"I have told you all I know," he said in a surly voice. "Now let me go to sleep."Maskull kept his eyes fixed on him, but made no reply. The old man let himself down stiffly on to the ground, and prepared to rest.
While he was still arranging his position to his liking, a footfall sounded behind the two men, coming from the direction of the forest.
Maskull twisted his neck, and saw a woman approaching them. He at once guessed that it was Polecrab's wife. He sat up, but the fisherman did not stir. The woman came and stood in front of them, looking down from what appeared a great height.
Her dress was similar to her husband's, but covered her limbs more.
She was young, tall, slender, and strikingly erect. Her skin was lightly tanned, and she looked strong, but not at all peasantlike.
Refinement was stamped all over her. Her face had too much energy of expression for a woman, and she was not beautiful. Her three great eyes kept flashing and glowing. She had great masses of fine, yellow hair, coiled up and fastened, but so carelessly that some of the strands were flowing down her back.
When she spoke, it was in a rather weak voice, but full of lights and shades, and somehow intense passionateness never seemed to be far away from it.
"Forgiveness is asked for listening to your conversation," she said, addressing Maskull. "I was resting behind the tree, and heard it all."He got up slowly. "Are you Polecrab's wife?""She is my wife," said Polecrab, "and her name is Gleameil. Sit down again, stranger - and you too, wife, since you are here."They both obeyed. "I heard everything," repeated Gleameil. "But what I did not hear was where you are going to, Maskull, after you have left us.""I know no more than you do."
"Listen, then. There's only one place for you to go to, and that is Swaylone's Island. I will ferry you across myself before sunset.""What shall I find there?"
"He may go, wife," put in the old man hoarsely, "but I won't allow you to go. I will take him over myself.""No, you have always put me off," said Gleameil, with some emotion.