"He leadeth me by the green pastures and
beside the quiet waters," she said to herself: and her heart swelled
with pleasure to think that it was those who had been so old, and so
weary and poor, who had this rest to console them for all their sorrows.

And as she went along, not only did she pass through many other
villages, but met many on the way who were travelling towards the great
city, and would greet her sweetly as they passed, and sometimes stop to
say a pleasant word, so that the little Pilgrim was never lonely
wherever she went. But most of them began to speak to her in the other
language, which was as beautiful and sweet as music, but which she could
not understand: and they were surprised to find her ignorant of it, not
knowing that she was but a new-comer into these lands. And there were
many things that could not be told but in that language, for the earthly
tongue had no words to express them. The little Pilgrim was a little
sad not to understand what was said to her, but cheered herself with the
thought that it should be taught to her by one whom she loved best. The
way by the riverside was very cheerful and bright, with many people
coming and going, and many villages, some of them with a bridge across
the stream, some withdrawn among the fields, but all of them bright and
full of life, and with sounds of music, and voices, and footsteps: and
the little Pilgrim felt no weariness, but moved along as lightly as a
child, taking great pleasure in everything she saw, and answering all
the friendly greetings with all her heart, yet glad to think that she
was approaching ever nearer to the country where it was ordained that
she should dwell for a time and succour the strangers, and receive those
who were newly arrived. And she consoled herself with the thought that
there was no need of any language but that which she knew. As this went
through her mind making her glad she suddenly became aware of one who
was walking by her side, a lady who was covered with a veil white and
shining like that which Ama had worn in the beautiful city. It hung
about this stranger's head so that it was not easy to see her face, and
the sound of her voice was very sweet in the Pilgrim's ear, yet startled
her like the sound of something which she knew well, but could not
remember. And as there were few who were going that way, she was glad,
and said, "Let us walk together, if that pleases you." And the stranger
said, "It is for that I