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Dad.” ’

    â€˜And he says?’
    â€˜â€œHi, George.” ’
    â€˜And you say?’
    â€˜â€œI miss you a lot, Dad.” ’
    Severance’s eyes filled with tears, his breathing was difficult, he could only partly attend as George’s father said, “I miss you too,” and George said, “I made manager, Dad,” and his father said, “I’m proud of you, George,” and George said, “I love you, Dad.” There was more, but Severance was fighting sobs and didn’t hear it, before Linc’s voice changed, acquired a snap, ‘Now your father’s not there any more and you’re back here with us.’
    George looked at him dazed, his hands braced on his knees relaxed, he leaned back, though not as before.
    â€˜Do you remember what just happened?’
    â€˜Sure.’
    â€˜How do you feel?’
    â€˜Wonderful. I feel happy.’
    â€˜You know that none of it was real. Your father has been dead for eleven years—okay?’
    â€˜Sure.’
    â€˜You feel okay about that?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜You employ four men, is that right?’
    Reluctantly: ‘Yes.’
    â€˜You’re thinking of expanding. Right?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Three other firms like yours have failed while yours has been succeeding. Right?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Did you have any help in your success?’
    â€˜Well—’
    â€˜Yes or no. Did you have any financial backing or did you do it all yourself? Yes or no. You did it alone?’
    With recovered firmness, with actual energy: ‘Yes.’
    â€˜Climb up on your chair.’

    Looking sheepish, but half-grinning, George stood awkwardly up onto his little straight chair and looked down across at Linc.
    â€˜Now say, “I did it.” ’
    George hesitated. ‘I did it,’ he said embarrassed.
    â€˜No. Louder.’
    â€˜I did it!’ He sounded as if he meant it.
    â€˜Louder.’
    â€˜I did it!’ He was crowing like a cock, and every nerve in Severance’s body was jumping. ‘I DID IT. I DID IT.’
    Cheers from everybody, general exultation, universal relief and joy. Severance felt triumphant. George climbed down and two or three patients rushed over to embrace him. Out of the tangle presently he sat back down, fists on his knees, bolt upright, eyes flashing.
    â€˜How do you feel?’
    â€˜Okay!’
    â€˜It’s okay to feel okay, George. Remember that. It’s okay to feel okay,’ said Linc, turning off the tape-recorder.

5
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    S EVERANCE REMAINED FASCINATED, all through Louise’s boring Group and lunch: he wished his problems were as simple. One in fact was the opposite. He had no difficulty indeed in giving himself credit, and over-credit the sky’s the limit, for his bloody pathetic achievements such as they were. Still it was marvellous to see a man stop beating up on himself—obeying Witch-Messages—worshipping at the resented shrine of an unjust father. Marvellous! He felt
brought forward, and listened closely to Father Mankey’s one-fifteen lecture, making notes.

    â€˜aft., 13 Oct

    Guilt recognition
sorrow
acknowledgement
(restitution)
resolve not to repeat the offence

    Forgiveness (based on desire to restore the prior rel’n)

    David to Shemi, “You shall not die” insincere dying instr’n “Oh, yes, and kill Shemi”

    Reconciliation must be based on sincerity on both sides, with trust —maybe imprudent! but —

    Immense difficulty of the offending person becoming convinced he’s forgiven

    (Peter’s betrayal, 3:3 “Feed my sheep”)’

    Again, not his problem. He had only had one enemy in the world, so far as he could remember, and he certainly had been bitter without a ceiling against this man so long as he suffered under his authority; but after his power over Severance was taken from him by the University