1300 hours. Errands and chores in the AM,
we are waiting to a technician to finish checking over the furnace. Another
errand. We are going to a movie today, at least that is the plan, when he is
finished.
2947
hours. We saw "Jack Reacher". It was Carol's suggestion because she
has read several of Child's novels. While I have not I enjoyed the film more
than I thought I would. A mystery and a thriller, Reacher is no James Bond, but
the film was well-played. Afterwards, in the lobby I saw an old colleague from
Mason, Karen Morris. She waited to say hello. I am so glad she did. She is a
wonderful lady who always wanted the best for the kids and the faculty. Giving
her a hug and wishing her "Merry Christmas" was the highlight of my
day.
This is a good place to conclude. Tomorrow,
if so inclined, we begin Dead-8. Souls are 'twinnings' as it were. Merlyn and
Vivian meet with Mother, who will explain how things work since the Dead won
the Second Rebellion not so very long ago. A veil has many folds and many think
it a theatrical curtain.
I cannot help but think of Hawthorne's "The Minister's
Black Veil" every time I see the word. Here is the plot summary from
Wikipedia:
**
**
Plot summary [of The Minister's Black
Veil]
The story begins with the sexton standing
in front of the meeting-house, ringing the bell. He is to stop ringing the bell
when the Reverend Mr. Hooper comes into sight. However, the congregation is met
with an unusual sight: Mr. Hooper is wearing a black semi-transparent veil that
obscures all of his face but his mouth and chin from view. This creates a stir
among the townspeople, who begin to speculate about his veil and its
significance.
As he takes the pulpit, Mr. Hooper's
sermon is on secret sin and is "tinged, rather more darkly than usual,
with the gentle gloom of Mr. Hooper's temperament". This topic concerns
the congregation who fear for their own secret sins as well as their minister's
new appearance. After the sermon, a funeral is held for a young lady of the
town who has died. Mr. Hooper stays for the funeral and continues to wear his
now more appropriate veil. It is said that if the veil were to blow away, he
might be "fearful of her glance". Mr. Hooper says a few prayers and
the body is carried away. Two of the mourners say that they have had a fancy
that "the minister and the maiden's spirit were walking hand in
hand". That night another occasion arises, this time a joyous one—a
wedding. However, Mr. Hooper arrives in his veil again, bringing the atmosphere
of the wedding down to gloom.
By the next day, even the local children
are talking of the strange change that seems to have come over their minister.
Yet, no one is able to ask Mr. Hooper directly about the veil, except for his
fiancée Elizabeth. Elizabeth tries to be cheerful and have him take it off. He
will not do so, even when they are alone together, nor will he tell her why he
wears the veil. Eventually, she gives up and tells him goodbye, breaking off the
engagement.
The one positive benefit of the veil is
that Mr. Hooper becomes a more efficient clergyman, gaining many converts who
feel that they too are behind the black veil with him. Dying sinners call out
for him alone. Mr. Hooper lives his life thus, though he is promoted to Father,
until his death. According to the text, "All through life the black veil
had hung between him and the world: it had separated him from cheerful
brotherhood and woman's love, and kept him in that saddest of all prisons, his
own heart; and still it lay upon his face, as if to deepen the gloom of his
dark-some chamber, and shade him from the sunshine of eternity".
Even though Elizabeth broke off their
engagement, she never marries and still keeps track of the happenings of Hooper's
life from afar. When she finds out that he is deathly ill she comes to his
deathbed to be by his side. Elizabeth and the Reverend ask him once again to
remove the veil, but he refuses. As he dies, those around him tremble. He tells
them in anger not to tremble, not merely for him but for themselves, for they
all wear black veils. Father Hooper is buried with the black veil on his face.
From: Wikipedia
**
**
What
one sees is clouded by one's own shadow. That's what I think. It is better to
see with several sets of eyes than just one. This is what immediately comes to
mind. (2123)
Interesting, boy, what pops into your mind
in any given moment. This is exactly what you do as you dictate the words into
the characters in these Merlyn books, see through several sets of eyes. -
Amorella
I am attempting to come up with a rebuttal but so far nothing
works particularly well. (2142)
This indeed is how Dead-8 concludes. Post. -
Amorella
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