"How do you like living in Paris?" said he. "You should know by this time."
"I like it very much indeed," said Fleda.
"I like Queechy better though," she went on gravely, her eyes turning again to the square.
"Like Queechy better! Were you thinking of Queechy just now when I spoke to you?"
"Were you going over all those horrors I have been distressing you with?"
"No," said Fleda;--"I _was_ thinking of them, awhile ago."
"What then?" said he pleasantly. "You were looking so sober I should like to know how near your thoughts were to mine."
"I was thinking," said Fleda, gravely, and a little unwillingly, but Guy's manner was not to be withstood,--"I was wishing I could be like the disciple whom Jesus loved."
Mr. Carleton let her see none of the surprise he felt at this answer.
"Was there one more loved than the rest?"
"Yes--the Bible calls him 'the disciple whom Jesus loved.' That was John."
"I don't know. I suppose he was more gentle and good than the others, and loved Jesus more. I think aunt Miriam said so when I asked her once."
Mr. Carleton thought Fleda had not far to seek for the fulfilment of her wish.
"But how in the world, Elfie, did you work round to this gentle and good disciple from those scenes of blood you set out with?"
"Why," said Elfie,--"I was thinking how unhappy and bad people are, especially people here, I think; and how much must be done before they will all be brought right;--and then I was thinking of the work Jesus gave his disciples to do; and so I wished I could be like _that_ disciple.--Hugh and I were talking about it this morning."
"What is the work he gave them to do?" said Mr. Carleton, more and more interested.
"Why," said Fleda, lifting her gentle wistful eyes to his and then looking away,--"to bring everybody to be good and happy."
"And how in the world are they to do that?" said Mr. Carleton, astonished to see his own problem quietly handled by this child.
"By telling them about Jesus Christ, and getting them to believe and love him," said Fleda, glancing at him again,--"and living so beautifully that people cannot help believing them."
"That last is an important clause," said Mr. Carleton thoughtfully. "But suppose people will not hear when they are spoken to, Elfie?"