human
Why, yes, I think I was for a minute or two while we were behind that barn, but----Did you ever pray when you were in a trying situation?
gpt
Why, I don't know that I ever did. I'm not quite sure if it was praying.
human
Well, I don't know that I ever did before, she went on thoughtfully,
gpt
She dropped her eyes half embarrassed:
human
Just as if I were a frightened little child I found myself saying: 'God help us! God help us!' And right away we heard that other car coming and the men went away. It somehow seemed--well, strange! I wondered if anybody else ever had an experience like that.
gpt
I've heard of them, said Cameron gravely.
human
I've wondered sometimes myself. Do you believe in God?
gpt
Oh, yes! said Ruth quite firmly.
human
Of course. What use would there be in anything if there wasn't a God?
gpt
But do you believe we humans can ever really--well, _find_ Him? On this earth, I mean.
human
Why, I don't know that I ever thought about it, she answered bewildered.
gpt
Find Him? In what way do you mean?
human
Why, get in touch with Him? Get to know Him, perhaps. Be on such terms with Him that one could call out in a time like last night, you know; or--well, say in a battle! I've been thinking a lot about that lately--naturally.
gpt
Oh! gasped Ruth softly,
human
It isn't that I'm afraid to die, said Cameron proudly lifting his chin as if dying were a small matter,
gpt
I think I understand just a little, said Ruth,
human
I have never thought about it before, but I'm going to now. It's something we ought to think about, I guess. In a sense it's something that each one of us has to think, whether we are going into battle or not, isn't it?
gpt
I suppose it is, only we never realize it when things are going along all right, said Cameron.
human
It seems queer that everybody that's ever lived on this earth has had this question to face sooner or later and most of them haven't done much about it. The few people who profess to have found a way to meet it we call cranks, or else pick flaws in the way they live; although it does seem to me that if I really found God so I was sure He was there and cared about me, I'd manage to live a little decenter life than some do.
gpt
What shall I do to be saved? It came and went during the days that followed, and now and again the fact that it had originated in a talk with Cameron clashed badly in her mind with that word
human
Rotten
gpt
Cousin Captain, she said,
human
Indeed I do!
gpt
What kind of a man is he?
human
The best young man I know in every way, answered the captain promptly.
gpt
If the world were made up of men like him it would be a pretty good place in which to live. Do you know him?
human
A little, said Ruth evasively, with a satisfied smile on her lips.
gpt
His mother is in our Red Cross now. She thinks he's about right, of course, but mothers usually do, I guess. I'll have to tell her what you said. It will please her. He used to be in school with me years ago. I haven't seen much of him since.
human
Well, all I have to say is, improve your acquaintance if you get the chance. He's worth ten to one of your society youths that loll around here almost every time I come.
gpt
Now, Cousin Captain!
human
Phoebe,
gpt
Big Dick,
human
Big Nick, and
gpt
Little Joe.