Хвилі

           ArchieandHugh;ParkerandDalton;LarpentandSmith;thenagainArchieandHugh;ParkerandDalton;LarpentandSmith--thenamesrepeatthemselves;thenamesarethesamealways.Theyarethevolunteers;theyarethecricketers;theyaretheofficersoftheNaturalHistorySociety.Theyarealwaysformingintofoursandmarchingintroopswithbadgesontheircaps;theysalutesimultaneouslypassingthefigureoftheirgeneral.Howmajesticistheirorder,howbeautifulistheirobedience!IfIcouldfollow,ifIcouldbewiththem,IwouldsacrificeallIknow.Buttheyalsoleavebutterfliestremblingwiththeirwingspinchedoff;theythrowdirtypocket-handkerchiefsclottedwithbloodscrewedupintocorners.Theymakelittleboyssobindarkpassages.Theyhavebigredearsthatstandoutundertheircaps.Yetthatiswhatwewishtobe,NevilleandI.Iwatchthemgowithenvy.Peepingfrombehindacurtain,Inotethesimultaneityoftheirmovementswithdelight.Ifmylegswerereinforcedbytheirs,howtheywouldrun!IfIhadbeenwiththemandwonmatchesandrowedingreatraces,andgallopedallday,howIshouldthunderoutsongsatmidnight!Inwhatatorrentthewordswouldrushfrommythroat!’

           ’Percivalhasgonenow,’saidNeville.’Heisthinkingofnothingbutthematch.Heneverwavedhishandasthebraketurnedthecornerbythelaurelbush.Hedespisesmeforbeingtooweaktoplay(yetheisalwayskindtomyweakness).Hedespisesmefornotcaringiftheywinorloseexceptthathecares.