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The House Of Truth
by
The little old man began slowly to shake his head but he never said a word. He just looked and looked and looked. His finger went up one page and down another. Finally he looked straight at Bess and said to Granny,
“Your granddaughter is mistaken. That is not done by ladies. It is not here. It is not here.”
“Oh, you are old-fashioned just like my mother,” began Bess. “It may not be there but it is true just the same that all ladies do it nowadays.”
“Hush, child,” said Granny. “What is written there is true–but it is only half the truth even then. Let us go and see the rest. If it is right for you to ask him, then let us see the truth about the boy. Is he one that our family would like to have specially chosen for your friend? We must know about him.”
“Oh, Granny, he is all right. He doesn’t study much and he doesn’t do what mother believes is right on Sunday. But he has a car, and a motor boat, and he is all right. Let me ask him,” begged Bess.
“Tut, tut, child,” said Granny. “Perhaps you do not know. This is the House of Truth and we can tell.”
Then they entered a very large house and Granny walked to a man who stood near the door.
“May I go to the M room?” she asked, with a smile.
“I will show you the way, lady,” said the man, and Bess noted how the man had spoken the word “lady.” Somehow every one knew as soon as they looked at Granny that she was a lady. ‘Twas very strange!
Down a long hall they went and then they stood before a large wall of mirrors. What a strange place this was! Before them in the mirror were many, many men and boys, all struggling to get up a very steep hill. Some had a few strings ahead of them to help them up and many, many strings behind that were pulling them back to the foot of the hill. Others had only a few in back and many in front. Some were hopelessly entangled and seemed not able to move. Who were they and what were they doing?
Curiosity led Bess to study the scene in front of her. On the very top of the hill there was a bright sign, “Christian Manhood.” This, then, was the thing for which they were struggling. But what were the strings? She pushed and reached but she just couldn’t read the words.
“Did you want to know the truth about a friend?” said a voice. “I will gladly help you for you are young and need to know. I am old and to know the truth may only make me more unhappy. Take my place.” And she was given a nearer stand.
Now she could read the words on the strings that held the men back. One said “Drink” and another “Bad Companions,” and another “Bad Temper.” Bess was very much interested, so she began to study the faces of the men who were pushing to the top.
Why! Away up there with the first was George Meyer, her good friend from childhood. He had many, many strings to help and only a few to hinder. And there was Edward Mead. He was such a goody-goody at school that she didn’t care much for him. Why, he wouldn’t whisper at all!
Near the middle of the hill was Philip Marks. She knew him well and he had many things to help and many to hinder but he was surely trying. But Granny had brought her here to see the truth about Henry Mann. Was he here? She hadn’t seen him.
First she searched among those near the top. He was such a bright boy when out with the crowd and he had so many good things in his life that surely he must be near the top. But he wasn’t there. Neither was he near the middle. Surely he must be there somewhere for his name began with M. Finally she asked the man who had given her his place if he could see a boy named Henry Mann on the hill.