Star over Bethlehem Read Online Free PDF Page A

fashionable, composed. The service proceeded.
    The Rector mounted the steps of the pulpit, gave out his text.
    Part of the 95th psalm; the tenth verse. Part of the psalm we sing every Sunday morning. “It is a people who do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways.”
    The Rector was a good man, but not an eloquent one. He strove to give to his listeners the thought that the words had conveyed to him. A people that erred, not in what they did , not in actions displeasing to God, not in overt sin—but a people not even knowing that they erred. A people who, quite simply, did not know God … ​They did not know what God was, what he wanted, how he showed himself. They could know. That was the point the Rector was striving to make. Ignorance is no defence. They could know.
    He turned to the East.
    â€œAnd now to God the Father …”
    He’d put it very badly, the Rector thought sadly. He hadn’t made his meaning clear at all …
    Quite a good congregation this evening. How many of them, he wondered, really knew God?
    Again Janet Grierson knelt and prayed with fervour and desperation. It was a matter of will, of concentration. If she could get through—God was all powerful. If she could reach him …
    For a moment she felt she was getting there—and then there was the irritating rustle of people rising; sighs, movements. Her husband touched her arm. Unwillingly she rose. Her face was very pale. Her husband looked at her with a slight frown. He was a quiet man who disliked intensity of any kind.
    In the porch friends met them.
    â€œWhat an attractive hat, Janet. It’s new, isn’t it?”

    â€œOh no, it’s terribly old.”
    â€œHats are so difficult,” Mrs. Stewart complained. “One hardly ever wears one in the country and then on Sunday one feels odd. Janet, do you know Mrs. Lamphrey—Mrs. Grierson. Major Grierson. The Lamphreys have taken Island Lodge.”
    â€œI’m so glad,” said Janet, shaking hands. “It’s a delightful house.”
    â€œEveryone says we’ll be flooded out in winter,” said Mrs. Lamphrey ruefully.
    â€œOh no—not most years.”
    â€œBut some years? I knew it! But the children were mad about it. And of course they’d adore a flood.”
    â€œHow many have you?”
    â€œTwo boys and a girl.”
    â€œEdward is just the same age as our Johnnie,” said Mrs. Stewart. “I suppose he’ll be going to his public school next year. Johnnie’s going to Winchester.”
    â€œOh, Edward is much too much of a moron ever to pass common entrance, I’m sure,” sighed Mrs. Lamphrey. “He doesn’t care for anything but games. We’ll have to send him to a crammer’s. Isn’t it terrible, Mrs. Grierson, when one’s children turn out to be morons?”
    Almost at once, she felt the chill. A quick change of subject—the forthcoming fête at Wellsly Park.
    As the groups moved off in varying directions, Mrs. Stewart said to her friend:
    â€œDarling, I ought to have warned you!”
    â€œDid I say something wrong? I thought so—but what?”
    â€œThe Griersons. Their boy. They’ve only got one. And he’s subnormal. Mentally retarded.”
    â€œOh how awful—but I couldn’t know. Why does one always go and put one’s foot straight into things?”
    â€œIt’s just that Janet’s rather sensitive …”
    As they walked along the field path, Rodney Grierson said gently,
    â€œThey didn’t mean anything. That woman didn’t know.”
    â€œNo. No, of course she didn’t.”
    â€œJanet, can’t you try—”
    â€œTry what?”
    â€œTry not to mind so much. Can’t you accept—”
    Her voice interrupted him, it was high and strained.
    â€œNo, I can’t accept —as you put it. There must be something that could be done! He’s