She was hurrying away.

“Meta!”

She came back.

“Meta, I will not die if—”

He paused hesitatingly.

“If what?”

“If you—if you will stay and nurse me.”

“I will; but now sleep. You are very weak, and, see, twilight is creeping up from the fiord. Close your eyes, and I will play to you.”

“Meta,” said Claude next day.

“Yes, Claude.”