Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 3
Thewordsofdoomcriedbytheangelshatteredinaninstanthispresumptuouspeace.Thewindofthelastdayblewthroughhismind,hissins,thejewel-eyedharlotsofhisimagination,fledbeforethehurricane,squeakinglikemiceintheirterrorandhuddledunderamaneofhair.
Ashecrossedthesquare,walkinghomeward,thelightlaughterofagirlreachedhisburningear.Thefrailgaysoundsmotehisheartmorestronglythanatrumpetblast,and,notdaringtolifthiseyes,heturnedasideandgazed,ashewalked,intotheshadowofthetangledshrubs.Shamerosefromhissmittenheartandfloodedhiswholebeing.TheimageofEmmaappearedbeforehim,andunderhereyesthefloodofshamerushedforthanewfromhisheart.Ifsheknewtowhathismindhadsubjectedherorhowhisbrute-likelusthadtornandtrampleduponherinnocence!Wasthatboyishlove?Wasthatchivalry?Wasthatpoetry?Thesordiddetailsofhisorgiesstankunderhisverynostrils.
