He finished his story, and almost before he had settled down another storyteller sprang to her feet. She threw back her hood and looked round at the gathering. Her eyes were two blue crystals of ice.

“I also have been to a world inhabited by humans.” She said with a high clear voice. “I visited this world five times. And I witnessed change.” Her eyes flashed. “And forgetfulness” She let out a sigh. “Let me explain.”
And she began the third tale.



3. Curfew


First visit.

Curfew  
Middle english. [Anglo-French coeverfu, old French cuevrefeu (modern couvrefeu), from tonic stem of couvrir cover + feu fire.]

1. a. A regulation by which, at a fixed hour in the evening, a bell was rung, as a signal that fires were to be extinguished; also, the hour of ringing, and the bell. (The statement that curfew was introduced to England by William the Conqueror as a measure of political repression is without early historical support.)
b. Hence, the practice of ringing an evening (and morning) bell, in many towns.

2. A cover for a fire; a fire plate.
Also attributively in combination curfew-bell (see sense 1).  
Also in figurative use 1. well, ‘tis nine o’clock, ‘tis time to ring curfew. Romeo and Juliet IV. iv. 4.



Second visit.

Curfew
Middle English.

1. A regulation by which, at a fixed hour in the evening, a bell is rung, as a signal that lights are to be extinguished; also, the hour of ringing, and the bell.

2. A cover for a fire; a fire plate.
Also attributively in combination curfew-bell (see sense 1).  
Also in figurative use 1. well, ‘tis nine o’clock, ‘tis time to ring curfew.



Third visit.

Curfew
1. A regulation made to protect the public. At fixed hours a bell is rung as a signal that people must stay indoors; Also the hour of ringing, and the bell. At these times the hounds are released into the streets to catch possible terrorists and criminals.

2. A cover for a fire; a fire plate.
Also attributively in combination curfew-bell (see sense 1).



Fourth visit.

Curfew
1. A regulation made under the political repression. At fixed hours a bell was rung as a signal that people should stay indoors; Also the hour of ringing, and the bell At these times the hounds would be released into the streets. The government at that time said that this was “to catch possible terrorists and criminals.”

2. a. A regulation by which, at a fixed hour in the evening, a bell was rung, as a signal that fires were to be extinguished; also, the hour of ringing, and the bell.
b. Hence, the former practice of ringing an evening (and morning) bell, in many towns.

3. A cover for a fire; a fire plate.
Also attributively in combination curfew-bell (see sense 1).
Also in figurative use 1. well, ‘tis nine o’clock, ‘tis time to ring curfew. Romeo and Juliet IV. iv. 4.



Fifth visit.

Curfew
1. A regulation by which, at a fixed hour in the evening, a bell was rung, as a signal that people should stay indoors; also, the hour of ringing, and the bell.

2. a. A regulation by which, at a fixed hour in the evening, a bell was rung, as a signal that fires were to be extinguished; also, the hour of ringing, and the bell.
b. Hence, the former practice of ringing an evening (and morning) bell, in many towns.

3. A cover for a fire; a fire plate.
Also attributively in combination curfew-bell (see sense 1).
Also in figurative use 1. well, ‘tis nine o’clock, ‘tis time to ring curfew. Romeo and Juliet IV. iv. 4.