CHAPTER II.
When I was a Sunday-school scholar something more than sixty years ago, I became interested in Satan, and wanted to find out all I could about him.
I began to ask questions, but my class-teacher, Mr.Barclay the stone-mason, was reluctant about answering them, it seemed to me.

I was anxious to be praised for turning my thoughts to serious subjects when there wasn't another boy in the village who could be hired to do such a thing.

I was greatly interested in the incident of Eve and the serpent, and thought Eve's calmness was perfectly noble.

I asked Mr.Barclay if he had ever heard of another woman who, being approached by a serpent, would not excuse herself and break for the nearest timber.

He did not answer my question, but rebuked me for inquiring into matters above my age and comprehension.