"That is far," said the old man. "Far, far…”
His sharp eyes watched them closely. "You must have an interesting story,”
be suggested.
"We have," said Caroline and swiftly they told it to him, excitedly, first one and then the other talking, adding in details, explaining situations, laying before him the problems which they faced.
He listened intently, snapping questions now and then, his bright old eyes shining with the love of adventure, the wrinkles in his face taking on a kind benevolence as if they might be children, home from the first day of school, telling of all the new wonders they had met.
"So you came to me," he said. "You came trundling down a crazy timepath to seek me out. So that I could tell you the things you need to know.”
Caroline nodded. "You can tell us, can't you?" she asked. "It means so much to us — so much to everyone.”
"I wouldn't worry," said the old man. "If the universe had come to an end, I wouldn't be here. You couldn't have come to me.”
"But maybe you aren't real," said Caroline. "Maybe you are just a shadow. A probability…”
The oldster nodded and combed his beard with gnarled fingers. The breath wheezed in his mighty chest.