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？