Волны

           Ishalllie,too,inthefieldsamongtheticklinggrasses.Ishallliewithmyfriendsunderthetoweringelmtrees.

           ’Behold,theHeadmaster.Alas,thatheshouldexcitemyridicule.Heistoosleek,heisaltogethertooshinyandblack,likesomestatueinapublicgarden.Andontheleftsideofhiswaistcoat,histaut,hisdrum-likewaistcoat,hangsacrucifix.’

           ’OldCrane,’saidBernard,’nowrisestoaddressus.OldCrane,theHeadmaster,hasanoselikeamountainatsunset,andabluecleftinhischin,likeawoodedravine,whichsometripperhasfired;likeawoodedravineseenfromthetrainwindow.Heswaysslightly,mouthingouthistremendousandsonorouswords.Ilovetremendousandsonorouswords.Buthiswordsaretooheartytobetrue.Yetheisbythistimeconvincedoftheirtruth.Andwhenheleavestheroom,lurchingratherheavilyfromsidetoside,andhurlshiswaythroughtheswing-doors,allthemasters,lurchingratherheavilyfromsidetoside,hurlthemselvesalsothroughtheswing-doors.Thisisourfirstnightatschool,apartfromoursisters.’

           ’Thisismyfirstnightatschool,’saidSusan,’awayfrommyfather,awayfrommyhome.Myeyesswell;myeyesprickwithtears.Ihatethesmellofpineandlinoleum.Ihatethewind-bittenshrubsandthesanitarytiles.Ihatethecheerfuljokesandtheglazedlookofeveryone.Ileftmysquirrelandmydovesfortheboytolookafter.Thekitchendoorslams,andshotpattersamongtheleaveswhenPercyfiresattherooks.Allhereisfalse;allismeretricious.