"'But if Landolf were to come to light again in these days, when we _are_ Christians, what would he say of us? Outward culture truly he would find--the face of the earth would indeed have changed. But if he came into the inns, where drinking and gaming are going on, into the so-called _Maybeers_, into the assemblies for eating and drinking, and playing at weddings, and housewarmings, and christenings; or into the private drinking and gaming parties in people's houses, the gaming hells at the watering-places, the drinking carousals of students, the companies of the noble, the so-called entertainments with which everything must be celebrated in Germany--how confounded would he be, to find that the drinking and gaming devil is still the ruling devil in Germany! but, on the other hand, faith and truth are extinguished. It is true what the old song says--"Most are Christians only in name. God's true seed are thinly scattered, those who love and honour Christ and do His pleasure!" Well, God mend it!'" Meredith shut up his book. "Ditto," said Maggie thoughtfully, "is it so bad here?" "How do I know, Maggie?" "But what do you _think_?" Flora lifted up her head. "Now, Meredith, don't go and say something absurd." "What do you want me to say?" "Why, the truth! that there are a great many nice people in America." "I have no doubt, so there are in Germany." "Then that talk is all stuff." "Pastor Harms never talked stuff." "How do you know?" "I have read enough of him to know. He was one of those he calls God's true seed." "Then what did he mean? Or what do you mean?" "Well, Flora, I will ask you a question: How many people do you know who live to do Christ's will?" Flora did not answer immediately. Maggie on her part went to calculating. "I know--I know--three!" she said slowly. "_Three!_" said Flora. "Who are they?" "That's not the question, Flo," said her brother. "How many do _you_ know?" "Well," said Flora, "Mr. Murray is one, and you are another, I believe; but there are other nice people in the world." "I know people drink," said Maggie, so gravely and sagely that the others laughed. "I do know. I have seen them at our house. You needn't say anything, Esther; I have once or twice when I have been at dinner, when you were not at home. Not papa, of course, and they don't do it now. Papa won't have wine on the table at all, but I saw how they did. Some of the gentlemen began with whisky and water, and one took brandy and water, before dinner began." "Oh stop, Maggie!" Esther exclaimed. "No, but I want to tell you. Then they took Greek wine or Sauterne with their soup. Then they took champagne with the dinner. Then they had port wine with the cheese--oh, I recollect, Esther--and then they had Madeira and sherry with dessert, and claret and Madeira and sherry with the fruit. And some of them drank every one. I am glad papa won't have wine at all now. Uncle Eden wouldn't, a good while ago."