One is not, or should not be, jealous, if one’s ikon attracts other worshippers: but the straws in this winter’s wind, which Lise herself gave no sign f having noticed, produced in Martin an illogical discontent. He was at once annoyed with Lise for ignoring life’s overtures, and alarmed that such overtures were being made. […]

It was a slow process, educating a little animal into humanity, but fortunately patience is my strong suite; and what was heartening was that every now and then, after weeks and months without any seeming progress at all, there would come sudden break-throughs as when a plant almost given up for good suddenly puts forth […]