Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 5
—Doyoumeantosayitisbettertohaveajobhereinthecountrythaninarichcitylikethat?Iknowafellow.
—Hyneshasnobrains.Hegotthroughbystewing,purestewing.
—Don’tmindhim.There’splentyofmoneytobemadeinabigcommercialCity.
—Dependsonthepractice.
—EGOCREDOUTVITAPAUPERUMESTSIMPLICITERATROX,SIMPLICITERSANGUINARIUSATROX,INLIVERPOOLIO.
Theirvoicesreachedhisearsasiffromadistanceininterruptedpulsation.Shewaspreparingtogoawaywithhercompanions.
Thequicklightshowerhaddrawnoff,tarryinginclustersofdiamondsamongtheshrubsofthequadranglewhereanexhalationwasbreathedforthbytheblackenedearth.Theirtrimbootsprattledastheystoodonthestepsofthecolonnade,talkingquietlyandgaily,glancingattheclouds,holdingtheirumbrellasatcunninganglesagainstthefewlastraindrops,closingthemagain,holdingtheirskirtsdemurely.
Andifhehadjudgedherharshly?Ifherlifewereasimplerosaryofhours,herlifesimpleandstrangeasabird’slife,gayinthemorning,restlessallday,tiredatsundown?Herheartsimpleandwilfulasabird’sheart?
***
Towardsdawnheawoke.Owhatsweetmusic!Hissoulwasalldewywet.Overhislimbsinsleeppalecoolwavesoflighthadpassed.Helaystill,asifhissoullayamidcoolwaters,consciousoffaintsweetmusic.
