Волны

           NowIhearcrashandrendingofboughsandthecrackofantlersasifthebeastsoftheforestwereallhunting,allrearinghighandplungingdownamongthethorns.Onehaspiercedme.Oneisdrivendeepwithinme.

           ’Andvelvetflowersandleaveswhosecoolnesshasbeenstoodinwaterwashmeround,andsheatheme,embalmingme.’

           ’Why,look,’saidNeville,’attheclocktickingonthemantelpiece?Timepasses,yes.Andwegrowold.Buttositwithyou,alonewithyou,hereinLondon,inthisfirelitroom,youthere,Ihere,isall.Theworldransackedtoitsuttermostends,andallitsheightsstrippedandgatheredoftheirflowers,holdsnomore.Lookatthefirelightrunningupanddownthegoldthreadinthecurtain.Thefruititcirclesdroopsheavy.Itfallsonthetoeofyourboot,itgivesyourfacearedrim--Ithinkitisthefirelightandnotyourface;Ithinkthosearebooksagainstthewall,andthatacurtain,andthatperhapsanarmchair.Butwhenyoucomeeverythingchanges.Thecupsandsaucerschangedwhenyoucameinthismorning.Therecanbenodoubt,Ithought,pushingasidethenewspaper,thatourmeanlives,unsightlyastheyare,putonsplendourandhavemeaningonlyundertheeyesoflove.

           ’Irose.Ihaddonemybreakfast.Therewasthewholedaybeforeus,andasitwasfine,tender,non-committal,wewalkedthroughtheParktotheEmbankment,alongtheStrandtoStPaul’s,thentotheshopwhereIboughtanumbrella,alwaystalking,andnowandthenstoppingtolook.