[For all that they both must be, on many levels, different people by now, this is the most comfortable rhythm to fall into again, as if they'd never been separated.]

Not worse, but it seemed interminable after having been in the West Indies. I was beginning to wonder if spring would ever arrive. I can't tell you how it gladdens me, Horatio, that you've arrived with it.

[...Even if, yeah, Horatio's a captive here now. That little fact seems so far away.]