But in spite of her theoretical latitudinarianism, in practice she was pious to the point of fanaticism and could scarce conceive the depths of degradation of which she heard vague horror-struck talk.

There were Jews about--grown-up men and women, not insane--who struck lucifer matches on the Sabbath and housewives who carelessly mixed their butter-plates with their meat-plates even when they did not actually eat butter with meat.

Esther promised herself that, please God, she would never do anything so wicked when she grew up.

She at least would never fail to light the Sabbath candles nor to _kasher_ the meat.

Never was child more alive to the beauty of duty, more open to the appeal of virtue, self-control, abnegation.