"To sup in Heaven" was a phrase used by one of his predecessors on the
threshold of death.... For what did that stand?... And at other times
there had been no curiosity, but an acquiescence in old childish images.
Heaven at such times appeared to him as a summer garden, with pavilions,
and running water and the song of birds ... a garden where he would lie
at ease at last from his torn body and that feverish mind, which was all
that his pain had left to him; where Mary went, gracious and motherly,
with her virgins about her; where the Crucified Lamb of God would talk
with him as a man talks with his friend, and allow him to lie at the
Pierced Feet ... where the glory of God rested like eternal sunlight on
all that was there; on the River of Life, and the wood of the trees that
are for the healing of all hurts.
And, last of all, there was a confused medley of more human thoughts
that concerned persons other than himself. He could not remember all the
persons clearly; their names and their faces came and went. Marjorie,
his father, Mr. John FitzHerbert and Mr. Anthony, who had been allowed
to come and see him; Dick Sampson, who had come in with Marjorie the
second time and had kissed his hands. One thing at least he remembered
clearly as he stood here, and that was how he had bidden Mistress
Manners, even now, not to go overseas and become a nun, as she had
wished; but rather to continue her work in Derbyshire, if she could.
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