Gentola--Dear me, I cannot imagine what they would think, but I suspect that they would think us in danger of an awful fall. De L'Ester, at what altitude are we? De L'Ester--About one English mile above the surface of Ento, and we are moving rather slowly so that you may obtain a good view of the river and its shipping, of the irrigated country and its many towns, villages and fine suburban estates. The town we are nearing offers a rather pretty view. Through the arrival and departure of those great vessels its commodious shipping basin presents quite an animated appearance. Being a distributing centre it possesses a handsome Air Transport Station which adds to its importance. It is near high noon and the chime of yonder sun-crowned temple dome is softly pealing, and men, women and children hasten to the midday service. Were we not so pressed for time we might witness it, but we must pass on. Gentol[a:], direct your gaze toward those low-lying, grayish clouds, for soon, in that direction, you will behold the light towers and golden domes of Hom-arû Tylû, where Sylvian, the messenger from Dao, will meet us. She is a relative of the sick girl, Vallo[a:], being an aunt on the maternal side. She and the Spirit mother of Vallo[a:], are in constant attendance, sustaining and strengthening her so as to as far as possible prolong her mortal existence. Why do they desire to prolong her mortal existence? For the reason that she is one of the principal instruments through whom is to come to Ento the priceless knowledge of a continuity of existence. Then each added day of her mortal experience more fully unfolds her Spirit senses, thus better fitting her not only for our purpose but for her entrance into Ento's Spirit World. Including the human, the stages of animal existences find correspondences in the vegetable kingdom. First, the germination of the sown seed, followed by growth and the unfolding of the infolded bud into the full blown flower; then the ripening of the seed and the harvesting. Humans who pass from mortal existence ere the culmination of corresponding stages of growth and maturity, lack, so to say, _ripeness_, and upon entering the Spirit World they are at such a disadvantage that they find it necessary to again return into mortal environments where, through association with mortals, they may acquire growth and experience. The spirit friends of Vallo[a:], understanding this Law, will, for as long as may be possible, hold her in her physical body. The low-lying clouds have drifted away, and yonder amid a sea of verdure is Hom-arû Tylû (city of Palms), where, in a certain park, our friend, Sylvian, will meet us. It is now beneath us, and we will descend to the Palm fountain. Is not this a peculiar conceit?