He could not conceive of her, or any other woman like her, living with Keok and Nawadlook and the rest of his people in the heart of the tundras.

And the tundras would always be his home, because his heart was there.
He had passed round the wheel-house and came suddenly upon an odd figure crumpled in a chair.

It was Stampede Smith.

In the clearer light that came with the dissolution of the sea-mist Alan saw that he was not asleep.

He paused, unseen by the other.