The Man Who Was Thursday

Syme, the Secretary, and de Worms go out to a garden filled with people in elaborate costumes that represent nature. At the far end of the garden is a crescent-shaped terrace with thrones. Each throne represents a different day of the week. Dr. Bull, Gogol, and the Marquis are already seated as the other three men take their places. Sunday passes in front of them and sits on the middle throne: “He was draped plainly, in a pure and terrible white, and his hair was like a silver flame on his forehead” (122).

The seven men sit silently. The revelers leave the garden, and soon the men are alone. Sunday reveals they have known each other since before the creation of the world, loved each other, and fought together. He tells them they are men of honor and have kept their secrets despite fear, pain, or opposition. The Secretary leans forward and asks, “Who and what are you?” (123). Sunday replies, “I am the Sabbath. I am the peace of God” (123).

The Secretary is angry: “If you were from the first our father and our friend, why were you also our greatest enemy?” (123).