His companion says, almost sharply, ‘You’d better not become tired of it. We mustn’t stop talking about that. There’s always someone who needs to have it repeated. You too, perhaps if you’ll think again.’

‘No,’ replies Stig wearily.

The face before him is lined with weariness too. And now it approaches him even more closely.

‘I’m going to talk about it just the same. It will pass, all this oppression. Something will replace it – but whether we shall be fit to take part in it is another matter. In all likelihood we shall not.’

Stig experiences a sudden jolt; he had not expected this. It was bitter to hear it.

‘What do you mean by we?’

‘I mean people like ourselves. Of course there are many others as well, but let’s just consider the two of us. It may prove difficult for us to take part in the new situation. By taking part in it I mean being so well suited to it as to be open to it, so that we can see the new secrets and cherish them. This is the question that consumes me: Are we suited to it? Perhaps we can only go along as far as the border? It will surely depend on how far we shall be able to renew ourselves, and whether we have the courage to do so. It seems to me we’re being used up by this task we must undertake. So it will be difficult to understand the new situation. It occurs to me that in all likelihood this will probably be our fate.’

Stig says nothing, listening to the slight tone of uncertainty in the other’s voice. Then he is asked a question: ‘Haven’t you thought about this?’

‘I don’t know,’ answers Stig. ‘It hasn’t seemed so important to make up one’s mind. In our situation it may be all up with us at any moment, so the question doesn’t arise. We don’t expect many of us to survive till the end.’

‘I’m sorry,’ says the man with the austere face humbly. ‘We’re given orders and we carry them out, we too,’ he continues, looking at Stig. ‘But when you say something like that, I recognize the difference between us, and how much harder and more desperate is the part you have to play. One should choose one’s words more carefully.’

Stig shifts uncomfortably as if to put an end to this.

‘But you think then, that those who do survive will not continue forward into the future, because they are unable to do so?’ he says.

‘Unable to – I don’t know – because, you see, something entirely different will be demanded afterwards, that we are not allowed to practise now. I don’t know. But one feels so afraid sometimes. Now harshness is needed. Afterwards goodness will be necessary, the kind which is and shall be evermore. It is only we in this night of the soul who must say and do things that make our hearts shudder. We are forced to do them, for the sake of those who will come after us. But we ourselves may well be found lacking when this time is over.’