At first he seemed only a pleasure-loving simpleton, of whose company I was rather ashamed, and whom I used to hide under my coat when I walked the Embankment, in London.

But now he is strong and sullen, and he is fighting for his life at the cost of mine.

That is his one activity: to grow strong.

No creature ever wanted so much to live.

Eventually, I suppose, he will absorb me altogether.