“And so he came and went every seven years, only to get the same answer, and the years passed, and his hair turned white, and his eyes grew dim, and the stateliness of Helen’s figure disappeared, and deep lines were on her brow, and once again, he up and ses: ‘Helen,’ ses he, ‘will you marry me?’ And for the first time her eyes filled with tears, and she ses: ‘You are a faithful lover,’ ses she, ‘and I will marry you on the morrow.’ But when he came on the morrow, she was dead.”
“Is that a true story?” said Micus.
“Of course, ’tis a true story. I can see them now walking along the road arm in arm. And ’tis seven years ago since I saw them before, and ‘twill be seven years before I will see them again. But they will walk along the road to the Valley of the Dead every seven years, until the stars fall from the sky and time is no more,” said Padna.
“Love is a wonderful thing.”
“A wonderful thing, surely.”
“And a faithful lover is the dearest treasure of all.”
“Without love, there is no life, for its roots are centered in the heart of God.”
“Without love the world would wither up, and every plant and shrub and flower would die. And when I die, I hope I will be with my friends.”
“And while I live, I hope that I will be with mine.”
“Friendship is a great thing.”