xviii

There is, he repeated, a tree here that grows only in open places; its leaves never fall and it bears no flowers but a tawny, most sweet fruit much eaten by the women.

There is on the other hand a leafier tree, veined marvelously, which creates dense canopies of amber light and which bears a saffron berry that is delicate and ripens in ash.

And there is even a tree whose sap causes sores when touched, and whose very shade is known to be noxious if slept under.

And again the light lay over his coat and contemplation as the Ceiba hanged on his half-asleep face: