upward； but rang in his own skull。
Yet； though he scarcely saw their faces； he knew that they were there。 He felt them move；every movement causing a trembling； an astonishment； a horror in the heart of darkness where he lay。 He could not know if they wished him to e to them as passionately as he wished to rise。
Perhaps they did not help him because they did not care—because they did not love him。
Then his father returned to him； in John’s changed and low condition； and John thought；but for a moment only； that his father had e to help him。 In the silence； then； that filled thevoid； John looked on his father。 His father’s face was black—like a sad； eternal night； yet in hisfather’s face there burned a fire—a fire eternal in an eternal night。 John trembled where he lay；feeling no warmth from him from this fire； tremble； and could not take his eyes away。 A wind blewover him； saying： ‘Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie。’ Only： ‘Whosoever loveth and maketh alie。’ And he knew that he had been thrust out of the holy； the joyful； the blood…washed munity；that his father had thrust him out。 His father’s will was stronger than John’s own。 His power wasgreater because he belonged to God。 Now； John felt no hatred； nothing； only a bitter； unbelievingdespair： all prophecies were true； salvation was finished； damnation was real！
Then Death is real； John’s soul said； and Death will have his moment。
‘Set thine house in order；’ said his father； ‘for thou shalt die and not live。’
And then the ironic voice spoke again； saying： ‘Get up； John。 Get up； boy。 Don’t let himkeep you here。 You got everything your daddy got。’
John tried to laugh—John thought that he was laughing—but found； instead； that his mouthwas filled with salt； his ears were full