Page:The Works of H G Wells Volume 11.pdf/118

 "for that, I presume, is the thing we have forgotten. That, I see, is the difference between us and you, Mr. Huss; that is why we can sit here, content to play our partial rôles, knowing full surely that some day the broken lines and inconsecutiveness that perplex us in this life will all be revealed and resolved into their perfect circles, while you to whom this earthly life is all and final, you must needs be a rebel, you must needs preach a doctrine between defiance and despair If indeed death ended all! Ah! Then indeed you might claim that reason was on your side. The afflictions of man are very many. Why should I deny it?"

The patentee and chief proprietor of the Temanite blocks paused for a moment.

"Yes," he said, peering up through his eyebrows at the sky, "that is the real issue. Blind to that, you are blind to everything."

"I don't know whether I am with you on this question of immortality, Sir Eliphaz," warned Dr. Barrack, coughing shortly.

"For my part I'm altogether with him," said Mr. Dad. "If there is no immortal life—well, what's the good of being temperate and decent and careful for five and fifty years?"

Sir Eliphaz had decided now to drop all apologetics for the scheme of Nature.

"A place of trial, a place of stimulus and training," he said. "Respice finem. The clues are all—beyond."

"But if you really consider this world as a place for soul-making," said Mr. Huss, "what do you