THE COOK AND THE CATECHISM
"It's very long," said Sophy, resignedly.
"Do you know it?"
"I think so. Oh, Mr. Basil, would you mind hearing me? Because if I can say it to you, I can say it to her, you know."
"All right, fire away."
A sudden doubt smote Sophy. "But do you know it yourself?" she asked.
"Yes, rather, I know it."
She would not take his word. "Then you say the first half, and I'll say the second."
He humored her—it was hard not to—she looked so small and seemed so capable. He began—and tripped for a moment over "'To love, honor, and succor my father and mother.'" The child had no chance there. But Sophy's eyes were calm. He ended, "'teachers, spiritual pastors, and masters.' Now go on," he said.
"'To order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters; to hurt nobody by word nor deed; to be true and just in all my dealing; to bear no malice nor hatred in my heart; to keep my hands from picking and stealing, and my tongue from evil-speaking, lying, and slandering; to keep my body in temperance, soberness, and chastity [the young man smiled for an instant—that sounded pathetic]; not to covet nor desire other men's goods, but to learn and labor truly to get mine own living and to do my duty in that state of life unto which it has pleased God to call me.'"
"Wrong!" said Basil. "Go down two!"
"Wrong?" she cried, indignantly disbelieving.
"Wrong!"
"It's not! That's what Mrs. James taught me."
"Perhaps—it's not in the prayer-book. Go and look."
17
