He spread his elbows on the top rail and resting his chin on his clasped hands looked absently at the river, at the dance of sunlight on the flowing water.

Gradually the forest of the further bank became smaller, as if sinking below the level of the river.

The outlines wavered, grew thin, dissolved in the air.

Before his eyes there was now only a space of undulating blue--one big, empty sky growing dark at times.

.