Frank. "I suppose the Bible
means something when it speaks about the warfare, and the armour, and
all that; but then one would not think so, just to see the way people
live, and good people too."

"One can't tell by just seeing the outside of people's lives," said
David.

"The outside of people's lives!" repeated Frank. "Why, what else can we
see?"

"I mean you are thinking of something quite different from mamma's idea
of battles, and warfare, and all that. She was not speaking about
anything that all the world, or people generally, would admire, or even
see."

"But you spoke of your father, David, and I can understand how he in a
certain way may be said to be fighting the battles of the Lord. He
preaches against sin, and bad people oppose him, and he stands up for
his Master; and when he does good to people, wins them over to God's
side, he may be said to make a conquest--to gain a victory, as he did
when he rescued poor Tim. I can understand why he should be called a
soldier, and how his way of doing things may be called fighting; and
that may be the way with ministers generally, I suppose; but as for
other people, they ought to be the same, as the Bible says so; but I
don't see that they are, for all that. Do you, Jem?"

"It depends on what you mean by fighting," said Jem.

"But whatever it is, it is something that can be seen," said Frank
impatiently, "and what I mean is that I don't see it."

"But then the people you know most about mayn't be among the fighting
men, even if you were a good judge of fighting," said Jem. "Your eyes
mayn't be the best, you know."

"Well, lend me your eyes, then, and don't mind the people I know. Take
the people _you_ know, your father's right hand men, who ought to be
among the soldiers, if there are any. There is Mr Strong and old Penn,
and the man who draws the mill logs. And all the people, women as well
as men, ought to be wearing the armour and using the weapons. There is
your friend, Miss Bethia, Davie; is she a warrior, too?"

"Aunt Bethia certainly is," said Jem decidedly. "She is not afraid of--
well, of principalities and powers, I tell _you_. Don't she fight
great--eh, Davie?"

"Aunt Bethia is a very good woman, and it depends on what you call
fighting," said David, dubiously.

"Yes, Miss Bethia is a soldier. And as for old Mr Penn, I've seen him
fight very hard to keep awake in meeting," said Jem, laughing.

"It is easy enough to make fun of