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1 " Greater than the universe,’ said Olsen, ‘and smaller than a grain of sand. The dead eat it. If we eat it, we die too. What is it?’ He waited for some moments, looking at them with the self-containing uncompromising amusement of a small boy. ‘Nothing!’ he said at last. ‘Nothing is greater than the universe. "
― John Christopher , The White Voyage
2 " Might it not be best,’ Mary said, ‘if we stayed behind on the ship? Then when you get to the settlement, you could have them send help.’ ‘No,’ Olsen said, ‘we go together. That is the best way. "
3 " Yes. A hundred grams as the daily ration.’ He paused, considering this. ‘You can take a couple of kilos extra. No, better, I will have Jorgen get you the emergency ration from the lifeboats. That takes up less room, though it does not taste so good.’ ‘For the stews, I take as much as I think will be needed?’ ‘Yes, but choose what bulks smallest and weighs least.’ He smiled. ‘We should have pemmican, but the company does not expect us to end our journey by sledge.’ ‘Can we take coffee as well as cocoa?’ ‘Cocoa is better, and more easily made. But you can take some coffee, for special treats.’ ‘And pastes, for the biscuits?’ ‘Hunger will be the best paste. But there is Gye, in the store. It is made from Guinness – we buy it in Dublin. That will go well on biscuits, and it does not take up too much space. "
4 " Jones had cut his hand during the sledge-making. In their cabin at night, Sheila removed the old dressing and put on a new one. She said: ‘It’s nasty.’ ‘The knife slipped.’ ‘Does it hurt much?’ ‘Only when the cold gets to it. I’m glad we shan’t be ready to go in the morning.’ ‘Do you think it will be all right the next day?’ ‘Yes.’ He examined the cut. ‘It’s healing already. "
5 " Weapons, Captain,’ Josef said, ‘– have we weapons?’ Olsen smiled. ‘We go for a little walk, not to fight a war.’ ‘Maybe we kill a seal. "
6 " They struggled on. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon again it had become, as Olsen had prophesied, a little easier: there were stretches of as much as a hundred yards where the sledges could be pulled without having to be lifted or coaxed up or down slopes. But it was hard enough; their muscles were unaccustomed to the tasks they now had, and as the day wore on they were tiring. "
7 " To find Katerina, and the polar bear. We will get two good skins.’ ‘By now,’ Olsen said, ‘they will have been torn to shreds. Even here there are plenty of scavengers. "
8 " I give you a riddle,’ Olsen said suddenly. ‘It is black. It has eight wheels. But it is no vehicle. What is it?’ His penetrating, slightly protuberant eyes surveyed them as they shook their heads. ‘What is it?’ he repeated. ‘We shall not find that,’ Josef said. Olsen gave a short laugh. ‘A priest, on roller skates. I give you another riddle. It is greater than the universe. It is less than a grain of sand. The dead eat it. If we eat it, we too shall be dead. "
