And, sinking, it drew with it slowly the shining carpet of golden light laid on the greying surface of the sea. You held your breath as all the light of the world seemed drawn and concentrated in one sparkling drop of red poised on the sea s farthest edge. For a moment all living voices were stilled. And suddenly night was there, soft and dark like a shroud. She scooped a handful of sand as you rose to your feet and strewed it around with a gesture of loving tenderness.
Day is dead.
I am burying day, she said. A feeling of gloom invaded your spirit and less from mirth than from a need to shake off the unwelcome mood, you laughed. But in the middle of your laughter it seemed that all around you sounded Death s dark footfalls, softer than the falling grains of sand. You could not repress a shiver of nameless fear. No, you answered.