'You do not think ignorant credulity
better than reasonable belief?' said he at length.
'It is not I only who think most highly of child-like unquestioning
faith, Maurice,' said Claude--'faith, that is based upon love and
reverence,' added he to Lily. 'But come, the shower is over, and
philosophers, or no philosophers, I invite you to walk in the wood.'
'Aye,' said Maurice, 'I daresay I can find some of the Arachne
species there. By the bye, Claude, do you think papa would let me
have a piece of plate-glass, eighteen by twenty, to cover my case of
insects?'
'Ask, and you will discover,' said Claude.
Accordingly, Maurice began the next morning at breakfast, 'Papa, may
I have a piece of plate-glass, eighteen by--?'
But no one heard, for Emily was at the moment saying, 'The Westons
are to dine here to-day.'
Claude and Maurice both looked blank.
'I persuaded papa to ask the Westons,' said Lily, 'because I am
determined that Claude shall like Alethea.'
'You must expect that I shall not, you have given me so many orders
on the subject,' said Claude.
'Take care it has not the same effect as to tell Maurice to like a
book,' said Emily; 'nothing makes his aversion so certain.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116