matter of division is something that in your father's place you would feel you had a right to know."
I mused so long after this speech, that I am sure Mr. Dinwiddie must have felt that he had touched my difficulty. He was perfectly silent. At last I rose up to go home. I do not know what Mr. Dinwiddie saw in me, but he stopped me and took my hand.
"I see trouble before me, whatever I do," I said with some difficulty.
"Very well," he said; "even so, trust the Lord. The trouble will do you no harm."
I sat down for a moment and covered my face. It might do me no harm; it might at the same time separate me from what I loved best in the world.
"Cannot you trust?" he repeated. " 'He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.' "
"You know," I said, getting up, "one cannot help being weak."