"Now explain further about your women, Haunte."

Haunte fetched another skin of liquor and a second cup. He tore off
the string with his teeth, and poured out and drank cup after cup in
quick succession. Then he sat down, crossed his legs, and turned to
Maskull.

"Well?"

"So they are objectionable?"

"They are deadly."

"Deadly? In what way can they possibly be deadly?"

"You will learn. I was watching you in the boat, Maskull. You had
some bad feelings, eh?"

"I don't conceal it. There were times when I felt as if I were
struggling with a nightmare. What caused it?"

"The female atmosphere of Lichstorm. Sexual passion."

"I had no passion."

"That was passion--the first stage. Nature tickles your people into
marriage, but it tortures us. Wait till you get outside. You'll
have a return of those sensations--only ten times worse. The drink
you've had will see to that.... How do you suppose it will all end?"