Now was the day when the earth should be purified by fire, the wicked swept from the land, and the lost tribes of Israel restored to their own.

Now was to come the Son of Man who should dwell in righteousness with men, reigning over them on the purified earth for a thousand years.
He watched the mild winter go, with easy faith; and the early spring come and go, with a dawning uneasiness.

For the time was passing with never the blast of a trumpet from the heavens.

He began to see then that he alone, of all Amalon, had kept his faith pure.

For the others had foolishly sown their fields, as if another crop were to be harvested,--as if they must continue to eat bread that was earth-grown.
Even Prudence had strangely ceased to believe as he did.