Through the still, mild air, across the sun-steeped gardens, came the voices of the children—
"Aunt Eleanour! Aunt Eleanour!"
"Many are called," she repeated, "but few are chosen; and those who are not chosen shall be cast into everlasting fire."
There was a pause. She turned to look at me, and, as if struck by something in my face, said gently, soothingly:
"Yes, it is a terrible thought, but only for the unregenerate. It has no terror for me. I trust it need have no terror for you. After all, how simple, how easy is the way of escape! You have only to believe."
"And then?"
"And then you are safe, safe for evermore. Think of that. The foolish people who wish to explain away eternal punishment, forget that at the same time they explain away eternal happiness! You will be safe now, and after death you will be in heaven for evermore."
"I shall be in heaven for evermore, and always there will be hell."
"Yes."
"Where the others will be?"