|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 6
The judge turned his dreamy, bright look toward the frightened man. "I
do see--I do see," he brought out affectionately. "I'll try to tell, as
you say, in plain English. But it is like the case I put--it is a
question of lack of vocabulary. A remarkable experience has occurred in
this room within an hour. I can no more describe it than the man born
blind could describe sight. I can only call it by one name, which may
startle you. A revelation."
"A revelation!" the tone expressed incredulity, scarcely veiled scorn.
The judge's brilliant gaze rested undisturbed on the speaker. "I
understand--none better. A day ago, two hours ago, I should have
answered in that tone. We have been trained in the same school, and have
thought alike. Dick was here a while ago and said things--you know what
Dick would say. You know how you and I have been sorry for the lad--been
indulgent to him--with his keen, broad mind and that inspired
self-forgetfulness of his--how we've been sorry to have such qualities
wasted on a parson, a religion machine. We've thought he'd come around
in time, that he was too large a personality to be tied to a treadmill.
We've thought that all along, haven't we? Well, Dick was here, and out
of the hell where I was I thought that again. When he talked I thought
in a way--for I couldn't think much--that after a consistent voyage of
agnosticism, I wouldn't be whipped into snivelling belief at the end, by
shipwreck. I would at least go down without surrendering. In a dim way I
thought that. And all that I thought then, and have thought through my
life, is nothing. Reasoning doesn't weigh against experience. Dick is
right."
The other man sat before him, bent forward, his hands on his knees,
listening, dazed. There was a quality in the speaker's tone which made
it necessary to take his words seriously. Yet--the other sighed and
relaxed a bit as he waited, watched. The calm voice went on.
"The largest event of my life has happened in the last hour, in this
room. It was this way. When Dick went out I--went utterly to pieces.
It was the farthest depth. Out of it I called on God, not knowing what
I did. And he answered. That's what happened. As if--as if a bandage
had been lifted from my eyes, I was--I was in the presence of
things--indescribable. There was no change, only that where I was blind
before I now saw. I don't mean vision. I haven't words to explain what
I mean. But a world was about me as real as this; it had perhaps always
been there; in that moment I was first aware of it. I knew, as if a door
had been opened, what heaven means--a condition of being. And I knew
another thing more personal--that, without question, it was right with
those I thought I had lost and that the horror which seemed blackest
I have no need to dread. I cannot say that I saw them or heard or
touched them, but I was with them. I understand, but I can't make you
understand. I told Dick an hour ago that if I could believe they were
living, that I should ever have them again, I should be perfectly happy.
That's true now. I believe it, and I am--perfectly happy."
The listener groaned uncontrollably.
"I know your thought," the judge answered the sound, and his eyes were
like lamps as he turned them toward the man. "But you're wrong--my mind
is not unhinged. You'll see. After what I've gone through, after facing
eternity without hope, what are mere years? I can wait. I know. I
am--perfectly happy."
Then the man who listened rose from his chair and came and put a hand
gently on the shoulder of the judge, looking down at him gravely. "I
don't understand you very well, John," he said, "but I'm glad of
anything--of anything"--his voice went suddenly. "Will you wait for me
here a few minutes? I'm going home and I'll be back. I think I'll spend
the night with you if you don't object."
"Object! Wait!" The judge looked up in surprise, and with that he
smiled. "I see. Surely. I'd like to have you here. Yes, I'll certainly
wait."
Outside in the hall one might have heard the brother-in-law say a low
word or two to Miller as the man helped him on with his coat; then the
front door shut softly, and he was gone, and the judge sat alone, his
head thrown back against his chair, his face luminous.
The other man swung down the dark street, rushing, agitated. As he came
to the corner an electric light shone full on him and a figure crossing
down toward him halted.
"Father! I was coming to find you. Something extraordinary has happened.
I was coming to find you."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|