"I can see it all in your face," he said, tenderly: "the strength and the truth to do anything, and bear—whatever is necessary. But I am not so good as you. I cannot bear anything unless it is necessary; and this isn't."
"Oh no, nor I!" I said; "but this is necessary, Mr. Thorold."
"Prove it—come."
"You do not see the orders," I said; "but there they are. 'Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.' I cannot go to that place 'in His name.'"
"I do not think I understand what you mean," he said, gently. "A soldier, the best that ever lived, is his own man when he is off duty. We go to the hop to play—not to work."
"Ah, but a soldier of Christ is never 'off duty,'" I said. "See, Mr. Thorold—'whatsoever ye do'—'whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do.' That covers all; don't you see?"
"That would make it a very heavy thing to be a Christian," he said; "there would be no liberty at all."
"Oh, but it is all liberty!" I said,—"When you love Jesus."
He looked at me so inquiringly, so inquisitively, that I went on.
"You do not think it hard to do things for anybody you love?"