Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 5
Thebellandthebirdceased;andthedullwhitelightspreaditselfeastandwest,coveringtheworld,coveringtheroselightinhisheart.
Fearingtoloseall,heraisedhimselfsuddenlyonhiselbowtolookforpaperandpencil.Therewasneitheronthetable;onlythesoupplatehehadeatenthericefromforsupperandthecandlestickwithitstendrilsoftallowanditspapersocket,singedbythelastflame.Hestretchedhisarmwearilytowardsthefootofthebed,gropingwithhishandinthepocketsofthecoatthathungthere.Hisfingersfoundapencilandthenacigarettepacket.Helaybackand,tearingopenthepacket,placedthelastcigaretteonthewindowledgeandbegantowriteoutthestanzasofthevillanelleinsmallneatlettersontheroughcardboardsurface.
Havingwrittenthemouthelaybackonthelumpypillow,murmuringthemagain.Thelumpsofknottedflockunderhisheadremindedhimofthelumpsofknottedhorsehairinthesofaofherparlouronwhichheusedtosit,smilingorserious,askinghimselfwhyhehadcome,displeasedwithherandwithhimself,confoundedbytheprintoftheSacredHeartabovetheuntenantedsideboard.Hesawherapproachhiminalullofthetalkandbeghimtosingoneofhiscurioussongs.
