“In other words, you came to an estate in the country. That estate had an owner, who happens to be me. There was a family who lived here, grounds, a garden, workers going about the labor of the place—all kinds of things are involved in making Lebenshaus what it is. And as you have been silently watching and listening to it all, you have been drawn into the life of the place and have gradually learned a great deal about how the whole estate functions. But who have you learned most about in all of that?”

Again Matthew thought for a while.

“I suppose it would be you, sir,” he said.

“Right again, Matthew! Everything you see about the estate, even the relationships, this garden we’re walking through—it’s all a reflection of me, isn’t it? Even Sabina, as you’ve gotten to know her, is a reflection of me, her father.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“And if you were intent on doing so, you could study your surroundings here, watching everything extremely carefully, listening to how everyone talks and so on, and you would be able to find out much more about me, wouldn’t you think?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you think you would discover me to be a good man, a kind and generous man, an unselfish man—a loving man?”

“I have already found you to be those things.”

The baron smiled. He found it uncomfortable to use such adjectives to describe himself, but knew under the circumstances that it was the quickest way to illustrate his point. He knew himself deeply enough to know many of the places where the opposites of those qualities dwelt in his fallen human character as well.

“Or do you think I am a man who goes around waiting for someone to pick a flower out of my rose garden so I can throw him in the hidden dungeon up there in the house that old Eppie talks about?”

Matthew laughed. “I can’t imagine you being anything but delighted if people were enjoying your roses—even if they plucked every one!”

“You are getting to know me very well already. Now, here’s what I’ve been pointing toward, Matthew. The whole world is God’s home, God’s estate—just like this is mine. In the same way that you have discovered my character from being here, watching and listening and asking and conversing and living with us, you can discover God’s character too! And that is the most exciting prospect life has to offer!”

“How do you do that?”