"Thorwald," spoke the doctor, "your words are so inspiring that I almost
wish my life could have waited some thousands of years for that bright day
you so confidently promise for the earth, but I cannot help asking myself
if it is altogether a misfortune to live in the midst of the conflict,
with something ahead to strive for. Will you pardon my presumption if I
ask you practically the same question? You have told us of your wonderful
history and that you have now reached a condition of peace and quiet. With
no sickness or sorrow in your lives, with no evil passions to rise and
throw you, with nothing to fear from without or within, yours must be a
blissful condition. But still, is there always content? In our imperfect
state we are striving and learning. Our happiness largely consists in the
pursuit of happiness. If, some day, we should find all difficulties
removed, no obstacles left to contend against, no evil in ourselves or
others to overcome, not even our bodily wants to provide for, it seems to
me life would lose its zest and become a burden hardly worth the carrying.
Can you remove this unhandsome doubt?"

"I will try," answered Thorwald. "I suppose if the people of the earth,
with their present capacities and aspirations, should be brought suddenly
to such a state of civilization as ours, it would be as you say. As your
development continues, your minds and souls will expand and you will be
prepared to take up new duties and occupations as they come. I cannot tell
you what these are, for at present you would not understand me. You
mistake if you think we have ceased to learn. The mind is ever reaching
forward to new attainments, and the things which chiefly occupy us now
would have been beyond our comprehension in our earlier days. Can you not
find an illustration on the earth? Suppose the untutored savage were
suddenly required to throw away his spear and arrow and engage in your
pursuits, Doctor. Would he be happy? Your mind is full of thoughts that he