"Wehavebeenworkingforsomesixteenhundredyears，devisingbetterandbettergamesforchildren，"continuedSomel。
　　Isataghast。"Devisinggames？"Iprotested。"Makingupnewones，youmean？"
　　"Exactly，"sheanswered。"Don’tyou？"
　　ThenIrememberedthekindergarten，andthe"material"
　　devisedbySignoraMontessori，andguardedlyreplied："Tosomeextent。"Butmostofourgames，Itoldher，wereveryold——camedownfromchildtochild，alongtheages，fromtheremotepast。
　　"Andwhatistheireffect？"sheasked。"Dotheydevelopthefacultiesyouwishtoencourage？"
　　AgainIrememberedtheclaimsmadebytheadvocatesof"sports，"
　　andagainrepliedguardedlythatthatwas，inpart，thetheory。
　　"ButdothechildrenLIKEit？"Iasked。"Havingthingsmadeupandsetbeforethemthatway？Don’ttheywanttheoldgames？"
　　"Youcanseethechildren，"sheanswered。"Areyoursmorecontented——moreinterested——happier？"
　　ThenIthought，asintruthIneverhadthoughtbefore，ofthedull，boredchildrenIhadseen，whining;"WhatcanIdonow？";
　　ofthelittlegroupsandgangshangingabout;ofthevalueofsomeonestrongspiritwhopossessedinitiativeandwould"startsomething";
　　ofthechildren’spartiesandtheonerousdutiesoftheolderpeoplesetto"amusethechildren";alsoofthattroubledoceanofmisdirectedactivitywecall"mischief，"thefoolish，destructive，sometimesevilthingsdonebyunoccupiedchildren。
　　"No，"saidIgrimly。"Idon’tthinktheyare。"
　　TheHerlandchildwasbornnotonlyintoaworldcarefullyprepared，fullofthemostfascinatingmaterialsandopportunitiestolearn，butintothesocietyofplentifulnumbersofteachers，teachersbornandtrained，whosebusinessitwastoaccompanythechildrenalongthat，tous，impossiblething——theroyalroadtolearning。
　　Therewasnomysteryintheirmethods。Beingadaptedtochildrenitwasatleastcomprehensibletoadults。Ispentmanydayswiththelittleones，sometimeswithEllador，sometimeswithout，andbegantofeelacrushingpityformyownchildhood，andforallothersthatIhadknown。
　　Thehousesandgardensplannedforbabieshadinthemnothingtohurt——nostairs，nocorners，nosmalllooseobjectstoswallow，nofire——justababies’paradise。Theyweretaught，asrapidlyasfeasible，touseandcontroltheirownbodies，andneverdidI
　　seesuchsure—footed，steady—handed，clear—headedlittlethings。
　　Itwasajoytowatcharowoftoddlerslearningtowalk，notonlyonalevelfloor，but，alittlelater，onasortofrubberrailraisedaninchortwoabovethesoftturforheavyrugs，andfallingoffwithshrieksofinfantjoy，torushbacktotheendofthelineandtryagain。Surelywehavenoticedhowchildrenlovetogetuponsomethingandwalkalongit！Butwehaveneverthoughttoprovidethatsimpleandinexhaustibleformofamusementandphysicaleducationfortheyoung。
　　Watertheyhad，ofcourse，andcouldswimevenbeforetheywalked。IfIfearedatfirsttheeffectsofatoointensivesystemofculture，thatfearwasdissipatedbyseeingthelongsunnydaysofpurephysicalmerrimentandnaturalsleepinwhichtheseheavenlybabiespassedtheirfirstyears。Theyneverknewtheywerebeingeducated。Theydidnotdreamthatinthisassociationofhilariousexperimentandachievementtheywerelayingthefoundationforthatclosebeautifulgroupfeelingintowhichtheygrewsofirmlywiththeyears。Thiswaseducationforcitizenship。
　　CHAPTER10
　　TheirReligionsandOurMarriagesIttookmealongtime，asaman，aforeigner，andaspeciesofChristian——Iwasthatasmuchasanything——togetanyclearunderstandingofthereligionofHerland。
　　Itsdeificationofmotherhoodwasobviousenough;buttherewasfarmoretoitthanthat;or，atleast，thanmyfirstinterpretationofthat。
　　IthinkitwasonlyasIgrewtoloveElladormorethanI
　　believedanyonecouldloveanybody，asIgrewfaintlytoappreciateherinnerattitudeandstateofmind，thatIbegantogetsomeglimpsesofthisfaithoftheirs。
　　WhenIaskedheraboutit，shetriedatfirsttotellme，andthen，seeingmeflounder，askedformoreinformationaboutours。
　　Shesoonfoundthatwehadmany，thattheyvariedwidely，buthadsomepointsincommon。AclearmethodicalluminousmindhadmyEllador，notonlyreasonable，butswiftlyperceptive。
　　Shemadeasortofchart，superimposingthedifferentreligionsasIdescribedthem，withapinrunthroughthemall，asitwere;theircommonbasisbeingaDominantPowerorPowers，andsomeSpecialBehavior，mostlytaboos，topleaseorplacate。
　　Thereweresomecommonfeaturesincertaingroupsofreligions，buttheonealwayspresentwasthisPower，andthethingswhichmustbedoneornotdonebecauseofit。ItwasnothardtotraceourhumanimageryoftheDivineForceupthroughsuccessivestagesofbloodthirsty，sensual，proud，andcruelgodsofearlytimestotheconceptionofaCommonFatherwithitscorollaryofaCommonBrotherhood。
　　Thispleasedherverymuch，andwhenIexpatiatedontheOmniscience，Omnipotence，Omnipresence，andsoon，ofourGod，andofthelovingkindnesstaughtbyhisSon，shewasmuchimpressed。
　　ThestoryoftheVirginbirthnaturallydidnotastonishher，butshewasgreatlypuzzledbytheSacrifice，andstillmorebytheDevil，andthetheoryofDamnation。
　　WheninaninadvertentmomentIsaidthatcertainsectshadbelievedininfantdamnation——andexplainedit——shesatverystillindeed。
　　"TheybelievedthatGodwasLove——andWisdom——andPower？"
　　"Yes——allofthat。"
　　Hereyesgrewlarge，herfaceghastlypale。
　　"AndyetthatsuchaGodcouldputlittlenewbabiestoburn——foreternity？"Shefellintoasuddenshudderingandleftme，runningswiftlytothenearesttemple。
　　Everysmallestvillagehaditstemple，andinthosegraciousretreatssatwiseandnoblewomen，quietlybusyatsomeworkoftheirownuntiltheywerewanted，alwaysreadytogivecomfort，light，orhelp，toanyapplicant。
　　Elladortoldmeafterwardhoweasilythisgriefofherswasassuaged，andseemedashamedofnothavinghelpedherselfoutofit。
　　"Yousee，wearenotaccustomedtohorribleideas，"shesaid，comingbacktomeratherapologetically。"Wehaven’tany。Andwhenwegetathinglikethatintoourmindsit’slike——oh，likeredpepperinyoureyes。SoIjustrantoher，blindedandalmostscreaming，andshetookitoutsoquickly——soeasily！"
　　"How？"Iasked，verycurious。
　　"`Why，youblessedchild，’shesaid，`you’vegotthewrongideaaltogether。YoudonothavetothinkthatthereeverwassuchaGod——fortherewasn’t。Orsuchahappening——fortherewasn’t。
　　Noreventhatthishideousfalseideawasbelievedbyanybody。
　　Butonlythis——thatpeoplewhoareutterlyignorantwillbelieveanything——whichyoucertainlyknewbefore。’"
　　"Anyhow，"pursuedEllador，"sheturnedpaleforaminutewhenIfirstsaidit。"
　　Thiswasalessontome。Nowonderthiswholenationofwomenwaspeacefulandsweetinexpression——theyhadnohorribleideas。
　　"Surelyyouhadsomewhenyoubegan，"Isuggested。
　　"Oh，yes，nodoubt。Butassoonasourreligiongrewtoanyheightatallweleftthemout，ofcourse。"
　　Fromthis，asfrommanyotherthings，IgrewtoseewhatI
　　finallyputinwords。
　　"Haveyounorespectforthepast？Forwhatwasthoughtandbelievedbyyourforemothers？"
　　"Why，no，"shesaid。"Whyshouldwe？Theyareallgone。
　　Theyknewlessthanwedo。Ifwearenotbeyondthem，weareunworthyofthem——andunworthyofthechildrenwhomustgobeyondus。"
　　Thissetmethinkingingoodearnest。Ihadalwaysimagined——simplyfromhearingitsaid，Isuppose——thatwomenwerebynatureconservative。Yetthesewomen，quiteunassistedbyanymasculinespiritofenterprise，hadignoredtheirpastandbuiltdaringlyforthefuture。
　　Elladorwatchedmethink。Sheseemedtoknowprettymuchwhatwasgoingoninmymind。
　　"It’sbecausewebeganinanewway，Isuppose。Allourfolksweresweptawayatonce，andthen，afterthattimeofdespair，camethosewonderchildren——thefirst。AndthenthewholebreathlesshopeofuswasforTHEIRchildren——iftheyshouldhavethem。Andtheydid！Thentherewastheperiodofprideandtriumphtillwegrewtoonumerous;andafterthat，whenitallcamedowntoonechildapiece，webegantoreallywork——tomakebetterones。"
　　"Buthowdoesthisaccountforsucharadicaldifferenceinyourreligion？"Ipersisted。
　　Shesaidshecouldn’ttalkaboutthedifferenceveryintelligently，notbeingfamiliarwithotherreligions，butthattheirsseemedsimpleenough。TheirgreatMotherSpiritwastothemwhattheirownmotherhoodwas——onlymagnifiedbeyondhumanlimits。
　　Thatmeantthattheyfeltbeneathandbehindthemanupholding，unfailing，serviceablelove——perhapsitwasreallytheaccumulatedmother—loveoftheracetheyfelt——butitwasaPower。
　　"Justwhatisyourtheoryofworship？"Iaskedher。
　　"Worship？Whatisthat？"
　　Ifounditsingularlydifficulttoexplain。ThisDivineLovewhichtheyfeltsostronglydidnotseemtoaskanythingofthem——"anymorethanourmothersdo，"shesaid。
　　"Butsurelyyourmothersexpecthonor，reverence，obedience，fromyou。Youhavetodothingsforyourmothers，surely？"
　　"Oh，no，"sheinsisted，smiling，shakinghersoftbrownhair。
　　"WedothingsFROMourmothers——notFORthem。Wedon’thavetodothingsFORthem——theydon’tneedit，youknow。Butwehavetoliveon——splendidly——becauseofthem;andthat’sthewaywefeelaboutGod。"
　　Imeditatedagain。IthoughtofthatGodofBattlesofours，thatJealousGod，thatVengeance—is—mineGod。Ithoughtofourworld—nightmare——Hell。
　　"Youhavenotheoryofeternalpunishmentthen，Itakeit？"
　　Elladorlaughed。Hereyeswereasbrightasstars，andthereweretearsinthem，too。Shewassosorryforme。
　　"Howcouldwe？"sheasked，fairlyenough。"Wehavenopunishmentsinlife，yousee，sowedon’timaginethemafterdeath。"
　　"HaveyouNOpunishments？Neitherforchildrennorcriminals——
　　suchmildcriminalsasyouhave？"Iurged。
　　"Doyoupunishapersonforabrokenlegorafever？Wehavepreventivemeasures，andcures;sometimeswehaveto`sendthepatienttobed，’asitwere;butthat’snotapunishment——it’sonlypartofthetreatment，"sheexplained。
　　Thenstudyingmypointofviewmoreclosely，sheadded：
　　"Yousee，werecognize，inourhumanmotherhood，agreattenderlimitlessupliftingforce——patienceandwisdomandallsubtletyofdelicatemethod。WecreditGod——ourideaofGod——withallthatandmore。Ourmothersarenotangrywithus——whyshouldGodbe？"
　　"DoesGodmeanapersontoyou？"
　　Thisshethoughtoveralittle。"Why——intryingtogetclosetoitinourmindswepersonifytheidea，naturally;butwecertainlydonotassumeaBigWomansomewhere，whoisGod。
　　WhatwecallGodisaPervadingPower，youknow，anIndwellingSpirit，somethinginsideofusthatwewantmoreof。IsyourGodaBigMan？"sheaskedinnocently。
　　"Why——yes，tomostofus，Ithink。OfcoursewecallitanIndwellingSpiritjustasyoudo，butweinsistthatitisHim，aPerson，andaMan——withwhiskers。"
　　"Whiskers？Ohyes——becauseyouhavethem！OrdoyouwearthembecauseHedoes？"
　　"Onthecontrary，weshavethemoff——becauseitseemscleanerandmorecomfortable。"
　　"DoesHewearclothes——inyouridea，Imean？"
　　IwasthinkingoverthepicturesofGodIhadseen——rashadvancesofthedevoutmindofman，representinghisOmnipotentDeityasanoldmaninaflowingrobe，flowinghair，flowingbeard，andinthelightofherperfectlyfrankandinnocentquestionsthisconceptseemedratherunsatisfying。
　　IexplainedthattheGodoftheChristianworldwasreallytheancientHebrewGod，andthatwehadsimplytakenoverthepatriarchalidea——thatancientonewhichquiteinevitablyclotheditsthoughtofGodwiththeattributesofthepatriarchalruler，thegrandfather。
　　"Isee，"shesaideagerly，afterIhadexplainedthegenesisanddevelopmentofourreligiousideals。"Theylivedinseparategroups，withamalehead，andhewasprobablyalittle——domineering？"
　　"Nodoubtofthat，"Iagreed。
　　"Andwelivetogetherwithoutany`head，’inthatsense——justourchosenleaders——thatDOESmakeadifference。"
　　"Yourdifferenceisdeeperthanthat，"Iassuredher。"Itisinyourcommonmotherhood。Yourchildrengrowupinaworldwhereeverybodylovesthem。Theyfindlifemaderichandhappyforthembythediffusedloveandwisdomofallmothers。SoitiseasyforyoutothinkofGodinthetermsofasimilardiffusedandcompetentlove。Ithinkyouarefarnearerrightthanweare。"
　　"WhatIcannotunderstand，"shepursuedcarefully，"isyourpreservationofsuchaveryancientstateofmind。Thispatriarchalideayoutellmeisthousandsofyearsold？"
　　"Ohyes——four，five，sixthousand——everysomany。"
　　"Andyouhavemadewonderfulprogressinthoseyears——inotherthings？"
　　"Wecertainlyhave。Butreligionisdifferent。Yousee，ourreligionscomefrombehindus，andareinitiatedbysomegreatteacherwhoisdead。Heissupposedtohaveknownthewholethingandtaughtit，finally。Allwehavetodoisbelieve——andobey。"
　　"WhowasthegreatHebrewteacher？"
　　"Oh——thereitwasdifferent。TheHebrewreligionisanaccumulationofextremelyancienttraditions，somefarolderthantheirpeople，andgrewbyaccretiondowntheages。Weconsideritinspired——`theWordofGod。’"
　　"Howdoyouknowitis？"
　　"Becauseitsaysso。"
　　"Doesitsaysoinasmanywords？Whowrotethatin？"
　　Ibegantotrytorecallsometextthatdidsayso，andcouldnotbringittomind。
　　"Apartfromthat，"shepursued，"whatIcannotunderstandiswhyyoukeeptheseearlyreligiousideassolong。Youhavechangedallyourothers，haven’tyou？"
　　"Prettygenerally，"Iagreed。"Butthiswecall`revealedreligion，’
　　andthinkitisfinal。Buttellmemoreabouttheselittletemplesofyours，"Iurged。
　　"AndtheseTempleMothersyourunto。"
　　Thenshegavemeanextendedlessoninappliedreligion，whichIwillendeavortoconcentrate。
　　TheydevelopedtheircentraltheoryofaLovingPower，andassumedthatitsrelationtothemwasmotherly——thatitdesiredtheirwelfareandespeciallytheirdevelopment。Theirrelationtoit，similarly，wasfilial，alovingappreciationandagladfulfillmentofitshighpurposes。Then，beingnothingifnotpractical，theysettheirkeenandactivemindstodiscoverthekindofconductexpectedofthem。Thisworkedoutinamostadmirablesystemofethics。
　　TheprincipleofLovewasuniversallyrecognized——andused。
　　Patience，gentleness，courtesy，allthatwecall"goodbreeding，"
　　waspartoftheircodeofconduct。Butwheretheywentfarbeyonduswasinthespecialapplicationofreligiousfeelingtoeveryfieldoflife。Theyhadnoritual，nolittlesetofperformancescalled"divineservice，"savethosereligiouspageantsIhavespokenof，andthosewereasmucheducationalasreligious，andasmuchsocialaseither。Buttheyhadaclearestablishedconnectionbetweeneverythingtheydid——andGod。Theircleanliness，theirhealth，theirexquisiteorder，therichpeacefulbeautyofthewholeland，thehappinessofthechildren，andabovealltheconstantprogresstheymade——allthiswastheirreligion。
　　TheyappliedtheirmindstothethoughtofGod，andworkedoutthetheorythatsuchaninnerpowerdemandedoutwardexpression。
　　TheylivedasifGodwasrealandatworkwithinthem。
　　Asforthoselittletempleseverywhere——someofthewomenweremoreskilled，moretemperamentallyinclined，inthisdirection，thanothers。These，whatevertheirworkmightbe，gavecertainhourstotheTempleService，whichmeantbeingtherewithalltheirloveandwisdomandtrainedthought，tosmoothoutroughplacesforanyonewhoneededit。Sometimesitwasarealgrief，veryrarelyaquarrel，mostoftenaperplexity;eveninHerlandthehumansoulhaditshoursofdarkness。Butallthroughthecountrytheirbestandwisestwerereadytogivehelp。
　　Ifthedifficultywasunusuallyprofound，theapplicantwasdirectedtosomeonemorespeciallyexperiencedinthatlineofthought。
　　Herewasareligionwhichgavetothesearchingmindarationalbasisinlife，theconceptofanimmenseLovingPowerworkingsteadilyoutthroughthem，towardgood。Itgavetothe"soul"
　　thatsenseofcontactwiththeinmostforce，ofperceptionoftheuttermostpurpose，whichwealwayscrave。Itgavetothe"heart"
　　theblessedfeelingofbeingloved，lovedandUNDERSTOOD。Itgaveclear，simple，rationaldirectionsastohowweshouldlive——andwhy。
　　Andforritualitgavefirstthosetriumphantgroupdemonstrations，whenwithaunionofallthearts，therevivifyingcombinationofgreatmultitudesmovedrhythmicallywithmarchanddance，songandmusic，amongtheirownnoblestproductsandtheopenbeautyoftheirgrovesandhills。Second，itgavethesenumerouslittlecentersofwisdomwheretheleastwisecouldgotothemostwiseandbehelped。
　　"Itisbeautiful！"Icriedenthusiastically。"Itisthemostpractical，comforting，progressivereligionIeverheardof。YouDO
　　loveoneanother——youDObearoneanother’sburdens——youDOrealizethatalittlechildisatypeofthekingdomofheaven。YouaremoreChristianthananypeopleIeversaw。But——howaboutdeath？
　　Andthelifeeverlasting？Whatdoesyourreligionteachabouteternity？"
　　"Nothing，"saidEllador。"Whatiseternity？"
　　Whatindeed？Itried，forthefirsttimeinmylife，togetarealholdontheidea。
　　"Itis——neverstopping。"
　　"Neverstopping？"Shelookedpuzzled。
　　"Yes，life，goingonforever。"
　　"Oh——weseethat，ofcourse。Lifedoesgoonforever，allaboutus。"
　　"ButeternallifegoesonWITHOUTDYING。"
　　"Thesameperson？"
　　"Yes，thesameperson，unending，immortal。"IwaspleasedtothinkthatIhadsomethingtoteachfromourreligion，whichtheirshadneverpromulgated。
　　"Here？"askedEllador。"Nevertodie——here？"Icouldseeherpracticalmindheapingupthepeople，andhurriedlyreassuredher。
　　"Ohno，indeed，nothere——hereafter。Wemustdiehere，ofcourse，butthenwe`enterintoeternallife。’Thesoullivesforever。"
　　"Howdoyouknow？"sheinquired。
　　"Iwon’tattempttoproveittoyou，"Ihastilycontinued。"Letusassumeittobeso。Howdoesthisideastrikeyou？"
　　Againshesmiledatme，thatadorable，dimpling，tender，mischievous，motherlysmileofhers。"ShallIbequite，quitehonest？"
　　"Youcouldn’tbeanythingelse，"Isaid，halfgladlyandhalfalittlesorry。Thetransparenthonestyofthesewomenwasanever—endingastonishmenttome。
　　"Itseemstomeasingularlyfoolishidea，"shesaidcalmly。
　　"Andiftrue，mostdisagreeable。"
　　NowIhadalwaysacceptedthedoctrineofpersonalimmortalityasathingestablished。Theeffortsofinquiringspiritualists，alwaysseekingtowootheirbelovedghostsbackagain，neverseemedtomenecessary。Idon’tsayIhadeverseriouslyandcourageouslydiscussedthesubjectwithmyselfeven;Ihadsimplyassumedittobeafact。AndherewasthegirlIloved，thiscreaturewhosecharacterconstantlyrevealednewheightsandrangesfarbeyondmyown，thissuperwomanofasuperland，sayingshethoughtimmortalityfoolish！Shemeantit，too。
　　"WhatdoyouWANTitfor？"sheasked。
　　"HowcanyouNOTwantit！"Iprotested。"Doyouwanttogooutlikeacandle？Don’tyouwanttogoonandon——growingand——and——beinghappy，forever？"
　　"Why，no，"shesaid。"Idon’tintheleast。Iwantmychild——
　　andmychild’schild——togoon——andtheywill。Whyshould_I_wantto？"
　　"ButitmeansHeaven！"Iinsisted。"PeaceandBeautyandComfortandLove——withGod。"Ihadneverbeensoeloquentonthesubjectofreligion。ShecouldbehorrifiedatDamnation，andquestionthejusticeofSalvation，butImmortality——thatwassurelyanoblefaith。
　　"Why，Van，"shesaid，holdingoutherhandstome。"WhyVan——darling！Howsplendidofyoutofeelitsokeenly。That’swhatweallwant，ofcourse——PeaceandBeauty，andComfortandLove——withGod！AndProgresstoo，remember;Growth，alwaysandalways。Thatiswhatourreligionteachesustowantandtoworkfor，andwedo！"
　　"ButthatisHERE，Isaid，"onlyforthislifeonearth。"
　　"Well？Anddonotyouinyourcountry，withyourbeautifulreligionofloveandservicehaveithere，too——forthislife——onearth？"
　　NoneofuswerewillingtotellthewomenofHerlandabouttheevilsofourownbelovedland。Itwasallverywellforustoassumethemtobenecessaryandessential，andtocriticize——
　　strictlyamongourselves——theirall—too—perfectcivilization，butwhenitcametotellingthemaboutthefailuresandwastesofourown，wenevercouldbringourselvestodoit。
　　Moreover，wesoughttoavoidtoomuchdiscussion，andtopressthesubjectofourapproachingmarriages。
　　Jeffwasthedeterminedoneonthisscore。
　　"Ofcoursetheyhaven’tanymarriageceremonyorservice，butwecanmakeitasortofQuakerwedding，andhaveitinthetemple——itistheleastwecandoforthem。"
　　Itwas。Therewassolittle，afterall，thatwecoulddoforthem。
　　Herewewere，pennilessguestsandstrangers，withnochanceeventouseourstrengthandcourage——nothingtodefendthemfromorprotectthemagainst。
　　"Wecanatleastgivethemournames，"Jeffinsisted。
　　Theywereverysweetaboutit，quitewillingtodowhateverweasked，topleaseus。Astothenames，Alima，franksoulthatshewas，askedwhatgooditwoulddo。
　　Terry，alwaysirritatingher，saiditwasasignofpossession。
　　"YouaregoingtobeMrs。Nicholson，"hesaid。"Mrs。T。O。
　　Nicholson。Thatshowseveryonethatyouaremywife。"
　　"Whatisa`wife’exactly？"shedemanded，adangerousgleaminhereye。
　　"Awifeisthewomanwhobelongstoaman，"hebegan。
　　ButJefftookitupeagerly："Andahusbandisthemanwhobelongstoawoman。Itisbecausewearemonogamous，youknow。Andmarriageistheceremony，civilandreligious，thatjoinsthetwotogether——`untildeathdouspart，’"
　　hefinished，lookingatCeliswithunutterabledevotion。
　　"Whatmakesusallfeelfoolish，"Itoldthegirls，"isthatherewehavenothingtogiveyou——except，ofcourse，ournames。"
　　"Doyourwomenhavenonamesbeforetheyaremarried？"
　　Celissuddenlydemanded。
　　"Why，yes，"Jeffexplained。"Theyhavetheirmaidennames——theirfather’snames，thatis。"
　　"Andwhatbecomesofthem？"askedAlima。
　　"Theychangethemfortheirhusbands’，mydear，"Terryansweredher。
　　"Changethem？Dothehusbandsthentakethewives’`maidennames’？"
　　"Oh，no，"helaughed。"Themankeepshisownandgivesittoher，too。"
　　"Thenshejustloseshersandtakesanewone——howunpleasant！
　　Wewon’tdothat！"Alimasaiddecidedly。
　　Terrywasgood—humoredaboutit。"Idon’tcarewhatyoudoordon’tdosolongaswehavethatweddingprettysoon，"hesaid，reachingastrongbrownhandafterAlima’s，quiteasbrownandnearlyasstrong。
　　"Astogivingusthings——ofcoursewecanseethatyou’dliketo，butwearegladyoucan’t，"Celiscontinued。"Yousee，weloveyoujustforyourselves——wewouldn’twantyouto——topayanything。
　　Isn’titenoughtoknowthatyouarelovedpersonally——andjustasmen？"
　　Enoughornot，thatwasthewayweweremarried。Wehadagreattripleweddinginthebiggesttempleofall，anditlookedasifmostofthenationwaspresent。Itwasverysolemnandverybeautiful。Someonehadwrittenanewsongfortheoccasion，noblybeautiful，abouttheNewHopefortheirpeople——theNewTiewithotherlands——BrotherhoodaswellasSisterhood，and，withevidentawe，Fatherhood。
　　Terrywasalwaysrestiveundertheirtalkoffatherhood。
　　"Anybody’dthinkwewereHighPriestsof——ofPhiloprogenitiveness！"
　　heprotested。"ThesewomenthinkofNOTHINGbutchildren，seemstome！
　　We’llteach’em！"
　　Hewassocertainofwhathewasgoingtoteach，andAlimasouncertaininhermoodsofreception，thatJeffandIfearedtheworst。Wetriedtocautionhim——muchgoodthatdid。Thebighandsomefellowdrewhimselfuptohisfullheight，liftedthatgreatchestofhis，andlaughed。
　　"Therearethreeseparatemarriages，"hesaid。"Iwon’tinterferewithyours——noryouwithmine。"
　　Sothegreatdaycame，andthecountlesscrowdsofwomen，andwethreebridegroomswithoutanysupporting"bestmen，"oranyothermentobackusup，feltstrangelysmallaswecameforward。
　　SomelandZavaandMoadinewereonhand;wewerethankfultohavethem，too——theyseemedalmostlikerelatives。
　　Therewasasplendidprocession，wreathingdances，thenewanthemIspokeof，andthewholegreatplacepulsedwithfeeling——thedeepawe，thesweethope，thewonderingexpectationofanewmiracle。
　　"TherehasbeennothinglikethisinthecountrysinceourMotherhoodbegan！"Somelsaidsoftlytome，whilewewatchedthesymbolicmarches。"Yousee，itisthedawnofanewera。Youdon’tknowhowmuchyoumeantous。ItisnotonlyFatherhood——thatmarvelousdualparentagetowhichwearestrangers——themiracleofunioninlife—giving——butitisBrotherhood。Youaretherestoftheworld。Youjoinustoourkind——toallthestrangelandsandpeopleswehaveneverseen。Wehopetoknowthem——toloveandhelpthem——andtolearnofthem。Ah！Youcannotknow！"
　　ThousandsofvoicesroseinthesoaringclimaxofthatgreatHymnofTheComingLife。BythegreatAltarofMotherhood，withitscrownoffruitandflowers，stoodanewone，crownedaswell。
　　BeforetheGreatOverMotheroftheLandandherringofHighTempleCounsellors，beforethatvastmultitudeofcalm—
　　facedmothersandholy—eyedmaidens，cameforwardourownthreechosenones，andwe，threemenaloneinallthatland，joinedhandswiththemandmadeourmarriagevows。
　　CHAPTER11
　　OurDifficultiesWesay，"Marriageisalottery";also"MarriagesaremadeinHeaven"——butthisisnotsowidelyacceptedastheother。
　　Wehaveawell—foundedtheorythatitisbesttomarry"inone’sclass，"andcertainwell—groundedsuspicionsofinternationalmarriages，whichseemtopersistintheinterestsofsocialprogress，ratherthaninthoseofthecontractingparties。
　　Butnocombinationofalienraces，ofcolor，ofcaste，orcreed，waseversobasicallydifficulttoestablishasthatbetweenus，threemodernAmericanmen，andthesethreewomenofHerland。
　　Itisallverywelltosaythatweshouldhavebeenfrankaboutitbeforehand。Wehadbeenfrank。Wehaddiscussed——atleastElladorandIhad——theconditionsofTheGreatAdventure，andthoughtthepathwasclearbeforeus。Buttherearesomethingsonetakesforgranted，supposesaremutuallyunderstood，andtowhichbothpartiesmayrepeatedlyreferwithoutevermeaningthesamething。
　　Thedifferencesintheeducationoftheaveragemanandwomanaregreatenough，butthetroubletheymakeisnotmostlyfortheman;hegenerallycarriesouthisownviewsofthecase。
　　Thewomanmayhaveimaginedtheconditionsofmarriedlifetobedifferent;butwhatsheimagined，wasignorantof，ormighthavepreferred，didnotseriouslymatter。
　　Icanseeclearlyandspeakcalmlyaboutthisnow，writingafteralapseofyears，yearsfullofgrowthandeducation，butatthetimeitwasratherhardsleddingforallofus——especiallyforTerry。PoorTerry！Yousee，inanyotherimaginablemarriageamongthepeoplesoftheearth，whetherthewomanwereblack，red，yellow，brown，orwhite;whethershewereignorantoreducated，submissiveorrebellious，shewouldhavebehindherthemarriagetraditionofourgeneralhistory。Thistraditionrelatesthewomantotheman。Hegoesonwithhisbusiness，andsheadaptsherselftohimandtoit。Evenincitizenship，bysomestrangehocus—pocus，thatfactofbirthandgeographywaswavedaside，andthewomanautomaticallyacquiredthenationalityofherhusband。
　　Well——herewerewe，threealiensinthislandofwomen。Itwassmallinarea，andtheexternaldifferenceswerenotsogreatastoastoundus。Wedidnotyetappreciatethedifferencesbetweentherace—mindofthispeopleandours。
　　Inthefirstplace，theywerea"purestock"oftwothousanduninterruptedyears。Wherewehavesomelongconnectedlinesofthoughtandfeeling，togetherwithawiderangeofdifferences，oftenirreconcilable，thesepeopleweresmoothlyandfirmlyagreedonmostofthebasicprinciplesoftheirlife;andnotonlyagreedinprinciple，butaccustomedforthesesixty—oddgenerationstoactonthoseprinciples。
　　Thisisonethingwhichwedidnotunderstand——hadmadenoallowancefor。Wheninourpre—maritaldiscussionsoneofthosedeargirlshadsaid："Weunderstanditthusandthus，"or"Weholdsuchandsuchtobetrue，"wemen，inourowndeep—seatedconvictionsofthepoweroflove，andoureasyviewsaboutbeliefsandprinciples，fondlyimaginedthatwecouldconvincethemotherwise。Whatweimagined，beforemarriage，didnotmatteranymorethanwhatanaverageinnocentyounggirlimagines。
　　Wefoundthefactstobedifferent。
　　Itwasnotthattheydidnotloveus;theydid，deeplyandwarmly。Butthereareyouagain——whattheymeantby"love"
　　andwhatwemeantby"love"weresodifferent。
　　Perhapsitseemsrathercold—bloodedtosay"we"and"they，"
　　asifwewerenotseparatecouples，withourseparatejoysandsorrows，butourpositionsasaliensdroveustogetherconstantly。
　　Thewholestrangeexperiencehadmadeourfriendshipmorecloseandintimatethanitwouldeverhavebecomeinafreeandeasylifetimeamongourownpeople。Also，asmen，withourmasculinetraditionoffarmorethantwothousandyears，wewereaunit，smallbutfirm，againstthisfarlargerunitoffemininetradition。
　　IthinkIcanmakeclearthepointsofdifferencewithoutatoopainfulexplicitness。Themoreexternaldisagreementwasinthematterof"thehome，"andthehousekeepingdutiesandpleasureswe，byinstinctandlongeducation，supposedtobeinherentlyappropriatetowomen。
　　Iwillgivetwoillustrations，oneawayup，andtheotherawaydown，toshowhowcompletelydisappointedwewereinthisregard。
　　Forthelowerone，trytoimagineamaleant，comingfromsomestateofexistencewhereantsliveinpairs，endeavoringtosetuphousekeepingwithafemaleantfromahighlydevelopedanthill。Thisfemaleantmightregardhimwithintensepersonalaffection，butherideasofparentageandeconomicmanagementwouldbeonaverydifferentscalefromhis。Now，ofcourse，ifshewasastrayfemaleinacountryofpairingants，hemighthavehadhiswaywithher;butifhewasastraymaleinananthill——！
　　Forthehigherone，trytoimagineadevotedandimpassionedmantryingtosetuphousekeepingwithaladyangel，arealwings—and—harp—and—haloangel，accustomedtofulfillingdivinemissionsalloverinterstellarspace。Thisangelmightlovethemanwithanaffectionquitebeyondhispowerofreturnorevenofappreciation，butherideasofserviceanddutywouldbeonaverydifferentscalefromhis。Ofcourse，ifshewasastrayangelinacountryofmen，hemighthavehadhiswaywithher;butifhewasastraymanamongangels——！
　　Terry，athisworst，inablackfuryforwhich，asaman，Imusthavesomesympathy，preferredtheantsimile。MoreofTerryandhisspecialtroubleslater。ItwashardonTerry。
　　Jeff——well，Jeffalwayshadastreakthatwastoogoodforthisworld！He’sthekindthatwouldhavemadeasaintlypriestinparentagearliertimes。Heacceptedtheangeltheory，swalloweditwhole，triedtoforceitonus——withvaryingeffect。HesoworshippedCelis，andnotonlyCelis，butwhatsherepresented;hehadbecomesodeeplyconvincedofthealmostsupernaturaladvantagesofthiscountryandpeople，thathetookhismedicinelikea——Icannotsay"likeaman，"butmoreasifhewasn’tone。
　　Don’tmisunderstandmeforamoment。DearoldJeffwasnomilksopormolly—coddleeither。Hewasastrong，brave，efficientman，andanexcellentfighterwhenfightingwasnecessary。Buttherewasalwaysthisangelstreakinhim。Itwasratherawonder，Terrybeingsodifferent，thathereallylovedJeffashedid;butithappenssosometimes，inspiteofthedifference——perhapsbecauseofit。
　　Asforme，Istoodbetween。IwasnosuchgayLotharioasTerry，andnosuchGalahadasJeff。ButforallmylimitationsI
　　thinkIhadthehabitofusingmybrainsinregardtobehaviorrathermorefrequentlythaneitherofthem。Ihadtousebrain—
　　powernow，Icantellyou。
　　Thebigpointatissuebetweenusandourwiveswas，asmayeasilybeimagined，intheverynatureoftherelation。
　　"Wives！Don’ttalktomeaboutwives！"stormedTerry。"Theydon’tknowwhatthewordmeans。"
　　Whichisexactlythefact——theydidn’t。Howcouldthey？Backintheirprehistoricrecordsofpolygamyandslaverytherewerenoidealsofwifehoodasweknowit，andsincethennopossibilityofformingsuch。
　　"TheonlythingtheycanthinkofaboutamanisFATHERHOOD！"
　　saidTerryinhighscorn。"FATHERHOOD！"AsifamanwasalwayswantingtobeaFATHER！"
　　Thisalsowascorrect。Theyhadtheirlong，wide，deep，richexperienceofMotherhood，andtheironlyperceptionofthevalueofamalecreatureassuchwasforFatherhood。
　　Asidefromthat，ofcourse，wasthewholerangeofpersonallove，lovewhichasJeffearnestlyphrasedit"passeththeloveofwomen！"Itdid，too。Icangivenoidea——eithernow，afterlongandhappyexperienceofit，orasitseemedthen，inthefirstmeasurelesswonder——ofthebeautyandpowerofthelovetheygaveus。
　　EvenAlima——whohadamorestormytemperamentthaneitheroftheothers，andwho，heavenknows，hadfarmoreprovocation——
　　evenAlimawaspatienceandtendernessandwisdompersonifiedtothemansheloved，untilhe——butIhaven’tgottothatyet。
　　These，asTerryputit，"allegedorso—calledwives"ofours，wentrightonwiththeirprofessionasforesters。We，havingnospeciallearnings，hadlongsincequalifiedasassistants。Wehadtodosomething，ifonlytopassthetime，andithadtobework——wecouldn’tbeplayingforever。
　　Thiskeptusoutofdoorswiththosedeargirls，andmoreorlesstogether——toomuchtogethersometimes。
　　Thesepeoplehad，itnowbecamecleartous，thehighest，keenest，mostdelicatesenseofpersonalprivacy，butnotthefaintestideaofthatSOLITUDEADEUXwearesofondof。Theyhad，everyoneofthem，the"tworoomsandabath"theoryrealized。
　　Fromearliestchildhoodeachhadaseparatebedroomwithtoiletconveniences，andoneofthemarksofcomingofagewastheadditionofanouterroominwhichtoreceivefriends。
　　Longsincewehadbeengivenourowntworoomsapiece，andasbeingofadifferentsexandrace，thesewereinaseparatehouse。Itseemedtoberecognizedthatweshouldbreatheeasierifabletofreeourmindsinrealseclusion。
　　Forfoodweeitherwenttoanyconvenienteating—house，orderedamealbroughtin，ortookitwithustothewoods，alwaysandequallygood。Allthiswehadbecomeusedtoandenjoyed——inourcourtingdays。
　　Aftermarriagetherearoseinusasomewhatunexpectedurgeoffeelingthatcalledforaseparatehouse;butthisfeelingfoundnoresponseintheheartsofthosefairladies。
　　"WeAREalone，dear，"Elladorexplainedtomewithgentlepatience。"Wearealoneinthesegreatforests;wemaygoandeatinanylittlesummer—house——justwetwo，orhaveaseparatetableanywhere——orevenhaveaseparatemealinourownrooms。
　　Howcouldwebealoner？"
　　Thiswasallverytrue。Wehadourpleasantmutualsolitudeaboutourwork，andourpleasanteveningtalksintheirapartmentsorours;wehad，asitwere，allthepleasuresofcourtshipcarriedrighton;butwehadnosenseof——perhapsitmaybecalledpossession。
　　"Mightaswellnotbemarriedatall，"growledTerry。"Theyonlygotupthatceremonytopleaseus——pleaseJeff，mostly。
　　They’venorealideaofbeingmarried。
　　ItriedmybesttogetEllador’spointofview，andnaturallyItriedtogivehermine。Ofcourse，whatwe，asmen，wantedtomakethemseewasthattherewereother，andasweproudlysaid"higher，"usesinthisrelationthanwhatTerrycalled"mereparentage。"
　　InthehighesttermsIknewItriedtoexplainthistoEllador。
　　"Anythinghigherthanformutuallovetohopetogivelife，aswedid？"shesaid。"Howisithigher？"
　　"Itdevelopslove，"Iexplained。"Allthepowerofbeautifulpermanentmatedlovecomesthroughthishigherdevelopment。"
　　"Areyousure？"sheaskedgently。"Howdoyouknowthatitwassodeveloped？Therearesomebirdswholoveeachothersothattheymopeandpineifseparated，andneverpairagainifonedies，buttheynevermateexceptinthematingseason。
　　Amongyourpeopledoyoufindhighandlastingaffectionappearinginproportiontothisindulgence？"
　　Itisaveryawkwardthing，sometimes，tohavealogicalmind。
　　OfcourseIknewaboutthosemonogamousbirdsandbeaststoo，thatmateforlifeandshoweverysignofmutualaffection，withouteverhavingstretchedthesexrelationshipbeyonditsoriginalrange。Butwhatofit？
　　"Thosearelowerformsoflife！"Iprotested。"Theyhavenocapacityforfaithfulandaffectionate，andapparentlyhappy——
　　butoh，mydear！mydear！——whatcantheyknowofsuchaloveasdrawsustogether？Why，totouchyou——tobenearyou——tocomecloserandcloser——tolosemyselfinyou——surelyyoufeelittoo，doyounot？"
　　Icamenearer。Iseizedherhands。
　　Hereyeswereonmine，tenderradiant，butsteadyandstrong。Therewassomethingsopowerful，solargeandchangeless，inthoseeyesthatIcouldnotsweepheroffherfeetbymyownemotionasIhadunconsciouslyassumedwouldbethecase。
　　Itmademefeelas，onemightimagine，amanmightfeelwholovedagoddess——notaVenus，though！Shedidnotresentmyattitude，didnotrepelit，didnotintheleastfearit，evidently。
　　Therewasnotashadeofthattimidwithdrawalorprettyresistancewhichareso——provocative。
　　"Yousee，dearest，"shesaid，"youhavetobepatientwithus。
　　Wearenotlikethewomenofyourcountry。WeareMothers，andwearePeople，butwehavenotspecializedinthisline。"
　　"We"and"we"and"we"——itwassohardtogethertobepersonal。And，asIthoughtthat，IsuddenlyrememberedhowwewerealwayscriticizingOURwomenforBEINGsopersonal。
　　ThenIdidmyearnestbesttopicturetoherthesweetintensejoyofmarriedlovers，andtheresultinhigherstimulustoallcreativework。
　　"Doyoumean，"sheaskedquitecalmly，asifIwasnotholdinghercoolfirmhandsinmyhotandratherquiveringones，"thatwithyou，whenpeoplemarry，theygorightondoingthisinseasonandoutofseason，withnothoughtofchildrenatall？"
　　"Theydo，"Isaid，withsomebitterness。"Theyarenotmereparents。Theyaremenandwomen，andtheyloveeachother。"
　　"Howlong？"askedEllador，ratherunexpectedly。
　　"Howlong？"Irepeated，alittledashed。"Whyaslongastheylive。"
　　"Thereissomethingverybeautifulintheidea，"sheadmitted，stillasifshewerediscussinglifeonMars。"Thisclimacticexpression，which，inalltheotherlife—forms，hasbuttheonepurpose，haswithyoubecomespecializedtohigher，purer，nobleruses。Ithas——
　　Ijudgefromwhatyoutellme——themostennoblingeffectoncharacter。
　　Peoplemarry，notonlyforparentage，butforthisexquisiteinterchange——and，asaresult，youhaveaworldfullofcontinuouslovers，ardent，happy，mutuallydevoted，alwayslivingonthathightideofsupremeemotionwhichwehadsupposedtobelongonlytooneseasonandoneuse。
　　Andyousayithasotherresults，stimulatingallhighcreativework。
　　Thatmustmeanfloods，oceansofsuchwork，blossomingfromthisintensehappinessofeverymarriedpair！Itisabeautifulidea！"
　　Shewassilent，thinking。