Michael John: Four years and ninety minutes exactly. On the tick of the ninetieth minute the heart cracks, and the imprisoned soul passes from its bondage into the numbing bliss of everlasting heartache——
Captain Dan (entering unobserved and taking up the tale): And in the fifth year he shall be exalted above human understanding.... In the dog watches and under the dog stars Ive looked upon the ways of mankind, and held my hand from destroying them in sheer——
Eustace: Pity?
Captain Dan: Pity. No! Indifference.
Mercia (fixing him with her eyes): Danny, I make you mine. The priesthood of love——
Captain Dan (uneasily): Avast there.
Mercia (triumphantly): There’s no avasting where Ill take you. (Breaking into a chant)
I go by the mountains and rivers,
I go by the seashore and fell.
Eustace (satirically):