The sound came like a reproach, a scoff⁠—like the sting of remorse in the soul⁠—I gasped⁠—the veins and muscles of my throat swelled, suffocating me. I put my fingers to my ears, I buried my head in the leaves of my couch, I would have dived to the centre to lose hearing of that hideous moan.

But another task must be mine⁠—again I visited the detested beach⁠—again I vainly looked far and wide⁠—again I raised my unanswered cry, lifting up the only voice that could ever again force the mute air to syllable the human thought.