Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 5
Isuppleandsuave.Attackedmeonthescoreofloveforone’smother.Triedtoimaginehismother:cannot.Toldmeonce,inamomentofthoughtlessness,hisfatherwassixty-onewhenhewasborn.Canseehim.Strongfarmertype.Pepperandsaltsuit.Squarefeet.Unkempt,grizzledbeard.Probablyattendscoursingmatches.PayshisduesregularlybutnotplentifullytoFatherDwyerofLarras.Sometimestalkstogirlsafternightfall.Buthismother?Veryyoungorveryold?Hardlythefirst.Ifso,Cranlywouldnothavespokenashedid.Oldthen.Probably,andneglected.HenceCranly’sdespairofsoul:thechildofexhaustedloins.
MARCH21,MORNING.Thoughtthisinbedlastnightbutwastoolazyandfreetoaddtoit.Free,yes.TheexhaustedloinsarethoseofElizabethandZacchary.Thenheistheprecursor.Item:heeatschieflybellybaconanddriedfigs.Readlocustsandwildhoney.Also,whenthinkingofhim,sawalwaysasternseveredheadordeathmaskasifoutlinedonagreycurtainorveronica.Decollationtheycallitinthegold.PuzzledforthemomentbysaintJohnattheLatingate.WhatdoIsee?Adecollatedpercursortryingtopickthelock.
MARCH21,NIGHT.Free.Soulfreeandfancyfree.Letthedeadburythedead.Ay.Andletthedeadmarrythedead.
MARCH22.IncompanywithLynchfollowedasizeablehospitalnurse.Lynch’sidea.Dislikeit.Twoleanhungrygreyhoundswalkingafteraheifer.
MARCH23.Havenotseenhersincethatnight.
