A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay
page 301 of 421 (71%)
page 301 of 421 (71%)
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The man was short and thickset but emaciated. His forehead was not
disfigured by any organs. He was middle-aged. The features were energetic and rather coarse--yet it seemed to Maskull as though a pure, hard life had done something toward refining them. His sanguine eyes carried a twisted, puzzled look; some unanswerable problem was apparently in the forefront of his brain. His face was hairless; the hair of his head was short and manly; his brow was wide. He was clothed in a black, sleeveless robe, and bore a long staff in his hand. There was an air of cleanness and austerity about the whole man that was attractive. He went on speaking dispassionately to Maskull, and, while doing so, kept passing his hand reflectively over his cheeks and chin. "They all find their way here to die. They come from Matterplay. There they live to an incredible age. Partly on that account, and partly because of their spontaneous origin, they regard themselves as the favoured children of Faceny. But when they come here to find him, they die at once." "I think this one is the last of the race. But whom do I speak to?" "I am Corpang. Who are you, where do you come from, and what are you doing here?" "My name is Maskull. My home is on the other side of the universe. As for what I am doing here--I accompanied Leehallfae, that phaen, from Matterplay." "But a man doesn't accompany a phaen out of friendship. What do you want in Threal?" |
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