Волны

           Thereisanelephantwhitewithmaggots,killedbyanarrowshotdeadinitseye.Thebrighteyesofhoppingbirds--eagles,vultures--areapparent.Theytakeusforfallentrees.Theypickataworm--thatisahoodedcobra--andleaveitwithafesteringbrownscartobemauledbylions.Thisisourworld,litwithcrescentsandstarsoflight;andgreatpetalshalftransparentblocktheopeningslikepurplewindows.Everythingisstrange.Thingsarehugeandverysmall.Thestalksofflowersarethickasoaktrees.Leavesarehighasthedomesofvastcathedrals.Wearegiants,lyinghere,whocanmakeforestsquiver.’

           ’Thisishere,’saidJinny,’thisisnow.Butsoonweshallgo.SoonMissCurrywillblowherwhistle.Weshallwalk.Weshallpart.Youwillgotoschool.Youwillhavemasterswearingcrosseswithwhiteties.IshallhaveamistressinaschoolontheEastCoastwhositsunderaportraitofQueenAlexandra.ThatiswhereIamgoing,andSusanandRhoda.Thisisonlyhere;thisisonlynow.Nowwelieunderthecurrantbushesandeverytimethebreezestirswearemottledallover.Myhandislikeasnake’sskin.Mykneesarepinkfloatingislands.Yourfaceislikeanappletreenettedunder.’

           ’Theheatisgoing,’saidBernard,’fromtheJungle.Theleavesflapblackwingsoverus.MissCurryhasblownherwhistleontheterrace.Wemustcreepoutfromtheawningofthecurrantleavesandstandupright.Therearetwigsinyourhair,Jinny.Thereisagreencaterpillaronyourneck.Wemustform,twobytwo.