The Pilgrim's Regress by C. S. Lewis Page B

Sensible’s house: but as there was here no pretence of comfort and they lay huddled together in the narrow hut, John slept warmer here than at Thelema.

III
    Neo-Angular
    W HEN THEY ROSE in the morning John was so footsore and his limbs ached so that he knew not how to continue his journey. Drudge assured them that the coast could not now be very far. He thought that Vertue could reach it and return in a day and that John might await him in the hut. As for John himself, he was loth to burden hosts who lived in such apparent poverty: but Mr. Angular constrained him to stay, when he had explained that the secular virtue of hospitality was worthless, and care for the afflicted a sin if it proceeded from humanitarian sentiment, but that he was obliged to act as he did by the rules of his order. So, in my dream, I saw Drudge and Vertue set out northwards alone, while John remained with the three pale men.
    In the forenoon he had a conversation with Angular.
    â€˜You believe, then,’ said John, ‘that there is a way across the canyon?’
    â€˜I know there is. If you will let me take you to Mother Kirk she will carry you over in a moment.’
    â€˜And yet, I am not sure that I am not sailing under false colours. When I set out from home, crossing the canyon was never in my thoughts—still less was Mother Kirk.’
    â€˜It does not matter in the least what was in your thoughts.’
    â€˜It does, to me. You see, my only motive for crossing, is the hope that something I am looking for may be on the other side.’
    â€˜That is a dangerous, subjective motive. What is this something?’
    â€˜I saw an Island—’
    â€˜Then you must forget it as soon as you can. Islands are the Half-ways’ concern. I assure you, you must eradicate every trace of that nonsense from your mind before I can help you.’
    â€˜But how can you help me after removing the only thing that I want to be helped to? What is the use of telling a hungry man that you will grant him his desires, provided there is no question of eating?’
    â€˜If you do not want to cross the canyon, there is no more to be said. But, then, you must realize where you are. Go on with your Island, if you like, but do not pretend that it is anything but a part of the land of destruction this side of the canyon. If you are a sinner, for heaven’s sake have the grace to be a cynic too.’
    â€˜But how can you say that the Island is all bad, when it is longing for the Island, and nothing else, that has brought me this far?’
    â€˜It makes no difference. All on this side of the canyon is much of a muchness. If you confine yourself to this side, then the Spirit of the Age is right.’
    â€˜But this is not what Mother Kirk said. She particularly insisted that some of the food was much less poisonous than the rest.’
    â€˜So you have met Mother Kirk? No wonder that you are confused. You had no business to talk to her except through a qualified Steward. Depend upon it, you have misunderstood every word she said.’
    â€˜Then there was Reason, too. She refused to say that the Island was an illusion. But perhaps, like Mr. Sensible, you have quarrelled with Reason.’
    â€˜Reason is divine. But how should you understand her? You are a beginner. For you, the only safe commerce with Reason is to learn from your superiors the dogmata in which her deliverances have been codified for general use.’
    â€˜Look here,’ said John. ‘Have you ever seen my Island?’
    â€˜God forbid.’
    â€˜And you have never heard Mr. Halfways either.’
    â€˜Never. And I never will. Do you take me for an escapist?’
    â€˜Then there is at least one object in the world of which I know more than you. I tasted what you call romantic trash; you have only talked about it. You need not tell me that there is a danger in it and an element of evil. Do you suppose that I have not felt that danger and that