the lady saw this she rose and said that she would accompany her a
little upon her way. But the poet bade her farewell and remained under
the porch, with the green branches shading him, and the flowers twining
round the pillars, and the open door of his beautiful house behind him.
When she looked back upon him he waved his hand to her as if bidding
her God-speed, and the lady by her side looked back too and waved her
hand, and the little Pilgrim felt tears of happiness come to her eyes;
for she had been wondering with a little disappointment to see that the
people in the city, except those who were strangers, were chiefly alone,
and not like those in the old world where the husband and wife go
together. It consoled her to see again two who were one. The lady
pressed her hand in answer to her thought, and bade her pause a moment
and look back into the city as they passed the end of the great street
out of which they came. And then the Pilgrim was more and more consoled,
for she saw many who had before been alone now walking together hand in
hand.

"It is not as it was," Ama said. "For all of us have work to do which is
needed for the worlds, and it is no longer needful that one should sit
at home while the other goes forth; for our work is not for our life as
of old, or for ourselves, but for the Father who has given us so great
a trust. And, little sister, you must know that though we are not so
great as the angels, nor as many that come to visit us from the other
worlds, yet we are nearer to Him. For we are in His secret, and it is
ours to make it clear."

The little Pilgrim's heart was very full to hear this; but she said--

"I was never clever, nor knew much. It is better for me to go away to my
little border-land, and help the strangers who do not know the way."