“I told him his countenance would betray him, for he really looked ill, and he had much better not go home if he wanted to conceal the fact, and so he went off to the station and left me to fix up matters as best I could. I am more puzzled about the matter, as I am familiar with all his business affairs and investments, and know everything is ship-shape and flourishing. However, as he promised to explain everything when he returns, I need not speculate upon it now I suppose. “There is another matter I wanted to speak of,” continued Nathan, “and that is in regard to this man Russell. I don’t know what to think of him. Mark is terribly opposed to him and his coming to their home, and if we encourage Alice’s meeting him here—” “I think Mark has no right to let unreasoning prejudice rule him the way he does,” interrupted Lissa. “He knows nothing against him, and yet he is ready to accuse him of all the crimes in the decalogue.” “I don’t like to think of his power over Esther McCleary, Lissa.” “O, as for Esther, I don’t think she need yield to his power if she prefers not to. She can avoid him.” Lissa spoke sharply. “Not when her mother compels her to see him. My child, do you really believe in spiritism yourself?” “Why, Nate, what a question for you to ask! I am sure you are the one who gave the most credence to it when I first knew you. I didn’t take any stock in it then.” “And now?” “And now I think there’s something in it which cannot be accounted for in any other way, and—I think it is a blessed thought that our friends are near us after death.” “I don’t know whether it is or not. It can’t be pleasant for them to be witnessing all the pain and suffering which we are perhaps bearing. If we are promised happiness in the other world it would seem a poor fulfilment of it to me. I could not be happy if I could look back and see you suffering for food and not be able to provide it.” “I was not thinking so much of their happiness, I confess, Nathan,” Lissa murmured. “But if I should die, and be happy, wouldn’t you like to feel that I was near you? Wouldn’t you like to hear from me?”