“I don’t know anyone who likes to choose his company better than you!” observed Isabelle sarcastically.

“Certainly I do.  Similarity of environment presupposes similarity of tastes.  Probably my idea of enjoyment would not accord with the chimney-sweep’s, but at the same time I don’t look down on the poor beggar because he hasn’t been as fortunate as I in getting his bread well buttered.  There is a law of cultivation for humanity as well as plants.  Surround a succession of generations with all the advantages of wealth, education and travel, and you produce the aristocrat; just as you get the delicate Solanum Wendlandi from the humble potato blossom.  Set your aristocrat in the wilderness to earn his living by the sweat of his brow,—­let the rain and wind beat upon his delicate skin,—­shut him away from all the elevating influences to which he has been accustomed, and, in course of time, what have you?  His descendants have retrograded.  The Solanum has become a potato again.”

“That is all very well,” said Isabelle, “but I believe the instinct of culture will be dormant somewhere.”

“Then why do you not recognize it in your chimney-sweep?  For all you know he may be the descendant of some impecunious sire of a lordly house.  Probably plenty of them are.”

Louis rose and tossed the paper carelessly to his mother, who had been an amused listener to the discussion.  It never occurred to him to do so before.  What did women want to know about politics or the turf?

“Jesus Christ never seemed to care about externals,” said Evadne softly.  “He chose his friends among the common people.”

“For pity’s sake, Evadne!” cried Isabelle.  “When will you learn that the Bible is not to be taken literally?”

“Not to be taken literally!” echoed Evadne in wonderment.  “How is it to be taken then?”

“Isabelle means that we have to make allowances,” said her aunt.  “Christ could do a great many things that you cannot.”

Evadne was silent, while the words of Jesus kept ringing in her ears:  “For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.”  If only she could understand!

“By the way, Evadne,” said Mrs. Hildreth, “I beg you will not repeat your mistake of yesterday.”

“What do you mean, Aunt Kate?”

“Bringing such a disreputable character into the house.  When I came in and found her sitting in the hall and you talking to her I was perfectly paralyzed.  Horrible!  Why her rags were abominable, and her feet were bare!”

“But she had no shoes, Aunt Kate, and she was just my height.  I was so glad that my clothes would fit her.”

“A pretty thing to have your clothes paraded through the streets by such a creature!  Most likely she would pawn them for gin.  I am sure she was an improper character.”

“But, Aunt Kate,” pleaded Evadne, “Jesus Christ says we must clothe the naked and feed the hungry if we would be his followers.  I must do as he tells me for I am going to follow him.”