"The old man lies abed and his wits wander. He would hardly know you, I think—would not understand. Leave him now, except as you find him within."
"Her sister?"
"I will tell Gilian. That is a wide and wise spirit. She will understand."
"Then it is come and gone—"
"Disappear as you appeared! None here wants your peril, and the griefs and evils were you taken."
"I expected to go back. The brig Seawing brought me. It sails in a week's time."
"You must be upon it, then."
"Yes, I suppose so." He drew a long, impatient breath. "Let us leave all that! Sufficient to the day—I wander and wander, and there are stones and thorns—and Circe, too!... You have the steady light, but I have not! The wind blows it—it flickers!"
"Ah, I know flickering, too!"
"Is there a great Señor Somebody? Sometimes I feel it—and then there is only the wild ass in the desert! The dust blinds and the mire sticks."