I had already found that it was not good to be alone, and so I made companionship with what there was around me, sometimes with the universe and sometimes with my own insignificant self; but my books were always my friends, let fail all else.
The first name on the Spray's visitors' book in the home port was written by the one who always said, 'The Spray will come back.'
Evening after evening during this time I read by the light of a candle on deck. There was no wind at all, and the sea became smooth and monotonous.