“The spirit of a man has eyes as well as his body,” said Wallingford.  “And seeing is believing in another sense than you intimate.  Now the bodily eyes see material objects, and the mind, receiving their testimony, is in no doubt as to the existence, quality, and relation of things in the outer world.  The eyes of our spirits, on the other hand, see immaterial objects or truths; and presenting them to the rational and perceptive faculties, they are recognized as actual existences, and their quality as surely determined as the quality of a stone or metal.  If you ask me how I know that this is quartz, or that iron; I answer, By the testimony of my eyes.  And so, if you ask how I satisfy myself as to the truth of which I read in this book; I can only reply that I see it all so clearly that conviction is a necessity.  There is no trouble in believing.  To attempt disbelief, would be to illustrate the fable of Sisyphus.”

He spoke calmly, like one whose mind had risen above doubt.  I objected nothing further; for that would have been useless.  And why attempt to throw questions into his mind?  Was there anything evil in the faith which he had adopted as exhibited in his life?  I could not say yes.  On the contrary, taking his life as an illustration, good only was to be inferred.  I remembered very well when his mind diverged into this new direction.  Some years had intervened.  I thought to see him grow visionary or enthusiastic.  Not so, however.  There was a change progressively visible; but it was in the direction of sound and rational views of life.  A broader humanity showed itself in his words and actions.  Then came the subtler vein of religious sentiments, running like pure gold through all that appertained to him.

If, therefore, he was progressing towards a higher life, why should I question as to the way being right for him?  Why should I seek to turn him into another path when there was such a broad light for his eyes on the one he had chosen?  “By their fruits ye shall know them.”  And by his fruits I knew him to be of that highest type of manhood, a Christian gentleman.

I noticed, while Mr. Wallingford spoke so confidently of their reunion in heaven, that his wife leaned towards, and looked at him, with eyes through which her soul seemed going forth into his.

As the conversation flowed on, it gradually involved other themes, and finally led to the question On my part, as to when they were going to leave Ivy Cottage.

“That is quite uncertain,” replied Mr. Wallingford.  “I shall not hurry the present occupant.  We have been so happy here, that we feel more inclined to stay than to remove to a more ambitious home.”

“I hear that Mr. Dewey is going to build,” said I.

“Where?”

“He has been negotiating for the property on the elevation west of the Allen House.”

“Ah!”

“Yes.  The price of the ground, five acres, is ten thousand dollars.”