"What a pity!"
"Yes, it's a pity. But I can't help it."
"Can't Mrs. West help?"
"She's not in the mood. Not that it's all her fault. Probably it's just as much mine. We're getting on each other's nerves—and that's new to us. There won't be a book. There can't be a book as things are."
"Yet you're going on with your trip?"
"Oh, yes, we're going on with our trip. Aline wouldn't give that up."
"If it hadn't been for me," I said, "it would have been all right for you both. I feel a beast! I've spoiled everything."
"You're a witch, and you've bewitched us. Yes! That's what you have done."
"Thanks for your polite way of putting it," said I. "'Witch' is a nicer epithet than 'beast.' I wish—I almost wish—I'd never seen any of you!"
"I don't," said he. "And I don't believe Somerled does. To go back to the time when we didn't know that the witch-child existed would be going back from electricity to candles."