story which is more great."

Then the Pilgrim looked in his face and said--

"What I want most is, to know about your homes here."

"It is all home here," he said, and smiled; and then, as he met her
wistful looks, he went on to tell her that he and his brothers were not
always there. "We have all our occupations," he said, "and sometimes I
am sent to inquire into facts that have happened, of which the record is
not clear; for we must omit nothing; and sometimes we are told to rest
and take in new strength; and sometimes--"

"But oh, forgive me," cried the little Pilgrim, "you had some who were
more dear to you than all the world in the old time?"

And the others all looked up again at the question, and looked at her
with tender eyes, and said to the man whom she questioned, "Speak!"

He made a little pause before he spoke, and he looked at one here and
there, and called to them--

"Patience, brother," and "Courage, brother." And then he said, "Those
whom we loved best are nearly all with us; but some have not yet come."

"Oh," said the little Pilgrim, "but how then do you bear it, to be
parted so long--so long?"

Then one of those to whom the first speaker had called out "Patience"
rose, and came to her smiling; and he said--