Cherry sighed impatiently.

“I would that men would e’en forget all these vexed doctrines and dry dogmas, and learn to enjoy life as it might be enjoyed.  Why are we for ever lamenting evils which none may put right?  What does it matter whether we pray to God in a fine church or a homely room?  I would fain go to church with the fine folk, since the King will have it so, and strive to find God there as well as in the bare barn where Master Baker holds his meeting.  They bid us read our Bibles, but they will not let us obey the commands laid down—­”

“Nay, hush, Cherry! hush, hush!  What and if Aunt Susan heard?”

“Let her hear!” cried the defiant Cherry, though she lowered her voice instinctively at the warning; “I am saying naught to be ashamed of.  I know naught about these matters of disputing; I only know that the Bible bids folks submit themselves to the powers that be, whether they be kings, or rulers, or magistrates, because the powers that be are of God.  So that I see not why we go not to church as the King bids us.  And again I read that wherever two or three are gathered together in Christ’s name, there will He be in the midst of them.  So why we cannot go peacefully to church, since He will be there with us, I for one cannot see.  I trow even the boldest Papist or Puritan would not dare deny that He was as much in the midst of those congregations as in ours.  If they do they be worse than Pagans, for every one that goes to church goes to pray to God and to Jesus Christ.”

Keziah looked flustered and scared.  Cherry’s words, though spoken in some temper and despite, contained certain elements of shrewd insight and sound common sense, which she had doubtless inherited from her father.  She had something of the boldness and independence of mind that a spoiled child not unfrequently acquires, and she was not accustomed to mince her words when speaking with her sisters.

Hush! oh hush, child!  Father would not list to hear such words from a daughter of his.  It is for women to learn, and not to teach; to listen, but not to speak.”

“Oh yes, well do I know that.  Have I not listened, and listened, and listened, till I have well nigh fallen asleep; and what sense is there in all the wranglings and disputations?  Why cannot men think as they like, and let other folks alone?  What harm does it do any that another should have a different opinion of his own?”

“I trow that is what father really thinks,” said Keziah, thoughtfully; “but all men declare that it is needful for there to be outward uniformity of worship.  And I trow that father would be willing to conform if they would but let our preachers and teachers alone to hold private meetings in peace.  But so long as they badger and persecute and imprison them, he will have naught to do with the bishops and clergy who set them on, nor will he attend their churches, be the law what it may.  He says it is like turning back in the hour of peril:  that is not his way.”