And between the two the gardens grew sweetly down to the hither side of that opalescent water across which were the radiant cliffs and the curtain of mystery.

Thus it was that we first saw the city of the Dweller; blessed and accursed as no place on Earth, or under or above Earth has ever been⁠—or, that force willing which some call God, ever again shall be!

ā€œ Chert! ā€ whispered Marakinoff. ā€œIncredible!ā€

ā€œTrolldom!ā€ gasped Olaf Huldricksson. ā€œIt is Trolldom!ā€

ā€œListen, Olaf!ā€ said Larry. ā€œCut out that Trolldom stuff! There’s no Trolldom, or fairies, outside Ireland. Get that! And this isn’t Ireland. And, buck up, Professor!ā€ This to Marakinoff. ā€œWhat you see down there are people⁠— just plain people . And wherever there’s people is where I live. Get me?ā€

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