abel knew hed done wrong , but couldnt say it and so he cursed the woman , but softly , under his breath , slower , until he was murmuring he knew not what , just murmuring to himself day in , day out , and day after day she didnt come back , and sometimes he went to search for her , and sometimes he simply prayed , and sometimes he murmured meaninglessly , forgetting where and who and when he was and forgetting the woman , until some animal reminded him of her , or the sunrise , or the sunset , or the autumn leaves as they turned .