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"I'm paying Gangnet a visit today, Maskull but once upon a time Gangnet paid me a visit." "Where?" "In my home whatever that is. Gangnet is a common thief." "You are speaking in riddles, and I don't understand you. I don't know either of you, but it's clear that if Gangnet is a poet, you're a buffoon. Must you go on talking? I want to be quiet." Krag laughed, but said no more.
Gangnet's face was transfigured with an extraordinary spiritual beauty; he looked as if he had descended from heaven. "I understand nothing, except that I have no self any more. But this is life." "Is Gangnet expatiating on his famous blue sun?" said a jeering voice above them. Looking up, they saw that Krag had got to his feet. They both rose.
The cliff and Krag vanished. Maskull saw Gangnet struggling in the air but it was not Gangnet it was Crystalman. He seemed to be trying to escape from the Muspel-fire, which kept surrounding and licking him, whichever way he turned. He was screaming.... The fire caught him. He shrieked horribly. Maskull caught one glimpse of a vulgar, slobbering face and then that too disappeared.
"Poor Sullenbode!" said Gangnet sighing. "What! You knew her?" "I know her through you. By mourning for a noble woman, you show your own nobility. I think all women are noble." "There may be millions of noble women, but there's only one Sullenbode." "If Sullenbode can exist," said Gangnet, "the world cannot be a bad place."
"Let everyone join in the procession. In a few hours I shall finally be free, anyhow, if what they say is true." "I'll lead the way," said Gangnet. "You don't know this country, of course, Maskull. When we get to the flat lands some miles farther down, we shall be able to travel by water, but at present we must walk, I fear."
"Let Maskull judge," he said with proud composure, "whether I have anything to be ashamed of." "There can be nothing but magnificent thoughts in that head," muttered Maskull, staring hard at him. "A capital valuation. Gangnet is the king of poets. But what happens when poets try to carry through practical enterprises?" "What enterprises?" asked Maskull, in astonishment.
"What do you say, Gangnet is this a free world?" "Freedom from pain and ugliness should be every man's privilege," returned Gangnet tranquilly. "Maskull is quite within his rights, and if you'll engage to leave him I'll do the same." "Maskull can change face as often as he likes, but he won't get rid of me so easily. Be easy on that point, Maskull." "It doesn't matter," muttered Maskull.
"Welcome to Barey, Maskull! Let's hope you'll forget your sorrows here, you over-tested man." Maskull stared at him, not without friendliness. "What made you expect me, and how do you know my name?" The stranger smiled, which made his face very handsome. "I'm Gangnet. I know most things."
Gangnet glanced toward the foot of one of the trees. He stooped and picked up two or three objects that resembled eggs. "To eat?" asked Maskull, accepting the offered gift. "Yes, eat them; you must be hungry. I want none myself, and one mustn't insult Krag by offering him a pleasure especially such a low pleasure." Maskull knocked the ends off two of the eggs, and swallowed the liquid contents.
"Haven't you a greeting for me too Gangnet?" asked Krag, thrusting his forbidding features almost into the other's face. "I know you, Krag. There are few places where you are welcome." "And I know you, Gangnet you man-woman.... Well, we are here together, and you must make what you can of it. We are going down to the Ocean." The smile faded from Gangnet's face.