I seem to have lost my way," she said to Faith. "I heard that you might be able to help. Can I come in?"

In the dim light of the evening (and unprepared for what could happen), Faith let her in. Deeds noticed that she was cold and wet, and led her towards the fire, and then she left the room to continue preparing for the next day. Warmed by the fire, Doubt observed the shields around the wall.

"What are those for?" she smiled at Faith.

As Faith testified of the battles, for which the shields had been awarded, Doubt took down each one in turn and studied them intently.

Struck by Faith's resilience, "Does nothing at all shake you?" Doubt said admiringly. "I suppose you always know what's right - which way to go," she flattered, trying to catch his eye.

Overcome by her interest, Faith shifted his focus towards Doubt. Doubt shivered. Faith reached out to touch her hand...

"You're still cold!" he comforted.

After a close and intense discussion, Doubt had captivated Faith's entire attention. Faith could not seem to break out of the spell of charm upon him. Doubt, overcome by his confident response, challenged Faith.

"Come with me to the house of Turmoil I have inherited," she pleaded. "It is a very large house. You will be able to see further out of my windows. I will feed you on something new. I offer you unbelief from my cup and sweet lies to eat. The rooms are larger than this; your long arm will grow even longer. Come with me and I will broaden your scope of vision; come and see more of the land of Life. Come now!"

Just then, Deeds came into the room.

Being very polite, she asked Doubt. "Do you want a drink of promises?"

"No thank you," she replied. "I only drink unbelief."

"Sorry, we've had no unbelief in this house since Faith and I were married - but surely you must try a biscuit?" offered Deeds.

Doubt stooped forward and cautiously accepted a biscuit, but as soon as she noticed the Manufacturer's Name, she dropped it back into the tin.

"Oh, I mustn't!" she cried. "Whole truth biscuits leave a bitter taste in my mouth and they give me indigestion!"

Faith was too consumed with listening to Doubt that he did not have one either nor did he bother to have a drink of promises.

"Tell Deeds you want a divorce now!" whispered Doubt secretly in Faith's ear.

Faith was in two minds. After entertaining the thought for some time, he decided to tell Deeds about his plans.

"Right! We're getting a divorce!" he stated sharply to his wife, "and I'm taking Proof with me," he muttered, less confidently.

To Faith's surprise, Proof heard this and came rushing through to state his objection.

Faith argued with Proof. Before long, a fight had broken out. There was violence in the house of Peace. Alas, Proof fell to the floor. Deeds acted quickly and came to his rescue - but it was too late. Proof was dead.

"What have I done?" cried Faith. "I have killed my only son!"

In desperate solitude, Faith wept bitterly, while Deeds was still trying helplessly to revive Proof. Doubt moved slowly to comfort Faith.

"It'll be all right," assured Doubt. "I will give you many sons. We must go quickly - before Deeds calls upon the Just One."

"But I'm injured! My long arm is broken! My clear eye is swollen and blackened: I can hardly see!" sobbed Faith.

"Your legs and feet are okay; are they not?" reassured Doubt. "You can still run."

So off Faith and Doubt ran together, out of the house of Peace, across the land of Life towards the house of Turmoil. Deeds was now left on her own, hopelessly trying to continue her work as before.

After not so long a journey, Faith and Deeds had arrived at their destination. Excited, they both rushed up to the massive glittering wide door. It opened welcomingly. They went in and the door slammed shut. Faith noticed that the door blended beautifully in with the wall background - there was not even a handle evident on the inside. Doubt introduced Faith to her father, Impatience, who promptly offered her in marriage.

"Now we must seal it with a drink!" demanded Impatience.

"Yes, you must be thirsty?" quizzed Doubt.

So Doubt and Faith shared a drink of unbelief from the same cup.

Sleepless hours passed. Looking through what must have been a window (perhaps it was just a still picture), Faith wondered why it still looked as dark outside as the time when they had first arrived at the house of Turmoil.

"When is it dawn here?" Faith inquired.

"Oh! Did I not tell you," Doubt responded, "that it is always night in this part of the land of Life? The Sun just interferes with what we want to carry on doing."

Tiring months passed. Doubt gave birth to a son and she named him Death.

"I have not been here very long," said Faith. "How can this be my son?"

"Of course he must be your son," assured Doubt. "He has such long arms. He can reach out and grasp anything."

Years blew past. Faith could not look his son in the face. It sent a chill down his spine. And so it was. Faith and Doubt lived together in anxiety in the house of Turmoil, while Death grew up in sin and ignorance. Then one day, Death took a fancy to his mother. That same day, Death grabbed hold of Faith with his long arms and choked him.

And so ends this story. Death and Doubt lived sadly ever after...