She rested for some time after this, and talked much with her new friends:  and then there came into the heart of the little Pilgrim a longing to go to the place which was appointed for her, and which was her home, and to do the work which had been given her to do.  And when the lady saw this she rose and said that she would accompany her a little upon her way.  But the poet bade her farewell and remained under the porch, with the green branches shading him, and the flowers twining round the pillars, and the open door of his beautiful house behind him.  When she looked back upon him he waved his hand to her as if bidding her God-speed, and the lady by her side looked back too and waved her hand, and the little Pilgrim felt tears of happiness come to her eyes; for she had been wondering with a little disappointment to see that the people in the city, except those who were strangers, were chiefly alone, and not like those in the old world where the husband and wife go together.  It consoled her to see again two who were one.  The lady pressed her hand in answer to her thought, and bade her pause a moment and look back into the city as they passed the end of the great street out of which they came.  And then the Pilgrim was more and more consoled, for she saw many who had before been alone now walking together hand in hand.

“It is not as it was,” Ama said.  “For all of us have work to do which is needed for the worlds, and it is no longer needful that one should sit at home while the other goes forth; for our work is not for our life as of old, or for ourselves, but for the Father who has given us so great a trust.  And, little sister, you must know that though we are not so great as the angels, nor as many that come to visit us from the other worlds, yet we are nearer to Him.  For we are in His secret, and it is ours to make it clear.”

The little Pilgrim’s heart was very full to hear this; but she said—­

“I was never clever, nor knew much.  It is better for me to go away to my little border-land, and help the strangers who do not know the way.”

“Whatever is your work is the best,” the lady said; “but though you are so little you are in the Father’s secret too; for it is nature to you to know what the others cannot be sure of, that we must have the victory at the last.  So that we have this between us, the Father and we.  And though all are His children, we are of the kindred of God, because of our Lord who is our Brother;” and then the Lady Ama kissed her, and bade her when she returned to the great city, either for rest or for love, or because the Father sent for her, that she should come to the house by the river.  “For we are friends for ever,” she said, and so threw her white veil over her head, and was gone upon her mission, whither the little Pilgrim did not know.