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Experiments in Convalescence
STILLALCOHOLIC
Heawokelaughingandhiseyeslazilyroamedhissurroundings,evidentlyabedroomandbathinagoodhotel.Hisheadwaswhirringandpictureafterpicturewasformingandblurringandmeltingbeforehiseyes,butbeyondthedesiretolaughhehadnoentirelyconsciousreaction.Hereachedforthe’phonebesidehisbed.
"Hello—whathotelisthis—?
"Knickerbocker?Allright,senduptworyehigh-balls—"
Helayforamomentandwonderedidlywhetherthey’dsendupabottleorjusttwoofthoselittleglasscontainers.Then,withaneffort,hestruggledoutofbedandambledintothebathroom.
Whenheemerged,rubbinghimselflazilywithatowel,hefoundthebarboywiththedrinksandhadasuddendesiretokidhim.Onreflectionhedecidedthatthiswouldbeundignified,sohewavedhimaway.
Asthenewalcoholtumbledintohisstomachandwarmedhim,theisolatedpicturesbeganslowlytoformacinemareelofthedaybefore.AgainhesawRosalindcurledweepingamongthepillows,againhefelthertearsagainsthischeek.Herwordsbeganringinginhisears:"Don’teverforgetme,Amory—don’teverforgetme—"
"Hell!"hefalteredaloud,andthenhechokedandcollapsedonthebedinashakenspasmofgrief.Afteraminuteheopenedhiseyesandregardedtheceiling.
"Damnedfool!"heexclaimedindisgust,andwithavoluminoussighroseandapproachedthebottle.Afteranotherglasshegavewaylooselytotheluxuryoftears.
