"You are welcome to think so, Guilder."

"You also could come to no other conclusion if you took the trouble

to investigate."

Drene smiled: "Morals are no more than folk-ways--merely mental condition

consequent upon custom. Spiritual beliefs are radically dependant

upon folkways and the resultant physical and mental condition of the

human brain which creates everything that has been and that is to

be."

"Physiology has proven that no idea, no thought, ever originated

within the concrete and physical brain."

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"I've read of those experiments."

"Then you can't ignore a conclusion."

"I haven't reached a conclusion. Meanwhile, I have my own beliefs."

"That's all that's necessary," said Guilder, gravely, "--to

entertain some belief, temporary or final." He smiled slightly down

at Drene's drawn, gray visage.

"You and I have been friends of many years, Drene, but we have never

before talked this way. I did not feel at liberty to assume any

intimacy with you, even when I wanted to, even when--when you were

in trouble--" He hesitated.

"Go on," grunted the other. "I'm out of trouble now."

"I just--it's a whimsical notion--no, it's a belief;--I just wanted

to tell you one or two things concerning my own beliefs--"

"Temporary?"

"I don't know. It doesn't matter; they are beliefs. And this is

one: all physical and mental ills are created only by our own

minds--"

"Christian Science?" sneered Drene.

"Call it what you like," said Guilder serenely. "And call this what

you like: All who believe worthily will find that particular belief

true in every detail after death."

"What do you call that?" demanded Drene, amused.

"God knows. It seems to be my interpretation of the Goal. I seem

to be journeying toward it without more obstacles and more

embarrassments to encounter than confront the wayfarer who professes

any other creed."

After a while Drene sat up on his couch: "How did all this conversation start?" he asked uneasily.

"It was about the Virgin for that chapel we are going to do. . . . .

That's part of my belief: those who pray for her intercession will

find her after death, interceding--" he smiled, "--if any

intercession be necessary between us and Him who made us."

"And those unlisted millions who importune Mohammed and Buddha?"

"They shall find Mohammed and Buddha, who importune them worthily."

"And--Christ?"

"He bears that name also--He!"




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