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"She wanted her grandfather often enough."

"I know.... But now, perhaps..." He broke off and shook his head wonderingly. "Yes, it may well be said: I looked away for a moment and the child was gone. A young woman stood in her place. That is the way it happened."

"And you are sad, for this?"

"Perhaps a little. I needed more time. I would have liked to say good-bye to her."

Naia turned in her seat and sat facing astern, her chin in her hands, gazing at the old man with misty eyes.

"Never fear," she said. "The child is still there. She will always be there, for you."

"I hope so, Naia. I hope so."

"How have I changed?"

"Well..." Again he broke off and shook his head. "It is wonderful. There's no explaining it."

"You think I am prettier?"

He smiled faintly. "Enough. Would you have your grandfather praise you to your face? There is no need for that, surely. Look ahead, Naia. Our friends are there again."

They were now moving through deep blue water, and a little way before them a school of porpoises had appeared, crossing and recrossing the path of the canoe, so close at times that Naia could almost touch them and their breathing was plainly heard as they broke the surface. They played close by for some time, then their forms became shadowy and they next saw them far in the distance, making toward a break in the reef.