Волны

           Iwillfillthevaseswithlavish,withluxurious,withextravagantflowersnoddingingreatbunches.Iwillplaceonechairthere,anotherhere.Iwillputreadycigarettes,glassesandsomegailycoverednewunreadbookincaseBernardcomes,orNevilleorLouis.ButperhapsitwillnotbeBernard,NevilleorLouis,butsomebodynew,somebodyunknown,somebodyIpassedonastaircaseand,justturningaswepassed,Imurmured,"Come."Hewillcomethisafternoon;somebodyIdonotknow,somebodynew.Letthesilentarmyofthedeaddescend.Imarchforward.’

           ’Inolongerneedaroomnow,’saidNeville,’orwallsandfirelight.Iamnolongeryoung.IpassJinny’shousewithoutenvy,andsmileattheyoungmanwhoarrangeshistiealittlenervouslyonthedoor-step.Letthedapperyoungmanringthebell;lethimfindher.IshallfindherifIwanther;ifnot,Ipasson.Theoldcorrosionhaslostitsbite--envy,intrigueandbitternesshavebeenwashedout.Wehavelostourglorytoo.Whenwewereyoungwesatanywhere,onbarebenchesindraughtyhallswiththedoorsalwaysbanging.Wetumbledabouthalfnakedlikeboysonthedeckofashipsquirtingeachotherwithhose-pipes.NowIcouldswearthatIlikepeoplepouringprofuselyoutoftheTubewhentheday’sworkisdone,unanimous,indiscriminate,uncounted.Ihavepickedmyownfruit.Ilookdispassionately.

           ’Afterall,wearenotresponsible.Wearenotjudges.Wearenotcalledupontotortureourfellowswiththumb-screwsandirons;wearenotcalledupontomountpulpitsandlecturethemonpaleSundayafternoons.