room--what is the
matter with it?"

I told her; "Now that I am quite convinced that neither of your sons is
implicated, I will describe to you the character of a man whom I feel
sure must have slept in that room and has left a strong psychic
influence behind him."

I then mentioned the characteristics already given, and one or two more
which have escaped my memory.

My sceptical friend looked a little surprised. She said nothing at the
moment, but crossed the room to a cabinet, whence she took a photograph
of a man which I had never seen, and placed it in my hands.

"I am bound to confess," she added, "that you have exactly described the
character of my brother-in-law, who certainly has occupied the room more
than once."

The sequel to this little incident is rather significant.

A year or two later, this lady and I, having both succumbed to influenza
and bronchitis, were sent off to the same place abroad to recuperate.

Her attack had ended sooner than mine, so that I joined her there, and
one of the first pieces of news she gave me was of the death of this
brother-in-law, adding: "Poor fellow! He died from a very painful
disease, and suffered terribly. He had grave faults, but, as you said,
they came from weakness rather than wickedness. At anyrate, he was
humble-minded, for he wrote a touching letter to me when I lost a very
dear relation lately, wondering why such a valuable life should have
been taken and such a 'useless log' as himself be left alive."

This poor man had only just passed over when I joined my friend, and I
felt that he was in a very bewildered and sad state of mind. I could
realise his presence so clearly, partly, no doubt, from having sensed
his character so strongly, that the obvious thing seemed to be to try
and help him on his new plane of life.

To the superficial mind it appears very absurd, and equally irreverent,
to suppose that a faulty creature on this side the veil can help a
faulty creature on the _other_ side. Personally, I have never had any
difficulty in realising the power of prayer for those who have passed
beyond our mortal sight.

Surely we are one large family, whether here or there? The best way to
make children love each other is to persuade them to _help_ each other.
Is it strange that the same rule should apply to the universe that
applies to the tiny portion of it that we know?

Anyway, I am quite sure in this case that my prayers did help and
comfort this poo