He looked at me for a long time, stroking his beard, then he said at last, âYes. It is time.â That night, in the house of the priesthood, I asked for and received purification. My body hurt but my spirit was a cool stone. It was my father himself who questioned me about my dreams. He bade me look into the smoke of the fire and seeâI saw and told what I saw. It was what I have always seenâa river, and, beyond it, a great Dead Place and in it the gods walking. I have always thought about that. His eyes were stern when I told him he was no longer my father but a priest. He said, âThis is a strong dream.â ââBy the Waters of Babylon,â Stephen Vincent BenĂ©t Which details establish the setting in this passage? Check all that apply. âstroking his beardâ âin the house of the priesthoodâ âmy spirit was a cool stoneâ âI saw and told what I sawâ âa river . . . a great Dead Placeâ âhis eyes were sternâ