Maskull listened entranced, yet agitated. The song, if it might be termed song, seemed to be always just on the point of becoming clear and intelligible - not with the intelligibility of words, but in the way one sympathises with another's moods and feelings; and Maskull felt that something important was about to be uttered, which would explain all that had gone before. But it was invariably postponed, he never understood - and yet somehow he did understand.
Late in the afternoon they came to a clearing, and there Panawe ceased his recitative. He slowed his pace and stopped, in the fashion of a man who wishes to convey that he intends to go no farther.
"What is the name of this country?" asked Maskull.
"It is the Lusion Plain."
"Was that music in the nature of a temptation - do you wish me not to go on?""Your work lies before you,. and not behind you.'
"What was it, then? What work do you allude to?""It must have seemed like something to you, Maskull.""It seemed like Shaping music to me."
The instant he had absently uttered these words, Maskull wondered why he had done so, as they now appeared meaningless to him.
Panawe, however, showed no surprise. "Shaping you will find everywhere.""Am I dreaming, or awake?"
"You are awake."
Maskull fell into deep thought. "So be it," he said, rousing himself. "Now I will go on. But where must I sleep tonight?""You will reach a broad river. On that you can travel to the foot of the Marest tomorrow; but tonight you had better sleep where the forest and river meet.""Adieu, then, Panawe! But do you wish to say anything more to me?""Only this, Maskull - wherever you go, help to make the world beautiful, and not ugly.""That's more than any of us can undertake. I am a simple man, and have no ambitions in the way of beautifying life - But tell Joiwind Iwill try to keep myself pure."