They do
it also, I suppose, because they think it right."
"And do you not think it right, papa? Why should they? I have
seen people coming out of church before, but I never knew what
it was like inside. I _may_ go again some day?"
"When you are older, my child, I will take you again,
perhaps."
"But that little girl Nanette, papa, was only five years old
when she went first, her mother said, and I have never been at
all," said Madelon, feeling rather aggrieved.
"Well, when we go to Florence next winter, Madelon, you shall
visit all the churches. They are much more splendid than
these, and have the most beautiful pictures, which I should
like you to see."
"And will there be music, and lights, and flowers there, the
same as here, papa?"
"Oh! for that, it is much the same everywhere," replied M.
Linders. "People are much alike all the world over, as you
will find, Madelon. Priests, and mummery, and a gaping crowd,
to stare and say, 'How wonderful! how beautiful!' as you do
now, _ma petite;_ but you shall know better some day."
He spoke with a certain bitterness that Madelon did not
understand, any more than she did his little speech; but it
silenced her for a moment, and then she said more timidly,
"But, papa----"
"Well, Madelon!"
"But, papa, he said--_ce Monsieur_--he said that people go to
church _pour prier le bon Dieu_.
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