`` She is very wise , I promise you ; and as for myself , I generally have all my wits about me , such as they are . If you show yourself bold and cautious , and follow our advice , you need not fear being a stone image yet awhile . But , first of all , you must polish your shield , till you can see your face in it as distinctly as in a mirror . '' This seemed to Perseus rather an odd beginning of the adventure ; for he thought it of far more consequence that the shield should be strong enough to defend him from the Gorgon 's brazen claws , than that it should be bright enough to show him the reflection of his face . However , concluding that Quicksilver knew better than himself , he immediately set to work , and scrubbed the shield with so much diligence and good-will , that it very quickly shone like the moon at harvest-time . Quicksilver looked at it with a smile , and nodded his approbation . Then , taking off his own short and crooked sword , he girded it about Perseus , instead of the one which he had before worn . `` No sword but mine will answer your purpose , '' observed he ; `` the blade has a most excellent temper , and will cut through iron and brass as easily as through the slenderest twig . And now we will set out . The next thing is to find the Three Gray Women , who will tell us where to find the Nymphs . '' `` The Three Gray Women ! '' cried Perseus , to whom this seemed only a new difficulty in the path of his adventure ; `` pray , who may the Three Gray Women be ? I never heard of them before . '' `` They are three very strange old ladies , '' said Quicksilver , laughing . `` They have but one eye among them , and only one tooth . Moreover , you must find them out by starlight , or in the dusk of the evening ; for they never show themselves by the light either of the sun or moon . '' `` But , '' said Perseus , `` why should I waste my time with these Three Gray Women ? Would it not be better to set out at once in search of the terrible Gorgons ? '' `` No , no , '' answered his friend . `` There are other things to be done , before you can find your way to the Gorgons .
There is nothing XXXXX it but to hunt up these old ladies ; and when we meet with them , you may be sure that the Gorgons are not a great way off .
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