[A familiar one, she says, and he peers at her as if trying to work out what she means. Did she recognise the name of the place, or is it just the scenario that seems familiar?

Hm.]

That's my business. [He tells her, though without too much unkindness to it.] But suffice it to say that I see a certain value in existence and in mortal life that I did not before, and have a small but real desire to ensure its continuation.