And
almost everybody else in Avonlea has testified."
"Oh, no, there's lots haven't," said Eben. "Matthew Cuthbert
never has, nor Uncle Elisha, nor any of the Whites."
"But everybody knows they don't believe in getting up and
testifying, so nobody wonders when they don't. Besides," Mollie
laughed--"Matthew could never get a word out in public, if he did
believe in it. He'd be too shy. But," she added with a sigh,
"it isn't that way with father. He believes in testimony, so
people wonder why he doesn't get up. Why, even old Josiah Sloane
gets up every night."
"With his whiskers sticking out every which way, and his hair
ditto," interjected the graceless Eben.
"When the minister calls for testimonials and all the folks look
at our pew, I feel ready to sink through the floor for shame,"
sighed Mollie. "If father would get up just once!"
Miriam Bell entered the kitchen. She was ready for the meeting,
to which Major Spencer was to take her. She was a tall, pale
girl, with a serious face, and dark, thoughtful eyes, totally
unlike Mollie. She had "come under conviction" during the
meetings, and had stood up for prayer and testimony several
times. The evangelist thought her very spiritual. She heard
Mollie's concluding sentence and spoke reprovingly.
"You shouldn't criticize your father, Mollie. It isn't for you
to judge him."
Eben had hastily slipped out. He was afraid Miriam would begin
talking religion to him if he stayed.
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