Part 26 (1/2)
”Is it so difficult? It never used to be very difficult, Matilda.”
”No, sir; but things are--different.”
”_You_ are not different, are you?”
”I don't know,” said Matilda, slowly; ”I am afraid so. I feel very different.”
”In what way?”
”Mr. Richmond,” she went on, still slowly, and as if she were meditating her words,--”I don't see how I can do just right.”
”In what respect?” said the minister, very quietly. Again Matilda paused.
”Mr. Richmond, is it always wrong to hate people?”
”What things should make it right for us to hate people?”
”I don't know,” said Matilda in the same considering way, ”when there isn't the least thing you can love them for, or like them?”
”What if the Lord had gone by that rule in dealing with us?”
”Oh, but He is so good.”
”And has commanded us to be just as good, has He not?”
”But can we, Mr. Richmond?”
”What do you think, Tilly, the Lord meant when He gave us the order?”
”He meant we should try.”
”Do you think He meant that we should only _try?_ do you think He did not mean that we should be as He said?”
”And love hateful people?”
”What do you think, Tilly?”
”O Mr. Richmond, I think I'm not good.”
”What is the matter, my dear child?” Mr. Richmond said tenderly, as Matilda burst into quiet tears again. ”What troubles you?”
”_That_, Mr. Richmond. I'm afraid I am not good, for I am not like that; and I don't see how I can be.”
”What is the hindrance? or the difficulty?”
”Because, Mr. Richmond, I am afraid I hate my Aunt Candy.”
Mr. Richmond was quite silent, and Matilda sobbed awhile.
”Do I understand you aright?” he said, at last. ”Do you say that you hate your aunt?”