Then Silvere remembered that the seemingly far-off Sunday was only a week old.

But a week ago he had come to bid Miette farewell! How long past it seemed! He felt as though he had not set foot in the wood-yard for years.

But when he reached the narrow path his heart failed him.

He recognised the odour of the grass, the shadows of the planks, the holes in the wall.

A woeful voice rose from all those things.