32 THE FLOWERS

retained in her possession, ever since she
came into this place, a volume of the Holy
Scriptures in her native language, though
she knows that children like herself are not
competent to use these holy books to any
advantage, She has actually been disco-
vered, in a bosquet of this garden, deep in
the study of this volume, using such art in
so doing as shows the blackness and depravity
of her heart.” Thus speaking, she gave
the child a push from her, with that sort
of expression of abhorrence which one would
use to a loathed animal.

« And where is this book?” I asked. It
was immediately held up to my view by
Susette, and 1 perceived that it was an
abridgment only of the sacred Scriptures,
being an exceedingly small volume, not
above four inches square ; it looked old and
much worn; and it struck me that there was
a malicious feeling shown towards the child
in making so much of this insignificant
matter ; and not, as I thought, much policy
in it, as it related to the interests of the
church to which I was then attached. I
therefore said, “Let the book be given to