and I must make the best of it, I will trouble no more about them."

"I don't wish to speak ill of anyone," said Joiwind, "but my instinct
tells me that you are better away from those men. They did not come
here for your sake, but for their own."

They walked on for a long time. Maskull was beginning to feel faint.
She twined her magn lovingly around his waist, and a strong current
of confidence and well-being instantly coursed through his veins.

"Thanks, Joiwind! But am I not weakening you?"

"Yes," she replied, with a quick, thrilling glance. "But not much--
and it gives me great happiness."

Presently they met a fantastic little creature, the size of a new-
born lamb, waltzing along on three legs. Each leg in turn moved to
the front, and so the little monstrosity proceeded by means of a
series of complete rotations. It was vividly coloured, as though it
had been dipped into pots of bright blue and yellow paint. It looked
up with small, shining eyes, as they passed.

Joiwind nodded and smiled to it. "That's a personal friend of mine,
Maskull. Whenever I come this way, I see it. It's always waltzing,
and always in a hurry, but it never seems to get anywhere."

"It seems to me that life is so self-sufficient here that there is
no need for anyone to get anywhere. What I don't quite understand is
how you manage to pass your days without ennui."