Part 42 (1/2)
”Babies,” said Norton, after a moment's recollection.
”Well, if you would like to see me baptized, come to our church Sunday after next.”
”You?” said Norton. ”Haven't you been baptized?”
”Not yet.”
”I thought everybody was. Then if you have not been yet, why do you?
Whose notion is that?”
”It is mine.”
”_Your_ notion?” said Norton, examining her. ”What do you mean by that, Matilda?”
”I mean, I want to be baptized; and Mr. Richmond is going to do it for me.”
”What's it for? what's the use? I wouldn't if I were you.”
”It is joining the church. Don't you understand, Norton?”
”Not a bit. That is something I never did understand. Do you understand it?”
”Why, yes, certainly.”
”Let's hear, then,” said Norton, putting up his croquet b.a.l.l.s.
”Mr. Richmond has explained it so much, you know, I couldn't help but understand.”
”Oh, it's Mr. Richmond, is it?”
”No; it's the Bible.”
”Let's hear, then,” said Norton. ”Go on.”
Matilda hesitated. She found a difficulty in saying all her mind to him; she did not know whether it was best; and with that she had a suspicion that perhaps she ought to do it. She glanced at him, and looked away, and glanced again; and tried to make up her mind. Norton was busy putting up his croquet hoops and mallets; but his face looked so energetic and wide awake, and his eye was so quick and strong, that she was half afraid to say something that might bring an expression of doubt or ridicule upon it. Then Norton looked up at her again, a keen look enough, but so full of pleasure in her that Matilda's doubts were resolved. He would not be unkind; she would venture it.
”I want you to know about me, Norton,” she began again.
”Well,” said Norton, ”so do I; but it seems difficult, somehow.”
”You do not think that, for you are laughing.”
Norton gave her another look, laughing rather more; and then he came and stood close beside her.
”What is it, Matilda?” he asked.
”I don't want you to think that I am good,” she said, looking up earnestly and timidly, ”for I am not; but I want to be; and being baptized is a sign of belonging to the Lord Jesus, so I want to be baptized.”
”It isn't a sign of anything good,” said Norton. ”Lots of people are baptized, that aren't anything else, I know. Lots of them, Matilda.