Part 43 (2/2)
”Ailie Swan is,” remarked Maria.
”Yes, I know Ailie Swan is.”
”And Frances Barth.”
Matilda was silent.
”And Esther Trembleton, and George Rice, and Mary and Willie Edwards.”
”I suppose so,” said Matilda.
”You are not, are you?”
”You know I _was_ going to be,” said Matilda. ”I am now.”
”Tilly, it would be no harm if you waited till another time.”
”Why should I wait?”
”_I_ am going to wait,” said Maria.
”Why?”
”Why, because I don't feel like it. Not now.”
”I do not want to wait,” said Matilda. And probably she was going to say more, but her lip trembled and she stopped.
”It would be no harm, Tilly, if you waited. n.o.body would expect it of us now. _n.o.body_ would expect it, Tilly.”
”I think One would,” said Matilda.
”Who?”
”Jesus.”
”But, Tilly,” said Maria, uneasily, ”I don't think so. It could not be pleasant for you and me, you know, to go forward and be baptized _now_.
We might wait till another time; and then it would be more easy, wouldn't it?”
”It is not hard now,” said Matilda. ”It is pleasant now. I do not wish to put it off.”
”Pleasant?” repeated Maria.
”Yes,” said her little sister, quietly, lifting her eyes to Maria's face so steadily and gravely that the other changed her ground.
”But at least it is not duty, Matilda.”
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