The day boy and the night girl

TheDayBoyandtheNightGirl
TheRomanceofPhotogenandNycteris


byGeorgeMacDonald
1882
Contents:
I.Watho
II.Aurora
III.Vesper
IV.Photogen
V.Nycteris
VI.HowPhotogenGrew
VII.HowNycterisGrew
VIII.TheLamp
IX.Out
X.TheGreatLamp
XI.TheSunset
XII.TheGarden
XIII.SomethingQuiteNew
XIV.TheSun
XV.TheCowardHero
XVI.TheEvilNurse
XVII.Watho’sWolf


XVIII.Refuge
XIX.TheWerewolf
XX.AllIsWell.
I.Watho

THEREwasonceawitchwhodesiredtoknoweverything.Butthewiserawitch
is,thehardersheknocksherheadagainstthewallwhenshecomestoit.Her
namewasWatho,andshehadawolfinhermind.Shecaredfornothinginitself
—onlyforknowingit.Shewasnotnaturallycruel,butthewolfhadmadeher
cruel.
Shewastallandgraceful,withawhiteskin,redhair,andblackeyes,whichhad
aredfireinthem.Shewasstraightandstrong,butnowandthenwouldfallbent
together,shudder,andsitforamomentwithherheadturnedoverhershoulder,
asifthewolfhadgotoutofhermindontoherback.
II.Aurora
THISwitchgottwoladiestovisither.Oneofthembelongedtothecourt,and
herhusbandhadbeensentonafaranddifficultembassy.Theotherwasayoung
widowwhosehusbandhadlatelydied,andwhohadsincelosthersight.Watho
lodgedthemindifferentpartsofhercastle,andtheydidnotknowofeach
other’sexistence.
Thecastlestoodonthesideofahillslopinggentlydownintoaarrowvalley,in
whichwasariverwithapebblychannelandacontinualsong.Thegardenwent
downtothebankoftheriver,enclosedbyhighwalls,whichcrossedtheriver
andtherestopped.Eachwallhadadoublerowofbattlements,andbetweenthe
rowswasanarrowwalk.
Inthetopmoststoryofthecastle,theLadyAuroraoccupiedaspacious
apartmentofseverallargeroomslookingsouthward.Thewindowsprojected
oriel-wiseoverthegardenbelow,andtherewasasplendidviewfromthemboth
upanddownandacrosstheriver.Theoppositesideofthevalleywassteep,but
notveryhigh.Farawaysnowpeakswerevisible.TheseroomsAuroraseldom
left,buttheirairyspaces,thebrilliantlandscapeandsky,theplentifulsunlight,
themusicalinstruments,books,pictures,curiosities,withthecompanyofWatho,


whomadeherselfcharming,precludedalldullness.Shehadvenisonand

featheredgametoeat,milkandpalesunnysparklingwinetodrink.
Shehadhairoftheyellowgold,wavedandrippled;herskinwasfair,notwhite
likeWatho’s,andhereyeswereoftheblueoftheheavenswhenbluest;her
featuresweredelicatebutstrong,hermouthlargeandfinelycurved,andhaunted
withsmiles.
III.Vesper
BEHINDthecastlethehillroseabruptly;thenortheasterntower,indeed,wasin
contactwiththerockandcommunicatedwiththeinteriorofit.Forintherock
wasaseriesofchambers,knownonlytoWathoandtheoneservantwhomshe
trusted,calledFalca.Someformerownerhadconstructedthesechambersafter
thetombofanEgyptianking,andprobablywiththesamedesign,forinthe
centerofoneofthemstoodwhatcouldonlybeasarcophagus,butthatand
otherswerewalledoff.Thesidesandroofsofthemwerecarvedinlowrelief,
andcuriouslypainted.Herethewitchlodgedtheblindlady,whosenamewas
Vesper.Hereyeswereblack,withlongblacklashes;herskinhadalookof
darkenedsilver,butwasofpuresttintandgrain;herhairwasblackandfineand
straightflowing;herfeatureswereexquisitelyformed,andiflessbeautifulyet
morelovelyfromsadness;shealwayslookedasifshewantedtoliedownand
notriseagain.Shedidnotknowshewaslodgedinatomb,thoughnowandthen
shewonderedwhyshenevertouchedawindow.Thereweremanycouches,
coveredwithrichestsilk,andsoftasherowncheek,forhertolieupon;andthe
carpetsweresothick,shemighthavecastherselfdownanywhere—asbefitted
atomb.Theplacewasdryandwarm,andcunninglypiercedforair,sothatit
wasalwaysfresh,andlackedonlysunlight.Therethewitchfedheruponmilk,
andwinedarkasacarbuncle,andpomegranates,andpurplegrapes,andbirds
thatdwellinmarshyplaces;andsheplayedtohermournfultunes,andcaused
wailfulviolinstoattendher,andtoldhersadtales,thusholdinghereverinan
atmosphereofsweetsorrow.
IV.Photogen
WATHOatlengthhadherdesire,forwitchesoftengetwhattheywant:a

splendidboywasborntothefairAurora.Justasthesunrose,heopenedhis
eyes.Wathocarriedhimimmediatelytoadistantpartofthecastle,and
persuadedthemotherthathenevercriedbutonce,dyingthemomenthewas


born.Overcomewithgrief,Auroraleftthecastleassoonasshewasable,and
Wathoneverinvitedheragain.
Andnowthewitch’scarewasthatthechildshouldnotknowdarkness.
Persistentlyshetrainedhimuntilatlastheneversleptduringthedayandnever
wokeduringthenight.Sheneverlethimseeanythingblack,andevenkeptall
dullcolorsoutofhisway.Never,ifshecouldhelpit,wouldsheletashadowfall
uponhim,watchingagainstshadowsasiftheyhadbeenlivethingsthatwould
hurthim.Alldayhebaskedinthefullsplendorofthesun,inthesamelarge
roomshismotherhadoccupied.Wathousedhimtothesun,untilhecouldbear
moreofitthananydark-bloodedAfrican.Inthehottestofeveryday,she
strippedhimandlaidhiminit,thathemightripenlikeapeach;andtheboy
rejoicedinit,andwouldresistbeingdressedagain.Shebroughtallher
knowledgetobearonmakinghismusclesstrongandelasticandswiftly
responsive—thathissoul,shesaidlaughingly,mightsitineveryfibre,beallin
everypart,andawakethemomentofcall.Hishairwasoftheredgold,buthis
eyesgrewdarkerashegrew,untiltheywereasblackasVesper’s.Hewasthe
merriestofcreatures,alwayslaughing,alwaysloving,foramomentraging,then
laughingafresh.WathocalledhimPhotogen.
V.Nycteris
FIVEorsixmonthsafterthebirthofPhotogen,thedarkladyalsogavebirthtoa
baby:inthewindowlesstombofablindmother,inthedeadofnight,underthe
feebleraysofalampinanalabasterglobe,agirlcameintothedarknesswitha
wail.Andjustasshewasbornforthefirsttime,Vesperwasbornforthesecond,
andpassedintoaworldasunknowntoherasthiswastoherchild—whowould
havetobebornyetagainbeforeshecouldseehermother.

WathocalledherNycteris,andshegrewaslikeVesperaspossible—inallbut
oneparticular.Shehadthesamedarkskin,darkeyelashesandbrows,darkhair,
andgentlesadlook;butshehadjusttheeyesofAurora,themotherofPhotogen,
andiftheygrewdarkerasshegrewolder,itwasonlyadarkerblue.Watho,with
thehelpofFalca,tookthegreatestpossiblecareofher—ineveryway
consistentwithherplans,thatis,—themainpointinwhichwasthatsheshould
neverseeanylightbutwhatcamefromthelamp.Henceheropticnerves,and
indeedherwholeapparatusforseeing,grewbothlargerandmoresensitive;her
eyes,indeed,stoppedshortonlyofbeingtoolarge.Underherdarkhairand
foreheadandeyebrows,theylookedliketwobreaksinacloudynight-sky,


throughwhichpeepedtheheavenwherethestarsandnocloudslive.Shewasa
sadlydaintylittlecreature.Nooneintheworldexceptthosetwowasawareof
thebeingofthelittlebat.Wathotrainedhertosleepduringthedayandwake
duringthenight.Shetaughthermusic,inwhichshewasherselfaproficient,and
taughtherscarcelyanythingelse.
VI.HowPhotogenGrew
THEhollowinwhichthecastleofWatholaywasacleftinaplainratherthana
valleyamonghills,foratthetopofitssteepsides,bothnorthandsouth,wasa
tableland,largeandwide.Itwascoveredwithrichgrassandflowers,withhere
andthereawood,theoutlyingcolonyofagreatforest.Thesegrassyplainswere
thefinesthuntinggroundsintheworld.Greatherdsofsmallbutfiercecattle,
withhumpsandshaggymanes,rovedaboutthem,alsoantelopesandgnus,and
thetinyroedeer,whilethewoodswereswarmingwithwildcreatures.Thetables
ofthecastleweremainlysuppliedfromthem.ThechiefofWatho’shuntsmen
wasafinefellow,andwhenPhotogenbegantooutgrowthetrainingshecould
givehim,shehandedhimovertoFargu.Hewithawillsetaboutteachinghim
allheknew.Hegothimponyafterpony,largerandlargerashegrew,everyone
lessmanageablethanthatwhichhadprecededit,andadvancedhimfrompony

tohorse,andfromhorsetohorse,untilhewasequaltoanythinginthatkind
whichthecountryproduced.Insimilarfashionhetrainedhimtotheuseofbow
andarrow,substitutingeverythreemonthsastrongerbowandlongerarrows;
andsoonhebecame,evenonhorseback,awonderfularcher.Hewasbut
fourteenwhenhekilledhisfirstbull,causingjubilationamongthehuntsmen,
andindeed,throughallthecastle,fortheretoohewasthefavorite.Everyday,
almostassoonasthesunwasup,hewentouthunting,andwouldingeneralbe
outnearlythewholeoftheday.ButWathohadlaiduponFargujustone
commandment,namely,thatPhotogenshouldonnoaccount,whatevertheplea,
beoutuntilsundown,orsonearitastowakeinhimthedesireofseeingwhat
wasgoingtohappen;andthiscommandmentFarguwasanxiouslycarefulnotto
break;foralthoughhewouldnothavetrembledhadawholeherdofbullscome
downuponhim,chargingatfullspeedacrossthelevel,andnotanarrowleftin
hisquiver,hewasmorethanafraidofhismistress.Whenshelookedathimina
certainway,hefelt,hesaid,asifhisheartturnedtoashesinhisbreast,andwhat
raninhisveinswasnolongerblood,butmilkandwater.Sothat,erelong,as
Photogengrewolder,Fargubegantotremble,forhefounditsteadilygrowing
hardertorestrainhim.Sofulloflifewashe,asFargusaidtohismistress,much
tohercontent,thathewasmorelikealivethunderboltthanahumanbeing.He


didnotknowwhatfearwas,andthatnotbecausehedidnotknowdanger;forhe
hadhadaseverelacerationfromtherazor-liketuskofaboar—whosespine,
however,hehadseveredwithoneblowofhishuntingknife,beforeFargucould
reachhimwithdefense.Whenhewouldspurhishorseintothemidstofaherd
ofbulls,carryingonlyhisbowandhisshortsword,orshootanarrowintoa
herd,andgoafteritasiftoreclaimitforarunawayshaft,arrivingintimeto
followitwithaspearthrustbeforethewoundedanimalknewwhichwayto
charge,Farguthoughtwithterrorhowitwouldbewhenhecametoknowthe
temptationofthehuddle-spotleopards,andtheknife-clawedlynxes,withwhich

theforestwashaunted.Fortheboyhadbeensosteepedinthesun,from
childhoodsosaturatedwithhisinfluence,thathelookeduponeverydangerfrom
asovereignheightofcourage.When,therefore,hewasapproachinghis
sixteenthyear,FarguventuredtobegWathothatshewouldlayhercommands
upontheyouthhimself,andreleasehimfromresponsibilityforhim.Onemight
assoonholdatawny-manedlionasPhotogen,hesaid.Wathocalledtheyouth,
andinthepresenceofFargulaidhercommanduponhimnevertobeoutwhen
therimofthesunshouldtouchthehorizon,accompanyingtheprohibitionwith
hintsofconsequences,nonethelessawfulthantheywereobscure.Photogen
listenedrespectfully,but,knowingneitherthetasteoffearnorthetemptationof
thenight,herwordswerebutsoundstohim.
VII.HowNycterisGrew
THElittleeducationsheintendedNycteristohave,Wathogaveherbywordof
mouth.Notmeaningsheshouldhavelightenoughtoreadby,toleaveother
reasonsunmentioned,sheneverputabookinherhands.Nycteris,however,saw
somuchbetterthanWathoimagined,thatthelightshegaveherwasquite
sufficient,andshemanagedtocoaxFalcaintoteachinghertheletters,after
whichshetaughtherselftoread,andFalcanowandthenbroughtherachild’s
book.Butherchiefpleasurewasinherinstrument.Herveryfingersloveditand
wouldwanderaboutitskeyslikefeedingsheep.Shewasnotunhappy.Sheknew
nothingoftheworldexceptthetombinwhichshedwelt,andhadsomepleasure
ineverythingshedid.Butshedesired,nevertheless,somethingmoreordifferent.
Shedidnotknowwhatitwas,andthenearestshecouldcometoexpressingitto
herselfwas—thatshewantedmoreroom.WathoandFalcawouldgofromher
beyondtheshineofthelamp,andcomeagain;thereforesurelytheremustbe
moreroomsomewhere.Asoftenasshewasleftalone,shewouldfalltoporing
overthecoloredbas-reliefsonthewalls.Thesewereintendedtorepresent
variousofthepowersofNatureunderallegoricalsimilitudes,andasnothingcan

bemadethatdoesnotbelongtothegeneralscheme,shecouldnotfailatleastto
imagineaflickerofrelationshipbetweensomeofthem,andthusashadowof
therealityofthingsfounditswaytoher.
Therewasonething,however,whichmovedandtaughthermorethanallthe
rest—thelamp,namely,thathungfromtheceiling,whichshealwayssaw
alight,thoughsheneversawtheflame,onlytheslightcondensationtowardsthe
centerofthealabasterglobe.Andbesidestheoperationofthelightitselfafterits
kind,theindefinitenessoftheglobe,andthesoftnessofthelight,givingherthe
feelingasifhereyescouldgoinandintoitswhiteness,weresomehowalso
associatedwiththeideaofspaceandroom.Shewouldsitforanhourtogether
gazingupatthelamp,andherheartwouldswellasshegazed.Shewould
wonderwhathadhurtherwhenshefoundherfacewetwithtears,andthen
wouldwonderhowshecouldhavebeenhurtwithoutknowingit.Shenever
lookedthusatthelampexceptwhenshewasalone.
VIII.TheLamp
WATHO,havinggivenorders,tookitforgrantedtheywereobeyed,andthat
FalcawasallnightlongwithNycteris,whosedayitwas.ButFalcacouldnotget
intothehabitofsleepingthroughtheday,andwouldoftenleaveheralonehalf
thenight.ThenitseemedtoNycteristhatthewhitelampwaswatchingoverher.
Asitwasneverpermittedtogoout—whileshewasawakeatleast—Nycteris,
exceptbyshuttinghereyes,knewlessaboutdarknessthanshedidaboutlight.
Also,thelampbeingfixedhighoverhead,andinthecenterofeverything,she
didnotknowmuchaboutshadowseither.Thefewtherewerefellalmostentirely
onthefloor,orkeptlikemiceaboutthefootofthewalls.
Once,whenshewasthusalone,therecamethenoiseofafar-offrumbling:she
hadneverbeforeheardasoundofwhichshedidnotknowtheorigin,andhere
thereforewasanewsignofsomethingbeyondthesechambers.Thencamea
trembling,thenashaking;thelampdroppedfromtheceilingtothefloorwitha
greatcrash,andshefeltasifbothhereyeswerehardshutandbothherhands
overthem.Sheconcludedthatitwasthedarknessthathadmadetherumbling

andtheshaking,andrushingintotheroom,hadthrowndownthelamp.Shesat
trembling.Thenoiseandtheshakingceased,butthelightdidnotreturn.The
darknesshadeatenitup!
Herlampgone,thedesireatonceawoketogetoutofherprison.Shescarcely


knewwhatoutmeant;outofoneroomintoanother,wheretherewasnotevena
dividingdoor,onlyanopenarch,wasallsheknewoftheworld.Butsuddenly
sherememberedthatshehadheardFalcaspeakofthelampgoingout:thismust
bewhatshehadmeant?Andifthelamphadgoneout,wherehaditgone?Surely
whereFalcawent,andlikeheritwouldcomeagain.Butshecouldnotwait.The
desiretogooutgrewirresistible.Shemustfollowherbeautifullamp!Shemust
findit!Shemustseewhatitwasabout!
Now,therewasacurtaincoveringarecessinthewall,wheresomeofhertoys
andgymnasticthingswerekept;andfrombehindthatcurtainWathoandFalca
alwaysappeared,andbehindittheyvanished.Howtheycameoutofsolidwall,
shehadnotanidea,alluptothewallwasopenspace,andallbeyonditseemed
wall;butclearlythefirstandonlythingshecoulddowastofeelherwaybehind
thecurtain.Itwassodarkthatacatcouldnothavecaughtthelargestofmice.
Nycteriscouldseebetterthananycat,butnowhergreateyeswerenotofthe
smallestusetoher.Asshewentshetroduponapieceofthebrokenlamp.She
hadneverwornshoesorstockings,andthefragment,though,beingofsoft
alabaster,itdidnotcut,yethurtherfoot.Shedidnotknowwhatitwas,butasit
hadnotbeentherebeforethedarknesscame,shesuspectedthatithadtodowith
thelamp.Shekneeledtherefore,andsearchedwithherhands,andbringingtwo
largepiecestogether,recognizedtheshapeofthelamp.Thereforeitflashed
uponherthatthelampwasdead,thatthisbrokennesswasthedeathofwhichshe
hadreadwithoutunderstanding,thatthedarknesshadkilledthelamp.Whatthen
couldFalcahavemeantwhenshespokeofthelampgoingout?Therewasthe
lamp—deadindeed,andsochangedthatshewouldneverhavetakenitfora

lamp,butfortheshape!No,itwasnotthelampanymorenowitwasdead,forall
thatmadeitalampwasgone,namely,thebrightshiningofit.Thenitmustbe
theshine,thelight,thathadgoneout!ThatmustbewhatFalcameant—andit
mustbesomewhereintheotherplaceinthewall.Shestartedafreshafterit,and
gropedherwaytothecurtain.
Now,shehadneverinherlifetriedtogetout,anddidnotknowhow;but
instinctivelyshebegantomoveherhandsaboutoveroneofthewallsbehindthe
curtain,halfexpectingthemtogointoit,asshesupposedWathoandFalcadid.
Butthewallrepelledherwithinexorablehardness,andsheturnedtotheone
opposite.Insodoing,shesetherfootuponanivorydie,andasitmetsharplythe
samespotthebrokenalabasterhadalreadyhurt,shefellforwardwithher
outstretchedhandsagainstthewall.Somethinggaveway,andshetumbledoutof
thecavern.


IX.Out
BUTalas!outwasverymuchlikein,forthesameenemy,thedarkness,was
herealso.Thenextmoment,however,cameagreatgladness—afirefly,which
hadwanderedinfromthegarden.Shesawthetinysparkinthedistance.With
slowpulsingebbandthroboflight,itcamepushingitselfthroughtheair,
drawingnearerandnearer,withthatmotionwhichmoreresemblesswimming
thanflying,andthelightseemedthesourceofitsownmotion.
“Mylamp!mylamp!”criedNycteris.“Itistheshiningnessofmylamp,which
thecrueldarknessdroveout.Mygoodlamphasbeenwaitingformehereallthe
time!ItknewIwouldcomeafterit,andwaitedtotakemewithit.”
Shefollowedthefirefly,which,likeherself,wasseekingthewayout.Ifitdid
notknowtheway,itwasyetlight;and,becausealllightisone,anylightmay
servetoguidetomorelight.Ifshewasmistakeninthinkingitthespiritofher
lamp,itwasofthesamespiritasherlampandhadwings.Thegold-greenjetboat,drivenbylight,wentthrobbingbeforeherthroughalongnarrowpassage.
Suddenlyitrosehigher,andthesamemomentNycterisfelluponanascending

stair.Shehadneverseenastairbefore,andfoundgoing-upacurioussensation.
Justasshereachedwhatseemedthetop,thefireflyceasedtoshine,andso
disappeared.Shewasinutterdarknessoncemore.Butwhenwearefollowing
thelight,evenitsextinctionisaguide.Ifthefireflyhadgoneonshining,
NycteriswouldhaveseenthestairturnandwouldhavegoneuptoWatho’s
bedroom;whereasnow,feelingstraightbeforeher,shecametoalatcheddoor,
whichafteragooddealoftryingshemanagedtoopen—andstoodinamazeof
wonderingperplexity,awe,anddelight.Whatwasit?Wasitoutsideofher,or
somethingtakingplaceinherhead?Beforeherwasaverylongandverynarrow
passage,brokenupshecouldnottellhow,andspreadingoutaboveandonall
sidestoaninfiniteheightandbreadthanddistance—asifspaceitselfwere
growingoutofatrough.Itwasbrighterthanherroomshadeverbeen—
brighterthanifsixalabasterlampshadbeenburninginthem.Therewasa
quantityofstrangestreakingandmottlingaboutit,verydifferentfromthe
shapesonherwalls.Shewasinadreamofpleasantperplexity,ofdelightful
bewilderment.Shecouldnottellwhethershewasuponherfeetordriftingabout
likethefirefly,drivenbythepulsesofaninwardbliss.Butsheknewlittleasyet
ofherinheritance.Unconsciously,shetookonestepforwardfromthethreshold,
andthegirlwhohadbeenfromherverybirthatroglodytestoodintheravishing
gloryofasouthernnight,litbyaperfectmoon—notthemoonofournorthern


clime,butamoonlikesilverglowinginafurnace—amoononecouldseetobe
aglobe—notfaroff,amereflatdiskonthefaceoftheblue,buthangingdown
halfway,andlookingasifonecouldseeallarounditbyamerebendingofthe
neck.
“Itismylamp,”shesaid,andstooddumbwithpartedlips.Shelookedandfelt
asifshehadbeenstandingthereinsilentecstasyfromthebeginning.
“No,itisnotmylamp,”shesaidafterawhile;“itisthemotherofallthelamps.”
Andwiththatshefellonherkneesandspreadoutherhandstothemoon.She

couldnotintheleasthavetoldwhatwasinhermind,buttheactionwasin
realityjustabeggingofthemoontobewhatshewas—thatpreciseincredible
splendorhunginthefar-offroof,thatverygloryessentialtothebeingofpoor
girlsbornandbredincaverns.Itwasaresurrection—nay,abirthitself,to
Nycteris.Whatthevastbluesky,studdedwithtinysparksliketheheadsof
diamondnails,couldbe;whatthemoon,lookingsoabsolutelycontentwithlight
—why,sheknewlessaboutthemthanyouandI!butthegreatestof
astronomersmightenvytheraptureofsuchafirstimpressionattheageof
sixteen.Immeasurablyimperfectitwas,butfalsetheimpressioncouldnotbe,
forshesawwiththeeyesmadeforseeing,andsawindeedwhatmanymenare
toowisetosee.
Assheknelt,somethingsoftlyflappedher,embracedher,strokedher,fondled
her.Sherosetoherfeetbutsawnothing,didnotknowwhatitwas.Itwaslikest
awoman’sbreath.Forsheknewnothingoftheaireven,hadneverbreathedthe
still,newbornfreshnessoftheworld.Herbreathhadcometoheronlythrough
longpassagesandspiralsintherock.Stilllessdidsheknowoftheairalivewith
motion—ofthatthrice-blessedthing,thewindofasummernight.Itwaslikea
spiritualwine,fillingherwholebeingwithanintoxicationofpurestjoy.To
breathewasaperfectexistence.Itseemedtoherthelightitselfshedrewintoher
lungs.Possessedbythepowerofthegorgeousnight,sheseemedatoneandthe
samemomentannihilatedandglorified.
Shewasintheopenpassageorgallerythatranaroundthetopofthegarden
walls,betweenthecleftbattlements,butshedidnotoncelookdowntoseewhat
laybeneath.Hersoulwasdrawntothevaultaboveherwithitslampandits
endlessroom.Atlastsheburstintotears,andherheartwasrelieved,asthenight


itselfisrelievedbyitslightningandrain.
Andnowshegrewthoughtful.Shemusthoardthissplendor!Whatalittle
ignoranceherjailershadmadeofher!Lifewasamightybliss,andtheyhad

scrapedherstothebarebone!Theymustnotknowthatsheknew.Shemusthide
herknowledge—hideitevenfromherowneyes,keepingitcloseinherbosom,
contenttoknowthatshehadit,evenwhenshecouldnotbroodonitspresence,
feastinghereyeswithitsglory.Sheturnedfromthevision,therefore,withasigh
ofutterbliss,andwithsoftquietstepsandgropinghandsstolebackintothe
darknessoftherock.WhatwasdarknessorthelazinessofTime’sfeettoone
whohadseenwhatshehadthatnightseen?Shewasliftedaboveallweariness
—aboveallwrong.
WhenFalcaentered,sheutteredacryofterror.ButNycteriscalledtohernotto
beafraid,andtoldherhowtherehadcomearumblingandshaking,andthelamp
hadfallen.ThenFalcawentandtoldhermistress,andwithinanhouranew
globehungintheplaceoftheoldone.Nycteristhoughtitdidnotlooksobright
andclearastheformer,butshemadenolamentationoverthechange;shewas
fartoorichtoheedit.Fornow,prisonerassheknewherself,herheartwasfull
ofgloryandgladness;attimesshehadtoholdherselffromjumpingup,and
goingdancingandsingingabouttheroom.Whensheslept,insteadofdull
dreams,shehadsplendidvisions.Thereweretimes,itistrue,whenshebecame
restless,andimpatienttolookuponherriches,butthenshewouldreasonwith
herself,saying,“WhatdoesitmatterifIsithereforageswithmypoorpale
lamp,whenouttherealampisburningatwhichtenthousandlittlelampsare
glowingwithwonder?”
Sheneverdoubtedshehadlookeduponthedayandthesun,ofwhichshehad
read;andalwayswhenshereadofthedayandthesun,shehadthenightandthe
mooninhermind;andwhenshereadofthenightandthemoon,shethought
onlyofthecaveandthelampthathungthere.
X.TheGreatLamp
ITwassometimebeforeshehadasecondopportunityofgoingout,forFalca
sincethefallofthelamphadbeenalittlemorecareful,andseldomleftherfor
long.Butonenight,havingalittleheadache,Nycterislaydownuponherbed,
andwaslyingwithhereyesclosed,whensheheardFalcacometoher,andfelt

shewasbendingoverher.Disinclinedtotalk,shedidnotopenhereyes,andlay


quitestill.Satisfiedthatshewasasleep,Falcalefther,movingsosoftlythather
verycautionmadeNycterisopenhereyesandlookafterher—justintimeto
seehervanish—throughapicture,asitseemed,thathungonthewallalong
wayfromtheusualplaceofissue.Shejumpedup,herheadacheforgotten,and
ranintheoppositedirection;gotout,gropedherwaytothestair,climbed,and
reachedthetopofthewall.—Alas!thegreatroomwasnotsolightasthelittle
oneshehadleft!Why?—Sorrowofsorrows!thegreatlampwasgone!Hadits
globefallen?anditslovelylightgoneoutupongreatwings,aresplendentfirefly,
oaringitselfthroughayetgranderandlovelierroom?Shelookeddowntoseeif
itlayanywherebrokentopiecesonthecarpetbelow;butshecouldnotevensee
thecarpet.Butsurelynothingverydreadfulcouldhavehappened—no
rumblingorshaking;fortherewereallthelittlelampsshiningbrighterthan
before,notoneofthemlookingasifanyunusualmatterhadbefallen.Whatif
eachofthoselittlelampswasgrowingintoabiglamp,andafterbeingabig
lampforawhile,hadtogooutandgrowabiggerlampstill—outthere,beyond
thisout?—Ah!herewasthelivingthingthatcouldnotbeseen,cometoher
again—biggertonight!withsuchlovingkisses,andsuchliquidstrokingsofher
cheeksandforehead,gentlytossingherhair,anddelicatelytoyingwithit!Butit
ceased,andallwasstill.Haditgoneout?Whatwouldhappennext?Perhapsthe
littlelampshadnottogrowgreatlamps,buttofallonebyoneandgooutfirst?
—Withthatcamefrombelowasweetscent,thenanother,andanother.Ah,how
delicious!Perhapstheywereallcomingtoheronlyontheirwayoutafterthe
greatlamp!—Thencamethemusicoftheriver,whichshehadbeentoo
absorbedintheskytonotethefirsttime.Whatwasit?Alas!alas!anothersweet
livingthingonitswayout.Theywereallmarchingslowlyoutinlonglovely
file,oneaftertheother,eachtakingitsleaveofherasitpassed!Itmustbeso:
hereweremoreandmoresweetsounds,followingandfading!Thewholeofthe

Outwasgoingoutagain;itwasallgoingafterthegreatlovelylamp!Shewould
belefttheonlycreatureinthesolitaryday!Wastherenobodytohangupanew
lampfortheoldone,andkeepthecreaturesfromgoing?—Shecreptbackto
herrockverysad.Shetriedtocomfortherselfbysayingthatanyhowthere
wouldberoomoutthere;butasshesaiditsheshudderedatthethoughtofempty
room.
Whennextshesucceededingettingout,ahalf-moonhungintheeast:anew
lamphadcome,shethought,andallwouldbewell.
ItwouldbeendlesstodescribethephasesoffeelingthroughwhichNycteris
passed,morenumerousanddelicatethanthoseofathousandchangingmoons.A


freshblissbloomedinhersoulwitheveryvaryingaspectofinfinitenature.Ere
longshebegantosuspectthatthenewmoonwastheoldmoon,goneoutand
comeinagainlikeherself;alsothat,unlikeherself,itwastedandgrewagain;
thatitwasindeedalivething,subjectlikeherselftocaverns,andkeepers,and
solitudes,escapingandshiningwhenitcould.Wasitaprisonlikehersitwas
shutin?anddiditgrowdarkwhenthelampleftit?Wherecouldbethewayinto
it?—Withthat,firstshebegantolookbelow,aswellasaboveandaroundher;
andthenfirstnotedthetopsofthetreesbetweenherandthefloor.Therewere
palmswiththeirred-fingeredhandsfulloffruit;eucalyptustreescrowdedwith
littleboxesofpowderpuffs;oleanderswiththeirhalf-casteroses;andorange
treeswiththeircloudsofyoungsilverstarsandtheiragedballsofgold.Hereyes
couldseecolorsinvisibletooursinthemoonlight,andalltheseshecould
distinguishwell,thoughatfirstshetookthemfortheshapesandcolorsofthe
carpetofthegreatroom.Shelongedtogetdownamongthem,nowshesawthey
wererealcreatures,butshedidnotknowhow.Shewentalongthewholelength
ofthewalltotheendthatcrossedtheriver,butfoundnowayofgoingdown.
Abovetherivershestoppedtogazewithaweupontherushingwater.Sheknew
nothingofwaterbutfromwhatshedrankandwhatshebathedin;andasthe

moonshoneonthedark,swiftstream,singinglustilyasitflowed,shedidnot
doubttheriverwasalive,aswiftrushingserpentoflife,going—out?—
whither?Andthenshewonderedifwhatwasbroughtintoherroomshadbeen
killedthatshemightdrinkit,andhaveherbathinit.
Oncewhenshesteppedoutuponthewall,itwasintothemidstofafiercewind.
Thetreeswereallroaring.Greatcloudswererushingalongtheskiesand
tumblingoverthelittlelamps:thegreatlamphadnotcomeyet.Allwasin
tumult.Thewindseizedhergarmentsandhairandshookthemasifitwouldtear
themfromher.Whatcouldshehavedonetomakethegentlecreaturesoangry?
Orwasthisanothercreaturealtogether—ofthesamekind,buthugelybigger,
andofaverydifferenttemperandbehavior?Butthewholeplacewasangry!Or
wasitthatthecreaturesdwellinginit,thewind,andthetrees,andtheclouds,
andtheriver,hadallquarreled,eachwithalltherest?Wouldthewholecometo
confusionanddisorder?Butasshegazedwonderinganddisquieted,themoon,
largerthanevershehadseenher,cameliftingherselfabovethehorizontolook,
broadandred,asifshe,too,wereswollenwithangerthatshehadbeenroused
fromherrestbytheirnoise,andcompelledtohurryuptoseewhatherchildren
wereabout,thusriotinginherabsence,lesttheyshouldrackthewholeframeof
things.Andassherose,theloudwindgrewquieterandscoldedlessfiercely,the
treesgrewstillerandmoanedwithalowercomplaint,andthecloudshuntedand


hurledthemselveslesswildlyacrossthesky.Andasifshewerepleasedthather
childrenobeyedherverypresence,themoongrewsmallerassheascendedthe
heavenlystair;herpuffedcheekssank,hercomplexiongrewclearer,andasweet
smilespreadoverhercountenance,aspeacefullysheroseandrose.Butthere
wastreasonandrebellioninhercourt;forereshereachedthetopofhergreat
stairs,thecloudshadassembled,forgettingtheirlatewars,andverystillthey
wereastheylaidtheirheadstogetherandconspired.Thencombining,andlying
silentlyinwaituntilshecamenear,theythrewthemselvesuponherand

swallowedherup.Downfromtheroofcamespotsofwet,fasterandfaster,and
theywettedthecheeksofNycteris;andwhatcouldtheybebutthetearsofthe
moon,cryingbecauseherchildrenweresmotheringher?Nycteriswepttooand,
notknowingwhattothink,stolebackindismaytoherroom.
Thenexttime,shecameoutinfearandtrembling.Therewasthemoonstill!
awayinthewest—poor,indeed,andold,andlookingdreadfullyworn,asifall
thewildbeastsintheskyhadbeengnawingather—butthereshewas,alive
still,andabletoshine!
XI.TheSunset.
KNOWINGnothingofdarkness,orstars,ormoon,Photogenspenthisdaysin
hunting.Onagreatwhitehorsehesweptoverthegrassyplains,gloryinginthe
sun,fightingthewind,andkillingthebuffaloes.
Onemorning,whenhehappenedtobeonthegroundalittleearlierthanusual,
andbeforehisattendants,hecaughtsightofananimalunknowntohim,stealing
fromahollowintowhichthesunrayshadnotyetreached.Likeaswiftshadowit
spedoverthegrass,slinkingsouthwardtotheforest.Hegavechase,notedthe
bodyofabuffaloithadhalfeaten,andpursuedittheharder.Butwithgreatleaps
andboundsthecreatureshotfartherandfartheraheadofhim,andvanished.
Turningthereforedefeated,hemetFargu,whohadbeenfollowinghimasfastas
hishorsecouldcarryhim.
“Whatanimalwasthat,Fargu?”heasked.“Howhedidrun!”
Farguansweredhemightbealeopard,butheratherthoughtfromhispaceand
lookthathewasayounglion.
“Whatacowardhemustbe!”saidPhotogen.


“Don’tbetoosureofthat,”rejoinedFargu.“Heisoneofthecreaturesthesun
makesumcomfortable.Assoonasthesunisdown,hewillbebraveenough.”
Hehadscarcelysaidit,whenherepented;nordidheregretitthelesswhenhe
foundthatPhotogenmadenoreply.Butalas!saidwassaid.

“Then,”saidPhotogentohimself,“thatcontemptiblebeastisoneoftheterrors
ofsundown,ofwhichMadameWathospoke!”
Hehuntedallday,butnotwithhisusualspirit.Hedidnotridesohard,anddid
notkillonebuffalo.Fargutohisdismayobservedalsothathetookeverypretext
formovingfarthersouth,nearertotheforest.Butallatonce,thesunnow
sinkinginthewest,heseemedtochangehismind,forheturnedhishorse’shead
androdehomesofastthattherestcouldnotkeephiminsight.Whenthey
arrived,theyfoundhishorseinthestableandconcludedthathehadgoneinto
thecastle.Buthehadintruthsetoutagainbythebackofit.Crossingtherivera
goodwayupthevalley,hereascendedtothegroundtheyhadleft,andjust
beforesunsetreachedtheskirtsoftheforest.
Thelevelorbshonestraightinbetweenthebarestems,andsayingtohimselfhe
couldnotfailtofindthebeast,herushedintothewood.Butevenasheentered,
heturnedandlookedtothewest.Therimoftheredwastouchingthehorizon,
alljaggedwithbrokenhills.“Now,”saidPhotogen,“weshallsee”;buthesaidit
inthefaceofadarknesshehadnotproved.Themomentthesunbegantosink
amongthespikesandsawedges,withakindofsuddenflapathisheartafear
inexplicablelaidholdoftheyouth;andashehadneverfeltanythingofthekind
before,theveryfearitselfterrifiedhim.Asthesunsank,itroseliketheshadow
oftheworldandgrewdeeperanddarker.Hecouldnoteventhinkwhatitmight
be,soutterlydiditenfeeblehim.Whenthelastflamingscimitaredgeofthesun
wentoutlikealamp,hishorrorseemedtoblossomintoverymadness.Likethe
closinglidsofaneye—fortherewasnotwilight,andthisnightnomoon—the
terrorandthedarknessrushedtogether,andheknewthemforone.Hewasno
longerthemanhehadknown,orratherthoughthimself.Thecouragehehadhad
wasinnosensehisown—hehadonlyhadcourage,notbeencourageous;ithad
lefthim,andhecouldscarcelystand—certainlynotstandstraight,fornotone
ofhisjointscouldhemakestifforkeepfromtrembling.Hewasbutasparkof
thesun,inhimselfnothing.
Thebeastwasbehindhim—stealinguponhim!Heturned.Allwasdarkinthe

wood,buttohisfancythedarknesshereandtherebrokeintopairsofgreeneyes,
andhehadnotthepowereventoraisehisbowhandfromhisside.Inthe
strengthofdespairhestrovetorousecourageenough—nottofight—thathe
didnotevendesire—buttorun.Couragetofleehomewasallhecouldever
imagine,anditwouldnotcome.Butwhathehadnotwasignominiouslygiven
him.Acryinthewood,halfascreech,halfagrowl,senthimrunninglikea
boar-woundedcur.Itwasnotevenhimselfthatran,itwasthefearthathadcome
aliveinhislegs;hedidnotknowthattheymoved.Butasheranhegrewableto
run—gainedcourageatleasttobeacoward.Thestarsgavealittlelight.Over
thegrasshesped,andnothingfollowedhim.“Howfallen,howchanged,”from
theyouthwhohadclimbedthehillasthesunwentdown!Amerecontemptto
himself,theselfthatcontemnedwasacowardwiththeselfitcontemned!There
laytheshapelessblackofabuffalo,humpeduponthegrass.Hemadeawide
circuitandsweptonlikeashadowdriveninthewind.Forthewindhadarisen,
andaddedtohisterror:itblewfrombehindhim.Hereachedthebrowofthe
valleyandshotdownthesteepdescentlikeafallingstar.Instantlythewhole
uppercountrybehindhimaroseandpursuedhim!Thewindcamehowlingafter
him,filledwithscreams,shrieks,yells,roars,laughter,andchattering,asifall
theanimalsoftheforestwerecareeringwithit.Inhisearswasatramplingrush,
thethunderofthehoofsofthecattle,incareerfromeveryquarterofthewide
plainstothebrowofthehillabovehim.Hefledstraightforthecastle,scarcely
withbreathenoughtopant.
Ashereachedthebottomofthevalley,themoonpeeredupoveritsedge.He
hadneverseenthemoonbefore—exceptinthedaytime,whenhehadtakenher
forathinbrightcloud.Shewasafreshterrortohim—soghostly!soghastly!so
gruesome!—soknowingasshelookedoverthetopofhergardenwalluponthe
worldoutside!Thatwasthenightitself!thedarknessalive—andafterhim!the
horrorofhorrorscomingdowntheskytocurdlehisbloodandturnhisbraintoa

cinder!Hegaveasobandmadestraightfortheriver,whereitranbetweenthe
twowalls,atthebottomofthegarden.Heplungedin,struggledthrough,
clamberedupthebank,andfellsenselessonthegrass.
XII.TheGarden
ALTHOUGHNycteristookcarenottostayoutlongatatime,andusedevery
precaution,shecouldhardlyhaveescapeddiscoverysolonghaditnotbeenthat
thestrangeattackstowhichWathowassubjecthadbeenmorefrequentoflate,
andhadatlastsettledintoanillnesswhichkepthertoherbed.Butwhetherfrom


anexcessofcautionorfromsuspicion,Falca,havingnowtobemuchwithher
mistressbothdayandnight,tookitatlengthintoherheadtofastenthedooras
oftenasshewentbyherusualplaceofexit,sothatonenight,whenNycteris
pushed,shefound,tohersurpriseanddismay,thatthewallpushedheragain,
andwouldnotletherthrough;norwithallhersearchingcouldshediscover
whereinlaythecauseofthechange.Thenfirstshefeltthepressureofherprison
walls,andturning,halfindespair,gropedherwaytothepicturewhereshehad
onceseenFalcadisappear.Thereshesoonfoundthespotbypressingupon
whichthewallyielded.Itletherthroughintoasortofcellar,wherewasa
glimmeroflightfromaskywhosebluewaspaledbythemoon.Fromthecellar
shegotintoalongpassage,intowhichthemoonwasshining,andcametoa
door.Shemanagedtoopenit,andtohergreatjoyfoundherselfintheother
place,notonthetopofthewall,however,butinthegardenshehadlongedto
enter.Noiselessasafluffymothsheflittedawayintothecovertofthetreesand
shrubs,herbarefeetwelcomedbythesoftestofcarpets,which,bythevery
touch,herfeetknewtobealive,whenceitcamethatitwassosweetandfriendly
tothem.Asoftlittlewindwasoutamongthetrees,runningnowhere,nowthere,
likeachildthathadgotitswill.Shewentdancingoverthegrass,lookingbehind
herathershadowasshewent.Atfirstshehadtakenitforalittleblackcreature
thatmadegameofher,butwhensheperceivedthatitwasonlywhereshekept

themoonaway,andthateverytree,howevergreatandgrandacreature,hadalso
oneofthesestrangeattendants,shesoonlearnednottomindit,andbyandbyit
becamethesourceofasmuchamusementtoherastoanykittenitstail.Itwas
longbeforeshewasquiteathomewiththetrees,however.Atonetimethey
seemedtodisapproveofher;atanothernoteventoknowshewasthere,andto
bealtogethertakenupwiththeirownbusiness.Suddenly,asshewentfromone
toanotherofthem,lookingupwithaweatthemurmuringmysteryoftheir
branchesandleaves,shespiedonealittlewayoff,whichwasverydifferent
fromalltherest.Itwaswhite,anddark,andsparkling,andspreadlikeapalm—
asmallslenderpalm,withoutmuchhead;anditgrewveryfast,andsangasit
grew.Butitnevergrewanybigger,forjustasfastasshecouldseeitgrowing,it
keptfallingtopieces.Whenshegotclosetoit,shediscoveredthatitwasawater
tree—madeofjustsuchwaterasshewashedwith—onlyitwasaliveof
course,liketheriver—adifferentsortofwaterfromthat,doubtless,seeingthe
onecreptswiftlyalongthefloor,andtheothershotstraightup,andfell,and
swalloweditself,androseagain.Sheputherfeetintothemarblebasin,which
wastheflowerpotinwhichitgrew.Itwasfullofrealwater,livingandcool—
sonice,forthenightwashot!


Buttheflowers!ah,theflowers!shewasfriendswiththemfromtheveryfirst.
Whatwonderfulcreaturestheywere!—andsokindandbeautiful—always
sendingoutsuchcolorsandsuchscents—redscent,andwhitescent,and
yellowscent—fortheothercreatures!Theonethatwasinvisibleand
everywheretooksuchaquantityoftheirscents,andcarrieditaway!yettheydid
notseemtomind.Itwastheirtalk,toshowtheywerealive,andnotpaintedlike
thoseonthewallsofherrooms,andonthecarpets.
Shewanderedalongdownthegarden,untilshereachedtheriver.Unablethento
getanyfurther—forshewasalittleafraid,andjustly,oftheswiftwatery
serpent—shedroppedonthegrassybank,dippedherfeetinthewater,andfelt

itrunningandpushingagainstthem.Foralongtimeshesatthus,andherbliss
seemedcomplete,asshegazedattheriverandwatchedthebrokenpictureofthe
greatlampoverhead,movinguponesideoftheroof,togodowntheother.
XIII.SomethingQuiteNew
AbeautifulmothbrushedacrossthegreatblueeyesofNycteris.Shesprangto
herfeettofollowit—notinthespiritofthehunter,butofthelover.Herheart
—likeeveryheart,ifonlyitsfallensideswereclearedaway—wasan
inexhaustiblefountainoflove:shelovedeverythingshesaw.Butasshe
followedthemoth,shecaughtsightofsomethinglyingonthebankoftheriver,
andnotyethavinglearnedtobeafraidofanything,ranstraighttoseewhatit
was.Reachingit,shestoodamazed.Anothergirllikeherself!Butwhata
strange-lookinggirl!—socuriouslydressedtoo!—andnotabletomove!Was
shedead?Filledsuddenlywithpity,shesatdown,liftedPhotogen’shead,laidit
onherlap,andbeganstrokinghisface.Herwarmhandsbroughthimtohimself.
Heopenedhisblackeyes,outofwhichhadgoneallthefire,andlookedupwith
astrangesoundoffear,halfmoan,halfgasp.Butwhenhesawherface,hedrew
adeepbreathandlaymotionless—gazingather:thosebluemarvelsabovehim,
likeabettersky,seemedtosidewithcourageandassuagehisterror.Atlength,
inatrembling,awedvoice,andahalfwhisper,hesaid,“Whoareyou?”
“IamNycteris,”sheanswered
“Youareacreatureofthedarkness,andlovethenight,”hesaid,hisfear
beginningtomoveagain.
“Imaybeacreatureofthedarkness,”shereplied.“Ihardlyknowwhatyou


mean.ButIdonotlovethenight.Ilovetheday—withallmyheart;andIsleep
allthenightlong.”
“Howcanthatbe?”saidPhotogen,risingonhiselbow,butdroppinghisheadon
herlapagainthemomenthesawthemoon;“—howcanitbe,”herepeated,
“whenIseeyoureyesthere—wideawake?”

Sheonlysmiledandstrokedhim,forshedidnotunderstandhim,andthoughthe
didnotknowwhathewassaying.
“Wasitadreamthen?”resumedPhotogen,rubbinghiseyes.Butwiththathis
memorycameclear,andheshudderedandcried,“Oh,horrible!horrible!tobe
turnedallatonceintoacoward!ashameful,contemptible,disgracefulcoward!I
amashamed—ashamed—andsofrightened!Itisallsofrightful!”
“Whatissofrightful?”askedNycteris,withasmilelikethatofamothertoher
childwakedfromabaddream.
“All,all,”heanswered;“allthisdarknessandtheroaring.”
“Mydear,”saidNycteris,“thereisnoroaring.Howsensitiveyoumustbe!What
youhearisonlythewalkingofthewater,andtherunningaboutofthesweetest
ofallthecreatures.Sheisinvisible,andIcallherEverywhere,forshegoes
throughalltheothercreatures,andcomfortsthem.Nowsheisamusingherself,
andthemtoo,withshakingthemandkissingthem,andblowingintheirfaces.
Listen:doyoucallthatroaring?Youshouldhearherwhensheisratherangry
though!Idon’tknowwhy,butsheissometimes,andthenshedoesroaralittle.”
“Itissohorriblydark!”saidPhotogen,who,listeningwhileshespoke,had
satisfiedhimselfthattherewasnoroaring.
“Dark!”sheechoed.“Youshouldbeinmyroomwhenanearthquakehaskilled
mylamp.Idonotunderstand.Howcanyoucallthisdark?Letmesee:yes,you
haveeyes,andbigones,biggerthanMadameWatho’sorFalca’s—notsobigas
mine,Ifancy—onlyIneversawmine.Butthen—oh,yes!—Iknownow
whatisthematter!Youcan’tseewiththem,becausetheyaresoblack.Darkness
can’tsee,ofcourse.Nevermind:Iwillbeyoureyes,andteachyoutosee.Look
here—attheselovelywhitethingsinthegrass,withredsharppointsallfolded
togetherintoone.Oh,Ilovethemso!Icouldsitlookingatthemallday,the
darlings!”


Photogenlookedcloseattheflowers,andthoughthehadseensomethinglike

thembefore,butcouldnotmakethemout.AsNycterishadneverseenanopen
daisy,sohadheneverseenaclosedone.
ThusinstinctivelyNycteristriedtoturnhimawayfromhisfear;andthe
beautifulcreature’sstrangelovelytalkhelpednotalittletomakehimforgetit.
“Youcallitdark!”shesaidagain,asifshecouldnotgetridoftheabsurdityof
theidea;“why,Icouldcounteverybladeofthegreenhair—Isupposeitiswhat
thebookscallgrass—withintwoyardsofme!Andjustlookatthegreatlamp!
Itisbrighterthanusualtoday,andIcan’tthinkwhyyoushouldbefrightened,or
callitdark!”
Asshespoke,shewentonstrokinghischeeksandhair,andtryingtocomfort
him.Butohhowmiserablehewas!andhowplainlyhelookedit!Hewasonthe
pointofsayingthathergreatlampwasdreadfultohim,lookinglikeawitch,
walkinginthesleepofdeath;buthewasnotsoignorantasNycteris,andknew
eveninthemoonlightthatshewasawoman,thoughhehadneverseenoneso
youngorsolovelybefore;andwhileshecomfortedhisfear,herpresencemade
himthemoreashamedofit.Besides,notknowinghernature,hemightannoy
her,andmakeherleavehimtohismisery.Helaystilltherefore,hardlydaringto
move:allthelittlelifehehadseemedtocomefromher,andifheweretomove,
shemightmove:andifsheweretoleavehim,hemustweeplikeachild.
“Howdidyoucomehere?”askedNycteris,takinghisfacebetweenherhands.
“Downthehill,”heanswered.
“Wheredoyousleep?”sheasked.
Hesignedinthedirectionofthehouse.Shegavealittlelaughofdelight.
“Whenyouhavelearnednottobefrightened,youwillalwaysbewantingto
comeoutwithme,”shesaid.
Shethoughtwithherselfshewouldaskherpresently,whenshehadcometo
herselfalittle,howshehadmadeherescape,forshemust,ofcourse,like
herself,havegotoutofacave,inwhichWathoandFalcahadbeenkeepingher.
“Lookatthelovelycolors,”shewenton,pointingtoarosebush,onwhich

Photogencouldnotseeasingleflower.“Theyarefarmorebeautiful—arethey
not?—thananyofthecolorsuponyourwalls.Andthentheyarealive,and
smellsosweet!”
Hewishedshewouldnotmakehimkeepopeninghiseyestolookatthingshe
couldnotsee;andeveryothermomentwouldstartandgrasptightholdofher,as
somefreshpangofterrorshotintohim.
“Come,come,dear!”saidNycteris,“youmustnotgoonthisway.Youmustbea
bravegirl,and—”
“Agirl!”shoutedPhotogen,andstartedtohisfeetinwrath.“Ifyouwereaman,
Ishouldkillyou.”
“Aman?”repeatedNycteris.“Whatisthat?HowcouldIbethat?Weareboth
girls—arewenot?”
“No,Iamnotagirl,”heanswered;“—although,”headded,changinghistone,
andcastinghimselfonthegroundatherfeet,“Ihavegivenyoutoogoodreason
tocallmeone.”
“Oh,Isee!”returnedNycteris.“No,ofcourse!—youcan’tbeagirl:girlsare
notafraid—withoutreason.Iunderstandnow:itisbecauseyouarenotagirl
thatyouaresofrightened.”
Photogentwistedandwritheduponthegrass.
“No,itisnot,”hesaidsulkily;“itisthishorribledarknessthatcreepsintome,
goesallthroughme,intotheverymarrowofmybones—thatiswhatmakesme
behavelikeagirl.Ifonlythesunwouldrise!”
“Thesun!whatisit?”criedNycteris,nowinherturnconceivingavaguefear.
ThenPhotogenbrokeintoarhapsody,inwhichhevainlysoughttoforgethis.
“Itisthesoul,thelife,theheart,thegloryoftheuniverse,”hesaid.“Theworlds
dancelikemotesinhisbeams.Theheartofmanisstrongandbraveinhislight,
andwhenitdepartshiscouragegowsfromhim—goeswiththesun,andhe
becomessuchasyouseemenow.”

“Thenthatisnotthesun?”saidNycteris,thoughtfully,pointinguptothemoon.
“That!”criedPhotogen,withutterscorn.“Iknownothingaboutthat,exceptthat
itisuglyandhorrible.Atbestitcanbeonlytheghostofadeadsun.Yes,thatis
it!Thatiswhatmakesitlooksofrightful.”
“No,”saidNycteris,afteralong,thoughtfulpause;“youmustbewrongthere.I
thinkthesunistheghostofadeadmoon,andthatishowheissomuchmore
splendidasyousay.—Isthere,then,anotherbigroom,wherethesunlivesin
theroof?”
“Idonotknowwhatyoumean,”repliedPhotogen.“Butyoumeantobekind,I
know,thoughyoushouldnotcallapoorfellowinthedarkagirl.Ifyouwilllet
meliehere,withmyheadinyourlap,Ishouldliketosleep.Willyouwatchme,
andtakecareofme?”
“Yes,thatIwill,”answeredNycteris,forgettingallherowndanger.


SoPhotogenfellasleep
XIV.TheSun
THERENycterissat,andtheretheyouthlayallnightlong,intheheartofthe
greatcone-shadowoftheearth,liketwoPharaohsinonePyramid.Photogen
slept,andslept;andNycterissatmotionlesslestsheshouldwakehim,andso
betrayhimtohisfear.
Themoonrodehighintheblueeternity;itwasaverytriumphofgloriousnight;
theriverranbabble-murmuringindeepsoftsyllables;thefountainkeptrushing
moonward,andblossomingmomentlytoagreatsilveryflower,whosepetals
wereforeverfallinglikesnow,butwithacontinuousmusicalclash,intothebed
ofitsexhaustionbeneath;thewindwoke,tookarunamongthetrees,wentto
sleep,andwokeagain;thedaisiessleptontheirfeetathers,butshedidnot
knowtheyslept;therosesmightwellseemawake,fortheirscentfilledtheair,
butintruththeysleptalso,andtheodorwasthatoftheirdreams;theoranges

hunglikegoldlampsinthetrees,andtheirsilveryflowerswerethesoulsoftheir
yetunembodiedchildren;thescentoftheacaciabloomsfilledtheairlikethe
veryodorofthemoonherself.
Atlast,unusedtothelivingair,andwearywithsittingsostillandsolong,
Nycterisgrewdrowsy.Theairbegantogrowcool.Itwasgettingnearthetime
whenshetoowasaccustomedtosleep.Sheclosedhereyesjustamoment,and
nodded—openedthemsuddenlywide,forshehadpromisedtowatch.
Inthatmomentachangehadcome.Themoonhadgotroundandwasfronting
herfromthewest,andshesawthatherfacewasaltered,thatshehadgrown
pale,asifshetoowerewanwithfear,andfromherloftyplaceespiedacoming
terror.Thelightseemedtobedissolvingoutofher;shewasdying—shewas
goingout!Andyeteverythingaroundlookedstrangelyclear—clearerthanever
shehadseenanythingbefore;howcouldthelampbesheddingmorelightwhen
sheherselfhadless?Ah,thatwasjustit!Seehowfaintshelooked!Itwas
becausethelightwasforsakingher,andspreadingitselfovertheroom,thatshe
grewsothinandpale!Shewasgivingupeverything!Shewasmeltingaway
fromtherooflikeabitofsugarinwater.
Nycteriswasfastgrowingafraid,andsoughtrefugewiththefaceuponherlap.
Howbeautifulthecreaturewas!—whattocallitshecouldnotthink,forithad