Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 129
familiar objects their proper designation.
Whence comes this power ?"
I answered, smiling, but somewhat puzzled:
"Is it not so with every person ? It
was certainly thus with Adam, 1 our primogenitor;
the proper word must have occurred
to him, as to me, with the occasion for its
use. But I am often myself surprised at this
power. I do not remember to have possessed
it before Allimades’ death. Perhaps it is a
special gift of God."
Just then we reached the heart of Balonia,
and here, on either side, were rows of colossal
statues, the most fearful and imposing
in the city, with heads far outstretched, back
of which pointed forward great pinions
meeting in midair. The effect of these hideous
forms was frightful. I shivered as we
passed into their shadow. As we emerged
again, and entered the country, many people
were seen going toward the mountain. We
followed, and were soon in the presence of
1 See Appendix, Note 17.