CHAPTER XXXVII 545
" Down, Pilot!" I again said. He checked the water on its way to his lips, and seemed to listen: he drank, and put the glass down. " This is you, Mary, is it not?"
" Mary is in the kitchen," I answered.
He put out his hand with a quick gesture, but not seeing where I stood, he did not touch me. " Who is this? Who is this?" he demanded, trying, as it seemed, to SEE with those sightless eyes-- unavailing and distressing attempt! " Answer me-- speak again!" he ordered, imperiously and aloud.
" Will you have a little more water, sir? I spilt half of what was in the glass," I said.
" WHO is it? WHAT is it? Who speaks?"
" Pilot knows me, and John and Mary know I am here. I came only this evening," I answered.
" Great God!-- what delusion has come over me? What sweet madness has seized me?"
" No delusion-- no madness: your mind, sir, is too strong for delusion, your health too sound for frenzy."
" And where is the speaker? Is it only a voice? Oh! I CANNOT see, but I must feel, or my heart will stop and my brain burst. Whatever-- whoever you are-- be perceptible to the touch or I cannot live!"
He groped; I arrested his wandering hand, and prisoned it in both mine.
" Her very fingers!" he cried; " her small, slight fingers! If so there must be more of her."
The muscular hand broke from my custody; my arm was seized, my shoulder-- neck-- waist-- I was entwined and gathered to him.