"You are welcome to think so, Guilder."
"You also could come to no other conclusion if you took the trouble
to investigate."
Drene smiled: "Morals are no more than folk-ways--merely mental condition
consequent upon custom. Spiritual beliefs are radically dependant
upon folkways and the resultant physical and mental condition of the
human brain which creates everything that has been and that is to
be."
"Physiology has proven that no idea, no thought, ever originated
within the concrete and physical brain."
"I've read of those experiments."
"Then you can't ignore a conclusion."
"I haven't reached a conclusion. Meanwhile, I have my own beliefs."
"That's all that's necessary," said Guilder, gravely, "--to
entertain some belief, temporary or final." He smiled slightly down
at Drene's drawn, gray visage.
"You and I have been friends of many years, Drene, but we have never
before talked this way. I did not feel at liberty to assume any
intimacy with you, even when I wanted to, even when--when you were
in trouble--" He hesitated.
"Go on," grunted the other. "I'm out of trouble now."
"I just--it's a whimsical notion--no, it's a belief;--I just wanted
to tell you one or two things concerning my own beliefs--"
"Temporary?"
"I don't know. It doesn't matter; they are beliefs. And this is
one: all physical and mental ills are created only by our own
minds--"
"Christian Science?" sneered Drene.
"Call it what you like," said Guilder serenely. "And call this what
you like: All who believe worthily will find that particular belief
true in every detail after death."
"What do you call that?" demanded Drene, amused.
"God knows. It seems to be my interpretation of the Goal. I seem
to be journeying toward it without more obstacles and more
embarrassments to encounter than confront the wayfarer who professes
any other creed."
After a while Drene sat up on his couch: "How did all this conversation start?" he asked uneasily.
"It was about the Virgin for that chapel we are going to do. . . . .
That's part of my belief: those who pray for her intercession will
find her after death, interceding--" he smiled, "--if any
intercession be necessary between us and Him who made us."
"And those unlisted millions who importune Mohammed and Buddha?"
"They shall find Mohammed and Buddha, who importune them worthily."
"And--Christ?"
"He bears that name also--He!"