Дни грёз
Mutabile Semper
ThemomentHaroldbecameconsciousofSelina’sstealthyapproach,hedroppedhispencilandflunghimselfflatuponthetable,protectingthushisliteraryeffortsfromchillingcriticismbytheinterposedthicknessofhisperson.Fromsomewhereinhisinteriorproceededaheartrendingcompoundofsquealandwhistle,asofescapingsteam,—long-drawn,earpiercing,unvaryinginnote.
“Ionlyjustwanttosee,”protestedSelina,strugglingtouproothissmallbodyfromthescrawlitguarded.ButHaroldclunglimpet-liketothetableedge,andhisshrillprotestcontinuedtodeafenhumanityandtothreateneventheserenitiesofOlympus.Thetimeseemedcomeforademonstrationinforce.PersonallyIcaredlittlewhatsoul-outpouringsofHaroldwerepiratedbySelina—shewasprettysuretogetholdofthemsoonerorlater—andindeedIratherwelcomedthediversionasfavourabletotheundisturbedpursuitofArt.Buttheclannishnessofsexhasitsunwrittenlaws.Boys,assuch,aresufficientlyputupon,maltreated,troddenunder,asitis.Shouldtheyfailtohangtogetherinperiloustimes,whatdisasters,whatignominies,maynotbelookedfor?Possiblyevenanextinctionofthetribe.Idroppedmypaintbrushandsailedshoutingintothefray.
Theresultforashortspacehungdubious.Thereisaperiodoflifewhenthedifferenceofayearortwoinagefaroutweighstheminoradvantageofsex.ThenthegathersofSelina’sfrockcameawaywithasoundliketherattleofdistantmusketry;andthiscalamityitwas,ratherthanmerebrutecompulsion,thatquelledherindomitablespirit.
