Chapter 38: Alone

Great Wexley

“And then, at that point in my wanderings, when I thought I’d seen all there was to see, I came upon the town’s great square.” p. 187

“By far the biggest structure was a great church—a cathedral as I would learn—which soared upward with a multitude of towers.” p. 187

“These towers, joined together by what looked like floating arches, were emblazoned with countless embellishments and statues that seemed as real as life. Set between the high front towers was a vast circle of stone and multicolored glass.” p. 187

“Opposite the church, on the other side of the square, was a large stone building some three stories tall.

Whereas the church rose high, this building seemed to cling to the earth with a weight and bulk that bespoke

earthly power.” p. 188“Set before the windows was a balcony under which stone lions’ heads protruded.”

“Between the church and this large building was the great open space—the town square itself. It held crowds of traders with booths and stalls, with more sellers of goods and food than I could count.” p. 189

“Timidly, I approached the great church itself.” p. 189

“But aside from its great size, it was the soldiers about the doors that made me hold back.”p. 189

“In truth, the soldiers barely looked at me as I passed through an entryway crowned by statues of Mary and Jesus, plus other saints whose names I did not know.”

p. 190

But when I stepped past the vestibule, I gasped. Before me was a space of such immense size, height, depth, and breadth, that I never would have thought it could exist on mortal earth.” p. 190

“…enough multicolored light poured down through stained glass so as to turn the hard stone floor into pools of liquid hues.”

p. 190 - 191

“Once outside, I plunged into the mass of people in the square, pushing and dodging to get away.”

p. 192

“After leaving the square, I raced on without any knowledge of where I was, running through one narrow lane after another.” p. 192