Волны

           ’Ourisolation,ourpreparation,isover.Thefurtivedaysofsecrecyandhiding,therevelationsonstaircases,momentsofterrorandecstasy.’

           ’OldMrsConstableliftedherspongeandwarmthpouredoverus,’saidBernard.’Webecameclothedinthischanging,thisfeelinggarmentofflesh.’

           ’Theboot-boymadelovetothescullery-maidinthekitchengarden,’saidSusan,’amongtheblown-outwashing.’

           ’Thebreathofthewindwaslikeatigerpanting,’saidRhoda.

           ’Themanlaylividwithhisthroatcutinthegutter,’saidNeville.’AndgoingupstairsIcouldnotraisemyfootagainsttheimmitigableappletreewithitssilverleavesheldstiff.’

           Theleafdancedinthehedgewithoutanyonetoblowit,’saidJinny.

           ’Inthesun-bakedcorner,’saidLouis,’thepetalsswamondepthsofgreen.’

           ’AtElvedonthegardenerssweptandsweptwiththeirgreatbrooms,andthewomansatatatablewriting,’saidBernard.

           ’Fromtheseclose-furledballsofstringwedrawnoweveryfilament,’saidLouis,’remembering,whenwemeet.’

           ’Andthen,’saidBernard,’thecabcametothedoor,and,pressingournewbowlerhatstightlyoveroureyestohideourunmanlytears,wedrovethroughstreetsinwhicheventhehousemaidslookedatus,andournamespaintedinwhitelettersonourboxesproclaimedtoalltheworldthatweweregoingtoschoolwiththeregulationnumberofsocksanddrawers,onwhichourmothersforsomenightspreviouslyhadstitchedourinitials,inourboxes.Asecondseverancefromthebodyofourmother.