The process which had begun in her-and in her a little earlier only than it must come to all of us-was the great and general renunciation which old age makes in preparation for death, the chrysalis stage of life, which may be observed wherever life has been unduly prolonged; even in old lovers who have lived for one another with the utmost intensity of passion, and in old friends bound by the closest ties of mental sympathy, who, after a certain year, cease to make, the necessary journey, or even to cross the street to see one another, cease to correspond, and know well that they will communicate no more in this world.
Izebarentzat hasia zena-normalean gertatu ohi den baino lehentxeago, eiki-zera zen, zahartzaroaren ukazio handi hori, heriotzarako prestatzen ari, bere krisalidan biltzen ari, hain nabari egiazta daitekeena luzaroan luzatzen diren bizitzen amaiera aldera, baita elkar maiteen izan duten maitale zaharren artean ere, baita elkarrekin loturarik espiritualenak izan dituzten lagun minenen artean ere, halako urte jakin batean uzten diotenean elkar ikusteko behar zutèn bidaia edo irteera egiteari, uzten diotenean elkarri idazteari, jakinaren gainean, erabat, ez direla berriro elkarrekin harremanetan jarriko mundu honetan.