The Knock-outSo it fell out at last in this wise: when the two foster-brothers were already seventeen, at about the same time one day they were both on the beach, and at nearly the same spot where once Wiglaf and Ethelwulf’s bark had come safely in. It was summer and early afternoon. The sun was slowly declining over the sea; it did not yet redden nor k****e the water, which broke behind the sand-banks in low, long lines, not quite lifeless, yet peaceful, stretching into space, and strewing the blueness with silver sparkles. It was good to be here at this hour. Gregorius came first as his lessons were over. He sat in the sand, his back against a large stone, his feet in the broad straps of his sandals stretched out before him, and read a book, but sometimes raised his head and looked at th
