the heart of the matter

.

.

.

Outside the rest-house he stopped again.

The lights inside would have given an

extraordinary impression of peace

if one hadn't known,

just as the stars on

this clear night gave also

an impression of

remoteness,

security,

freedom.

If one knew, he wondered, the facts,

would one have to feel pity

even for the planets?

if one reached what they called

the heart of the matter?

.
.
.
.
.

"But do you really, seriously, Major Scobie," Dr. Sykes asked, "believe in hell?"

"Oh, yes, I do."

"In flames and torment?"

"Perhaps not quite that. They tell us it may be a permanent sense of loss."

"That sort of hell wouldn't worry me," Fellowes said.

"Perhaps you've never lost anything of importance," Scobie said.