So
little sunlight ever found its way to this spot, and it had an earthy
deadly smell; and so much cold wind rushed through it, that it struck
chill to me, as if I had left the natural world.
Before he stirred, I was near enough to him to have touched him. Not
even then removing his eyes from mine, he stepped back one step, and
lifted his hand.
This was a lonesome post to occupy (I said), and it had riveted my
attention when I looked down from up yonder. A visitor was a rarity,
I should suppose; not an unwelcome rarity, I hoped? In me, he merely
saw a man who had been shut up within narrow limits all his life, and
who, being at last set free, had a newly awakened interest in these
great works. To such purpose I spoke to him; but I am far from sure
of the terms I used, for, besides that I am not happy in opening any
conversation, there was something in the man that daunted me.
He directed a most curious look towards the red light near the tunnel's
mouth, and looked all about it, as if something were missing from it,
and then looked at me.
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