# Epilogue explained — First Lensman

> Chapter companion for First Lensman by E. E. Smith.

## What happens

Virgil Samms experiences a startlingly accurate fulfillment of a prophecy from Mentor of Arisia when a barber's accidental scratch matches a foretold detail, including the adoption of a kitten named Thomas Aquinas. Meanwhile, Roderick Kinnison's political maneuvers and the unsolved murder of Senator Morgan are noted, and the two Lensmen reflect on their grandsons before heading to a barbershop where the prophecy unfolds.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

Samms must reveal partial truth about the prophecy to explain his reaction to the barber.

### Sacrifice and Duty

Kinnison's continued dedication to the Patrol despite official leave of absence.

## Character check-ins

### Virgil Samms

First Lensman; experiences a prophetic event at the barbershop, adopts a kitten named Thomas Aquinas.

### Roderick Kinnison

Port Admiral; accompanies Samms, gets a haircut, and discusses their grandsons.

### Mentor of Arisia

Mentioned as the source of a detailed prophecy that Samms recalls during the barbershop incident.

### Senator Morgan

Murdered in his office; the crime remains unsolved.

### Mr. Carbonero

Barber who accidentally scratches Samms, fulfilling the prophecy.

## Key lines

> Well, I’m a⁠ ⁠… ! He voiced three highly un-Samms-like, highly specific expletives which, as Mentor had foretold so long before, were both self-derogatory and profane.

Samms swore in a way completely out of character, exactly as Mentor had predicted.

_Fulfillment of prophecy regarding Samms' reaction to the scratch._

> The murder of Senator Morgan, in his own private office, was never solved.

Senator Morgan's murder remains an unsolved mystery.

_Closure on Morgan's storyline._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/epilogue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/first_lensman_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters