Similarly, while writing to friends at the front of our entire confidence in the outcome of the Picardy drive then in progress, May 30th, I paused to ask Mary K. whether she had anything more to say about the war.
“Only that we are the victors. Germany does not win this drive, either. Our forces rally, and the end is near. Defeat this time will leave them despairing and afraid.”
To this Maynard Holt added, “All the forces have withstood the blow and gather for the final and decisive defeat of Germany.”
VI
The actual existence of intelligent, invisible forces, constantly doing battle for and against spiritual progress, through possession of what we are wont to call our souls, was at first difficult for me to accept literally, the idea being in direct opposition to my whole mental tendency. While the theory was interesting, it seemed hardly credible in its specific, individual application. However, I was soon given a manifestation of the strength and pertinacity of the disintegrating forces, which—although it ultimately strengthened my conviction, proving highly corroborative—threatened for a time to end this effort, as far as I was concerned.
The last two Lessons were given to me on the 12th of April, and it had been arranged that Mr. T——, the representative of a publishing-house, should come on the evening of the thirteenth for a demonstration of the communication with the next plane. From the day this arrangement was contemplated, frequent assertions were made under Mary K.’s signature, concerning Mr. T—— and his attitude toward this experience, many of which were afterward proved untrue, and all of which I doubted, notwithstanding repeated proofs, already quoted, of her general correctness of statement. Day by day these messages grew more confusing, and I less able to account for them by any theory then formed. That a deliberate “drive” by malign powers was in progress never occurred to me, and would have seemed too absurd to credit, even had I thought of it.
As there seemed to be no close tie between Mr. T—— and any of those from whom he had expressed a desire to hear, no great eagerness on either side to complete a circle of which each was a part, I felt that the interview might present difficulties not encountered before, and resolved to do no writing during the day, reserving my strength for the evening’s work.
In the morning, however, I had occasion to ask Mary K. for some brief information. Beginning, as usual, with her signature—somewhat haltingly done—the pencil wrote quickly, but erratically: “Mr. Farrow is dead.” This man is a business associate of Cass’s, living abroad.