The conflict had been severe,
however, and it left her so little disposed to speak that Hetty
pursued the subject. This was done in the simple manner natural
to the girl.
"It would be cruel to kill the poor deer," she said, "in this
world, or any other, when you don't want their venison, or their
skins. No good white man, and no good red man would do it. But
it's wicked for a Christian to talk about chasing anything in
heaven. Such things are not done before the face of God, and the
missionary that teaches these doctrines can't be a true missionary.
He must be a wolf in sheep's clothing. I suppose you know what a
sheep is, Deerslayer."
"That I do, gal, and a useful creatur' it is, to such as like cloths
better than skins for winter garments. I understand the natur' of
sheep, though I've had but little to do with 'em, and the natur'
of wolves too, and can take the idee of a wolf in the fleece of a
sheep, though I think it would be like to prove a hot jacket for
such a beast, in the warm months!"
"And sin and hypocrisy are hot jackets, as they will find who put
them on," returned Hetty, positively, "so the wolf would be no worse
off than the sinner. Spirits don't hunt, nor trap, nor fish, nor
do anything that vain men undertake, since they've none of the
longings of this world to feed.
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