THE SLOUGH OF DESPOND
THEN I saw in my dream that the man thanked Evangelist and began to run.
His wife and children, who were watching him, cried out to him to stop. "Come back, father," they called, "Come back and stay with us."
But he would not listen. He ran on, keeping his face towards the far-away hills and never losing sight of the shining light.
His neighbors saw him running, and they wondered what could ail him. Some pitied, and said, "He is mad." Some laughed, and said, "He is a fool." Others called out loudly, "Come back! Come back!"
Two of his friends, whose names were Obstinate and Pliable, ran after him. And, as they were light of foot, they soon overtook him.
22
