"The great ones say that man's own need gives him his conception of the dear God; that if he needs the avenging angel, so is God to him; that if he needs but the friend, that will God be. And so, in mine dream of heaven, because it was mine need, I have thought of it but as one sunny field, where there was clover in the long grass and tall trees at one side, with the clear, shining waters beyond, where we might quench our thirst, and thee beside me forever, with thy little hand in mine. And now, because I have paid mine price, I do not have to wait until I am dead for mine heaven; the dear God gives it to me here." "Whatever heaven may be," said Margaret, thrilled to the utmost depths of her soul, "it can be no more than this." "Nor different," answered the Master, drawing her closer. "I think it is like this, without the fear of parting." "Parting!" repeated Margaret, with a rush of tears; "oh, do not speak of parting!" "Mine Beloved," said the Master, and his voice was very tender, "there is nothing perfect here--there must always be parting. If it were not so, we should have no need of heaven. But to the end of the road thou and I will go together. "See! In the beginning, we were upon separate paths, and, after so long a time, the ways met. For a little space we journeyed together, and because of it the sun was more bright, the flowers more sweet, the road more easy. Then comes the hard place and the ways divide. But though the leagues lie between us and we do not see, we go always at the same pace, and so, in a way, together. We learn the same things, we think the same things, we suffer the same things, because we were of those whom the dear God hath joined. Another walks beside thee and yet not with thee, because, through all the distance, thou art mine. "And so we go until thy road is turned. Thou dost not know it is turned, because the circle is so great thou canst not see. Little dost thou dream thou art soon to meet again with thy old Franz. Through the thicket, meanwhile, I am going, and mine way is hard and set with brambles. It is only mine blind faith which helps me onward--that, and the vision in mine heart of thee, which never for a day, nor even for an hour, hath been absent. "One day mine road turns too, and there art thou, mine Beloved, leading by the hand mine son." Margaret was sobbing, her face hidden against his shoulder. "Mine Liebchen, it is not for me to bear thy tears. Much can I endure, but not that. After the long waiting, I have thee close again, thou and mine son, the tall young fellow with the honest face and the laughing ways, who have made of himself one artist. "The way lies long before us, but it is toward the west, and sunset hath already begun to come upon the clouds. But until the end we go together, thy little hand in mine.