But it hardened.

"Well, if He had," she said, "it seems He might have stood by me a little better after I was 'called.'" Katie had no reply for that, so she turned to her uncle, the Bishop.
"Well there's one place where you're wrong, Ann; and that is that religion is incompatible with the love of dogs.

You know my uncle--my mother's brother--is a bishop.

I don't know just how well uncle understands God, but if he understands Him as well as he does dogs then he must be well fitted for his office.

I don't think in his heart uncle would have any respect for any person--no matter how religious--or even how much they subscribed--who wouldn't appreciate the tragedy of losing one's dog.