"That is possible," he can concede that much. It seems to him that this is not so different from the world before this one, which has its own forces that none can understand. He does not want Laertes and Sagramore to leave the mansion, and he can think of several other arguments -- but he can sense, too, that Laertes is afraid, anxious. He'll raise none of those arguments now.

They walk along for another few steps before he says, "I will do whatever I am able, for thee."