"Beloved daughter, you died very young and did not experience the unity of marriage. Yang Xingwu and his wife have recently lost a son. They have asked for betrothal so your souls might meet."

Herr Doktor Kafka offers Lizaveta the comfort of a story, saying that Belinda met a little boy who asked her to travel around the world with him, and so she has gone off to do so, but has promised to send postcards chronicling her adventures.

We've been pushed into this lush / nothingness in the sky. Yes, I wore / a cloud as a crown while herded / onto my ship.