They haven't got a sensible religion, not
one that gets down into what they do. The parson doesn't reach them--he
talks about church and the sacraments, and they don't get at what good
it's going to do them. And the chapel preachers ain't much better. They
talk and sing and pray, when what the people want is light, and hot
water, and soap, and being shown how to live, and how to bring up
children healthy and strong, and decent-cooked food. I'd have
food-hospitals if I could, and I'd give the children in the schools one
good meal a day. I'm sure the children of the poor go wrong and bad more
through the way they live than anything. If only they was taught
right--not as though they was paupers! Give me enough nurses of the right
sort, and enough good, plain cooks, and meat three times a week, and milk
and bread and rice and porridge every day, and I'd make a new place of
any town in England in a year. I'd--"
She stopped all at once, however, and flushing, said: "I didn't stop to
think I was talking to you, sir."
"I am glad you speak to me so," he answered gently.
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