"It is no superstition that oaths are binding."
He held his breath to listen.
"If we deny them with our lips, our nerves are loyal still."
Then silence. The light grew clearer.
"Our lives were set to the key of our oath," said the little voice. "When we denied it, discord came."
He tried to speak; a kind of paralysis held the muscles of his throat.
"It's like the one lie that calls for a thousand, for a life of lies. We don't lie well, we Ganos."
Another longer silence; then a fluttering sigh as of one eased from a mighty burden.
"Oh, I'm so glad the morning's come! You haven't kissed me, Ethan."
He rose up without a word, kissed her, and went out.