"Father, I must speak more on this subject even though you accuse me of disobedience. I have ample proof that Christian Science is true, and that the signs do follow their teachings. One proof is that it was through the understanding I gained by the study of 'Science and Health' that I am well to-day." "Oh, pshaw, the idea that reading a book could have healed you of consumption! I credited you with more intelligence than that." "It was not the reading of the book that healed me, it was the understanding of the truth this book contains that showed me the way out of my troubles; for if I had not found and studied this book I would probably not be with you now." "Did you say you found this book?" "Yes, Thanksgiving day, between the church and our home. At first I was afraid to read it, and probably would not have read it if it had not been for an incident that happened on our last trip to the South." "What incident was that? I don't believe I heard anything about it." "One day as mother and I were walking along the street, a lady approached us, and among other things made the remark that she read 'Science and Health' every day, and the reading of the book had healed her of some severe disease. This lady did not look like a bad person, so I thought if the book had healed her, it might me, and the truth it contains has done so." "You have certainly gained a great deal in health since Thanksgiving day, but may not this be the work of the devil to lead you astray?" "Father do you think it a good thing that I am well?" "What a question, why certainly I do." "Did you ever hear of the devil doing a good thing?" The pastor looked surprised, but answered, "No." "Then why do you say that maybe my getting well is the work of the devil?" The pastor could not find a ready answer, after a moment he said, "As I said before, I don't want anything to do with Christian Science, be it good or bad, and it will please me if you will never mention it to me again." "Oh, father, I must speak of it to you for--" "Silence! I will hear no more of it." "But father, listen to--" "Walter, I forbid you to speak to me on the subject again." "Father, I must speak!" "Do you dare disobey me?" "Yes! for my mother's life depends upon my speaking. Let me speak this once on this subject, and I will agree never to mention Christian Science to you again unless you wish it." The pastor's anger had been rising, but when Walter said his mother's life depended on his speaking, every particle of color left his face, and the anger vanished at once. He looked at Walter and saw he was dreadfully in earnest, so he said, "Speak this once, I will hear you."