Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/339

XIX] "And have you any theory as to what sort of place they would occupy in Creation? Do tell me what you think about them! Would they, for instance (supposing such beings to exist), would they have any moral responsibility? I mean" (and the light bantering tone suddenly changed to one of deep seriousness) "would they be capable of sin?"

"They can reasonon a lower level, perhaps, than men and womennever rising, I think, above the faculties of a child; and they have a moral sense, most surely. Such a being, without free will, would be an absurdity. So I am driven to the conclusion that they are capable of sin."

"You believe in them?" she cried delightedly, with a sudden motion as if about to clap her hands. "Now tell me, have you any reason for it?"

And still I strove to keep back the revelation I felt sure was coming. "I believe that there is life everywherenot material only, not merely what is palpable to our sensesbut immaterial and invisible as well. We believe in our own immaterial essencecall it 'soul,'