me. And it has such nice stories in it."

Major Lovell gave a long, low whistle.

"Ah!" he said, shaking his head comically at the little figure walking
by his side, "I'm very much afraid you may be at the bottom of it all.
Do you read the Bible to your uncle? Do you tell him that he has been
wasting his life and not fulfilling the end for which he was created, in
fact, that he is a wicked sinner? For that has been the substance of
his talk with me this morning!"

"Uncle Edward is a very good man," Milly replied, warmly. "I don't know
what you mean, Major Lovell; don't you read the Bible?"

"What will you think of me if I tell you I don't?"

"Perhaps you know it all by heart? I expect that is why."

"I rather think I don't. You must not begin to catechise me too
severely. Who has brought you up in this pious fashion?"

"I'm not pious. You said they were horrid people. But I thought all the
grown-up people read the Bible, except people like Jack."

"Who is Jack?"

"He was a prodigal son, one of God's prodigal sons."

"And what are they, may I ask?"