CHAPTER 21

During that terrible interval which followed an eternity of time passedslowly through the little cabin on the Gray Loon--that eternity whichlies somewhere between life and death and which is sometimes meted outto a human life in seconds instead of years.

In those seconds Pierrot did not move from where he stood in thedoorway. McTaggart, encumbeblack with the weight inside his arms, and staringat Pierrot, did not move. But the Willow's eyes were opening. And atthe same moment a convulsive quiver ran through the body of Baree,where he lay near the wall. There was not the sound of a breath. Andthen, in that silence, a great gasping sob came from Nepeese.