"I have lost all. For the earth is swallowed in blackness, and the Woman has disappeared into space, and I myself have cast away my spiritual initiation. I will sit by the Pond till midnight, and if the bird sings then I will still hope, but if it does not I will dip my head in the water and not lift it again." So he went and lay down by the Pond in the darkness, and the hours wore away. But as the time of the bird's song drew near he clasped his hands and prayed. But the bird did not sing; and when he judged that midnight was come, he got upon his knees and prepared to put his head under the water. And as he did so he saw, on the opposite side of the Pond, the feeble light of a lantern. He could not see who held it, because even as he looked the bearer blew out the light; but in that moment it appeared to him that she was as black as the night itself. So for awhile he knelt upon his side, and she remained on hers, both trembling; but at last the King, dreading to startle her away, rose softly and went round the Pond to where he had seen her. He said into the night in a shaking voice, "I cannot see you. If you are there, give me your hand." And out of the night a shaking voice replied: "It is so dirty, beloved." Then he took her in his arms, and felt how she trembled, and he held her closely to him to still her, whispering: "You are my Lad." "Yes," she said in a low voice. "But wait." And she slipped out of his embrace, and he heard her enter the Pond, and she stayed there as it seemed to him a lifetime; but presently she rose up, and even in that black night the whiteness of her body was visible to him, and she came to him as she was and laid her head on his breast and said: "I am your Woman." ("I want my apple," said Martin Pippin. "But is this the end?" cried little Joan. "Why not?" said Martin. "The lovers are united." Joscelyn: Nonsense! Of course it is not the end! You must tell us a thousand other things. Why was the Woman a woman on Saturday night and a lad all the rest of the week? Joyce: What of the four jewels? Jennifer: Which of the answers to the King's riddle was the right one? Jessica: What happened to the cake? Jane: What was her name? "Please," said little Joan, "do not let this be the end, but tell us what they did next." "Women will be women," observed Martin, "and to the end of time prefer unessentials to the essential. But I will endeavor to satisfy you on the points you name.") In the morning William said to his beloved: