The mother and maiden, weeping, departed.
And during these years Halfred spoke hardly to any, save Hartvik and Eigil, and to them only when he must.
And what he said was weak and mournful.
And his voice had become very low.
And he was very kind to everyone, above all to those below him.
And often in the night the sailors heard him sigh, and turn himself upon the straw bed upon the deck, where always, even in the cold winter, he lay under the stars.
And they heard him often speak when there was no one at hand with whom he could talk.
And at table he rested his head upon his left hand, and kept his eyes cast downwards, or looked into the far far distance.
And he almost never complained, only he often shook his head gently, and pressed very very often his left hand upon his breast, and said many times--
"The fresh air of heaven shuns me. I cannot breathe. If I will breathe I must sigh. My heart is almost crushed."