Волны

           IranpastSusan,pastRhoda,andNevilleandBernardinthetool-housetalking.IcriedasIran,fasterandfaster.Whatmovedtheleaves?Whatmovesmyheart,mylegs?AndIdashedinhere,seeingyougreenasabush,likeabranch,verystill,Louis,withyoureyesfixed."Ishedead?"Ithought,andkissedyou,withmyheartjumpingundermypinkfrockliketheleaves,whichgoonmoving,thoughthereisnothingtomovethem.NowIsmellgeraniums;Ismellearthmould.Idance.Iripple.Iamthrownoveryoulikeanetoflight.Iliequiveringflungoveryou.’

           ’Throughthechinkinthehedge,’saidSusan,’Isawherkisshim.Iraisedmyheadfrommyflower-potandlookedthroughachinkinthehedge.Isawherkisshim.Isawthem,JinnyandLouis,kissing.NowIwillwrapmyagonyinsidemypocket-handkerchief.Itshallbescrewedtightintoaball.Iwillgotothebeechwoodalone,beforelessons.Iwillnotsitatatable,doingsums.IwillnotsitnextJinnyandnextLouis.Iwilltakemyanguishandlayitupontherootsunderthebeechtrees.Iwillexamineitandtakeitbetweenmyfingers.Theywillnotfindme.IshalleatnutsandpeerforeggsthroughthebramblesandmyhairwillbemattedandIshallsleepunderhedgesanddrinkwaterfromditchesanddiethere.’

           ’Susanhaspassedus,’saidBernard.’Shehaspassedthetool-housedoorwithherhandkerchiefscrewedintoaball.Shewasnotcrying,buthereyes,whicharesobeautiful,werenarrowascats’eyesbeforetheyspring.Ishallfollowher,Neville.