e, all that the
word "tenderness" meant, all that was dear, or sweet or to be
reverenced, was embodied in that one memory to Marion. Now you
understand the flashing eyes. She did not believe it at all; she
believed, or thought she did, that the "broad" and "narrow" roads were
all nonsense; that go where you would, or do what you would, all the
roads led to _death_; and that was the end. But the father who had
quavered through those lines so many times had staked his hopes forever
on that belief, and the assurance of it had clothed his face in a grand
smile as he lay dying--a smile that she liked to think of, that she did
not like to hear ridiculed, and to her excited imagination Dr. Eggleston
seemed to be ridiculing the faith on which the hymn was built. "They
are more thorough hypocrites than I supposed," she said, in scorn, and
hardly in undertone, in answer to Eurie's inquiring look. "I don't
believe the stuff myself, but I always supposed the ministers did. I
gave some of them at least credit for sincerity, but it seems it is
nothing but a fable to be laughed to scorn."

"Why, Marion!" Eurie said, and her look expressed surprise and dismay.
"He is not making fun of religion, you know; he is simply referring to
the inappropriateness of such hymns for children."

"What is so glaringly inappropriate about it if they really believe the
Bible? I'm sure it says there that there are two roads, one broad and
the other narrow; and that many people are on one and but few on the
other. Why shouldn't it be put into a hymn if it is desirable to impress
it?"

"I'm sure I don't know," Eurie said, unaccustomed to being put through a
course of logic. "Only, you know, I suppose he simply means that it is
beyond their comprehensions."

"They must have remarkably limited comprehensions then if they are
incapable of understanding so simple a figure of speech, as that there
are two ways to go, and one is harder and safer than the other. I
understood it when it was sung to me--and I was a very little child--and
believed it, too, until I saw the lives of people contradict it; but if
I believed, it still I would not make public sport of it."

At this point Ruth leaned forward from the seat behind and whispered:

"Girls, do keep still; you are drawing the attention of all the people
around you and disturbing everybody."

After that they kept still; but the good doctor had effectually sealed
one heart to whatever that was tender and e