“And my head?”
“Your head, except for a few bruises, is all right; and it is on your shoulders, where it ought to be.”
“Well, I am afraid my brain is affected.”
“Your mind affected!”
“Yes, I fear so. Are we again on the surface of the globe?”
“No, certainly not.”
“Then I must be mad; for don’t I see the light of day, and don’t I hear the wind blowing, and the sea breaking on the shore?”
“Ah! is that all?”
“Do tell me all about it.”
“I can’t explain the inexplicable, but you will soon see and understand that geology has not yet learnt all it has to learn.”
“Then let us go,” I answered quickly.
“No, Axel; the open air might be bad for you.”
“Open air?”
“Yes; the wind is rather strong. You must not expose yourself.”
“But I assure you I am perfectly well.”
“A little patience, my nephew. A relapse might get us into trouble, and we have no time to lose, for the voyage may be a long one.”
“The voyage!”