Волны

           Soimperfectaremysensesthattheyneverblotoutwithonepurpletheseriouschargethatmyreasonaddsandaddsagainstus,evenaswesithere.Whatisthesolution,Iaskmyself,andthebridge?HowcanIreducethesedazzling,thesedancingapparitionstoonelinecapableoflinkingallinone?SoIponder;andyoumeanwhileobservemaliciouslymypursedlips,mysallowcheeksandmyinvariablefrown.

           ’ButIbegyoualsotonoticemycaneandmywaistcoat.Ihaveinheritedadeskofsolidmahoganyinaroomhungwithmaps.Oursteamershavewonanenviablereputationfortheircabinsrepletewithluxury.Wesupplyswimming-bathsandgymnasiums.IwearawhitewaistcoatnowandconsultalittlebookbeforeImakeanengagement.

           ’ThisisthearchandironicalmannerinwhichIhopetodistractyoufrommyshivering,mytender,andinfinitelyyoungandunprotectedsoul.ForIamalwaystheyoungest;themostnaïvelysurprised;theonewhorunsinadvanceinapprehensionandsympathywithdiscomfortorridicule--shouldtherebeasmutonanose,orabuttonundone.Isufferforallhumiliations.YetIamalsoruthless,marmoreal.Idonotseehowyoucansaythatitisfortunatetohavelived.Yourlittleexcitements,yourchildishtransports,whenakettleboils,whenthesoftairliftsJinny’sspottedscarfanditfloatsweb-like,aretomelikesilkstreamersthrownintheeyesofthechargingbull.Icondemnyou.Yetmyheartyearnstowardsyou.Iwouldgowithyouthroughthefiresofdeath.Yetamhappiestalone.Iluxuriateingoldandpurplevestments.