"We must return," I exclaimed vehemently; "we must go back on our way to Sn?fell. May God give us strength to climb up the crater again!"
"Return!" said my uncle, as if he was rather answering himself than me.
"Yes, return, without the loss of a minute."
A long silence followed.
"So then, Axel," replied the Professor ironically,"you have found no courage or energy in these few drops of water?"
"Courage?"
"I see you just as feeble-minded as you were before,and still expressing only despair!"