He answered. "None."

She said, "Is the water deep?"

He said, "Deep."

She said, "Is the floor worn?"

He said, "It is. Your foot may slip at any time, and you may be lost."

She said, "Have any crossed already?"

He said, "Some have tried!"

She said, "Is there a track to show where the best fording is?"

He said, "It has to be made."

She shaded her eyes with her hand; and she said, "I will go."

And he said, "You must take off the clothes you wore in the desert: they
are dragged down by them who go into the water so clothed."

And she threw from her gladly the mantle of Ancient-received-opinions she
wore, for it was worn full of holes. And she took the girdle from her
waist that she had treasured so long, and the moths flew out of it in a
cloud. And he said, "Take the shoes of dependence off your feet."

And she stood there naked, but for one white garment that clung close to
her.