The mountain-tops were glowing with the touch of the sun.

In the deeper valleys floated a shimmering dusk.
The car sped swiftly along the empty highway; slowing down only as it spun through half-awakened villages; or checked its pace to allow a sleepy boy to drive a straggling bunch of cows across the road to pasturage.
For an hour or more, Lad lay cuddled under the rug in contented laziness.

Then the recumbent posture tired him; and he sat up.

As a rule, one or the other of his deities was wont to turn around, at intervals, and speak to him or pet him.

Today, neither of them paid him the slightest attention.