It was well that she had not to take the initiative.
Mr.Wilmot said a few simple words to the mothers about the wish to teach their children what was right, and to do the best at present practicable; and then told the children that he hoped they would take pains to be good, and mind what they were taught.

Then he desired all to kneel down; he said the Collect, "Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings," and then the Lord's Prayer.
Ethel felt as if she could bear it better, and was more up to the work after this.

Next, the children were desired to stand round the room, and Mr.Wilmot tried who could say the Catechism--the two biggest, a boy and a girl, had not an idea of it, and the boy looked foolish, and grinned at being asked what was his name.

One child was tolerably perfect, and about half a dozen had some dim notions.

Three were entirely ignorant of the Lord's Prayer, and many of the others did not by any means pronounce the words of it.