'And it would not make any difference whether we were in Abra or not.'
'I should hardly mind even if the lamp were to go out,' said Calladon.
'I only care for the lamp because it lets me see you,' she answered.
'And because it lets me see myself in the mirror.'
'Why should you believe the mirror more than me?' asked Callia.
'Well, if you think I am handsome, it is not so much matter whether the mirror tells me I am or not,' returned Calladon.
And with this they kissed each other, and fell asleep.
When they awoke next day, Calladon stretched himself, and shivered a little. The lamp seemed to be burning rather more dimly than usual, and the air seemed thin and cold. Glancing at Callia, who was lying with her eyes still half closed, his eye caught the sparkle of the mirror round her neck, and he took a peep into it. It seemed to him that his cheeks looked pale, and his eyes dull.
'Callia!' he exclaimed, 'Callia! wake up, and tell me how I look.'
'You look just the same,' answered she, opening her eyes and sitting up. 'But don't you think it is colder than it was yesterday?'
'I was sure it was; and if you feel it too, it must be so. But are you quite certain that I look as well and handsome as when you first saw me? because, in the mirror, I seemed to be pale and dull.'
'The mirror must be wrong, then,' said Callia; 'for I can see you with my own eyes, and of course I should know if there were any difference.'
'Well,' said Calladon, 'I suppose it is time we had our breakfast.'
The breakfast was there, but it was neither so good nor so plentiful as before; and Calladon and Callia felt comparatively little appetite. This displeased them; and they began to ask each other how they should contrive to amuse themselves during the day. They proposed many things, but afterwards rejected them, either because they had done them yesterday, or because they did not find them any longer attractive.
'This is rather a small room, after all, for two people to pass their lives in,' remarked Calladon at last.
'Especially when there are two other larger ones outside,' added Callia.
'It would be good fun to explore them, wouldn't it?' said Calladon.
'It makes me feel quite lively again to think of it,' exclaimed Calladon, springing to his feet. 'Only,' he added, 'that is one of the things the Master told us not to do.'