Genessano—Loha̤û ēmentos. We have been watching and welcoming your approach. Gentola̤, allow me the pleasure of making known to you our dear, our honored mother.
Camarissa—At last I meet you, of whom I so often have heard. You have given my sons a place in your regard, may I hope to also be so favored?
Gentola—It is I who am the favored one, and I shall esteem it a privilege and a pleasure to number you among my friends. Your sons have promised a relation from your own lips, of events occurring during your mortal existence; so aside from the pleasure of mutual acquaintance with much interest I have looked forward to your coming.
Camarissa—To recall events of my mortal existence will be like recalling a not very well remembered dream. It may surprise you to learn that not since my dear sons entered our spirit world, nearly four centuries ago, have I visited Ento's physical plane. To explain why I have not, would not suit the present occasion.
I perceive that since last my eyes gazed upon the once familiar face of Ento, marvellous changes have occurred; not the least noticeable is the educational institution erected near the site of my former home.
Long ere our departure into the world of spirits, my dear husband, Genessano Allis Immo, and I were engrossed with the anticipation of at some not far future time rearing a great Galarēsa̤, which should not only serve to perpetuate our memory, but also should serve the nobler purpose of educating future generations in science, art, industries, and gentle modes of living. Other important interests so occupied our time and attention that the fulfillment of our cherished plan was delayed and the years passed, and still we found no time to devote to the achievement of a work so dear to our hearts. At last a period arrived when we felt that we might arrange for the erection of the Galarēsa̤, but suddenly and most unexpectedly I passed into our spirit world, and ere long my husband followed me. Age and most arduous duties had brought him quite beyond the years of middle life, but a still vigorous manhood gave promise of many years of usefulness; but so stricken was he that I who had so long worked by his side, who had been to him as the heart of his heart, the life of his life, sharing with him the joys and sorrows of our mutual existence, that I, his adored wife and the mother of our two sons had forever gone from his sight, that he had not courage to long survive so great a calamity. Realizing that he too was about to pass in to the silence, calmly he arranged his affairs, and instructed our dear sons as to his wishes. Then with the fortitude of a just man he yielded to the inevitable, and passed, not into the silence, but into a glorious spirit realm, where I awaited him. Soon our beloved sons, one by one, came to us; but ere they came, they had well begun the work which their father had delegated to them as a sacred trust, but which was to be left for other faithful hands to complete. Now, as I gaze on yonder grandly beautiful structure I am grateful that the Infinite One, who directs the ways of his children, has made of me and mine instruments for the good of others. Since passing into our spirit world my husband and I have been informed as to events and affairs occurring on Ento, and our satisfaction over the beneficent results of the introduction of the irrigating and waterways system, which obviously is of incalculable benefit to Ento, is inexpressible.
Changes which impress me with a sense of strangeness relate to this plateau which, as I remember it, was considerably loftier than now, and where in former times was an abrupt declivity, is now a gentle incline eastward to the level of the waterway. I perceive too that the massive seawall, built during the lives of my husband and myself has disappeared beneath the waves of Indoloisa̤, whose waters have greatly encroached upon the land. At the time of my departure from Ento, between Indoloisa̤'s eastern shore and the western face of this plateau, there was a broad stretch of land, many dwellings and other structures. Now I perceive that they and the great stone piers and seawall have disappeared beneath the restless waves which have so encroached upon the land as to threaten to wholly engulf it. None too soon is yonder massive barrier being constructed as a protection against further destruction of the greatly narrowed shoreland. As I look about me I find it difficult to realize the many changes which have occurred since I, a proud and happy wife, came to the home of my adorable and adored husband. The winged years fled away, and our two sons came to enhance our felicity. Other years added their days to those of the past, and troublous forebodings, like creeping shadows drew nearer, ever nearer. As you already are aware of the deplorable conditions at that time prevailing throughout nearly all of Ento's central regions, you will understand that finally the situation became alarming, and one day, hand in hand, my husband and I walked to the margin of the declivity, which abruptly fell away to the plain, and as we gazed afar eastward over the dry and arid lands our eyes filled with tears, and our hearts were sorely troubled. Imperceptibly, but gradually, the fleeting years, nay, I should say ages, had brought about a condition of such extreme aridity that the lands refused to longer yield sustenance to the people, whose minds became filled with despair, and a sense of enmity against those in authority over the Provinces of the central regions. Like children deprived of proper nourishment they grew fretful, rebellious and unreasoning, demanding relief where more than temporary relief was unattainable.
For years my husband and I had vainly, incessantly striven to alleviate the general distress and consequent discontent of the people of our province, and now in silence we stood thinking, thinking. Presently my husband, sighing heavily, said, "Camarissa̤, my dearest one, I fear that my days are well nigh ended. The want and despair of the people weighs so heavily upon me, that I stagger, and grow faint under the burden. I know of no means by which we may afford them prosperity and happiness. Have the pitiful Gods put into your mind any thought that may serve to direct our future course?" After some hesitation I replied, "Lord of my life and love of my heart, I know not if in my slumber some God may have spoken to me, but I have had a singular, and what your wisdom may deem a foolish dream. Shall I relate it to you?" Smiling tenderly and sadly, he said, "Perchance in our extremity, Andûmana̤ may have sent a messenger to whisper to your sleeping senses. Tell me your dream. At least it will serve to occupy the passing moments."
I then related that while I slumbered I dreamed that standing by his side, just as we then were standing, we looked far eastward, and from the base of the plateau, abounding streams flowed in that direction, while at intervals other waters flowed from the north and from the south, and borne on the bosom of a great waterway, huge vessels laden with people and the products of many lands passed to and fro, and that like some great bird with wide spreading wings, a beautiful city seemed as though brooding upon the shining waters. It was a grandly beautiful scene, and the wonder of it still remains in my memory. "Heart of my heart," I said, "I have told you my dream. How shall it be interpreted?" Silently, but with earnest attention my husband had listened to the recital of my dream, and as I proceeded, his flushing face, beaming eyes, and hurried breathing gave evidence of intense emotion. Clasping me to his heart he cried, "Surely, Andûmana̤, through His messenger has spoken to you, showing us a possible means whereby our unproductive lands may be reclaimed, and the impoverished peoples rescued from their present lamentable state. Camarissa̤, my dearest, we will strive to understand the full meaning of the message, and may Andûmana̤ and the pitiful gods aid us in our loving endeavor."