Two Gallants

           ThegreywarmeveningofAugusthaddescendeduponthecityandamildwarmair,amemoryofsummer,circulatedinthestreets.Thestreets,shutteredforthereposeofSunday,swarmedwithagailycolouredcrowd.Likeilluminedpearlsthelampsshonefromthesummitsoftheirtallpolesuponthelivingtexturebelowwhich,changingshapeandhueunceasingly,sentupintothewarmgreyeveningairanunchangingunceasingmurmur.

           TwoyoungmencamedownthehillofRutlandSquare.Onofthemwasjustbringingalongmonologuetoaclose.Theother,whowalkedonthevergeofthepathandwasattimesobligedtostepontotheroad,owingtohiscompanion’srudeness,woreanamusedlisteningface.Hewassquatandruddy.Ayachtingcapwasshovedfarbackfromhisforeheadandthenarrativetowhichhelistenedmadeconstantwavesofexpressionbreakforthoverhisfacefromthecornersofhisnoseandeyesandmouth.Littlejetsofwheezinglaughterfollowedoneanotheroutofhisconvulsedbody.Hiseyes,twinklingwithcunningenjoyment,glancedateverymomenttowardshiscompanion’sface.Onceortwiceherearrangedthelightwaterproofwhichhehadslungoveroneshoulderintoreadorfashion.Hisbreeches,hiswhiterubbershoesandhisjauntilyslungwaterproofexpressedyouth.Buthisfigurefellintorotundityatthewaist,hishairwasscantandgreyandhisface,whenthewavesofexpressionhadpassedoverit,hadaravagedlook.