***

"I like the words I use to bear some relation to facts. That's why I'm interested in eternity - psychological eternity. Because it's a fact."

"For you, perhaps," said Jeremy.

"For anyone who chooses to fulfill the conditions under which it can be experienced."

"And why should anyone wish to fulfill them?"

"Why should anyone choose to go to Athens to see the Parthenon? Because it's worth the bother. And the same is true of eternity. The experience of timeless good is worth all the trouble it involved."

"Timeless good," Jeremy repeated with distaste. "I don't know that the words mean."

"Why should you?" said Mr. Propter. "You've never bought your ticket to Athens."