[Lila and Ames are talking . . .]

"But I did mean to ask you something," she said. "There's a baby cast out in a field, just thrown away. And it's God that picks her up. But why would God let somebody throw her out like that in the first place?"

"Oh. That's difficult. You see, the story is a sort of parable. You know how in the Bible the Lord is spoken of as a shepherd, or the owner of a vineyard, or a father. Here He is just some kindly man who happens to pass by and find this child. In the parable He isn't God in the sense of having all the power of God."

"But if God really has all that power, why does He let children get treated so bad? Because they are sometimes. That's true."

"I know. I've seen it. I've wondered about it myself a thousand times. People are always asking me that question. Versions of it. I usually find something to say to them. But I want to do better by you, so you'll have to give me a little more time. A few days. I don't really know why I think that will help, but it might." He touched her hand. " 'Because I love you more than I can say, If I could tell you, I would let you know.' That's poetry, but it's also true. It is."

"That's a nice poem."

" 'The winds must come from somewhere when they blow, There must be reasons why the leaves decay.' It's kind of sad, really."

"I was never one to mind that."