going to grow, they're going to live. I
love it--that thought of life, of growth. Well, can I make you
understand, that was what I felt over yonder, in that revolution,
in mid-Europe. I felt it was just like seeing little plants set
out, to grow. Those poor people! Those poor people! They're
coming over here, to grow, here in America, in this great country
out here, in this West. They'll grow, like plants extending, like
grass multiplying, going out, edging westward, all the time. Ah,
thousands of them, millions yet to come, plants, little human
plants, with the right to live born with them. I don't so much
mind about their creed. I don't so much mind about race--their
color, even. But to see them grow--why, I suppose God up in His
Heaven looks down and smiles when He sees that. And we--we who are
here for a little time--we who sometimes are given minds and means
to fall in tune with God's smile--why, when we grow little and
selfish, instead of getting in tune with the wish of God--why, we
fail. Then, indeed, we do not pay--we repudiate our debt to
ourselves."

"You are shaming me," he said slowly. "But I see why they put you
out of Washington."

"But they can not put God out of Heaven! They can not turn back
the stars! They can not stop the rush of those westbound feet, the
spread of the millions, millions of blades of grass edging out, on.
That is what will make you see this 'higher law,' some time. That
is big politics, higher than what you call your traditions. That
will shame little men. Many traditions are only egotism and
selfishness. There is a compromise which will be final--not one
done in a mutual cowardice. It's one done in a mutual largeness
and courage.

"Oh,"--she beat her hands together, as was sometimes her
way--"America, this great West, this splendid country where the
feet are hurrying on so fast, fast--and the steam now carries men
faster, faster, so that it may be done--it may be done--without
delay--why, all this America must one day give over war and
selfishness--just as we two have tried to give over war and
selfishness, right here, right now. Do you suppose this world was
made just to hold selfishness and unhappiness? Do you think
that's all there ever was to the plan of life? Ah, no! There's
something in living beyond eating and drinking and sleeping and
begetting. Faith--a great faith in something, some plan ahead,
some _purpose_ under you--ah, _that's_ living