Портрет художника в юности

           —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.