“I cannot say. I thought once it was possible to express happiness and appreciation in words, but words fail me. I would have all feel what I myself have here experienced, for I could never explain it to the full, words are but idle repetition.” “If you were put to it, do you not think you could write some explanation?” I shook my head. “I don’t think so. The task would be too difficult and delicate. Every note would fall flat, I can imagine nothing more hopeless.” He laughed. “Could you describe hell?” “No. That would be as hopeless.” “And you seem to have no power to describe the earth.” “I am very profitless. Had you not had compassion I cannot tell what would have become of me.” After that we went back again to the house. Our mother met us on the terrace, where she was walking slowly back and forwards waiting. Soon after we all retired for the night, but as we passed the room where Sunbeam and Moonbeam were sleeping she opened the door and went in. They were fast asleep, and Sunbeam’s head was resting sweetly on the other’s shoulder. They looked most lovely lying thus, yet as our mother stopped to kiss them she was by far the loveliest of the three. The purest, rosiest light of love shone round her, giving her a radiant, heavenly loveliness full of wisdom and purity and strength. They looked like beautiful, delicate-tinted shadows of a future substance; she like a glorious reality radiating youth and freshness with every breath and movement. With eyes shining in an ecstasy of love she turned to Virginius and put a hand on either shoulder, and drew him towards her, and kissed him too. That night I slept, happy and peaceful. But one night was only as the others were, for never here did one lie down to sleep when the joyous day was over but one felt tired without being weary, sleepy without fatigue. CHAPTER VI The next morning I awoke with the busy sounds of life all round me. Through the open window penetrated the sound of eager voices, and of people hurrying to and fro. Already the sun was shining. A group of school boys was passing, carrying books, laughing and talking incessantly as they went. There went a soldier in bright, dazzling armour, here a civilian, simply clad, yet no athlete ever walked with a freer, easier step than he. There went Philemon, his head bent in deep thought, his hands clasped behind him holding a pocket-book. From another direction came a group of maidens. No need to say that they were lovely, nothing lived here unless it was so, yet it must have been the beauty of goodness, as apart from this something which transfigured them they were by no means built up from any regularity of mould. A little later a band of musicians appeared below the windows and began to play. Their music was as bright as the morning sun, and I saw Sunbeam and Moonbeam on the terrace dancing gaily to it.