Любовник леди Чаттерлей
Chapter 13
Cliffordkeptthechairgoingtillhecametothebrowofthehill;Conniefollowedslowlybehind.Theoak-budswereopeningsoftandbrown.Everythingcametenderlyoutoftheoldhardness.Eventhesnaggycraggyoak-treesputoutthesoftestyoungleaves,spreadingthin,brownlittlewingslikeyoungbat-wingsinthelight.Whyhadmenneveranynewnessinthem,anyfreshnesstocomeforthwith!Stalemen!
Cliffordstoppedthechairatthetopoftheriseandlookeddown.Thebluebellswashedbluelikeflood-wateroverthebroadriding,andlitupthedownhillwithawarmblueness.
’It’saveryfinecolourinitself,’saidClifford,’butuselessformakingapainting.’
’Quite!’saidConnie,completelyuninterested.
’ShallIventureasfarasthespring?’saidClifford.
’Willthechairgetupagain?’shesaid.
’We’lltry;nothingventure,nothingwin!’
Andthechairbegantoadvanceslowly,joltinglydownthebeautifulbroadridingwashedoverwithblueencroachinghyacinths.Olastofallships,throughthehyacinthianshallows!Opinnaceonthelastwildwaters,sailinginthelastvoyageofourcivilization!Whither,Oweirdwheeledship,yourslowcoursesteering.Quietandcomplacent,Cliffordsatatthewheelofadventure:inhisoldblackhatandtweedjacket,motionlessandcautious.OCaptain,myCaptain,oursplendidtripisdone!Notyetthough!Downhill,inthewake,cameConstanceinhergreydress,watchingthechairjoltdownwards.
Theypassedthenarrowtracktothehut.Thankheavenitwasnotwideenoughforthechair:hardlywideenoughforoneperson.