“O, of course she feels bad, because Mark has forbidden her to have Russell at the house when he is not there, and Alice is very set in her way. It may make trouble between them. I know Mark was angry, for Alice told me so, and she said he should find she had mind enough to attend to her own affairs. I expect she’d let him come in spite of Mark.�
“We will hope not,� said Nathan gravely. “Mark may have wisdom in his objection to Russell. I wish he did not come here.�
“How absurd you are. You were the one who introduced him to me, who believed in him and tried to overcome the horror which in infancy I had imbibed of spiritism. And now, because of Major Walden’s prejudice, and Mark’s fanaticism, you are ready to turn round and forbid a spiritist your hospitality.�
“Well, perhaps I am wrong. I confess I have an unaccountable fear and distrust of him. I presume Walden’s warning has had something to do with it. I shouldn’t blame the man for his belief.�
“But if the belief takes away all fear of death, why should we not embrace it? If I should die before you, I want you to teach little Lucy that her mamma is near and watching over her. Don’t you think it might keep her from wrong-doing if she knew it?�
“If she knew it? Ah, there’s the thing! If we really knew.�
“But, haven’t we proof? What human, unassisted, could turn water into wine as Professor Russell did a few weeks ago?�
“But haven’t you heard Mark’s exposé of that? That is simple. Mark can do the same.�
“Mark Cramer?�
“Yes; Mark’s university training has served him a good turn in this as in everything else. You know he is a good chemist, and he can prepare the glasses so that when water is poured into them a pleasant wine is produced. He claims the Professor does the same. You will not deny that Mark speaks the truth. We have known him much longer than Professor Russell,—or at least much better,—and you know he is the soul of honor.�