Society.  What uncouth bypaths of human ex-
perience, across what mapless tracks beyond the 
social pale, must have led hither—hither to death 
in this Anglo-Saxon-blasted corner of Japan, here, 
at the very outpost of the East.  He spoke my 
thought. 
“ Here I lie,” he said, “ east of all things.  All 
my life I have been travelling eastward, and now 
there is now no further east to go.” 
“ There is America,” I said.  I had to say 
something. 
“ Where the disappearance of man has followed 
that of manners :  the exit of God has not wished to 
lag behind that of grammar.  I have no use for 
American men, and only one use for American 
women.” 
“ Of a truth,” I said, “ the continent is accursed—
a very limbo.” 
“ It is the counterfoil of evolution,” said the man 
wearily.  There was silence. 
“ What can I do for you ? ” I asked.  “ Are you 
indeed ill ?” 
 
vi