Волны

           Theriverwaterheldthereedsnowfixedasifglasshadhardenedroundthem;andthentheglasswaveredandthereedssweptlow.Pondering,sunkenheaded,thecattlestoodinthefieldsandcumbrouslymovedonefootandthenanother.Inthebucketnearthehousethetapstoppeddripping,asifthebucketwerefull,andthenthetapdrippedone,two,threeseparatedropsinsuccession.

           Thewindowsshowederraticallyspotsofburningfire,theelbowofonebranch,andthensometranquilspaceofpureclarity.Theblindhungredatthewindow’sedgeandwithintheroomdaggersoflightfelluponchairsandtablesmakingcracksacrosstheirlacquerandpolish.Thegreenpotbulgedenormously,withitswhitewindowelongatedinitsside.Lightdrivingdarknessbeforeitspiltitselfprofuselyuponthecornersandbosses;andyetheapedupdarknessinmoundsofunmouldedshape.

           Thewavesmassedthemselves,curvedtheirbacksandcrashed.Upspurtedstonesandshingle.Theysweptroundtherocks,andthespray,leapinghigh,spatteredthewallsofacavethathadbeendrybefore,andleftpoolsinland,wheresomefishstrandedlasheditstailasthewavedrewback.

           ’Ihavesignedmyname,’saidLouis,’alreadytwentytimes.I,andagainI,andagainI.Clear,firm,unequivocal,thereitstands,myname.Clear-cutandunequivocalamItoo.Yetavastinheritanceofexperienceispackedinme.Ihavelivedthousandsofyears.Iamlikeawormthathaseatenitswaythroughthewoodofaveryoldoakbeam.ButnowIamcompact;nowIamgatheredtogetherthisfinemorning.

           ’Thesunshinesfromaclearsky.