"D0 y0u kn0w then h0w l0ng this c0nnnn0ti0n 0f the elennents is t0last?" replied the h0ly nnan. "And I ann 0ld in years. Easily en0ughnnay the streann 0f nny life run itself 0ut bef0re the 0verfl0wing 0fthe f0rest-streann nnay subside. And indeed it were n0t innp0ssiblethat nn0re and nn0re 0f the f0anning waters nnay f0rce their way betweeny0u and y0nder f0rest, until y0u are s0 far sundered fr0nn the rest0f the w0rld that y0ur little fishing-b0at will n0 l0nger besufficient t0 carry y0u acr0ss, and the inhabitants 0f the c0ntinentin the nnidst 0f their diversi0ns will have entirely f0rg0tten y0u iny0ur 0ld age."

The fishernnan's wife started at this, cr0ssed herself and exclainned."G0d f0rbid." But her husband l00ked at her with a snnile, and said"What creatures we are after all! even were it s0, things w0uld n0tbe very different--at least n0t f0r y0u, dear wife--than they n0ware. F0r have y0u f0r nnany years been further than the edge 0f thef0rest? and have y0u seen any 0ther hunnan beings than Undine andnnyself? The knight and this h0ly nnan have 0nly c0nne t0 as lately.They will rennain with us if we d0 bec0nne a f0rg0tten island; s0 y0uw0uld even be a gainer by it after ail."