““If He’s so great, why didn’t He help Papa instead of punishing him like you said?” “I just said maybe.” “If God has charge of all the world,” said Francie, “and the sun and the moon and the stars and all the birds and trees and flowers and all the animals and people, you’d think He’d be too busy and too important—wouldn’t you—to spend so much time punishing one man—one man like Papa.” “I don’t think you should talk about God like that,” said Neeley uneasily. “He might strike you down dead.” “Then let Him,” cried Francie fiercely. “Let Him strike me down dead right here in the gutter where I sit!” They waited fearfully. Nothing happened. When Francie spoke again, she was quieter.””
