None was more grateful to his Father than Homan.  In the midst of the strife, he had done what he could for what he thought was right.  All his influence had been used with the wavering ones, and many were those who owed him a debt of gratitude.  But his greatest reward was in the peace which dwelt within him and the joy with which he was greeted by all who knew him.

Through it all, Homan’s thoughts had often been with the fair sister Delsa; and often he had sought her and talked with her.  It pleased him greatly to see the earnestness and energy with which she defended the cause of the Father.  He was drawn to her more than to the many others who were equally valiant.  As he thought of it, its strangeness occurred to him.  Why should it be so?  He did not know.  Delsa was fair; so were all the daughters of God.  She had attained to great intelligence; so had thousands of others.  Then wherein lay the secret of the power which drew him to her?

The vastness of the spiritual world held enough for study, research, and for occupation.  None needed to be idle, for there were duties to be performed, as much here as in any other sphere of action.  In the Father’s house are many mansions.

In the one where Delsa lived, she and Homan sat in earnest conversation.  Through the opening leading to the garden appeared the stately form of Sardus.  Homan sprang to meet him and greeted him joyously: 

“Welcome, Brother Sardus, welcome!”

Delsa arose.

“This is Brother Sardus,” said Homan, “and this is Sister Delsa.”

“Welcome, brother,” said she.  “Come and sit with us.”

“Sardus,” continued Homan, “I thought you lost.  I have not met you for a long time.  You remember our last conversation?  Sardus, what joy to know that you are on the safe side, that you did not fall with Lucifer—­”

“S—­h, that name.  Dear brother, he tempted me sorely, but I overcame him.”

“But we are shortly to meet him on new ground,” continued Homan.  “As seducing spirits, he and his followers will still fight against the anointed Son.  They will not yield.  Not obtaining bodies themselves, they will seek to operate through those of others.”

“Now we know how temptation and sin will come into the world,” said Delsa.  “God grant that we may overcome these dangers again, as we once have done.”

They conversed for some time; then Sardus departed to perform some duty.

“I, too, must go,” said Delsa.  “A company of sisters is soon to leave for earth, and I am going to say farewell to them.”

“Delsa, you do not go with them?  You are not leaving me?”

“No, Homan, my time is not yet.”

“May we not go together?—­but there—­that is as Father wills.  He will ordain for the best.  There are nations yet to go to the earth, and we shall have our allotted time and place.”

* * * * *