Twohourslater，atdinner，whenquiteothermatterswerebeingdiscussed，hetoldhowhehappenedalongoncejustinthenickoftimetodoagreatserviceforafamilywhowereoldfriendsofhis。Theheadofithadsuddenlydiedincircumstancesandsurroundingsofaruinouslydisgracefulcharacter。Ifknowthefactswouldbreaktheheartsoftheinnocentfamilyandputuponthemaloadofunendurableshame。Therewasnohelpbutinagiantlie，andhegirdeduphisloinsandtoldit。
'Thefamilyneverfoundout，G——？'
'Never。Inalltheseyearstheyhaveneversuspected。Theywereproudofhimandhadalwaysreasontobe；theyareproudofhimyet，andtothemhismemoryissacredandstainlessandbeautiful。'
'Theyhadanarrowescape，G。'
'Indeedtheyhad。'
'Fortheverynextmanthatcamealongmighthavebeenoneoftheseheartlessandshamelesstruth-mongers。Youhavetoldthetruthamilliontimesinyourlife，G——，butthatonegoldenlieatonesforitall。
Persevere。'
Somemaythinkmenotstrictenoughinmymorals，butthatpositionishardlytenable。TherearemanykindsoflyingwhichIdonotapprove。I
donotlikeaninjuriouslie，exceptwhenitinjuressomebodyelse；andI
donotlikethelieofbravado，northelieofvirtuousecstasy；thelatterwasaffectedbyBryant，theformerbyCarlyle。
Mr。Bryantsaid，'Truthcrushedtoearthwillriseagain。'Ihavetakenmedalsatthirteenworld'sfairs，andmayclaimtobenotwithoutcapacity，butInevertoldasbigaoneasthat。Mr。Bryantwasplayingtothegallery；wealldoit。Carlylesaid，insubstance，this——Idonotremembertheexactwords：'Thisgospeliseternal——thatalieshallnotlive。'IhaveareverentaffectionforCarlyle'sbooks，andhavereadhis'Revelation'eighttimes；andsoIprefertothinkhewasnotentirelyathimselfwhenhetoldthatone。Tomeitisplainthathesaiditinamomentofexcitement，whenchasingAmericansoutofhisback-yardwithbrickbats。Theyusedtogothereandworship。Atbottomhewasprobablyfondofit，buthewasalwaysabletoconcealit。Hekeptbricksforthem，buthewasnotagoodshot，anditismatterofhistorythatwhenhefiredtheydodged，andcarriedoffthebrick；forasanationwelikerelics，andsolongaswegetthemwedonotmuchcarewhatthereliquarythinksaboutit。IamquitesurethatwhenhetoldthatlargeoneaboutalienotbeingabletolivehehadjustmissedanAmericanandwasoverexcited。Hetolditabovethirtyyearsago，butitisaliveyet；alive，andveryhealthyandhearty，andlikelytooutliveanyfactinhistory。Carlylewastruthfulwhencalm，butgivehimAmericansenoughandbricksenoughandhecouldhavetakenmedalshimself。
AsregardsthattimethatGeorgeWashingtontoldthetruth，awordmustbesaid，ofcourse。ItistheprincipaljewelinthecrownofAmerica，anditisbutnaturalthatweshouldworkitforallitisworth，asMiltonsaysinhis'LayoftheLastMinstrel。'Itwasatimelyandjudicioustruth，andIshouldhavetolditmyselfinthecircumstances。
ButIshouldhavestoppedthere。Itwasastatelytruth，aloftytruth——
aTower；andIthinkitwasamistaketogoonanddistractattentionfromitssublimitybybuildinganotherToweralongsideofitfourteentimesashigh。Irefertohisremarkthathe'couldnotlie。'Ishouldhavefedthattothemarines；orleftittoCarlyle；itisjustinhisstyle。ItwouldhavetakenamedalatanyEuropeanfair，andwouldhavegotanhonourablementionevenatChicagoifithadbeensavedup。Butletitpass；theFatherofhisCountrywasexcited。Ihavebeeninthosecircumstances，andIrecollect。
WiththetruthhetoldIhavenoobjectiontooffer，asalreadyindicated。Ithinkitwasnotpremeditatedbutaninspiration。Withhisfinemilitarymind，hehadprobablyarrangedtolethisbrotherEdwardinforthecherrytreeresults，butbyaninspirationhesawhisopportunityintimeandtookadvantageofit。Bytellingthetruthhecouldastonishhisfather；hisfatherwouldtelltheneighbours；theneighbourswouldspreadit；itwouldtraveltoallfiresides；intheenditwouldmakehimPresident，andnotonlythat，butFirstPresident。Hewasafar-seeingboyandwouldbelikelytothinkofthesethings。Therefore，tomymind，hestandsjustifiedforwhathedid。ButnotfortheotherTower；itwasamistake。Still，Idon'tknowaboutthat；uponreflectionIthinkperhapsitwasn't。ForindeeditisthatTowerthatmakestheotheronelive。Ifhehadn'tsaid'Icannottellalie'therewouldhavebeennoconvulsion。Thatwastheearthquakethatrockedtheplanet。Thatisthekindofstatementthatlivesforever，andafactbarnacledtoithasagoodchancetoshareitsimmortality。
Tosumup，onthewholeIamsatisfiedwiththingsthewaytheyare。
Thereisaprejudiceagainstthespokenlie，butnoneagainstanyother，andbyexaminationandmathematicalcomputationIfindthattheproportionofthespokenlietotheothervarietiesisas1to22，894。
Thereforethespokenlieisofnoconsequence，anditisnotworthwhiletogoaroundfussingaboutitandtryingtomakebelievethatitisanimportantmatter。ThesilentcolossalNationalLiethatisthesupportandconfederateofallthetyranniesandshamsandinequalitiesandunfairnessesthatafflictthepeoples——thatistheonetothrowbricksandsermonsat。Butletusbejudiciousandletsomebodyelsebegin。
Andthen——ButIhavewanderedfrommytext。HowdidIgetoutofmysecondlie？IthinkIgotoutwithhonour，butIcannotbesure，foritwasalongtimeagoandsomeofthedetailshavefadedoutofmymemory。
IrecollectthatIwasreversedandstretchedacrosssomeone'sknee，andthatsomethinghappened，butIcannotnowrememberwhatitwas。Ithinktherewasmusic；butitisalldimnowandblurredbythelapseoftime，andthismaybeonlyasenilefancy。
THEESQUIMAUXMAIDEN'SROMANCE
'Yes，Iwilltellyouanythingaboutmylifethatyouwouldliketoknow，Mr。Twain，'shesaid，inhersoftvoice，andlettingherhonesteyesrestplacidlyuponmyface，'foritiskindandgoodofyoutolikemeandcaretoknowaboutme。'
Shehadbeenabsentlyscrapingblubber-greasefromhercheekswithasmallbone-knifeandtransferringittoherfursleeve，whileshewatchedtheAuroraBorealisswingitsflamingstreamersoutoftheskyandwashthelonelysnowplainandthetempledicebergswiththerichhuesoftheprism，aspectacleofalmostintolerablesplendourandbeauty；butnowsheshookoffherreverieandpreparedtogivemethehumblelittlehistoryIhadaskedfor。Shesettledherselfcomfortablyontheblockoficewhichwewereusingasasofa，andImadereadytolisten。
Shewasabeautifulcreature。IspeakfromtheEsquimauxpointofview。
Otherswouldhavethoughtheratrifleover-plump。Shewasjusttwentyyearsold，andwasheldtobebyfarthemostbewitchinggirlinhertribe。Evennow，intheopenair，withhercumbersomeandshapelessfurcoatandtrousersandbootsandvasthood，thebeautyofherfacewasatleastapparent；butherfigurehadtobetakenontrust。Amongalltheguestswhocameandwent，Ihadseennogirlatherfather'shospitabletroughwhocouldbecalledherequal。Yetshewasnotspoiled。Shewassweetandnaturalandsincere，andifshewasawarethatshewasabelle，therewasnothingaboutherwaystoshowthatshepossessedthatknowledge。
Shehadbeenmydailycomradeforaweeknow，andthebetterIknewherthebetterIlikedher。Shehadbeentenderlyandcarefullybroughtup，inanatmosphereofsingularlyrarerefinementforthepolarregions，forherfatherwasthemostimportantmanofhistribeandrankedatthetopofEsquimauxcivilisation。Imadelongdog-sledgetripsacrossthemightyicefloeswithLasca——thatwashername——andfoundhercompanyalwayspleasantandherconversationagreeable。Iwentfishingwithher，butnotinherperilousboat：Imerelyfollowedalongontheiceandwatchedherstrikehergamewithherfatallyaccuratespear。Wewentsealingtogether；severaltimesIstoodbywhilesheandthefamilydugblubberfromastrandedwhale，andonceIwentpartofthewaywhenshewashuntingabear，butturnedbackbeforethefinish，becauseatbottomIamafraidofbears。
However，shewasreadytobeginherstory，now，andthisiswhatshesaid：
'Ourtribehadalwaysbeenusedtowanderaboutfromplacetoplaceoverthefrozenseas，liketheothertribes，butmyfathergottiredofthat，twoyearsago，andbuiltthisgreatmansionoffrozensnow-blocks——lookatit；itissevenfeethighandthreeorfourtimesaslongasanyoftheothers——andherewehavestayedeversince。Hewasveryproudofhishouse，andthatwasreasonable，forifyouhaveexamineditwithcareyoumusthavenoticedhowmuchfinerandcompleteritisthanhousesusuallyare。Butifyouhavenot，youmust，foryouwillfindithasluxuriousappointmentsthatarequitebeyondthecommon。Forinstance，inthatendofitwhichyouhavecalledthe"parlour，"theraisedplatformfortheaccommodationofguestsandthefamilyatmealsisthelargestyouhaveeverseeninanyhouse——isitnotso？'
'Yes，youarequiteright，Lasca；itisthelargest；wehavenothingresemblingitineventhefinesthousesintheUnitedStates。'Thisadmissionmadehereyessparklewithprideandpleasure。Inotedthat，andtookmycue。
'Ithoughtitmusthavesurprisedyou，'shesaid。'Andanotherthing；itisbeddedfardeeperinfursthanisusual；allkindsoffurs——seal，sea-otter，silver-greyfox，bear，marten，sable——everykindoffurinprofusion；andthesamewiththeice-blocksleeping-benchesalongthewallswhichyoucall"beds。"Areyourplatformsandsleeping-benchesbetterprovidedathome？'
'Indeed，theyarenot，Lasca——theydonotbegintobe。'Thatpleasedheragain。Allshewasthinkingofwasthenumberoffursheraestheticfathertookthetroubletokeeponhand，nottheirvalue。Icouldhavetoldherthatthosemassesofrichfursconstitutedwealth——orwouldinmycountry——butshewouldnothaveunderstoodthat；thosewerenotthekindofthingsthatrankedasricheswithherpeople。Icouldhavetoldherthattheclothesshehadon，ortheevery-dayclothesofthecommonestpersonabouther，wereworthtwelveorfifteenhundreddollars，andthatIwasnotacquaintedwithanybodyathomewhoworetwelve-hundreddollartoiletstogofishingin；butshewouldnothaveunderstoodit，soIsaidnothing。Sheresumed：
'Andthentheslop-tubs。Wehavetwointheparlour，andtwointherestofthehouse。Itisveryseldomthatonehastwointheparlour。Haveyoutwointheparlourathome？'
Thememoryofthosetubsmademegasp，butIrecoveredmyselfbeforeshenoticed，andsaidwitheffusion：
'Why，Lasca，itisashameofmetoexposemycountry，andyoumustnotletitgofurther，forIamspeakingtoyouinconfidence；butIgiveyoumywordofhonourthatnoteventherichestmaninthecityofNewYorkhastwoslop-tubsinhisdrawing-room。'
Sheclappedherfur-cladhandsininnocentdelight，andexclaimed：
'Oh，butyoucannotmeanit，youcannotmeanit！'
'Indeed，Iaminearnest，dear。ThereisVanderbilt。Vanderbiltisalmosttherichestmaninthewholeworld。Now，ifIwereonmydyingbed，Icouldsaytoyouthatnotevenhehastwoinhisdrawing-room。
Why，hehasn'tevenone——IwishImaydieinmytracksifitisn'ttrue。'
Herlovelyeyesstoodwidewithamazement，andshesaid，slowly，andwithasortofaweinhervoice：
'Howstrange——howincredible——oneisnotabletorealiseit。Ishepenurious？'
'No——itisn'tthat。Itisn'ttheexpenseheminds，but——er——well，youknow，itwouldlooklikeshowingoff。Yes，thatisit，thatistheidea；
heisaplainmaninhisway，andshrinksfromdisplay。'
'Why，thathumilityisrightenough，'saidLasca，'ifonedoesnotcarryittoofar——butwhatdoestheplacelooklike？'
'Well，necessarilyitlooksprettybarrenandunfinished，but——'
'Ishouldthinkso！Ineverheardanythinglikeit。Isitafinehouse——
thatis，otherwise？'
'Prettyfine，yes。Itisverywellthoughtof。'
Thegirlwassilentawhile，andsatdreamilygnawingacandle-end，apparentlytryingtothinkthethingout。Atlastshegaveherheadalittletossandspokeoutheropinionwithdecision：
'Well，tomymindthere'sabreedofhumilitywhichisitselfaspeciesofshowingoffwhenyougetdowntothemarrowofit；andwhenamanisabletoaffordtwoslop-tubsinhisparlour，anddoesn'tdoit，itmaybethatheistrulyhumble-minded，butit'sahundredtimesmorelikelythatheisjusttryingtostrikethepubliceye。Inmyjudgment，yourMr。
Vanderbiltknowswhatheisabout。'
Itriedtomodifythisverdict，feelingthatadoubleslop-tubstandardwasnotafaironetotryeverybodyby，althoughasoundenoughoneinitsownhabitat；butthegirl'sheadwasset，andshewasnottobepersuaded。Presentlyshesaid：
'Dotherichpeople，withyou，haveasgoodsleeping-benchesasours，andmadeoutofasnicebroadice-blocks？'
'Well，theyareprettygood——goodenough——buttheyarenotmadeofice-blocks。'
'Iwanttoknow！Whyaren'ttheymadeofice-blocks？'
Iexplainedthedifficultiesintheway，andtheexpensivenessoficeinacountrywhereyouhavetokeepasharpeyeonyourice-manoryourice-billwillweighmorethanyourice。Thenshecriedout：
'Dearme，doyoubuyyourice？'
'Wemostsurelydo，dear。'
Sheburstintoagaleofguilelesslaughter，andsaid：
'Oh，Ineverheardofanythingsosilly！My！there'splentyofit——itisn'tworthanything。Why，thereisahundredmilesofitinsight，rightnow。Iwouldn'tgiveafish-bladderforthewholeofit。'
'Well，it'sbecauseyoudon'tknowhowtovalueit，youlittleprovincialmuggings。IfyouhaditinNewYorkinmidsummer，youcouldbuyallthewhalesinthemarketwithit。'
Shelookedatmedoubtfully，andsaid：
'Areyouspeakingtrue？'
'Absolutely。Itakemyoathtoit。'
Thismadeherthoughtful。Presentlyshesaid，withalittlesigh：
'IwishIcouldlivethere。'
Ihadmerelymeanttofurnishherastandardofvalueswhichshecouldunderstand；butmypurposehadmiscarried。IhadonlygivenhertheimpressionthatwhaleswerecheapandplentyinNewYork，andsethermouthtowateringforthem。ItseemedbesttotrytomitigatetheevilwhichIhaddone，soIsaid：
'Butyouwouldn'tcareforwhale-meatifyoulivedthere。Nobodydoes。'
'What！'
'Indeedtheydon't。'
'Whydon'tthey？'
'Wel-l-l，Ihardlyknow。It'sprejudice，Ithink。Yes，thatisit——justprejudice。Ireckonsomebodythathadn'tanythingbettertodostartedaprejudiceagainstit，sometimeorother，andonceyougetacapricelikethatfairlygoing，youknowitwilllastnoendoftime。'
'Thatistrue——perfectlytrue，'saidthegirl，reflectively。'Likeourprejudiceagainstsoap，here——ourtribeshadaprejudiceagainstsoapatfirst，youknow。'
Iglancedathertoseeifshewasinearnest。Evidentlyshewas。I
hesitated，thensaid，cautiously：
'Butpardonme。Theyhadaprejudiceagainstsoap？Had？'——withfallinginflection。
'Yes——butthatwasonlyatfirst；nobodywouldeatit。'
'Oh——Iunderstand。Ididn'tgetyourideabefore。'
Sheresumed：
'Itwasjustaprejudice。Thefirsttimesoapcameherefromtheforeigners，nobodylikedit；butassoonasitgottobefashionable，everybodylikedit，andnoweverybodyhasitthatcanaffordit。Areyoufondofit？'
'Yes，indeed；IshoulddieifIcouldn'thaveit——especiallyhere。Doyoulikeit？'
'Ijustadoreit！Doyoulikecandles？'
'Iregardthemasanabsolutenecessity。Areyoufondofthem？'
Hereyesfairlydanced，andsheexclaimed：
'Oh！Don'tmentionit！Candles！——andsoap！——'
'Andfish-interiors！——'
'Andtrain-oil——'
'Andslush！——'
'Andwhale-blubber！——'
'Andcarrion！andsour-krout！andbeeswax！andtar！andturpentine！andmolasses！and——'
'Don't——oh，don't——Ishallexpirewithecstasy！——'
'Andthenserveitallupinaslush-bucket，andinvitetheneighboursandsailin！'
Butthisvisionofanidealfeastwastoomuchforher，andsheswoonedaway，poorthing。Irubbedsnowinherfaceandbroughtherto，andafterawhilegotherexcitementcooleddown。By-and-byshedriftedintoherstoryagain：
'Sowebegantolivehereinthefinehouse。ButIwasnothappy。Thereasonwasthis：Iwasbornforlove：formetherecouldbenotruehappinesswithoutit。Iwantedtobelovedformyselfalone。Iwantedanidol，andIwantedtobemyidol'sidol；nothinglessthanmutualidolatrywouldsatisfymyferventnature。Ihadsuitorsinplenty——inover-plenty，indeed——butineachandeverycasetheyhadafataldefect：
soonerorlaterIdiscoveredthatdefect——notoneofthemfailedtobetrayit——itwasnotmetheywanted，butmywealth。'
'Yourwealth？'
'Yes；formyfatherismuchtherichestmaninthistribe——orinanytribeintheseregions。'
Iwonderedwhatherfather'swealthconsistedof。Itcouldn'tbethehouse——anybodycouldbuilditsmate。Itcouldn'tbethefurs——theywerenotvalued。Itcouldn'tbethesledge，thedogs，theharpoons，theboat，thebonefish-hooksandneedles，andsuchthings——no，thesewerenotwealth。Thenwhatcoulditbethatmadethismansorichandbroughtthisswarmofsordidsuitorstohishouse？Itseemedtome，finally，thatthebestwaytofindoutwouldbetoask。SoIdidit。ThegirlwassomanifestlygratifiedbythequestionthatIsawshehadbeenachingtohavemeaskit。ShewassufferingfullyasmuchtotellasI
wastoknow。Shesnuggledconfidentiallyuptomeandsaid：
'Guesshowmuchheisworth——younevercan！'
Ipretendedtoconsiderthematterdeeply，shewatchingmyanxiousandlabouringcountenancewithadevouringanddelightedinterest；andwhen，atlast，IgaveitupandbeggedhertoappeasemylongingbytellingmeherselfhowmuchthispolarVanderbiltwasworth，sheputhermouthclosetomyearandwhispered，impressively：
'Twenty-twofish-hooks——notbone，butforeign——madeoutofrealiron！'
Thenshesprangbackdramatically，toobservetheeffect。Ididmylevelbestnottodisappointher。Iturnedpaleandmurmured：
'GreatScott！'
'It'sastrueasyoulive，Mr。Twain！'
'Lasca，youaredeceivingme——youcannotmeanit。'
Shewasfrightenedandtroubled。Sheexclaimed：
'Mr。Twain，everywordofitistrue——everyword。Youbelieveme——youdobelieveme，nowdon'tyou？Sayyoubelieveme——dosayyoubelieveme！'
'I——well，yes，Ido——Iamtryingto。Butitwasallsosudden。Sosuddenandprostrating。Youshouldn'tdosuchathinginthatsuddenway。It——'
'Oh，I'msosorry！IfIhadonlythought——'
'Well，it'sallright，andIdon'tblameyouanymore，foryouareyoungandthoughtless，andofcourseyoucouldn'tforeseewhataneffect——'
'Butoh，dear，Ioughtcertainlytohaveknownbetter。Why——'
'Yousee，Lasca，ifyouhadsaidfiveorsixhooks，tostartwith，andthengradually——'
'Oh，Isee，Isee——thengraduallyaddedone，andthentwo，andthen——ah，whycouldn'tIhavethoughtofthat！'
'Nevermind，child，it'sallright——Iambetternow——Ishallbeoveritinalittlewhile。But——tospringthewholetwenty-twoonapersonunpreparedandnotverystronganyway——'
'Oh，itwasacrime！Butyouforgiveme——sayyouforgiveme。Do！'
Afterharvestingagooddealofverypleasantcoaxingandpettingandpersuading，Iforgaveherandshewashappyagain，andby-and-byshegotunderwaywithhernarrativeoncemore。Ipresentlydiscoveredthatthefamilytreasurycontainedstillanotherfeature——ajewelofsomesort，apparently——andthatshewastryingtogetaroundspeakingsquarelyaboutit，lestIgetparalysedagain。ButIwantedtoknownaboutthatthing，too，andurgedhertotellmewhatitwas。Shewasafraid。ButI
insisted，andsaidIwouldbracemyselfthistimeandbeprepared，thentheshockwouldnothurtme。Shewasfullofmisgivings，butthetemptationtorevealthatmarveltomeandenjoymyastonishmentandadmirationwastoostrongforher，andsheconfessedthatshehaditonherperson，andsaidthatifIwassureIwasprepared——andsoonandsoon——andwiththatshereachedintoherbosomandbroughtoutabatteredsquareofbrass，watchingmyeyeanxiouslythewhile。Ifelloveragainstherinaquitewell-actedfaint，whichdelightedherheartandnearlyfrighteneditoutofher，too，atthesametime。WhenIcametoandgotcalm，shewaseagertoknowwhatIthoughtofherjewel。
'WhatdoIthinkofit？IthinkitisthemostexquisitethingIeversaw。'
'Doyoureally？Howniceofyoutosaythat！Butitisalove，nowisn'tit？'
'Well，Ishouldsayso！I'dratherownitthantheequator。'
'Ithoughtyouwouldadmireit，'shesaid。'Ithinkitissolovely。
Andthereisn'tanotheroneinalltheselatitudes。PeoplehavecomeallthewayfromtheopenPolarSeatolookatit。Didyoueverseeonebefore？'
Isaidno，thiswasthefirstoneIhadeverseen。Itcostmeapangtotellthatgenerouslie，forIhadseenamillionoftheminmytime，thishumblejewelofhersbeingnothingbutabatteredoldNewYorkCentralbaggagecheck。
'Land！'saidI，'youdon'tgoaboutwithitonyourpersonthisway，aloneandwithnoprotection，notevenadog？'
'Ssh！notsoloud，'shesaid。'NobodyknowsIcarryitwithme。Theythinkitisinpapa'streasury。Thatiswhereitgenerallyis。'
'Whereisthetreasury？'
Itwasabluntquestion，andforamomentshelookedstartledandalittlesuspicious，butIsaid：
'Oh，come，don'tyoubeafraidaboutme。Athomewehaveseventymillionsofpeople，andalthoughIsayitmyselfthatshouldn't，thereisnotonepersonamongthemallbutwouldtrustmewithuntoldfish-hooks。'
Thisreassuredher，andshetoldmewherethehookswerehiddeninthehouse。Thenshewanderedfromhercoursetobragalittleaboutthesizeofthesheetsoftransparenticethatformedthewindowsofthemansion，andaskedmeifIhadeverseentheirlikeathome，andIcamerightoutfranklyandconfessedthatIhadn't，whichpleasedhermorethanshecouldfindwordstodresshergratificationin。Itwassoeasytopleaseher，andsuchapleasuretodoit，thatIwentonandsaid——
'Ah，Lasca，youareafortunegirl！——thisbeautifulhouse，thisdaintyjewel，thatrichtreasure，allthiselegantsnow，andsumptuousicebergsandlimitlesssterility，andpublicbearsandwalruses，andnoblefreedomandlargenessandeverybody'sadmiringeyesuponyou，andeverybody'shomageandrespectatyourcommandwithouttheasking；young，rich，beautiful，sought，courted，envied，notarequirementunsatisfied，notadesireungratified，nothingtowishforthatyoucannothave——itisimmeasurablegood-fortune！Ihaveseenmyriadsofgirls，butnoneofwhomtheseextraordinarythingscouldbetruthfullysaidbutyoualone。Andyouareworthy——worthyofitall，Lasca——Ibelieveitinmyheart。'
Itmadeherinfinitelyproudandhappytohearmesaythis，andshethankedmeoverandoveragainforthatclosingremark，andhervoiceandeyesshowedthatshewastouched。Presentlyshesaid：
'Still，itisnotallsunshine——thereisacloudyside。Theburdenofwealthisaheavyonetobear。SometimesIhavedoubtedifitwerenotbettertobepoor——atleastnotinordinatelyrich。Itpainsmetoseeneighbouringtribesmenstareastheypassby，andoverhearthemsay，reverently，onetoanother，"There——thatisshe——themillionaire'sdaughter！"Andsometimestheysaysorrowfully，"Sheisrollinginfish-hooks，andI——Ihavenothing。"Itbreaksmyheart。WhenIwasachildandwewerepoor，wesleptwiththedooropen，ifwechose，butnow——nowwehavetohaveanight-watchman。Inthosedaysmyfatherwasgentleandcourteoustoall；butnowheisaustereandhaughtyandcannotabidefamiliarity。Oncehisfamilywerehissolethought，butnowhegoesaboutthinkingofhisfish-hooksallthetime。Andhiswealthmakeseverybodycringingandobsequioustohim。Formerlynobodylaughedathisjokes，theybeingalwaysstaleandfar-fetchedandpoor，anddestituteoftheoneelementthatcanreallyjustifyajoke——theelementofhumour；
butnoweverybodylaughsandcacklesatthesedismalthings，andifanyfailstodoitmyfatherisdeeplydispleased，andshowsit。Formerlyhisopinionwasnotsoughtuponanymatterandwasnotvaluablewhenhevolunteeredit；ithasthatinfirmityyet，but，nevertheless，itissoughtbyallandapplaudedbyall——andhehelpsdotheapplaudinghimself，havingnotruedelicacyandaplentifulwantoftact。Hehasloweredthetoneofallourtribe。Oncetheywereafrankandmanlyrace，nowtheyaremeaslyhypocrites，andsoddenwithservility。InmyheartofheartsIhateallthewaysofmillionaires！Ourtribewasonceplain，simplefolk，andcontentwiththebonefish-hooksoftheirfathers；nowtheyareeatenupwithavariceandwouldsacrificeeverysentimentofhonourandhonestytopossessthemselvesofthedebasingironfish-hooksoftheforeigner。However，Imustnotdwellonthesesadthings。AsIhavesaid，itwasmydreamtobelovedformyselfalone。
'Atlast，thisdreamseemedabouttobefulfilled。Astrangercameby，oneday，whosaidhisnamewasKalula。Itoldhimmyname，andhesaidhelovedme。Myheartgaveagreatboundofgratitudeandpleasure，forIhadlovedhimatsight，andnowIsaidso。Hetookmetohisbreastandsaidhewouldnotwishtobehappierthanhewasnow。Wewentstrollingtogetherfarovertheice-floes，tellingallabouteachother，andplanning，oh，theloveliestfuture！Whenweweretiredatlastwesatdownandate，forhehadsoapandcandlesandIhadbroughtalongsomeblubber。Wewerehungryandnothingwaseversogood。
'Hebelongedtoatribewhosehauntswerefartothenorth，andIfoundthathehadneverheardofmyfather，whichrejoicedmeexceedingly。I
meanhehadheardofthemillionaire，buthadneverheardhisname——so，yousee，hecouldnotknowthatIwastheheiress。YoumaybesurethatIdidnottellhim。Iwaslovedformyselfatlast，andwassatisfied。
Iwassohappy——oh，happierthanyoucanthink！
'By-and-byitwastowardssuppertime，andIledhimhome。Asweapproachedourhousehewasamazed，andcriedout：
'"Howsplendid！Isthatyourfather's？"
'Itgavemeapangtohearthattoneandseethatadmiringlightinhiseye，butthefeelingquicklypassedaway，forIlovedhimso，andhelookedsohandsomeandnoble。Allmyfamilyofauntsandunclesandcousinswerepleasedwithhim，andmanyguestswerecalledin，andthehousewasshutuptightandtheraglampslighted，andwheneverythingwashotandcomfortableandsuffocating，webeganajoyousfeastincelebrationofmybetrothal。
'Whenthefeastwasovermyfather'svanityovercamehim，andhecouldnotresistthetemptationtoshowoffhisrichesandletKalulaseewhatgrandgood-fortunehehadstumbledinto——andmainly，ofcourse，hewantedtoenjoythepoorman'samazement。Icouldhavecried——butitwouldhavedonenogoodtotrytodissuademyfather，soIsaidnothing，butmerelysatthereandsuffered。
'Myfatherwentstraighttothehiding-placeinfullsightofeverybody，andgotoutthefish-hooksandbroughtthemandflungthemscatteringlyovermyhead，sothattheyfellinglitteringconfusionontheplatformatmylover'sknee。
'Ofcourse，theastoundingspectacletookthepoorlad'sbreathaway。Hecouldonlystareinstupidastonishment，andwonderhowasingleindividualcouldpossesssuchincredibleriches。Thenpresentlyheglancedbrilliantlyupandexclaimed：
'"Ah，itisyouwhoaretherenownedmillionaire！"
'Myfatherandalltherestburstintoshoutsofhappylaughter，andwhenmyfathergatheredthetreasurecarelesslyupasifitmightbemererubbishandofnoconsequence，andcarrieditbacktoitsplace，poorKulala'ssurprisewasastudy。Hesaid：
'"Isitpossiblethatyouputsuchthingsawaywithoutcountingthem？"
'Myfatherdeliveredavain-glorioushorse-laugh，andsaid：
'"Well，truly，abodymayknowyouhaveneverbeenrich，sinceamerematterofafish-hookortwoissuchamightymatterinyoureyes。"
'Kalulawasconfused，andhunghishead，butsaid：
'"Ah，indeed，sir，Iwasneverworththevalueofthebarbofoneofthosepreciousthings，andIhaveneverseenanymanbeforewhowassorichinthemastorenderthecountingofhishoardworthwhile，sincethewealthiestmanIhaveeverknown，tillnow，waspossessedofbutthree。"
'Myfoolishfatherroaredagainwithjejunedelight，andallowedtheimpressiontoremainthathewasnotaccustomedtocounthishooksandkeepsharpwatchoverthem。Hewasshowingoff，yousee。Countthem？
Why，hecountedthemeveryday！
'Ihadmetandgotacquaintedwithmydarlingjustatdawn；Ihadbroughthimhomejustatdark，threehoursafterwards——forthedayswereshorteningtowardthesix-months'nightatthattime。Wekeptupthefestivitiesmanyhours；then，atlast，theguestsdepartedandtherestofusdistributedourselvesalongthewallsonsleeping-benches，andsoonallweresteepedindreamsbutme。Iwastoohappy，tooexcited，tosleep。AfterIhadlainquietalong，longtime，adimformpassedbymeandwasswallowedupinthegloomthatpervadedthefartherendofthehouse。Icouldnotmakeoutwhoitwas，orwhetheritwasmanorwoman。
Presentlythatfigureoranotheronepassedmegoingtheotherway。I
wonderedwhatitallmeant，butwonderingdidnogood；andwhileIwasstillwonderingIfellasleep。
'IdonotknowhowlongIslept，butatlastIcamesuddenlybroadawakeandheardmyfathersayinaterriblevoice，"BythegreatSnowGod，there'safish-hookgone！"Somethingtoldmethatthatmeantsorrowforme，andthebloodinmyveinsturnedcold。Thepresentimentwasconfirmedinthesameinstant：myfathershouted，"Up，everybody，andseizethestranger！"Thentherewasanoutburstofcriesandcursesfromallsides，andawildrushofdimformsthroughtheobscurity。Iflewtomybeloved'shelp，butwhatcouldIdobutwaitandwringmyhands？——hewasalreadyfencedawayfrommebyalivingwall，hewasbeingboundhandandfoot。Notuntilhewassecuredwouldtheyletmegettohim。I
flungmyselfuponhispoorinsultedformandcriedmygriefoutuponhisbreastwhilemyfatherandallmyfamilyscoffedatmeandheapedthreatsandshamefulepithetsuponhim。Heborehisillusagewithatranquildignitywhichendearedhimtomemorethanever，andmademeproudandhappytosufferwithhimandforhim。IheardmyfatherorderthattheeldersofthetribebecalledtogethertotrymyKalulaforhislife。
'"What！"Isaid，"beforeanysearchhasbeenmadeforthelosthook？"
'"Losthook！"theyallshouted，inderision；andmyfatheradded，mockingly，"Standback，everybody，andbeproperlyserious——sheisgoingtohuntupthatlosthook：oh，withoutdoubtshewillfindit！"——whereattheyalllaughedagain。
'Iwasnotdisturbed——Ihadnofears，nodoubts。Isaid：
'"Itisforyoutolaughnow；itisyourturn。Butoursiscoming；waitandsee。"
'Igotaraglamp。IthoughtIshouldfindthatmiserablethinginonelittlemoment；andIsetaboutthatmatterwithsuchconfidencethatthosepeoplegrewgrace，beginningtosuspectthatperhapstheyhadbeentoohasty。Butalasandalas！——oh，thebitternessofthatsearch！Therewasdeepsilencewhileonemightcounthisfingerstenortwelvetimes，thenmyheartbegantosink，andaroundmethemockingsbeganagain，andgrewsteadilylouderandmoreassured，untilatlast，whenIgaveup，theyburstintovolleyaftervolleyofcruellaughter。
'NonewilleverknowwhatIsufferedthen。Butmylovewasmysupportandmystrength，andItookmyrightfulplaceatmyKalula'sside，andputmyarmabouthisneck，andwhisperedinhisear，saying：
'"Youareinnocent，myown——thatIknow；butsayittomeyourself，formycomfort，thenIcanbearwhateverisinstoreforus。"
'Heanswered：
'"AssurelyasIstanduponthebrinkofdeathatthismoment，Iaminnocent。Becomforted，then，Obruisedheart；beatpeace，Othoubreathofmynostrils，lifeofmylife！"
'"Now，then，lettheelderscome！"——andasIsaidthewordstherewasagatheringsoundofcrunchingsnowoutside，andthenavisionofstoopingformsfilinginatthedoor——theelders。
'Myfatherformallyaccusedtheprisoner，anddetailedthehappeningsofthenight。Hesaidthatthewatchmanwasoutsidethedoor，andthatinthehousewerenonebutthefamilyandthestranger。"Wouldthefamilystealtheirownproperty？"Hepaused。Theelderssatsilentmanyminutes；atlast，oneafteranothersaidtohisneighbour，"Thislooksbadforthestranger"——sorrowfulwordsformetohear。Thenmyfathersatdown。Omiserable，miserableme！AtthatverymomentIcouldhaveprovedmydarlinginnocent，butIdidnotknowit！
'Thechiefofthecourtasked：
'"Isthereanyheretodefendtheprisoner？"
'Iroseandsaid：
'"Whyshouldhestealthathook，oranyorallofthem？Inanotherdayhewouldhavebeenheirtothewhole！"
Istoodwaiting。Therewasalongsilence，thesteamfromthemanybreathsrisingaboutmelikeafog。Atlastoneelderafteranothernoddedhisheadslowlyseveraltimes，andmuttered，"Thereisforceinwhatthechildhassaid。"Oh，theheart-liftthatwasinthosewords！——
sotransient，but，oh，soprecious！Isatdown。
'"Ifanywouldsayfurther，lethimspeaknow，orafterholdhispeace，"
saidthechiefofthecourt。
'Myfatherroseandsaid：
'"Inthenightaformpassedbymeinthegloom，goingtowardthetreasuryandpresentlyreturned。Ithink，now，itwasthestranger。"
'Oh，Iwasliketoswoon！Ihadsupposedthatthatwasmysecret；notthegripofthegreatIceGodhimselfcouldhavedraggeditoutofmyheart。
ThechiefofthecourtsaidsternlytomypoorKalula：
'"Speak！"
'Kalulahesitated，thenanswered：
'"ItwasI。Icouldnotsleepforthinkingofthebeautifulhooks。I
wentthereandkissedthemandfondledthem，toappeasemyspiritanddrownitinaharmlessjoy，thenIputthemback。Imayhavedroppedone，butIstolenone。"
'Oh，afataladmissiontomakeinsuchaplace！Therewasanawfulhush。
Iknewhehadpronouncedhisowndoom，andthatallwasover。Oneveryfaceyoucouldseethewordshieroglyphed："Itisaconfession！——andpaltry，lame，andthin。"
'Isatdrawinginmybreathinfaintgasps——andwaiting。Presently，I
heardthesolemnwordsIknewwerecoming；andeachword，asitcame，wasaknifeinmyheart：
'"Itisthecommandofthecourtthattheaccusedbesubjectedtothetrialbywater。"
'Oh，cursesbeupontheheadofhimwhobrought"trialbywater"toourland！Itcame，generationsago，fromsomefarcountrythatliesnoneknowswhere。Beforethatourfathersusedauguryandotherunsuremethodsoftrial，anddoubtlesssomepoorguiltycreaturesescapedwiththeirlivessometimes；butitisnotsowithtrialbywater，whichisaninventionbywisermenthanwepoorignorantsavagesare。Byittheinnocentareprovedinnocent，withoutdoubtorquestion，fortheydrown；
andtheguiltyareprovenguiltywiththesamecertainty，fortheydonotdrown。Myheartwasbreakinginmybosom，forIsaid，"Heisinnocent，andhewillgodownunderthewavesandIshallneverseehimmore。"
'Ineverlefthissideafterthat。Imournedinhisarmsalltheprecioushours，andhepouredoutthedeepstreamofhisloveuponme，andoh，Iwassomiserableandsohappy！Atlast，theytorehimfromme，andIfollowedsobbingafterthem，andsawthemflinghimintothesea——
thenIcoveredmyfacewithmyhands。Agony？Oh，Iknowthedeepestdeepsofthatword！
'Thenextmomentthepeopleburstintoashoutofmaliciousjoy，andI
tookawaymyhands，startled。Oh，bittersight——hewasswimming！Myheartturnedinstantlytostone，toice。Isaid，"Hewasguilty，andheliedtome！"Iturnedmybackinscornandwentmywayhomeward。
'Theytookhimfarouttoseaandsethimonanicebergthatwasdriftingsouthwardinthegreatwaters。Thenmyfamilycamehome，andmyfathersaidtome：
'"Yourthiefsenthisdyingmessagetoyou，saying，'TellherIaminnocent，andthatallthedaysandallthehoursandalltheminuteswhileIstarveandperishIshallloveherandthinkofherandblessthedaythatgavemesightofhersweetface。'"Quitepretty，evenpoetical！
'Isaid，"Heisdirt——letmeneverhearmentionofhimagain。"Andoh，tothink——hewasinnocentallthetime！
'Ninemonths——ninedull，sadmonths——wentby，andatlastcamethedayoftheGreatAnnualSacrifice，whenallthemaidensofthetribewashtheirfacesandcombtheirhair。Withthefirstsweepofmycomboutcamethefatalfish-hookfromwhereithadbeenallthosemonthsnestling，andI
fellfaintingintothearmsofmyremorsefulfather！Groaning，hesaid，"Wemurderedhim，andIshallneversmileagain！"Hehaskepthisword。
Listen；fromthatdaytothisnotamonthgoesbythatIdonotcombmyhair。Butoh，whereisthegoodofitallnow！'
Soendedthepoormaid'shumblelittletale——wherebywelearnthatsinceahundredmilliondollarsinNewYorkandtwenty-twofish-hooksontheborderoftheArcticCirclerepresentthesamefinancialsupremacy，amaninstraitenedcircumstancesisafooltostayinNewYorkwhenhecanbuytencents'worthoffish-hooksandemigrate。
CHRISTIANSCIENCEANDTHEBOOKOFMRS。EDDY
'Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。'
I
Thislastsummer，whenIwasonmywaybacktoViennafromtheAppetite-Cureinthemountains，Ifelloveracliffinthetwilightandbrokesomearmsandlegsandonethingoranother，andbygoodluckwasfoundbysomepeasantswhohadlostanass，andtheycarriedmetothenearesthabitation，whichwasoneofthoselarge，low，thatch-roofedfarm-houses，withapartmentsinthegarretforthefamily，andacunninglittleporchunderthedeepgabledecoratedwithboxesofbright-colouredflowersandcats；onthegroundflooralargeandlightsitting-room，separatedfromthemilch-cattleapartmentbyapartition；andinthefrontyardrosestatelyandfinethewealthandprideofthehouse，themanure-pile。ThatsentenceisGermanic，andshowsthatIamacquiringthatsortofmasteryoftheartandspiritofthelanguagewhichenablesamantotravelalldayinonesentencewithoutchangingcars。
Therewasavillageamileaway，andahorse-doctorlivedthere，buttherewasnosurgeon。Itseemedabadoutlook；minewasdistinctlyasurgerycase。ThenitwasrememberedthataladyfromBostonwassummeringinthatvillage，andshewasaChristianSciencedoctorandcouldcureanything。Soshewassentfor。Itwasnightbythistime，andshecouldnotconvenientlycome，butsentwordthatitwasnomatter，therewasnohurry，shewouldgiveme'absenttreatment'now，andcomeinthemorning；meantimeshebeggedmetomakemyselftranquilandcomfortableandrememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme。I
thoughttheremustbesomemistake。
'DidyoutellherIwalkedoffacliffseventy-fivefeethigh？'
'Yes。'
'Andstruckaboulderatthebottomandbounced？'
'Yes。'
'Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedagain？'
'Yes。'
'Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedyetagain？'
'Yes。'
'Andbroketheboulders？'
'Yes。'
'Thataccountsforit；sheisthinkingoftheboulders。Whydidn'tyoutellherIgothurt，too？'
'Idid。Itoldherwhatyoutoldmetotellher：thatyouwerenowbutanincoherentseriesofcompoundfracturesextendingfromyourscalp-locktoyourheels，andthatthecomminutedprojectionscausedyoutolooklikeahat-rack。'
'Anditwasafterthisthatshewishedmetorememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme？'
'Thosewereherwords。'
'Idonotunderstandit。Ibelieveshehasnotdiagnosedthecasewithsufficientcare。Didshelooklikeapersonwhowastheorising，ordidshelooklikeonewhohasfallenoffprecipicesherselfandbringstotheaidofabstractsciencetheconfirmationofpersonalexperience？'
'Bitte？'
ItwastoolargeacontractfortheStubenmadchen'svocabulary；shecouldn'tcallthehand。Iallowedthesubjecttorestthere，andaskedforsomethingtoeatandsmoke，andsomethinghottodrink，andabaskettopilemylegsin，andanothercapablepersontocomeandhelpmecursethetimeaway；butIcouldnothaveanyofthesethings。
'Why？'
'Shesaidyouwouldneednothingatall。'
'ButIamhungryandthirsty，andindesperatepain。'
'Shesaidyouwouldhavethesedelusions，butmustpaynoattentiontothem。Shewantsyoutoparticularlyrememberthattherearenosuchthingsashungerandthirstandpain。'
'Shedoes，doesshe？'
'Itiswhatshesaid。'
'Doessheseemobeinfullandfunctionalpossessionofherintellectualplant，suchasitis？'
'Bitte？'
'Dotheyletherrunatlarge，ordotheytieherup？'
'Tieherup？'
'There，good-night，runalong；youareagoodgirl，butyourmentalGeschirrisnotarrangedforlightandairyconversation。Leavemetomydelusions。'
II
Itwasanightofanguish，ofcourse——atleastIsupposeditwas，forithadallthesymptomsofit——butitpassedatlast，andtheChristianScientistcame，andIwasglad。Shewasmiddle-aged，andlargeandbonyanderect，andhadanausterefaceandaresolutejawandaRomanbeakandwasawidowinthethirddegree，andhernamewasFuller。Iwaseagertogettobusinessandfindrelief，butshewasdistressinglydeliberate。Sheunpinnedandunhookedanduncoupledherupholsteriesonebyone，abolishedthewrinkleswithaflirtofherhandandhungthearticlesup；peeledoffherglovesanddisposedofthem，gotabookoutofherhand-bag，thendrewachairtothebedside，descendedintoitwithouthurry，andIhungoutmytongue。Shesaid，withpitybutwithoutpassion：
'Returnittoitsreceptacle。Wedealwiththemindonly，notwithitsdumbservants。'
Icouldnotoffermypulse，becausetheconnectionwasbroken；butshedetectedtheapologybeforeIcouldwordit，andindicatedbyanegativetiltofherheadthatthepulsewasanotherdumbservantthatshehadnousefor。ThenIthoughtIwouldtellhermysymptomsandhowIfelt，sothatshewouldunderstandthecase；butthatwasanotherinconsequence，shedidnotneedtoknowthosethings；moreover，myremarkabouthowI
feltwasanabuseoflanguage，amisapplicationofterms——
'Onedoesnotfeel，'sheexplained；'thereisnosuchthingasfeeling：
therefore，tospeakofanon-existentthingasexistentasacontradiction。Matterhasnoexistence；nothingexistsbutmind；themindcannotfeelpain，itcanonlyimagineit。'
'Butifithurts，justthesame——'
'Itdoesn't。Athingwhichisunrealcannotexercisethefunctionsofreality。Painisunreal；hencepaincannothurt。'
Inmakingasweepinggesturetoindicatetheactofshooingtheillusionofpainoutofthemind，sherakedherhandonapininherdress，said'Ouch！'andwenttranquillyonwithhertalk。'Youshouldneverallowyourselftospeakofhowyoufeel，norpermitotherstoaskyouhowyouarefeeling：youshouldneverconcedethatyouareill，norpermitotherstotalkaboutdiseaseorpainordeathorsimilarnon-existencesinyourpreserve。Suchtalkonlyencouragesthemindtocontinueitsemptyimaginings。'JustatthatpointtheStubenmadchentrodonthecat'stail，andthecatletflyafrenzyofcat-profanity。Iaskedwithcaution：
'Isacat'sopinionaboutpainvaluable？'
'Acathasnoopinion；opinionsproceedfromthemindonly；theloweranimals，beingeternallyperishable，havenotbeengrantedmind；withoutmindopinionisimpossible。'
'Shemerelyimaginedshefeltapain——thecat？'
'Shecannotimagineapain，forimaginationisaneffectofmind；withoutmind，thereisnoimagination。Acathasnoimagination。'
'Thenshehadarealpain？'
'Ihavealreadytoldyouthereisnosuchthingasrealpain。'
'Itisstrangeandinteresting。Idowonderwhatwasthematterwiththecat。Because，therebeingnosuchthingasrealpain，andshenotbeingabletoimagineanimaginarything，itwouldseemthatGodinhisPityhascompensatedthecatwithsomekindofamysteriousemotionuseablewhenhertailistroddenonwhichforthemomentjoinscatandChristianinonecommonbrotherhoodof——'
Shebrokeinwithanirritated——
'Peace！Thecatfeelsnothing，theChristianfeelsnothing。Youremptyandfoolishimaginingsareprofanationandblasphemy，andcandoyouaninjury。Itiswiserandbetterandholiertorecogniseandconfessthatthereisnosuchthingasdiseaseorpainordeath。'
'Iamfullofimaginarytortures，'Isaid，'butIdonotthinkIcouldbeanymoreuncomfortableiftheywererealones。WhatmustIdotogetridofthem？'
'Thereisnooccasiontogetridofthem，sincetheydonotexist。Theyareillusionspropagatedbymatter，andmatterhasnoexistence；thereisnosuchthingasmatter。'
'Itsoundsrightandclear，butyetitseemsinadegreeelusive；itseemstoslipthrough，justwhenyouthinkyouaregettingagriponit。'
'Explain。'
'Well，forinstance：ifthereisnosuchthingasmatter，howcanmatterpropagatethings？'
Inhercompassionshealmostsmiled。Shewouldhavesmilediftherewereanysuchthingasasmile。
'Itisquitesimple，'shesaid；'thefundamentalpropositionsofChristianScienceexplainit，andtheyaresummarisedinthefourfollowingself-evidentpropositions：1。GodisAllinall。2。Godisgood。GoodisMind。3。God，Spirit，beingall，nothingismatter。
4。Life，God，omnipotentGood，denydeath，evilsin，disease。There——
nowyousee。'
Itseemednebulous：itdidnotseemtosayanythingaboutthedifficultyinhand——hownon-existentmattercanpropagateillusions。Isaid，withsomehesitancy：
'Does——doesitexplain？'
'Doesn'tit？Evenifreadbackwarditwilldoit。'
Withabuddinghope，Iaskedhertodoitbackward。
'Verywell。DiseasesinevildeathdenyGoodomnipotentGodlifematterisnothingallbeingSpiritGodMindisGoodgoodisGodallinAllisGod。There——doyouunderstandnow？
'It——it——well，itisplainerthanitwasbefore；still——'
'Well？'
'Couldyoutryitsomemoreways？'
'Asmanyasyoulike：italwaysmeansthesame。Interchangedinanywayyoupleaseitcannotbemadetomeananythingdifferentfromwhatitmeanswhenputinanyotherway。Becauseitisperfect。Youcanjumbleitallup，anditmakesnodifference：italwayscomesoutthewayitwasbefore。Itwasamarvellousmindthatproducedit。Asamentaltourdeforceitiswithoutamate，itdefiesalikethesimple，theconcrete，andtheoccult。'
'Itseemstobeacorker。'
Iblushedfortheword，butitwasoutbeforeIcouldstopit。
'Awhat？'
'A——wonderfulstructure——combination，sotospeak，orprofoundthoughts——
unthinkableones——un——'
'Itistrue。Readbackwards，orforwards，orperpendicularly，oratanygivenangle，thesefourpropositionswillalwaysbefoundtoagreeinstatementandproof。'
'Ah——proof。Nowwearecomingatit。Thestatementsagree；theyagreewith——with——anyway，theyagree；Inoticedthat；butwhatisittheyprove——Imean，inparticular？'
'Why，nothingcouldbeclearer。Theyprove：1。GOD——Principle，Life，Truth，Love，Soul，Spirit，Mind。Doyougetthat？'
'I——well，Iseemto。Goon，please。
'2。MAN——God'suniversalidea，individual，perfect，eternal。Isitclear？'
'It——Ithinkso。Continue。'
'3。IDEA——AnimageinMind；theimmediateobjectofunderstanding。
Thereitis——thewholesublimeArcanaofChristianScienceinanutshell。
Doyoufindaweakplaceinitanywhere？'
'Well——no；itseemsstrong。'
'Verywell。Thereismore。ThosethreeconstitutetheScientificDefinitionofImmortalMind。Next，wehavetheScientificDefinitionofMortalMind。Thus。FIRSTDEGREE：Depravity。1。Physical——Passionsandappetites，fear，depravedwill，pride，envy，deceit，hatred，revenge，sin，disease，death。'
'Phantasms，madam——unrealities，asIunderstandit。'
'Everyone。SECONDDEGREE：EvilDisappearing。1。Moral——Honesty，affection，compassion，hope，faith，meekness，temperance。Isitclear？'
'Crystal。'
'THIRDDEGREE：SpiritualSalvation。1。Spiritual——Faith，wisdom，power，purity，understanding，health，love。Youseehowsearchinglyandco-ordinatelyinterdependentandanthropomorphousitallis。InthisThirdDegree，asweknowbytherevelationsofChristianScience，mortalminddisappears。'
'Notearlier？'
'No，notuntiltheteachingandpreparationfortheThirdDegreearecompleted。'
'ItisnotuntilthenthatoneisenabledtotakeholdofChristianScienceeffectively，andwiththerightsenseofsympathyandkinship，asIunderstandyou。Thatistosay，itcouldnotsucceedduringtheprocessoftheSecondDegree，becausetherewouldstillberemainsofmindleft；andtherefore——butIinterruptedyou。YouwereabouttofurtherexplainthegoodresultsproceedingfromtheerosionsanddisintegrationseffectedbytheThirdDegree。Itisveryinteresting：goon，please。'
'Yes，asIwassaying，inthisThirdDegreemortalminddisappears。
Sciencesoreversestheevidencebeforethecorporealhumansensesastomakethisscripturaltestimonytrueinourhearts，"thelastshallbefirstandthefirstshallbelast，"thatGodandHisideamaybetous——
whatdivinityreallyis，andmustofnecessitybe——all-inclusive。'
'Itisbeautiful。AndwiththatexhaustiveexactnessyourchoiceandarrangementofwordsconfirmsandestablisheswhatyouhaveclaimedforthepowersandfunctionsoftheThirdDegree。TheSecondcouldprobablyproduceonlytemporaryabsenceofmind，itisreservedtotheThirdtomakeitpermanent。AsentenceframedundertheauspicesoftheSecondcouldhaveakindofmeaning——asortofdeceptivesemblanceofit——
whereasitisonlyunderthemagicoftheThirdthatthatdefectwoulddisappear。Also，withoutdoubt，itistheThirdDegreethatcontributesanotherremarkablespecialtytoChristianScience：viz。，easeandflowandlavishnessofwords，andrhythmandswingandsmoothness。Theremustbeaspecialreasonforthis？'
'Yes——God-all，all-God，goodGood，non-Matter，Matteration，Spirit，Bones，Truth。'
'Thatexplainsit。'
'ThereisnothinginChristianSciencethatisnotexplicable；forGodisone，Timeisone，Individualityisone，andmaybeoneofaseries，oneofmany，asanindividualman，individualhorse；whereasGodisone，notoneofaseries，butonealoneandwithoutanequal。'
'Thesearenoblethoughts。Theymakeoneburntoknowmore。HowdoesChristianScienceexplainthespiritualrelationofsystematicdualitytoincidentalreflection？'
'ChristianSciencereversestheseemingrelationofSoulandbody——asastronomyreversesthehumanperceptionofthemovementofthesolarsystem——andmakesbodytributarytoMind。Asitistheearthwhichisinmotion，whilethesunisatrest，thoughinviewingthesunriseonefindsitimpossibletobelievethesunnottobereallyrising，sothebodyisbutthehumbleservantoftherestfulMind，thoughitseemsotherwisetofinitesense；butweshallneverunderstandthiswhileweadmitthatsoulisinbody，ormindinmatter，andthatmanisincludedinnon-intelligence。SoulisGod，unchangeableandeternal；andmancoexistswithandreflectsSoul，fortheAll-in-allistheAltogether，andtheAltogetherembracestheAll-one，Soul-Mind，Mind-Soul，Love，Spirit，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutanequal。'
Itisverycurious，theeffectwhichChristianSciencehasupontheverbalbowels。ParticularlytheThirdDegree；itmakesonethinkofadictionarywiththecholera。ButIonlythoughtthis；Ididnotsayit。
'WhatistheoriginofChristianScience？IsitagiftofGod，ordiditjusthappen？'
'Inasense，itisagiftofGod。Thatistosay，itspowersarefromHim，butthecreditofthediscoveryofthepowersandwhattheyareforisduetoanAmericanlady。'
'Indeed？Whendidthisoccur？'
'In1866。Thatistheimmortaldatewhenpainanddiseaseanddeathdisappearedfromtheearthtoreturnnomoreforever。Thatis，thefanciesforwhichthosetermsstand，disappeared。Thethingsthemselveshadneverexisted；thereforeassoonasitwasperceivedthattherewerenosuchthings，theywereeasilybanished。Thehistoryandnatureofthegreatdiscoveryaresetdowninthebookhere，and——'
'Didtheladywritethebook？'
'Yes，shewroteitall，herself。Thetitleis"ScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures"——forsheexplainstheScriptures；theywerenotunderstoodbefore。NotevenbythetwelveDisciples。Shebeginsthus——I
willreadittoyou。'
Butshehadforgottentobringherglasses。
'Well，itisnomatter，'shesaid，'Irememberthewords——indeed，allChristianScientistsknowthebookbyheart；itisnecessaryinourpractice。Weshouldotherwisemakemistakesanddoharm。Shebeginsthus："Intheyear1866IdiscoveredtheScienceofMetaphysicalHealing，andnameditChristianScience。"Andshesays——quitebeautifully，I
think——"ThroughChristianScience，religionandmedicineareinspiredwithadivinernatureandessence，freshpinionsaregiventofaithandunderstanding，andthoughtsacquaintthemselvesintelligentlywithGod。"
Herverywords。'
'Itiselegant。Anditisafinethought，too——marryingreligiontomedicine，insteadofmedicinetotheundertakerintheoldway；forreligionandmedicineproperlybelongtogether，theybeingthebasisofallspiritualandphysicalhealth。Whatkindofmedicinedoyougivefortheordinarydiseases，suchas——'
'Wenevergivemedicineinanycircumstanceswhatever！We——'
'But，madam，itsays——'
'Idon'tcarewhatitsays，andIdon'twishtotalkaboutit。'
'IamsorryifIhaveoffended，butyouseethementionseemedinsomewayinconsistent，and——'
'TherearenoinconsistenciesinChristianScience。Thethingisimpossible，fortheScienceisabsolute。Itcannotbeotherwise，sinceitproceedsdirectlyfromtheAll-in-allandtheEverything-in-Which，alsoSoul，Bones，Truth，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal。ItisMathematicspurifiedfrommaterialdrossandmadespiritual。'
'Icanseethat，but——'
'ItrestsupontheimmovablebasisofanApodicticalPrinciple。'
Thewordflatteneditselfagainstmymindtryingtogetin，anddisorderedmealittle，andbeforeIcouldinquireintoitspertinency，shewasalreadythrowingtheneededlight：
'ThisApodicticalPrincipleistheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-healing，thesovereignOmnipotencewhichdeliversthechildrenofmenfrompain，disease，decay，andeveryillthatfleshisheirto。'
'Surelynoteveryill，everydecay？'
'Everyone；therearenoexceptions；thereisnosuchthingasdecay——itisanunreality，ithasnoexistence。'
'Butwithoutyourglassesyourfailingeyesightdoesnotpermityouto——'
'Myeyesightcannotfail；nothingcanfail；theMindismaster，andtheMindpermitsnoretrogression。'
ShewasundertheinspirationoftheThirdDegree，thereforetherecouldbenoprofitincontinuingthispartofthesubject。IshiftedtoothergroundandinquiredfurtherconcerningtheDiscovereroftheScience。
'Didthediscoverycomesuddenly，likeKlondike，orafterlongstudyandcalculation，likeAmerica？'
'Thecomparisonsarenotrespectful，sincetheyrefertotrivialities——
butletitpass。IwillanswerintheDiscoverer'sownwords："Godhadbeengraciouslyfittingme，duringmanyyears，forthereceptionofafinalrevelationoftheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-healing。"'
'Manyyears？Howmany？'
'Eighteencenturies！'
'AllGod，God-good，good-God，Truth，Bones，Liver，oneofaseriesaloneandwithoutequal——itisamazing！'
'Youmaywellsayit，sir。Yetitisbutthetruth。ThisAmericanlady，ourreveredandsacredfounder，isdistinctlyreferredtoandhercomingprophesied，inthetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypse；shecouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyindicatedbySt。Johnwithoutactuallymentioninghername。'
'Howstrange，howwonderful！'
'Iwillquoteherownwords，forher"KeytotheScriptures：""ThetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypsehasaspecialsuggestivenessinconnectionwiththisnineteenthcentury。"There——doyounotethat？