Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/187

 these, individuals gave their assent, in accordance, as far as I could judge, with an inborn mental bias.

This was the more clearly perceptible, seeing that all were left perfectly free to follow this bias. Parents did not feel justified in prejudicing the case by impressing their own religions opinions upon the unformed and helpless minds of children. When the proper time came, the distinctive views of the divine nature were displayed before the youth or maiden, with a warning not to come to a hasty decision. At least a year of reflection was enjoined before they should definitely unite with one or the other communion.

Breakfast, on this morning, passed off much as usual, except that the customary concert was omitted. Not long after nine arrived Reva, accompanied by her father, whom I now saw for the first time. Hulmar Edial was of unusually tall stature, even for the men of that period. His unthinned locks and heavy beard showed here and there a thread of premature gray amid the original ruddy brown,—a color no longer so common as at present, and another sign of the original Scandinavian stock whence the Edials had sprung. Reva, for her part, was a genuine Diotha in feature,—one good reason, no doubt, for the tender regard with which the father's eye would dwell on the features so strongly recalling those of the wife so dearly loved and so early lost.

This loss had left deep traces. Among the slightest were those premature, though few, gray hairs. For he was only fifty-two, while sixty was then considered an early age for these signs of age to appear. A deeply lined forehead gave evidence of long-continued and