m an exultation and a sense of power； and he ran up the hill like anengine； or a madman； willing to throw himself headlong into the city that glowed before him。
But when he reached the summit he paused； he stood on the crest of the hill； hands claspedbeneath his chin； looking down。 Then he； John； felt like a giant who might crumble this city withhis anger； he felt like a tyrant who might crush this city beneath his heel； he felt like a long…awaited conqueror at whose feet flowers would be strewn； and before whom multitudes cried；Hosanna！ He would be； of all； the mightiest； the most beloved； the Lord’s anointed； and he wouldlive in this shining city which his ancestors had seen with longing from far away。 For it was his；the inhabitants of the city had told him it was his； he had but to run down； crying； and they wouldtake him to their hearts and shoe him wonders his eyes had never seen。
And still； on the summit of that hill he paused。 He remembered the people he had seen inthat city； whose eyes held no love for him。 And he thought of their feet so swift and brutal； and thedark gray clothes they wore； and how when they passed they did not see him； or； if they saw him；they smirked。 And how the lights； unceasing； crashed on and off above him； and how he was astranger there。 Then he remembered his father and his mother； and all the arms stretched out tohold him back； to save him from this city where； they said； his soul would find perdition。
And certainly perdition sucked at the feet of the people who walked there； and cried in thelights； in the gigantic towers； the marks of Satan could be found in the faces of the people whowaited at the doors of movie houses； his words were printed on the great movie posters that invitedpeople to sin。 It was the roar o