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Narcissus Off Duty
TheypausedbyLittleandwatchedthemoonrise,tomakesilveroftheslateroofofDoddandbluetherustlingtrees.
"Youknow,"whisperedTom,"whatwefeelnowisthesenseofallthegorgeousyouththathasriotedthroughhereintwohundredyears."
AlastburstofsingingfloodedupfromBlairArch—brokenvoicesforsomelongparting.
"Andwhatweleavehereismorethanthisclass;it’sthewholeheritageofyouth.We’rejustonegeneration—we’rebreakingallthelinksthatseemedtobindusheretotop-bootedandhigh-stockedgenerations.We’vewalkedarmandarmwithBurrandLight-HorseHarryLeethroughhalfthesedeep-bluenights."
"That’swhattheyare,"Tomtangentedoff,"deepblue—abitofcolorwouldspoilthem,makethemexotic.Spires,againstaskythat’sapromiseofdawn,andbluelightontheslateroofs—ithurts...rather—"
"Good-by,AaronBurr,"AmorycalledtowarddesertedNassauHall,"youandIknewstrangecornersoflife."
Hisvoiceechoedinthestillness.
"Thetorchesareout,"whisperedTom."Ah,Messalina,thelongshadowsarebuildingminaretsonthestadium—"
Foraninstantthevoicesoffreshmanyearsurgedaroundthemandthentheylookedateachotherwithfainttearsintheireyes