Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 1
Gettinguponthecarsintheearlywintrymorningoutsidethedoorofthecastle.Thecarswererollingonthegravel.Cheersfortherector!
Hurray!Hurray!Hurray!
Thecarsdrovepastthechapelandallcapswereraised.Theydrovemerrilyalongthecountryroads.ThedriverspointedwiththeirwhipstoBodenstown.Thefellowscheered.TheypassedthefarmhouseoftheJollyFarmer.Cheeraftercheeraftercheer.ThroughClanetheydrove,cheeringandcheered.Thepeasantwomenstoodatthehalf-doors,themenstoodhereandthere.Thelovelysmelltherewasinthewintryair:thesmellofClane:rainandwintryairandturfsmoulderingandcorduroy.
Thetrainwasfulloffellows:alonglongchocolatetrainwithcreamfacings.Theguardswenttoandfroopening,closing,locking,unlockingthedoors.Theyweremenindarkblueandsilver;theyhadsilverywhistlesandtheirkeysmadeaquickmusic:click,click:click,click.
AndthetrainracedonovertheflatlandsandpasttheHillofAllen.Thetelegraphpoleswerepassing,passing.Thetrainwentonandon.Itknew.Therewerelanternsinthehallofhisfather’shouseandropesofgreenbranches.Therewerehollyandivyroundthepierglassandhollyandivy,greenandred,twinedroundthechandeliers.Therewereredhollyandgreenivyroundtheoldportraitsonthewalls.HollyandivyforhimandforChristmas.
Lovely...
Allthepeople.Welcomehome,Stephen!Noisesofwelcome.
