here was another woman； whom he took to be thatwife of his father’s； called Deborah—who had； as he had once believed； so much to tell him。 Butshe； alone； of all that pany； looked at him and signified that there was no speech in the grave。
He was a stranger there—they did not see him pass； they did not know what he was looking for；they could not help him search。 He wanted to find Elisha； who knew； perhaps； who would help him—but Elisha was not there。 There was Roy： Roy also might have helped him； but he had beenstabbed with a knife； and lay now； brown and silent； at his father’s feet。
Then there began to flood John’s soul the waters of despair。 Love is as strong as death； asdeep as the grave。 But love； which had； perhaps； like a benevolent monarch； swelled thepopulation of his neighboring kingdom； Death； had not himself descended： they owed him noallegiance here。 Here there was no speech or language； and there was no love； no one to say： Youare beautiful； John； no one to forgive him； no matter what his sin； no one to heal him； and lift himup。 No one： father and mother looked backward； Roy was bloody； Elisha was not here。
Then the darkness began to murmur—a terrible sound—and John’s ears trembled。 In thismurmur that filled the grave； like a thousand wings beating on the air； he recognized a sound thathe had always heard。 He began； for terror； to weep and moan—and this sound was swallowed up；and yet was magnified by the echoes that filled the darkness。