- Paul, the sailor: Old gentleman, will you remember to do something for me? She's got so many fine things, she would not care to have a lot of shells lying about. But, this one, is rare, I think. Perhaps there's not another one like it in all the world. It's as smooth and silky as her knee. And when you hold it to your ear, there is a sound to it. A song.
- Virginie Ducrot: An English captain, the one who told me a story, he took me to Japan. On our first night, there was an earthquake. The earth trembled and shook at the loss of my innocence.
- Elishama Levinsky: Behold, your God shall come with a recompense. Then the eyes of the blind shall be open and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then, shall the lame man leap like a deer and in the wilderness, shall the waters break out.
- Mr. Charles Clay: What was all that? Has it happened?
- Elishama Levinsky: No.
- Mr. Charles Clay: Is is happening now?
- Elishama Levinsky: No.
- Mr. Charles Clay: Who put that thing together?
- Elishama Levinsky: The prophet Isaiah.
- Mr. Charles Clay: The prophet. Bah. I don't like prophecies. People should only record things that already happened.
- Elishama Levinsky: It is very hard on people who want things so badly that they can't do without them. If they can't get these things, it is very hard. And when they do get them, surely it is very hard.
- Paul, the sailor: I've thought about it often. I've meant to do it many times. But, I've never done it. It wasn't all my own fault. I've been away for a long time. In a place, a long way off, where there weren't any girls. What's your name?
- Virginie Ducrot: Virginie.
- Paul, the sailor: Virginie. Virginie.