“If mind is stronger than matter, and most of us believe that now, then an evil thought has power over matter just as surely as a good thought has power, and the power of the evil thought will continue until it is dispelled by good thought. There if you like is black and white magic. I believe that there are people in the world so crushed by fear and wickedness that every breath of their bodies and every glance of their eyes is a blight on all who come near them, and I believe that there are people who are so fearless and good that where they walk, health and happiness spreads round them as an aura, as sunlight on every life that touches them. Does that satisfy you, Miss Dorothy?”
“Oh yes, that’s very beautiful, I’m sure,” said Dorothy, looking a bit uncomfortable as if she had been listening to a sermon. “When will you let me come for your first sitting?”
“Sunday morning if you like; that won’t interfere with your classes, and it’s a good day for me too, because I am duller than usual on Sunday.”
As they were leaving, Ruth lingered for a moment.
“If you did have an enemy who was trying to harm you, what would you do, Professor Pendragon?” she asked.
“Evil works like good, can only be accomplished with faith; if I had an enemy, I would destroy his faith in his own power,” he answered.
Ruth found the entire family, as Gloria called her household, assembled when she reached the house on Gramercy Park. Terry Riordan was among them.
“Please, Ruth, won’t you go to the theatre with Terry tonight? He has a perfect passion for first nights, but as an honest working woman I need my rest and I’m too tired to go tonight,” said Gloria.
“I’d like to, but—” Ruth glanced in the direction of Ben Stark.
“Oh, don’t mind me,” said that youth. “The fact that you have refused me three times won’t make any difference. I’m accustomed to such treatment from the fair sex.”