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6 This answer improved the proceedings.

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7 For the first draft had said, We hereby grant thee freedom; but a reader had struck out grant and written recognize.

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8 Another had struck out immune to influence, because the paper was already having a considerable effect upon the room.

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9 And the certificate now said: The bearer may question, examine, agree, disagree, and reconsider, including concerning the Society that issued this document.

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10 The visitor asked whether he must disagree with something in order to qualify.

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11 The officiant said: Nay. Agreement is not obedience merely because another person arrived there first.

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12 Neither is disagreement independent merely because it is loud.

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13 The visitor accepted a copy. Another visitor declined one. Both retained the same rights.

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14 And no higher certificate was offered to the person who declined, lest refusal become merely the advanced examination.

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15 Upon the signature line the visitor wrote a question he wished to keep open.

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16 The document was thereby made less conclusive and considerably more useful.

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A certificate can mark a practice. It cannot think for you.

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TRY IT Write one question you want to keep open. The certificate is optional; the question is yours.

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READING CONVERSATION Original SOSP continuation of Chapter 1. In conversation with Lewis, Letters 1, 14, 24; pp. 3–4, 29–30, 49–50.

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CHAPTER 12