Вітер у вербах

           ItwassnowinghardasIbeatthroughthepassesofthegreatmountains,andIhadastifffighttowinthrough;butnevershallIforgettheblissfulfeelingofthehotsunagainonmybackasIspeddowntothelakesthatlaysoblueandplacidbelowme,andthetasteofmyfirstfatinsect!Thepastwaslikeabaddream;thefuturewasallhappyholidayasImovedsouthwardsweekbyweek,easily,lazily,lingeringaslongasIdared,butalwaysheedingthecall!No,Ihadhadmywarning;neveragaindidIthinkofdisobedience."

           "Ah,yes,thecalloftheSouth,oftheSouth!"twitteredtheothertwodreamily."Itssongs,itshues,itsradiantair!O,doyouremember—"and,forgettingtheRat,theyslidintopassionatereminiscence,whilehelistenedfascinated,andhisheartburnedwithinhim.Inhimself,too,heknewthatitwasvibratingatlast,thatchordhithertodormantandunsuspected.Themerechatterofthesesouthern-boundbirds,theirpaleandsecond-handreports,hadyetpowertoawakenthiswildnewsensationandthrillhimthroughandthroughwithit;whatwouldonemomentoftherealthingworkinhim—onepassionatetouchoftherealsouthernsun,onewaftoftheauthenticodour?Withclosedeyeshedaredtodreamamomentinfullabandonment,andwhenhelookedagaintheriverseemedsteelyandchill,thegreenfieldsgreyandlightless.Thenhisloyalheartseemedtocryoutonhisweakerselfforitstreachery.

           "Whydoyouevercomeback,then,atall?"hedemandedoftheswallowsjealously.