Jerome. Were they devils, Paul, were they the deadly sins?
Paul Ruttledge. I don't know, but I thought, and I don't know how the thought came to me, that they were the part of mankind that is not human; the part that builds up the things that keep the soul from God.
Jerome. That was a terrible vision.
Paul Ruttledge. I struggled and I struggled with them, and they heaped themselves over me till I was unable to move hand or foot; and that went on for a long, long time.
Jerome. [Crossing himself.] God have mercy on us.
Paul Ruttledge. Then suddenly there came a bright light, and all in a minute the beasts were gone, and I saw a great many angels riding upon unicorns, white angels on white unicorns. They stood all round me, and they cried out, "Brother Paul, go and preach; get up and preach, Brother Paul." And then they laughed aloud, and the unicorns trampled the ground as though the world were already falling in pieces.
Jerome. It was only a dream. Come with me. You will forget it when you have had food and rest.
Paul Ruttledge. [Looking at his arm.] It was there one of them clawed me; one that looked at me with great heavy eyes.
Jerome. The Superior has been here; try and listen to me. He says you must not preach.
Paul Ruttledge. Great heavy eyes and hard sharp claws.