And the great spirit of darkness spread a shroud over me ... everything
was silent--everything. But up in the heights soughed the everlasting
song, the voice of the air, the distant, toneless humming which is never
silent. I listened so long to this ceaseless faint murmur that it began to
bewilder me; it was surely a symphony from the rolling spheres above.
Stars that intone a song....

"I am damned if it is, though," I exclaimed;
and I laughed aloud to collect my wits. "They're
night-owls hooting in Canaan!"

I rose again, pulled on my shoes, and wandered
about in the gloom, only to lay down once more.
I fought and wrestled with anger and fear until
nearly dawn, then fell asleep at last.

* * * * *

It was broad daylight when I opened my eyes, and I had a feeling that it
was going on towards noon.

I pulled on my shoes, packed up the blanket again, and set out for town.
There was no sun to be seen today either; I shivered like a dog, my feet
were benumbed, and water commenced to run from my eyes, as if they could
not bear the daylight.

It was three o'clock. Hunger began to assail me downright in earnest. I
was faint, and now and again I had to retch furtively. I swung round by
the Dampkoekken, [Footnote: Steam cooking-kitchen and famous cheap
eating-house] read the bill of fare, and shrugged my shoulders in a way to