До Адама

           Shehadmadeawideleap,andwiththesnapofthewoodIwasoverwhelmedwiththesickeningconsciousnessoffallingthroughspace,thepairofus.Theforestandthesunshineontherustlingleavesvanishedfrommyeyes.Ihadafadingglimpseofmyfatherabruptlyarrestinghisprogresstolook,andthenallwasblackness.

           ThenextmomentIwasawake,inmysheetedbed,sweating,trembling,nauseated.Thewindowwasup,andacoolairwasblowingthroughtheroom.Thenight-lampwasburningcalmly.AndbecauseofthisItakeitthatthewildpigsdidnotgetus,thatweneverfetchedbottom;elseIshouldnotbeherenow,athousandcenturiesafter,toremembertheevent.

           Andnowputyourselfinmyplaceforamoment.Walkwithmeabitinmytenderchildhood,bedwithmeanightandimagineyourselfdreamingsuchincomprehensiblehorrors.RememberIwasaninexperiencedchild.Ihadneverseenawildboarinmylife.ForthatmatterIhadneverseenadomesticatedpig.ThenearestapproachtoonethatIhadseenwasbreakfastbaconsizzlinginitsfat.Andyethere,realaslife,wildboarsdashedthroughmydreams,andI,withfantasticparents,swungthroughtheloftytree-spaces.

           DoyouwonderthatIwasfrightenedandoppressedbymynightmare-riddennights?Iwasaccursed.And,worstofall,Iwasafraidtotell.Idonotknowwhy,exceptthatIhadafeelingofguilt,thoughIknewnobetterofwhatIwasguilty.Soitwas,throughlongyears,thatIsufferedinsilence,untilIcametoman’sestateandlearnedthewhyandwhereforeofmydreams.