"I knew you were a species of deity of course.

I've been told that several times.

And I humbly beg to offer you my sympathy." "Thanks!" Nick's eyes flashed open as if at the pulling of a string.

"If it isn't an empty phrase, I value it." "I don't deal in empty phrases as a rule," said Max.
"Quite so.

Only with a definite end in view?
I hold that no one should ever do or say anything without a purpose." "So do I," said Max.
Nick's eyes flickered over him and closed again.