'But, of course, the lid's not on; you've not screwed him down, hey?'
'No, sir.'
'That's well. I must look on the face as I pray. He is in his place; I here
on earth. He in the spirit; I in the flesh. The neutral ground lies there.
So are carried the vibrations, and so the light of earth and heaven
reflected back and forward--apaugasma, a wonderful though helpless engine,
the ladder of Jacob, and behold the angels of God ascending and descending
on it. Thanks, I'll take the key. Mysteries to those who _will_ live
altogether in houses of clay, no mystery to such as will use their eyes and
read what is revealed. _This_ candle, it is the longer, please; no--no need
of a pair, thanks; just this, to hold in my hand. And remember, all depends
upon the willing mind. Why do you look frightened? Where is your faith?
Don't you know that spirits are about us at all times? Why should you
fear to be near the body? The spirit is everything; the flesh profiteth
nothing.'
'Yes, sir,' said Mrs. Rusk, making him a great courtesy in the threshold.
She was frightened by his eerie talk, which grew, she fancied, more voluble
and energetic as they approached the corpse.
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