Yes, she was right; I had even written it down. Consequently it really took place. In silence I looked into her face. At that moment the dark cross was especially distinct.

“ I- , dear, before it is too late.⁠ ⁠… If you want⁠ ⁠… I’ll leave everything, I’ll forget everything, and we’ll go there beyond the Wall, to them .⁠ ⁠… I do not even know who they are.⁠ ⁠…”

She shook her head. Through the dark windows of her eyes I saw within her a flaming oven, sparks, tongues of flame and above them a heap of dry, tarry wood. It was clear to me that it was too late, my words could be of no avail.

She stood up. She would soon leave. Perhaps these were the last days, or the last minutes.⁠ ⁠… I grasped her hand.