M & D Read. Paradise. Shambala. Never?

[Mark Kohut]

p.105 Chap 11...'The St. Helena of old has been as a Paradise." avers
Euphrenia. Etc.
             "Gone before your Time, Euphie"---Rev
             "Does that mean I am forbidden to mourn them?"

Given Euphrenia's Adventures perceptions, I read this as: there has NEVER been
a paradise, a garden of Eden, Shambala, she wants to believe so but
the defrocked
Reverend knows better.......

              "They are mine as much as anyone's, to mourn"-she says.
We all feel its loss (as a human hope) even if we all have to mourn it.

h/t to Monte if a possible reading.
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