Biblical references slip past us especially when they are ones that have become embedded in the language but I have said this before. See It's That Man Again. This time, when Cleland realizes what Brent's mutiny will entail and counter-mutinies, Brent calls him "'You Judas...'" (p. 378) Right...
Cleland had prayed to the dead Jean Kilbirnie:
"'Jean, Jean, forgive me...'" (39, p. 377)
"Air stirred, a barren tiny noise among the shadows.
"'What to do, Jean? What would you have done?'
"Odd, how soon the answer came." (ibid.)
The answer comes from within Cleland but the "...barren tiny noise..." of the air sounds like that "...still small voice..." which is another Biblical reference.
Does Jean answer Cleland?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Oops! I erred in thinking Cleland was firmly on Brent's side during the mutiny.
And too thought of 1 (or 3) Kings 19.12. I was interested by how the Douai-Reims-Challoner version rendered that text: "...and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air."
No, I don't think Cleland HEARD Jean. Rather, a rigorous examination of his conscience showed him he was wrong to support Brent and what Cleland needed to do to make amends.
Ad astra! Sean
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